Video & Transcript Research : 'Duluth Promise'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: DFL Leaders and Trade Unions Announce 2025 Bonding Bill Target - 04/03/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Up in Duluth alone, we lost money from our roads and bridges projects in the city of Duluth to the tune
- Up in Duluth alone, we lost money from our roads and bridges projects in the city of Duluth to the tune
- Up in Duluth alone, we lost money from our roads and bridges projects in the city of Duluth to the tune
- Up in Duluth alone, we lost money from our roads and bridges projects in the city of Duluth to the tune
- Up in Duluth alone, we lost money from our roads and bridges projects in the city of Duluth to the tune
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- make a change in the Northstar Promise make a change in the Northstar Promise section,<00:55:17.440
- Promise strictly based on residency?
- or is Northstar for Northstar Promise or is Northstar Promise<01:13:18.880>
strictly <01:13:19.280 - Promise strictly based on residency? Promise strictly based on residency?
- the growing capabilities of AI promise the growing capabilities of AI promise to<02:58:03.760>
Summary:
The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward.
Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included.
The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/09/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And today we've got $3.5 million for design money for the Duluth hangar, as well as preservation and
- Base, which was located originally on the west side of the Duluth International Airport.
- It is currently the seventh-largest employer in the Duluth area.
- It is currently the seventh-largest employer in the Duluth area.
- It is currently the seventh-largest employer in the Duluth area.
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt.
The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity.
Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/12/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- this bill was to develop success metrics to ensure that we better serve our veterans and keep our promises
- And keep our promises to them, build our communities, and know that we are heading in the right direction
- We have a great relationship with the vet center in Duluth as well as Fargo.
- We have a great relationship with the vet center in Duluth as well as Fargo.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Senator Carlson from Eagan, Senator McEwen from Duluth. A quorum is present.
- We have Chris Belden also joining us from Duluth through the magic of technology. So, Mr.
- My name is Chris Belden, and I'm the executive director at the Duluth Transit Authority.
- <00:10:46.720>
area, with public transit in the Duluth area, with public transit in the Duluth - I know here in Duluth, we take a lot of pride in the Duluth Transit Authority and all of those public
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House passes omnibus transportation bill, HF14, during 2025 special session 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We also are able to get $10 million to the Duluth airport.
- are balancing the transportation budget on the backs of transit riders, and that's what that broken promise
- 22.159>
it <00:03:22.480>it <00:03:22.879>really <00:03:23.360>um broken promise - did is it it really um broken promise did is it it really um shifted<00:03:24.239>
a <00:03:24.480 - c><00:37:25.119>
and We were also able to protect the Blue Line extension, the NLX line to Duluth
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Meeting: Senate Committee and House Committee on Capital Investment - 05/17/26
Transcript Highlights:
- The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.
- Are the Duluth 4.9 million.
- County Behavioral Health uh in Duluth County Behavioral Health uh in Duluth for<00:24:40.360>
- <00:25:48.080>
Airport state airports fund for Duluth Airport state airports fund for Duluth - And then also um for Mankato and Duluth.
Summary:
The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section.
House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package.
Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I live in a relatively rural part of Duluth, if you will, and the weeks leading up to and following,
- , if you will, and the weeks Duluth, if you will, and the weeks leading<00:18:07.200>
up <00:18 - And there's those are issue a citation in lieu of arrest, ask a person to promise to appear in court,
- <00:41:34.120>
to arrest, ask a person to promise to arrest, ask a person to promise to appear - This bill is a simple step to honor that promise. This bill is a simple step to honor that promise.
Keywords:
fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/10/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Task Force Two comprises Duluth, Virginia, and the 148th Fighter Wing.
- Task Force Two comprises Duluth, Virginia, and the 148th Fighter Wing.
- Task Force Two comprises Duluth, Virginia, and the 148th Fighter Wing.
- for the United States and what promise for the United States and what we<00:22:10.679>
can <00 - for reimbursements have been promised for reimbursements have been promised that<01:19:55.719>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- As we watch the earth wake up to the promise of spring, give us joy and laughter in our work.
- to move away from using their local accountant to, I know that they had gotten some quotes out of Duluth
- /c><00:56:49.280>
quotes <00:56:49.640>out <00:56:49.760>of <00:56:49.880>Duluth - <00:56:50.320>
They gotten some quotes out of Duluth. - They gotten some quotes out of Duluth.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And then there's no promises we're going to get any more federal money in the future.
- And then there's no promises we're going to get any more federal money in the future.
- And then there's no promises we're going to get any more federal money in the future.
- I’m the business manager of Laborers Local 1091 out of Duluth, Minnesota, and I’m also the president
- Since 2001, the city of Duluth has Since 2001, the city of Duluth has removed<01:01:01.480>
and
MN
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Repeal of sales tax exemption on preferred seating at sports event proposed to fund shelter, housing Apr 15th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of Place Called Home in Duluth. of Place Called Home in Duluth.
- Streetwise in Duluth. Streetwise in Duluth.
- We heard from the testifier in Duluth, who was totally amazing.
- We heard from the testifier in Duluth, who was totally amazing.
- We heard from the testifier in Duluth, who was totally amazing.
Summary:
House File 4738 was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Representative Keeler presented the bill as a funding source for Minnesota’s Safe Harbor program, arguing that trafficking and sexual exploitation are statewide problems and that current shelter and housing resources are insufficient. She and several supporters emphasized that the program serves youth across greater Minnesota, not just the metro, and that state and federal funding pressures make additional support necessary.
Testifiers from Place Called Home/Life House, The Link, the City of Minneapolis, and a survivor all described the impact of Safe Harbor and related shelter programs. They cited data on youth served, bed nights, mental health services, and high unmet need, including waitlists and youth turned away because programs are full. Testimony stressed that stable housing and trauma-informed services help survivors recover and move toward education, employment, and family stability. One committee member, Representative Davis, objected to the proposed funding source, saying he would not support taking money from women’s sports scholarships and urging a different source.
The bill’s tax mechanism was described as ending the sales tax exemption for preferred seating, suite licenses, and related amenities at athletic and entertainment events. Alec Williams of We Make Minnesota supported the proposal as a fair way to raise revenue from high-end discretionary purchases for a public purpose. Committee discussion also focused on the size of the revenue estimate and the breakdown of the impact, with nonpartisan staff saying roughly 85% would come from suite licenses, 10% from collegiate seating, and 5% from amenities. Representative Smith and others framed the issue as both a tax and moral question, and the chair moved the bill to be laid over.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 12th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Danielle from Duluth: The additional 10% in support has been a crucial factor in helping us move.
- Taylor, also from Duluth: Without the additional 10% in Great Start support payments my program receives
- I know how hard your work is, and you delivered on that promise.
- Representative Backer and Representative Byram, and the chairs, you delivered on that promise that we
- They promised to deliver in their communities, and they were stuck with really bad fees and Medicaid
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 Apr 29th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But I promise that we will work on this language.
- You have to have the thing that Representative Olsen mentioned, which is you can't be promising people
- Their promises and duty to their fellow soldiers and their families have been granted.
- War is the result of peoples like the Hmong who deserve better than empty promises.
- In the streets up in Duluth, overdosing and experiencing homelessness.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Repealing César Chávez Day in Minnesota 3/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I use they/them pronouns and I represent Duluth, and I am grateful but furious to have to stand up here
- As such, Duluth Unitos stands together in reproach of this harm caused by César Chávez.
- and I am pronouns and I represent Duluth and I am grateful<00:02:52.080>
but <00:02:52.520> - <00:03:58.000>
Unitos advances, the members of Duluth Unitos advances, the members of Duluth - Unitos stands together >> As such, Duluth Unitos stands together in<00:04:51.080>
reproach<
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Proposed $3 million grant considered to study turning waste water heat into energy 4/14/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Paul and Duluth in conjunction with federal grant opportunities identified enough recoverable thermal
- Paul and Duluth<00:02:16.480>
in <00:02:16.600>conjunction <00:02:17.120>with <00 - :02:17.280>
federal <00:02:17.560>grant Duluth in conjunction with federal grant Duluth - In Duluth, we recently released a federally funded study confirming the availability of the resource
- > recently In Duluth, we released recently In Duluth, we released recently completed<00:03:48.840
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- An example is we had a card reader system on the Duluth campus, I think, from the 90s.
- If there were an incident in Morris, an incident in Duluth, we get the notification.
- The facility in Duluth was built in the 1950s, and they have some code issues.
- The facility in Duluth was built in the 1950s, and they have some code issues.
- The facility in Duluth was built in the 1950s, and they have some code issues.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- You look at the successful areas of the Twin Cities, of the state, Duluth, Rochester.
- I work on policy issues with Mayor Reiner here in Duluth, Minnesota.
- In Duluth, for example, our large employers like Essentia or Aspirus, St.
- In Duluth, for example, our large employers like Essentia or Aspirus, St.
- In Duluth, for example, our large employers like Essentia or Aspirus, St.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And Duluth Central High School while serving as a state legislator.
- I've had the opportunity to get to know her, whether it was at a judge's lunch with many folks from Duluth
- I first met former Representative Mary Murphy in the 90s when I moved to Duluth to take my first job
- As an educator in Duluth, she actually worked with my grandma.
- It was Olsen and me, just two kids from the West End in Duluth. She said, "Never mind any noise.