Video & Transcript Research : 'Duluth'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Louis County really advocating for something in Duluth, and that is a connection from Duluth and the
- Louis County really advocating for something in Duluth, and that is a connection from Duluth and the
- I'm from Duluth.
- I have no idea how Duluth-Superior... it blew me away because then when I was doing Duluth, I was getting
- I have no idea how Duluth-Superior... it blew me away because then when I was doing Duluth, I was getting
Keywords:
Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Scholastica, Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the city of Duluth, the Duluth
- Scholastica, Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the city of Duluth, the Duluth
- Scholastica, Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the city of Duluth, the Duluth
- Scholastica, Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the city of Duluth, the Duluth
- Scholastica, Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the city of Duluth, the Duluth
Keywords:
workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I have with me Chester Fishell, who is with Urest Health Center in Duluth, and we have a situation
- I am the administrator at Vrest Health Center in Duluth.
- I am the administrator at Vrest Health Center in Duluth.
Keywords:
mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HF702 heard in House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I have with me Chester Fishell, who is with Vrest Health Center in Duluth, and we have a situation
- Chester Fishell is with Urest Health Center in Duluth, and we have a situation that I'll basically let
- I am the administrator at Urest Health Center in Duluth.
Keywords:
mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Still a public zoo that we manage on behalf of the city of Duluth.
- Still a public zoo that we manage on behalf of the city of Duluth.
- So, I support anything in Duluth because what's good for Duluth is good for the range.
- So, I support anything in Duluth because what's good for Duluth is good for the range.
- So, I support anything in Duluth because what's good for Duluth is good for the range.
Keywords:
Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- units, a world-class public sector research facility in partnership with the University of Minnesota Duluth
- John Dukich from the city of Duluth, who will offer some additional insight into this project.
- Anything from the city of Duluth? Anything federal government-wise for cleanup? Mr. Duke. Yeah, Mr.
Bills:
HF333, HF2712, HF1064, HF1069, HF1113, HF2207, HF204, HF2867, HF2924, HF746, HF1530, HF2587, HF1078
Keywords:
HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's our water plant for the city of Duluth. It's a top priority.
- It's located in Duluth, right in my district, on the beautiful Lake Superior.
- The city of Duluth has been resourcefully stretching the original plant equipment well beyond its useful
- My name is Eric Simonson, and I'm a lobbyist for the city of Duluth.
- The city of Duluth is well aware of its obligation to pay for needed improvements with its own money.
Bills:
HF458, HF459, HF461, HF449, HF450, HF965, HF1280, HF612, HF615, HF616, HF622, HF650, HF651, HF1045, HF972, HF851, HF644, HF1050
Keywords:
HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The state owns the buildings, and the City of Duluth owns the land.
- But in Duluth, it's called the Duluth Convention Center, but really it's a state authority, and it has
- Joining me today is Jill Keppers, the Executive Director of Duluth HRA.
- from Duluth HRA, operational commitments from St.
- Duluth Gap. Duluth and Hibbing gather most of those folks.
Bills:
HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125
Keywords:
HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- present House File 441, a $7 million bonding request to fund essential capital improvements at the Duluth
- The state owns the buildings, the city of Duluth owns the land, and the oversight is provided by a board
- I'm the executive director of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.
- Duluth gathers, and Hibbing gathers most of those folks when there's nowhere to stay, they find somewhere
Bills:
HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125
Keywords:
HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Tom Warner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
- The aviation cluster centered around Duluth International Airport contributes $1.4 billion in annual
- Duluth is by far the largest, and the mix. We have a company, Cirrus, that uses it all the time.
- And if you look at the letters of support, when you get the city of Duluth and St.
- Are there any implementations of having a direct flight to Puerto Rico from the Duluth airport?
Bills:
HF1972, HF229, HF1090, HF1084, HF1307, HF1274, HF1609, HF2110, HF211, HF216, HF222, HF224, HF225, HF203, HF206, HF207, HF208, HF227, HF246, HF427, HF466, HF502, HF680, HF971
Keywords:
community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:18:21.120>
North House file 4311 for the Duluth North House file 4311 for the Duluth North - Duluth North Shore Sanitary District. Duluth North Shore Sanitary District.
- My name is Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
- My name is Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
- My name is Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
Bills:
HF4156, HF3835, HF3995, HF4383, HF4091, HF4084, HF4311, HF198, HF4486, HF4302, HF4309, HF4032, HF3855, HF3673, HF4265, HF4012, HF4339, HF4298, HF3852
Keywords:
infrastructure, wastewater, stormwater, Buhl, state bonds, appropriations, economic development, water infrastructure, grants, capital investment, funding, state regulation, Frazee, North River Drive, infrastructure improvements, HF4383, Minnesota capital investment, bonding bill, Department of Natural Resources, DNR
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are located 35 to 40 miles from Duluth, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Moose Lake, and due to
Bills:
HF220, HF230, HF240, HF241, HF295, HF429, HF490, HF505, HF574, HF576, HF581, HF865, HF918, HF1085, HF1449, HF1452, HF1454, HF602
Keywords:
HF220, Minnesota transportation, highway user tax distribution fund, trunk highway fund, Minnesota Department of Transportation, MnDOT, transportation finance, dedicated funds, funding restrictions, arts in transportation, cultural strategies, transportation project planning, project design, project construction, placemaking, public art, infrastructure spending, state statutes 161.045, HF230, Wyoming
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So for communities like Duluth and Hermantown, St.
- So for communities like Duluth and Hermantown, St.
- I'm the executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
- I'm the executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority.
- Airplanes out of Duluth, Minnesota.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Building Trades in Duluth.
- There are letters of support from the City of Duluth, the building and construction trades, and the Duluth
- There are letters of support from the City of Duluth, the building and construction trades, and the Duluth
- There are letters of support from the City of Duluth, the building and construction trades, and the Duluth
- There are letters of support from the City of Duluth, the building and construction trades, and the Duluth
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
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
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 2025-2026 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
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.