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Axios Twin Cities Deep Dive

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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Torey Van Oot.

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Axios Twin Cities

Minnesota is set to join a growing number of states that ban racial discrimination related to hairstyles.

Driving the news: The DFL-majority Senate passed the so-called "Crown Act" 45-19 on Thursday.  The bill, which cleared the House earlier this month, now heads to Gov. Tim Walz's desk.

Details: The legislation adds protections to the Minnesota Human Rights Act for "traits associated with race, including but not limited to texture and hair styles such as braids, locs, and twists." 

Complaints over alleged discrimination are investigated by the state's Department of Human Rights. Violations can lead to settlements that can include policy changes or financial relief for the victim.

What they're saying:  Supporters say such laws protect people of color from bias based on natural hairstyles at work and school.

Sen. Erin Maye Quade, one of three Black women serving in the Senate, recalled being told her natural curly hair was "a little bit unprofessional" during an otherwise positive performance review early in her career. 

"I cried back at my desk, because it's just how my hair grows," the Apple Valley Democrat said during a debate on the Senate floor. "And even though I'm a 36-year-old woman who knows that the hair that grows out of my head is wonderful and beautiful... it still sits with me."

The other side: Critics have questioned whether the protections are necessary given that state law already prohibits discrimination based on race. 

Human Rights commissioner Rebecca Lucero told legislators during a committee hearing that the bill's language is necessary to clarify that hair is covered by the law. That will give better guidance to judges ruling on discrimination cases, she said.

Of note: Employers could still ban certain hair styles for safety reasons, as long as those rules apply to all workers, Lucero said.

Between the lines: Supporters of banning hair discrimination have turned to states as efforts nationwide failed to gain traction in Congress.

A federal "Crown Act," cosponsored by Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year but stalled in the Senate.

What's next: Walz plans to sign the bill, a spokesperson told Axios.

Once that happens, Minnesota will join at least 18 states that explicitly prohibit racial discrimination related to hair.

Minnesota Legislature passes "Crown Act" banning race-based hair discrimination

Gov. Tim Walz has said he'll sign it into law.

Illustration of Black women's faces, showing their natural hair. 

Minnesota is set to join a growing number of states that ban racial discrimination related to hairstyles.Driving the news: The DFL-majority Senate passed the so-called &quot;Crown Act&quot; 45-19 on Thursday. The bill, which cleared the House earlier this month, now heads to Gov. Tim Walz&#x27;s desk.

Politics

News

Axios Twin Cities, anchored by Torey Van Oot, Nick Halter and Audrey Kennedy, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard

All 13 Minneapolis City Council seats will appear on the November 2023 ballot. 

Why it matters: Even with the new strong-mayor system of governance, the City Council approves ordinances and the city's budget. 

State of play: Moderates, who typically align with Mayor Jacob Frey, currently hold a slim majority on many issues. 

Between the lines: City Council members typically serve four-year terms. But all the seats are up for grab this year — just two years after the last municipal election — because of redistricting. 

What we're watching: Challenges to incumbents — plus contested races for the open Ward 7 and Ward 12 seats — could shift the council's dynamics or solidify moderates' power. 

Zoom in: Here's a look at who is running so far, based on announcements tracked by Axios. 

Neighborhood: The Northeast ward includes Waite Park and Columbia Park to the north, down to Como on the south end. 

State of play: Council Member Elliott Payne is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: SE Como, Cooper, Prospect Park, Seward, West Bank/Cedar-Riverside, Longfellow, and University District. 

State of play: Council Member Robin Wonsley is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: The downtown and Northeast ward includes Marcy-Holmes, Nicollet Island, and St. Anthony.

State of play: Council Member Michael Rainville is running for re-election.

Neighborhoods: The North Minneapolis ward includes Jordan, Victory, and the Camden and Humboldt Industrial Areas. 

State of play: Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: The north-central ward includes Harrison, Near North, Hawthorne, and the North Loop. 

State of play: Council Member Jeremiah Ellison is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: Cedar Riverside, Elliot Park, Philips West, Seward, Stevens Square-Loring Heights, and Ventura Village. 

State of play: Council Member Jamal Osman is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: Bryn-Mawr, Cedar-Isles-Dean, Downtown West, East Isles, Elliot Park, Kenwood, Loring Park, Lowry Hill, and Stevens Square-Loring Heights. 

State of play: Council Member Lisa Goodman is not running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: The south-central ward includes Kingfield, Lyndale, Northrop, and Regina. 

State of play: Council president Andrea Jenkins is running for re-election.

Neighborhoods: Corcoran, East Phillips, Longfellow, Midtown Phillips, and Powderhorn Park. 

State of play: Council Member Jason Chavez is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: East Bde Maka Ska, East Harriet, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown, and Whittier. 

State of play: Council Member Aisha Chughtai is running for re-election. 

Neighborhood: Diamond Lake, Hale, Keewaydin, Page, Northrop, Tangletown, Wenonah, and Windom.

State of play: Council Member Emily Koski is running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: Ericsson, Hiawatha, Howe, Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park, and Standish. 

State of play: Open — Council Member Andrew Johnson is not running for re-election. 

Neighborhoods: Armatage, East Harriet, Fulton, Kenny, Linden Hills, Lynnhurst and West Maka Ska. 

State of play: Council Member Linea Palmisano is running for re-election. 

Editor's note: This story will be updated with more candidates and context as the election progresses. Candidates can send announcements to twincities@axios.com. 

Who's running for Minneapolis City Council in 2023

Moderates, who typically align with Mayor Jacob Frey, currently hold a slim majority on many issues.

Illustration of Minneapolis City Hall with lines radiating from it. 

All 13 Minneapolis City Council seats will appear on the November 2023 ballot. Why it matters: Even with the new strong-mayor system of governance, the City Council approves ordinances and the city&#x27;s budget.

The Minnesota Legislature gave final approval early Saturday to a bill adding the right to abortion to state law.

Driving the news: The legislation, which gives Minnesotans the "fundamental right to make autonomous decisions" about their reproductive health care, passed the state Senate on a party-line 34-33 vote after 15 hours of debate.

Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has said he will sign the bill.

The big picture: Minnesota is expected to become what advocates describe as a "safe haven" for abortion access in the upper midwest in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year. 

Planned Parenthood North Central States says its local clinics have seen a 13% increase in patients from other states since the Dobbs decision.

Between the lines: Abortion rights are already protected in Minnesota due to a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling known as Doe v. Gomez.

Supporters say codifying that precedent into state law adds another layer of certainty.

Plus: The bill goes beyond abortion, covering birth control, sterilization and prenatal care. It prohibits local governments from restricting access to those services.

The other side: Republicans have raised concerns that the bill does not set any limits on when an abortion can be performed. They've called it the most extreme abortion law in the nation, arguing it allows a pregnancy to be terminated up until birth.

Proposed amendments to ban abortion in the third trimester, exclude sterilization from the definition of reproductive rights and add more restrictions for both procedures were voted down during the floor debate. 

Of note: Abortions late in pregnancy are rare in Minnesota — just one was performed after 25 weeks in both 2021 and 2020, per state data. There were two in 2019. 

What to watch: Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers, are also advancing legislation to strike existing abortion restrictions from state law, including some long standing state statutes that were blocked by a Ramsey County judge.

Leaders have also floated the idea of putting a ballot measure adding abortion rights to the state constitutionin front of voters. 

More coverage: Minnesota House passes bill adding abortion rights to state law

Minnesota Legislature approves abortion rights bill

Supporters say the protections are needed post-Roe. Critics slammed the measure as extreme.

Photo: Michael Siluk/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Minnesota Legislature gave final approval early Saturday to a bill adding the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" right to abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" data-vars-content-id="38ed1318-4d93-427f-9d15-c2685f290d9c" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Legislature approves abortion rights bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" target="_self"> right to abortion</a> to state law.Driving the news: The legislation, which gives Minnesotans the &quot;fundamental right to make autonomous decisions&quot; about their reproductive health care, passed the state Senate on a party-line 34-33 vote after 15 hours of debate.

Gov. Tim Walz's $65.2 billion budget proposal includes big spending increases and new tax credits and checks for millions of Minnesotans.

The big picture: Walz's plan, released in full Tuesday, represents a roughly 25% increase from the current two-year budget. It taps a $17.6 billion surplus to pay for  hikes for schools, housing, and more government programs.

Zoom in: It also includes proposed tax credits and increases. Here's a look at how Walz's plan might impact your bottom line: 

💵 Rebate checks: Direct payments of $2,000 for households with a federally adjusted income of less than $150,000 and $1,000 for individuals making less than $75,000. Families could get an additional $200 per child, for up to three dependents.

👶 Child tax credits: Families making less than $50,000 could receive $1,000 per child, for up to three children. The credit phases out for higher income households. Additional tax credits would offset the cost of childcare.

👵 Social security taxes: Instead of fully eliminating state taxes on Social Security income, Walz proposed increasing the "subtraction" that lowers seniors' tax liability on the payments from about $5,800 to $10,000. The relief would phase out for households making $120,000 or more. 

💸 Tax increases: Walz wants to raise capital gains taxes by 1.5% on income between $500,000 and $1 million, and 4% on income over $1 million. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce says it would be the highest such rate in the nation. 

A payroll tax increase for employers and employees, set to start in 2026, would also be used to pay for a new state-run paid family leave program.

Between the lines: Walz's proposal directs the most aid to families in lower income brackets, a change from the across-the-board tax cuts on the table when government was divided last year.

For example, a married couple making $50,000 with kids ages 4 and 6 would net about $9,900 in tax savings, the state's top budget official told reporters.

A single person with no children and a federally adjusted income of $76,000 doesn't qualify for any of the touted credits.

What's next: The state Legislature will weigh the proposals and craft spending bills in the months ahead. A DFL trifecta doesn't mean the governor's full plan gets the green light.

Leading business groups are already raising alarm about the tax and spending levels.

Here's what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's budget proposal means for your bank account

The governor's proposal directs the most relief to families with young children.

Illustration of a common loon sitting on a pile of cash.

Gov. Tim Walz&#x27;s $65.2 billion budget proposal includes big spending increases and new tax credits and checks for millions of Minnesotans.The big picture: Walz&#x27;s plan, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released in full Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/24/minnesota-governor-tim-walz-budget-proposal" data-vars-content-id="969ddc2b-20ac-4373-997a-1fdcd374fda5" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz&#x27;s budget proposal means for your bank account" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/24/minnesota-governor-tim-walz-budget-proposal" target="_self">released in full Tuesday</a>, represents a roughly 25% increase from the current two-year budget. It taps a $17.6 billion surplus to pay for hikes for schools, housing, and more government programs.

Business

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot that launched late last year, is poised to transform how we learn, work and live.

But it's also breaking the Internet because, to be honest, it's pretty fun!

Zoom out: ChatGPT is a free site that lets users pose questions and give directions to a bot. It's trained to respond with term papers, sonnets, recipes — almost anything.

The tech has already proved to be much more advanced than many in the tech industry had expected, Axios' Erica Pandey, Dan Primack and Ina Fried report.

Inspired by our colleagues at Axios San Antonio, we decided to test the chatbot's Minnesota savvy with a few questions about life here. 

🤷 Its definition of "ope" — "[An] expression of surprise or as a polite way of interrupting someone or expressing apology" — wasn't bad:

"It is used in a similar way as 'oops' or 'oh' in other places. It is a colloquialism specific to Minnesota, and not widely used outside of the state."

🛶 But the AI totally failed our "how soon is too soon to invite someone to the cabin" quiz (everyone knows the correct answer is you have to wait seven years!):

"It depends on the relationship you have with the person and the context of the invitation. If you have a close relationship and the person has expressed interest in visiting a cabin before, it may be appropriate to extend an invitation soon."

🍔 When it comes to the best place to get a Jucy Lucy, ChatGTP pulled an Amy Klobuchar:

" Some popular places to get a Jucy Lucy in Minneapolis include Matt's Bar, 5-8 Club, and the Blue Door Pub. However, you should keep in mind that the best Jucy Lucy is a matter of personal preference..."

Go deeper: Catch up on the technology and what it might mean for the future via Axios AM's Tuesday takeover issue.

Does ChatGPT speak Minnesotan? We put the bot to the test

The free site lets users pose questions and give directions to a bot.

Animated gif of a computer screen that reads "A.I" with the "I" as a blinking cursor

ChatGPT, an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence chatbot" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/30316870.25/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Lm9wZW5haS5jb20vY2hhdD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70B0499d56d" data-vars-content-id="9c766356-31cc-47e1-8824-072860ceb5fb" data-vars-headline="Does ChatGPT speak Minnesotan? We put the bot to the test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/30316870.25/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Lm9wZW5haS5jb20vY2hhdD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70B0499d56d" target="_blank">artificial intelligence chatbot</a> that launched late last year, is poised to transform how we learn, work and live.<ul><li>But it&#x27;s also breaking the Internet because, to be honest, it&#x27;s pretty fun!</li></ul>Zoom out: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/30338154.335296/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Lm9wZW5haS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zYW0mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70B25728436" data-vars-content-id="9c766356-31cc-47e1-8824-072860ceb5fb" data-vars-headline="Does ChatGPT speak Minnesotan? We put the bot to the test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/30338154.335296/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Lm9wZW5haS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zYW0mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70B25728436" target="_blank">ChatGPT</a> is a free site that lets users pose questions and give directions to a bot. It&#x27;s trained to respond with term papers, sonnets, recipes — almost anything.

Torey Van Oot

Featured stories

Minnesota Legislature approves abortion rights bill

Minnesota Legislature passes "Crown Act" banning race-based hair discrimination

Does ChatGPT speak Minnesotan? We put the bot to the test

Who's running for Minneapolis City Council in 2023

Here's what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's budget proposal means for your bank account