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☆ Uber and Lyft are threatening to leave Minneapolis over a ride-hailing proposal supporters say would guarantee drivers earn the city's minimum wage
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The conversation around ride-hailing driver pay has been heating up across the country over the past year. AdvertisementLoren Balazs, a full-time driver in Minneapolis, told BI he's worried the city council's proposal would hurt his ride-hailing business. The study estimated that a minimum pay rate of $1.21 per mile and $0.49 per minute would guarantee drivers earned the city's minimum wage. AdvertisementThe debate over minimum pay for ride-hailing drivers has been building in Minneapolis for over a year. Tim Walz vetoed a bill that would have established minimum pay standards for Uber and Lyft drivers.

Persons: —, Erin Hatton, Jacob Frey, Lyft, Lyft haven't, Uber, behemoths wouldn't, aren't, Axios, Alexandrea Ravenelle, Sergio Avedian, Guy, Austin, Avedian, Joe Pierce, he'd, Loren Balazs, Sheri Wegner, they'll, Mayor Frey, Tim Walz Organizations: Service, Business, University at Buffalo, Minneapolis City Council, Minneapolis, New, Seattle, Minnesota, University of North, Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov, Uber, Minneapolis City Locations: Minneapolis, Minneapolis ? Minnesota, New York City , Washington, California, Chicago and Massachusetts, Washington, Seattle, Minneapolis . Washington, Alexandrea, University of North Carolina, Minnesota, Twin Cities

He told reporters the paramedic was a part of a SWAT team that had been called to a domestic situation at the home. Inside, an armed man had barricaded himself with his family, including seven children ranging in age from 2 to 15, Evans said. Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city since 2019, also was killed. She and her husband peered out of their sunroom and saw squad cars and a phalanx of police officers. None of the relatives of the officers or the firefighter immediately returned phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Persons: Drew Evans, Evans, “, ” Evans, ”, Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, Adam Finseth, Elmstrand, Ruge, Adam Medlicott, Tanya Schwartz, Alicia McCullum, peered, McCullum, “ We’re, ” McCullum, BJ Jungmann, Marty Kelly, Tim Walz, “ Minnesota, Grace, Angie Craig, ” Craig, Kris Martin, Rob Jagodzinski, Bobby Caina Calvan, Maysoon, Jesse Bedayn Organizations: SWAT, Minnesota Police, Peace, Association, Medical, “, Associated Press, Minnesota Gov, Burnsville City, U.S, Rep, ___ Associated Press Locations: BURNSVILLE, Minn, Minneapolis, Burnsville , Minnesota, Minnesota, Goodhue County, Burnsville, Burnsville City Hall, downtown Minneapolis, New York City, Maysoon Khan, Albany , New York, Denver

☆ Burnsville, Minnesota shooting: 2 police officers and 1 firefighter killed, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Chris Boyette | Joe Sutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Two police officers and a firefighter were fatally shot and another officer was injured after responding to a domestic incident early Sunday morning in Burnsville, Minnesota, according to local authorities. Burnsville city officials identified the three victims Sunday afternoon as officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, 40. “Minnesota mourns with you,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said during the news conference. My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville,” Walz said. He was part of the department’s crisis negotiations team and was also a physical evidence officer, officials said.

Persons: “, Adam Medlicott, Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, Adam Finseth, Drew Evans, ” Evans, Evans, “ Minnesota, Tim Walz, Walz, ” Walz, ” Jim Mortenson, Minnesota Sen, Amy Klobuchar, ” Klobuchar, Elmstrand, Ruge, Finseth, CNN’s Josh Campbell, Cindy Von Quednow Organizations: CNN, of Public, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Law Enforcement Labor Services, Minnesota, Burnsville, Guard Locations: Burnsville , Minnesota, Burnsville, Minnesota, of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Minnesota introduced a new child tax credit that could reduce child poverty by 33%. There is still hope, meanwhile, for an expanded national child tax credit. AdvertisementMinnesota's top officials are celebrating a new child tax credit they say could curtail child poverty by as much as 33%. Qualifying Minnesotans can now claim up to $1,750 per child with the new tax credit thanks to legislation passed in the state's 2023 session. Not all hope is lost for an expanded federal child tax credit, however.

Persons: —, Tim Walz's, Walz, filer, Peggy Flanagan, Flanagan Organizations: Service, Democratic Gov, Gov, Lawmakers, Tax Relief, American Families and Workers, Senate, White Locations: Minnesota

RICHFIELD, Minn. (AP) — Travelers in northwestern Minnesota can shake off their trepidation about hitting the winter roads knowing Taylor Drift is clearing a path ahead of them. The snowplow named for Taylor Swift was the runaway winner of Minnesota’s fourth annual Name a Snowplow contest, with eight new names announced Tuesday. Walz thanked the state’s snowplow drivers for braving dangerous conditions, working 12-hour shifts and clearing 200 miles (322 kilometers) or more at a time. The Name a Snowplow contest is a way to personalize both the massive trucks and the people who drive them. Previous winners over the years in Minnesota include Plowy McPlowFace, Darth Blader, Blizzard of Oz, Scoop Dogg and Han Snolo.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Taylor, Clark W, Dolly Plowton, Waipahinte, “, Tim Walz, ”, Walz, Anne Meyer, ” Meyer, Meyer, snowplows, Plowy, Darth Blader, Dogg, Han, ___ Trisha Ahmed, @TrishaAhmed15 Organizations: —, Twin Cities, Minnesota Department of Transportation, state's Department of Transportation, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: RICHFIELD, Minn, Minnesota, Waipahinte —, Twin, Alaska , California , Ohio, Massachusetts

☆ Lots of governors think that Biden needs to be attending way more groundbreakings on infrastructure law projects to push back on the idea he's too old to govern
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

As the 2024 election heats up, President Biden remains weighed down by low approval ratings. But Democratic governors think Biden can raise his numbers by boosting his visibility, per The NYT. The governors believe the president should attend more ribbon-cuttings to further sell the infrastructure law. AdvertisementWhile a swath of Democratic governors across the country enjoy positive approval ratings in their states, President Joe Biden remains in a political rut. Advertisement"The problem is going to be, it's going to take us 20 years to build all this infrastructure out," Walz said.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden, Phil Murphy, Biden's, Laura Kelly, Tim Walz, " Walz Organizations: Service, Biden, Democratic, The New York Times, New, New Jersey Gov, The, Kansas Gov, Times, Minnesota Gov Locations: Arizona, New Jersey, Kansas

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Mayo Clinic announced a $5 billion expansion plan for its flagship campus Tuesday that includes new buildings designed so they can evolve and expand as patient needs change over the coming decades. The project is part of a Mayo strategy to transform both patient care and its campus in downtown Rochester, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southeast of Minneapolis. This storied hospital is known for its patient care as well as scientific breakthroughs in cancer and gene therapies. “We know that for overall health care transformation, indeed even for digital innovation to thrive in health care, we also need new types of health care buildings," he said at the ceremony attended by Gov. Much of that space will be in two new clinical buildings at the center of campus.

Persons: Gianrico, Farrugia, “, Tim Walz, ” Mayo, Dr, Craig Daniels, Mayo, ” Walz Organizations: Mayo Clinic, Gov, Skyways Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Mayo, Rochester, Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, who is running for president and challenging Joe Biden in the primary, announced Friday he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024. Before Phillips won the seat as a Democrat in 2018, the area had a history of electing Republicans to the U.S. House. In October, Phillips became the first elected Democrat to challenge Biden for the nomination. Phillips is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and heir to his stepfather’s Phillips Distilling Company empire, which holds major vodka and schnapps brands. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Persons: Dean Phillips, Joe Biden, Phillips, Biden, Tim Walz —, Ken Martin, Biden’s, ” Martin, Martin, Anna Mathews, Joe Biden’s, Talenti, Pauline Phillips, “, Abby, ” ___ Trisha Ahmed, @TrishaAhmed15 Organizations: — Democratic, Trump, Minnesota Gov, Biden, Minnesota Democrats, Democratic National Committee, reelecting, Republican Party of Minnesota, Associated Press, GOP, Congressional District, Republicans, U.S . House, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Minnesota's, Minneapolis

He described the announcement as “an exciting opportunity to celebrate the importance of rural America.”Biden’s reelection campaign said the president's trip to Minnesota was planned before Phillips announced his candidacy. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesBiden's trip, coming so soon after Phillips’ announcement, will be an opportunity for the president to try to snuff out any potential support for his nascent primary challenger. Invited guests to Biden's fundraiser include past donors to Phillips' congressional campaigns, as well as Minnesota Democratic Gov. Phillips' campaign will feel “almost like a cold glass of water being thrown in his face," said Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota Democrats and a Democratic National Committee vice chair. “I welcome President Biden back to Minnesota, where Everyone’s Invited!,” Phillips said in a statement about Biden's trip, referencing his campaign slogan.

Persons: Joe Biden, Dean Phillips, Tom Vilsack, ” Biden’s, Phillips, Biden shouldn't, —, Donald Trump, Tim Walz, Ken Martin, Martin, Biden, “, Walz, Love Joe Biden, it’s, ” Walz, Angie Craig, ”, Bennie Thompson, ” Phillips, “ I’m, won’t, Marianne Williamson, Robert Kennedy Jr, Karine Jean, Pierre wouldn't, Richard Nixon, Trump, Hillary Clinton, Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher, ” Belcher, Chrissy Houlahan, Dean ”, Biden’s, Houlahan Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Republican, Minnesota Democratic Gov, Minnesota Democrats, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party, Minnesota Democrat, Biden, Black Democrats, Democratic, Mississippi Democratic Rep, Democrat, Minnesota, Pennsylvania Locations: Minnesota, Minneapolis, America, Democratic Minneapolis, U.S, Craig's district, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Carolina's, ” Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin

☆ Joe Biden: Democrats dismiss worries about president’s reelection bid as Dean Phillips launches primary challenge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —President Joe Biden is just as low in the White House’s internal polls as in any of the public ones. But while Biden advisers are dismissive of Rep. Dean Phillips’ primary challenge launched this week, they are also annoyed about it. Still, they remain confident that Biden is Democrats’ best option in 2024. Boyle told CNN this week that between the war in Israel and Gaza and the chaos of House Republicans electing their new speaker, he had not had “one conversation with anyone” about Phillips. Asked if he was worried about Phillips being a factor even back home in their state’s primary, Walz laughed.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Donilon —, —, Donilon, Biden, Dean Phillips, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Phillips, Walz, “, ‘, ’, Ron, Brendan Boyle, ”, ” Boyle, daydreaming, Harris, Emanuel Cleaver, ” “ Joe Biden, ” Ben Wikler, ’ Phillips, Gretchen Whitmer, Louis, “ We’ve, ” Biden, Trump –, Trump, ” Harris, St . Louis, Boyle, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein’s, Gavin Newsom, California politicos, Nancy Pelosi, Jamie Raskin, Raskin, Biden’s Organizations: CNN, ’, GOP, Democratic, Center, American, Florida Gov, president’s, MAGA Republicans, Democrat, Granite, Democrats ’, Biden, Democratic National Committee, Trump, “, New Hampshire Democrats, Republicans, Los Angeles Times, California Gov, Senate, Maryland, House Democratic Locations: Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, St, Louis, Wisconsin, Concord , New Hampshire, Michigan, Israel, St ., Gaza, Minnesota, California

☆ America's electric grid is in shambles. Biden has made the largest federal investment ever to try and fix it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Matthew Daly | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Biden announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen the electric grid. This is the largest federal investment ever made in grid infrastructure, said US Energy Secretary. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it was the largest federal investment ever in grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden electric systems and improve energy reliability and affordability. The federal spending, combined with money promised by private partners, could result in up to $8 billion in investments nationally to upgrade the grid, Granholm said. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe largest grant, $464 million, will go to improve five transmission projects across seven Midwestern states, from Iowa to North Dakota.

Persons: Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Chip Somodevilla, ″, Mitch Landrieu, Joe Biden, Landrieu, Jonathan Foley, Foley, Tim Walz, Steve Karnowski Organizations: US Energy, Service, Wednesday, Energy, Biden, Resilience, White House, Minnesota Gov, AP, of Commerce, CPS Energy, Consumers Energy, Flint, DTE Energy, Portland General Electric Locations: Maui, California, Georgia, Louisiana, American, Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, California , Oregon , Utah, Minnesota, Locust Grove, Orleans, San Antonio, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Detroit

☆ House Democrat says there's still time for someone to try to deny Joe Biden the party's nomination: 'The country is begging for alternatives'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Dean Phillips still hasn't ruled out launching a primary challenge against President Joe Biden. But he still says he's not the best candidate, and that there's still time for someone else to do it. "I recognize there'd be laughter, there'd be distaste, there would be disgust," he said of his own bid. "I do still think there's some time for somebody to enter," the Minnesota Democrat said in an interview with Steve Schmidt that was first shared with POLITICO on Monday. A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Persons: Dean Phillips, hasn't, Joe Biden, he's, Steve Schmidt, I'm, Phillips, Gretchen Whitmer, Tim Walz, —, Biden, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Organizations: Service, Democratic, Minnesota Democrat, POLITICO, Biden, GOP, Trump, Washington Post, ABC News Locations: Wall, Silicon, Michigan, Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The recently appointed director of Minnesota’s new marijuana regulatory agency Erin Dupree has resigned amid reports that she sold illegal cannabis products in the state. Dupree ran a business that sold products exceeding state limits on THC potency, owed money to former associates and accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens, Minnesota Public Radio reported. “I have never knowingly sold any noncompliant product, and when I became aware of them I removed the products from inventory,” Dupree said in a statement Friday. Political Cartoons View All 1176 ImagesHer role as the state's first director of the Office of Cannabis Management would have begun on Oct. 2. The midwestern state is the 23rd in the country to legalize recreational marijuana.

Persons: Erin Dupree, Dupree, —, “, ” Dupree, Tim Walz, " Walz, Charlene Briner Organizations: PAUL, Minnesota Public Radio, Loonacy, Star Tribune, Cannabis Management, ”, Minnesota Public Locations: Apple Valley , Minnesota, “, Wisconsin , Iowa , Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota

☆ Amy Klobuchar and other powerful Minnesota politicians enjoy their photo ops with shirtless firefighters at State Fair
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

There's nothing politicians love more than a good, old-fashioned state fair. Three Democratic congresswomen encountered a group of shirtless firefighters in Minnesota. On Friday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar tweeted out her must-sees of the 2023 Minnesota State Fair. "State Fair pro tip: You don't want to miss the Minnesota firefighters at the @MNAFLCIO," she tweeted. Tim Walz should make it real), goes to Minnesota's senior senator, Tina Smith.

Persons: Democratic congresswomen, Sen, Amy Klobuchar, Paul ., Ilhan Omar, Tim Walz, Tina Smith Organizations: Democratic, Service, Committee, American Federation of, Minnesota, vikings Locations: Minnesota, Wall, Silicon

☆ How Mexican narcos use remittances to wire U.S. drug profits home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Reuters Graphic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +28 min

Now the news agency is the first to detail how Mexican drug gangs have harnessed legitimate remittance networks to repatriate their U.S. drug profits, and the factors that make this activity so difficult for authorities to detect and thwart. But authorities say Mexican drug cartels are piggybacking on this legal network to repatriate earnings from U.S. narcotics sales. A Reuters search of Mexican court records dating back to 2012 turned up no cases involving money laundering through remittances. Still, prosecutors in those cases mentioned several of those firms in court documents because they said the defendants had used their platforms to wire drug money. His office did not respond to requests for comment about law enforcement allegations that Mexican cartels are using remittances to launder drug money.

Persons: Money, ”, “, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ” Jorge Godínez, ” Godínez, John Cornyn of, Chuck Grassley, ” Grassley, pocketing, John Horn, remitters ”, Horn, – Oscar Gustavo Perez, Bernal, Itzayana Guadalupe Perez, Susan Fiorella Ayala, Chavez –, Los, –, Jose Luis Rosales, Ocampo, Josue Gama, Perez, Thania Rosales, Dulce Rosales, – Ana Lilia Leal, Martinez, Ana Paola Banda, Maria de Lourdes Carbajal, Henri Watson, Carbajal, Sigue, Sangita Bricker, Transfast –, ” Sigue, Transfast, fanny, Juan de Dios Gámez, Rubén Rocha, BanCoppel, Banorte, hadn’t, El, López Obrador, ” López Obrador, Signos, Signos Vitales, Oquitoa, Enrique Cardenas, Tim Walz, Keith Ellison Organizations: Sinaloa Cartel, Reuters, Jalisco New, Mexican, WorldRemit, ., National Intelligence, narcos, U.S, Republican U.S, Treasury, U.S . Department of, U.S ., Financial Intelligence Unit, “, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Los Rosales, Kansas City, ”, Leal, IDT Corporation, IDT, Mastercard, Express Cellular, Prosecutors, IRS, Western Union, U.S . Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, ‘, Banco Azteca, Elektra, World Bank, Minnesota, Caborca Locations: CULIACÁN, Mexico, Mexican, Culiacán, Sinaloa, United States, Jalisco, U.S, Colorado, Union, Americas, London, John Cornyn of Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Colorado , Georgia , Ohio , Oklahoma , Texas, Virginia, Washington, Georgia, Atlanta, Columbus, Rosales, Nayarit, Michoacan, Missouri, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Miami, , New Jersey, Ria, Kansas, California, New York, Western, Sinaloan, Costa Rica, BanCoppel, India, China, Mexico City, Minnesota, Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Oquitoa, Sonora

☆ Minnesota lawmaker Dean Phillips says Biden should 'pass the torch' in 2024: Democrats 'would like to see an alternative'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips is open about his desire for a Democratic candidate that isn't Joe Biden. Phillips said on "Meet the Press" that Americans want to "turn the page" from the last Biden-Trump face-off. A "moderate governor, hopefully from the heartland" would be a better, more unifying choice, Phillips said. "Tired of the meanness and the fear-mongering of Donald Trump, I would like to see Joe Biden, a wonderful and remarkable man, pass the torch, and cement this extraordinary legacy," Phillips said Sunday. "As a Democrat, I adore Joe Biden.

Persons: Dean Phillips, isn't Joe Biden, Phillips, Trump, Joe Biden, Chuck Todd, Donald Trump, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Marianne Williamson, Biden, Todd, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B . Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz, Tony Evers Organizations: Democratic, Biden, Service, Politico, Michigan, Illinois Gov, Minnesota Gov, Wisconsin Gov Locations: Minnesota, Wall, Silicon, Illinois, Pennsylvania

The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a near-total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. MONTANA: Governor Greg Gianforte in May signed into law several bills limiting abortion access, including one that aims to overturn a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that found the state constitution protected a right to abortion. TEXAS: While abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions in Texas, Republican state representatives have introduced legislation that would compel internet providers to block websites that supply abortion pills or provide information on how to obtain an abortion. UTAH: Republican Governor Spencer Cox in March signed legislation to prohibit the licensing of abortion clinics, which abortion rights advocates say would effectively eliminate access in the state. In April, he also signed into law a bill to shield abortion providers and patients from other states' legal attacks.

Persons: Sam Wolfe, Roe, Wade, Ron DeSantis, Brad Little, Greg Gianforte, Jim Pillen, Roy Cooper's, Doug Burgum, Henry McMaster, Spencer Cox, Mark Gordon, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B, Pritzker, Tim Walz, Gabriella Borter, Sharon Bernstein, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell Organizations: Carolina House, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Republican, NORTH, Democratic, SOUTH, South Carolina Supreme Court, Senate, Minnesota, Thomson Locations: Columbia , South Carolina, U.S, FLORIDA, . IDAHO, MONTANA, . NEBRASKA, NORTH CAROLINA, North Carolina, NORTH DAKOTA, North Dakota, SOUTH CAROLINA, Carolina, TEXAS, Texas, UTAH, Utah . WYOMING, CALIFORNIA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, OHIO, Washington, Sacramento , California, New York

☆ Factbox: U.S. states where recreational marijuana is legal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 31 (Reuters) - Minnesota became the latest U.S. state to legalize marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday after its governor, Tim Walz, signed a law allowing the state's residents over the age of 21 to legally possess cannabis for consumption. Apart from the 23 states, adult-use cannabis is also legal in the District of Columbia, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Below is the list of U.S. states that have legalized recreational marijuana:** TD Cowen estimates from April 19Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tim Walz, Cowen, Sourasis Bose, Anil D'Silva Organizations: District of, Thomson Locations: Minnesota, District, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Bengaluru

☆ Minnesota Passes Bill Seeking to Ensure Minimum Wage for Gig Workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Kellen Browning | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill on Sunday that would guarantee drivers for Uber and Lyft a minimum wage and other benefits, sending the measure to Gov. Drivers for Uber and Lyft are known as gig workers because they are treated as independent contractors, meaning they are responsible for their own expenses and are not guaranteed a minimum wage, health care or other benefits. The bill is a rare win for labor advocates in what has become a protracted, multistate battle over the rights of gig drivers and their status in the economy. Uber and Lyft have long argued that their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. They say that drivers prefer being contractors because it allows them the flexibility to choose when they work, and many drivers work only part-time.

☆ These states might be the next to legalize weed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The state became the 22nd to legalize recreational marijuana and follows Missouri and Maryland, which did so earlier this year. Some states are even moving ahead with proposals or ballot measures to legalize weed, putting them within arms' reach of having recreational markets. These are the states that have a chance to legalize adult-use marijuana in the coming years. OhioOhio may vote on whether to legalize recreational marijuana in November. Haren said the proposal also plans to build upon Ohio's medical marijuana program and issue additional adult use licenses to new companies.

The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a near-total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. NORTH CAROLINA: House Republicans have introduced a bill to ban abortion from conception, except to preserve the life or health of the mother. The Senate tabled discussion of a near-total abortion ban on Thursday after it had been approved by the House. PROTECTIONSCALIFORNIA: A Democratic state senator has introduced a bill to protect doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients in other states. ILLINOIS: Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker in January signed a law protecting abortion providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks waged by other states.

Here is a snapshot of pending and passed legislation seeking to restrict or protect access in 2023. KANSAS: Although Kansans voted in favor of state abortion rights on a ballot measure last year, the Republican-led state Senate has passed a prohibition on prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine. The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. MONTANA: The Republican-led state Senate has passed a bill seeking to overturn a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that found that the state constitution protected a right to abortion. SOUTH CAROLINA: Despite the fact that the state Supreme Court recently struck down a six-week abortion ban in a 3-2 vote, Republicans have introduced a near-total abortion ban and a six-week ban this year.

The state's 21-year age minimum, enacted as part of a 2003 gun control law, had been challenged in a 2021 lawsuit by three gun rights groups - Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation - and three individuals. The plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit that the age minimum violated the Second Amendment because 18- to 20-year-olds were permitted to possess guns at the time of the United States' founding. Menendez wrote that she had "reservations" about the historical analysis demanded by the Supreme Court, noting that "judges are not historians." Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a 21-year age minimum for handgun purchases in Florida, based on 19th-century laws, but said those laws only concerned gun sales, not the right to carry guns. Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The suspect, identified by District of Columbia Metropolitan Police as 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin, was charged with simple assault. Craig's chief of staff, Nick Coe, said that Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota was bruised but "physically OK" following the attack, which did not appear to be politically motivated. "When the victim defended themselves, the suspect fled the scene," police said. Craig defended herself by throwing hot coffee at the attacker before he fled the scene, according to the report. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he spoke to Craig and said she was doing fine.

☆ Factbox: Abortion battles in U.S. state capitols to watch in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Gabriella Borter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

KANSAS: Although Kansans voted in favor of state abortion rights on a ballot measure last year, Republican lawmakers have proposed measures including a near-total ban on abortion and prohibitions on prescribing abortion pills over telemedicine. MONTANA: Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking to overturn a 1999 state supreme court ruling, which found that the state constitution protected a right to abortion. SOUTH CAROLINA: Despite the fact that the state supreme court recently struck down a six-week abortion ban in a 3-2 vote, Republicans have introduced a near-total abortion ban and a 6-week ban this year. The success of that legislation may depend on the outcome of the state's appeal of the supreme court decision. PROTECTIONSMICHIGAN: Abortion rights advocates scored big wins in Michigan in the November 2022 election, securing a Democratic majority in the legislature and enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

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