Michelle Griffith

Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota has universal pre-K. Do we? • Minnesota Reformer Gov. Tim Walz boasted about Minnesota’s education system to a Texas audience on Thursday. He said Minnesota’s graduation rates are improving, free school meals set students up for success and universa...

The short answer is no.

As Hortmans lie in state, thousands of Minnesotans line up to pay respects • Minnesota Reformer Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman on Friday was surrounded by things she loved: She laid in the Minnesota Capitol where she dedicated 20 years of her life, next to her husband Mark, her golden retriever...

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman on Friday laid in the Minnesota Capitol where she dedicated 20 years of her life, next to her husband Mark, her golden retriever Gilbert, leafy trees, bright flowers and legions of Minnesotans whom she sought to help through public service.

DFL senate president steered millions in public funds to a legal client Sen. Bobby Joe Champion says the work was pro-bono. Ethics experts say that doesn’t matter.

Got a doozy for you today: In 2023, Minnesota's DFL senate president authored a bill directing $3 million in public funds to a nonprofit. He did not disclose to his colleagues or the public that the nonprofit and its leader were his legal clients. minnesotareformer.com/2025/04/04/d...

Thank you, Max!

Minnesota Supreme Court dismisses recall petitions against House Democrats who boycotted session  • Minnesota Reformer The Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the 29 recall petitions against the House Democrats who boycotted the beginning of the legislative session earlier this year, ruling the allegations fai...

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the 29 recall petitions against the House Democrats who boycotted the beginning of the legislative session earlier this year.

As part of the power-sharing agreement between the House DFL and GOP, Democrats agreed to unseat Rep. Leigh Finke from the House public safety committee.

"At the request of Republican leadership, I was pulled off of that committee,” Finke said.

Minnesota’s paid leave program will launch with 0.88% payroll tax, state agency says • Minnesota Reformer Minnesota’s new paid leave program will launch with a 0.88% payroll tax in January 2026, which is 25% higher than what was originally proposed two years ago when the Legislature passed the law. The Re...

Minnesota’s new paid leave program will launch with a 0.88% payroll tax in January 2026, which is 25% higher than what was originally proposed two years ago when the Legislature passed the law.

I binged the latest season of "Love Is Blind" over the weekend and thought I saw a familiar face.

Congressional Republicans weighing tax change that would make infrastructure more expensive • Minnesota Reformer Republicans in Congress are considering eliminating a tax break that lowers the cost of public infrastructure projects across the country in an effort to free up money for their chief policy priority:...

Congressional Republicans are considering a change to tax law that would make infrastructure projects in Minnesota more expensive.

minnesotareformer.com/2025/02/12/c...

Minnesota lawmakers seek to limit practice of legislators giving money directly to nonprofits • Minnesota Reformer Some Minnesota lawmakers want to stop the practice of legislators giving money directly to nonprofits, concerned that it leads to uneven outcomes and lax oversight while favoring politically connected...

Some Minnesota lawmakers want to stop the practice of legislators giving money directly to nonprofits, concerned that it leads to uneven outcomes and lax oversight while favoring politically connected nonprofits.

Trump spending freeze imperils Minnesota police, farmers and cancer patients, governor says • Minnesota Reformer A Trump administration spending freeze directly imperils $1.9 billion in monthly federal spending in Minnesota, nearly $23 billion annually, according to an estimate from Gov. Tim Walz’s office. “Dona...

Walz administration says spending imperiled by Trump's executive order adds up to $1.9 billion a month. Police, farmers, cancer patients, schoolchildren affected. "Amateur-hour cruelty" minnesotareformer.com/2025/01/28/t...

Minnesota Supreme Court seems skeptical of House GOP's separation of powers argument in quorum suit • Minnesota Reformer The Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday appeared skeptical of House Republicans’ argument that the judiciary should stay out of the workings of the Minnesota House. The six justices hearing the high-s...

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday appeared skeptical of House Republicans’ argument that the judiciary should stay out of the workings of the Minnesota House, and it appeared poised to rule on the quorum question.

Minnesota House Republicans just passed a motion calling on Gov. Walz to direct the State Patrol to locate the absent DFL House members and “ensure their presence” at the Capitol tomorrow.

Walz proposes slowing spending on disability services to address looming deficit • Minnesota Reformer The state of Minnesota is spending more money than it’s bringing in, and if current trends continue, the state will spend down the current balance as soon as 2027. DFL Gov. Tim Walz wants to address t...

Walz proposes slowing spending on disability services to address looming deficit.

House Democrats, secretary of state ask Supreme Court to weigh in on quorum question • Minnesota Reformer As expected, Minnesota House Democrats and Secretary of State Steve Simon appealed to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, asking the high court to declare that Republicans aren’t able to elect a speak...

House Democrats, secretary of state ask Supreme Court to weigh in on quorum question minnesotareformer.com/2025/01/15/h...

Minnesota Republicans claim control of state House while Democrats threaten a ‘strike’ • Minnesota Reformer Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, proudly introduced herself as the House speaker designate at a news conference on Monday, saying there’s no longer need for a power-sharing agreement after a newly ele...

Minnesota Republicans claim control of state House while Democrats threaten a ‘strike’

Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, is the likely speaker of the House under a GOP majority. Demuth would likely remain speaker even if a special election pulls the chamber into a tie, because 68 votes would be required to vacate the speakership.

Low-income mothers lost tax refunds to tutoring companies using overseas instructors • Minnesota Reformer Success Tutoring and Achievers Tutoring received thousands in state funds from K-12 Education Tax Credit while paying Filipino instructors less than $5 per hour.

Low-income mothers lost tax refunds to tutoring companies using overseas instructors

Rep. Brad Tabke appears to have the votes. Now a judge will decide if that’s enough to take office. • Minnesota Reformer Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, could be one step closer to definitively winning his reelection bid after a Shakopee trial concluded Tuesday, and six of the 20 voters whose ballots were lost testified ...

Rep. Brad Tabke appears to have the votes. Now a judge will decide if that’s enough to take office.

Feds serve search warrant in autism fraud investigation • Minnesota Reformer It's shaping up to be another instance of state government struggling to stop a wave of fraud that has beset a number of safety net programs in the past decade.

Feds serve search warrant in autism fraud investigation

Republican Aaron Paul contests Shakopee House election result, requests special election • Minnesota Reformer The Republican candidate in a razor-thin Minnesota House race filed an election contest last week — seeking a new election — after Scott County officials announced that 20 absentee ballots were likely...

The GOP candidate in a razor-thin Minnesota House race filed an election contest last week — seeking a new election — after officials announced that 20 absentee ballots were likely thrown away accidentally.

Walz answers flurry of Minnesota press questions after months-long silence • Minnesota Reformer Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday presented Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey — rather than a presidential pardon, it received a gubernatorial condemnation; the bird will be eaten — and many local reporters were...

Here's a compilation of Walz’s answers to various questions from the press in the past few days, including his reflections on his time campaigning with Harris; a delayed lottery for cannabis licenses; and his thoughts on a divided Legislature.

Ken Martin, longtime head of Minnesota DFL Party, announces candidacy for DNC chair • Minnesota Reformer Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, whose party hasn’t lost a statewide race since his tenure began in 2011, announced on Tuesday that he’s running to lead the Democratic Nationa...

Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin, whose party hasn’t lost a statewide race since his tenure began in 2011, announced on Tuesday that he’s running to lead the Democratic National Committee.

I’m trying hard not to be a hater & their climate stuff is strong but I’m channeling all my j-donations to local alt-media such as @racketmn.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, @minnpost.bsky.social, @mnreformer.bsky.social because we need coverage decisions made outside that newsroom.

and now @michellemgriff.bsky.social

The newbies: Get to know a few newly elected Minnesota lawmakers. • Minnesota Reformer Editor’s note: Over the next couple weeks, the Reformer will be introducing readers to the 22 new state House members and one new state senator. Voters on Nov. 5 elected 22 new members of the Minnesot...

A firefighter, a mayor and a hypnotist: Get to know a few newly elected Minnesota lawmakers. via @mnreformer.bsky.social minnesotareformer.com/2024/11/15/t...