In the Hopper: Ignition interlock; consent defense nullified

Kevin Featherly April 11, 2018

Rep. Marion O’Neill wants to require DWI offenders to use ignition interlock after their second offense in 10 years, or their third in a lifetime. The bill, House File 3725, was laid over Tuesday for possible inclusion in a public safety omnibus bill to be considered later in session. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

A bill that would force more DWI offenders to use ignition interlock devices so their cars will start would also require creation of a new “judge unit.”

Capitol Retort: 2nd Amendment; favorite bills; reefer religion

Kevin Featherly April 5, 2018

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (AP file photo)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Breaking the Ice: From park to statehouse to congressional bid

Todd Nelson April 5, 2018

Sen. Carla Nelson got her political start door-knocking and sending fliers to ensure that a neighborhood park planned in Rochester came to fruition.

In the Hopper: Catching up on where bills stand at Capitol

Kevin Featherly April 4, 2018

House and Senate bills increasing penalties for obstructing highway, airport or transit traffic await final floor votes. In this photo, demonstrators block a portion of Interstate 94 on Nov. 16, 2015, in Minneapolis after a police shooting. (AP photo: Star Tribune)

A status-check digest on many of the bills we’ve covered so far this session

Breaking the Ice: Advocate seeks advancement for attorneys of color

Todd Nelson March 30, 2018

Summra Mohammadee Shariff stands for a photo next to a mural on the side of the Treehouse Records store in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz)

Summra Mohammadee Shariff, the new president of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, loves doughnuts and hates pot holes.

Capitol Retort: Disarming cops, cameras in court, civil forfeitures

Kevin Featherly March 29, 2018

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

In the Hopper: Sexual harassment; felons voting; protecting cops

Kevin Featherly March 28, 2018

Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, testifies before the House Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and Respect on March 20. Her House File 3728 would create a Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics to serve as an outside advisory panel to assess sexual harassment complaints and advise the Legislature on ways to respond. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, wants a citizen’s panel to assess sexual harassment complaints at the Capitol and make recommendations for remedying them to the House and Senate Ethics Committees.