Some of Minnesota's most powerful labor unions want lawmakers to pump the brakes on Waymo's expansion.

The big picture: To labor, the fight over driverless vehicles isn't just about hailing robotaxis — it's about the future of work.

• Boosters, meanwhile, argue that Minnesota will fall behind without action to authorize the rapidly expanding technology here.

Driving the debate: Lawmakers are weighing competing proposals — including one backed by Waymo and other industry groups that would allow driverless vehicles and another supported by labor that would require a human behind the wheel for now.

• A third regulatory framework bill, introduced today by Senate Transportation Chair Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis), tackles questions related to winter driving, emergency response and traffic.

Friction point: All sides agree that state law — which is essentially silent on the issue — needs updating.

• They disagree over how — and when — to give fully autonomous vehicles the green light.

Between the lines: The push to authorize autonomous vehicles in Minnesota drew opposition from a local SEIU chapter working with rideshare drivers, even before Waymo announced plans to expand in Minneapolis.

• In recent weeks, other unions with sway among Capitol Democrats joined calls to study safety and job impacts before driverless cars can hit the road.

What they're saying: "Autonomous systems, like those controlling fleets of vehicles, can disrupt jobs, de-skill work or be used for invasive surveillance," Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Bethany Winkels said at a news conference.

• DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade echoed those concerns, noting that more than 100,000 Minnesotans hold professional driving jobs.

The other side: House Transportation Committee co-chair Jon Koznick, who's carrying the industry-supported legislation, called proposals requiring human operators "asinine and a non-starter."

• "It doesn't even make sense," the Lakeville Republican said, arguing that driverless vehicles have been operating safely in other states for years. "It's going to prohibit this innovation from coming to Minnesota."

The intrigue: Koznick recently agreed to exclude large commercial trucks from his proposal in response to concerns about freight jobs and safety.

Zoom out: The autonomous vehicle debate is one front in the broader battle in Minnesota and beyond over how AI and automation will reshape jobs.

• Just yesterday, Gov. Tim Walz proposed a new social media tax to fund training programs for workers from impacted industries.

What we're watching: Another big sticking point is whether to allow local governments to layer their own regulations on robotaxis and other autonomous-vehicle companies.

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MnDOT says state law neither prohibits nor specifically authorizes automated vehicles to be tested on streets in Minnesota.

• Waymo and autonomous vehicle supporters want that gray area resolved as they move toward launching here.

What they're saying: "It's a critical issue, and one that we really should address this year," House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson said.

What we're watching: Pledges by some Minneapolis Council members to try to ban Waymo and other companies from operating without a driver at the city level could complicate — and accelerate — the statewide negotiations.

What to expect: Waymo's full rollout takes time. So even if the policy debate is resolved this spring, it could be months before its services are available.

🧨 Demolition work began yesterday on the vacant former Midway CVS in St. Paul.

• The empty building at a major transit hub had become both a symbol of, and contributor to, the neighborhood's post-2020 struggles with crime and homelessness.

🔎 Minnesota's non-partisan Office of the Legislative Auditor found three cases where state officials failed to investigate allegations of kickbacks in a troubled autism intervention program. (Minnesota Reformer)

• The review also found 29 cases that Department of Human Services officials handled appropriately.

🧤 Yesterday's low of 1° was the coldest St. Patrick's Day temperature recorded since 1993, according to Midwestern Regional Climate Center data.

🏒 The Gophers parted ways with women's hockey coach Brad Frost after 19 seasons and four national championships. (Star Tribune)

🏫 The Apple Valley-Eagan-Rosemount school district closed yesterday after receiving voicemail threats against multiple schools. (Fox 9)

Minneapolis-based Allina Health says it has agreed to be acquired by Sacramento-based Sutter Health, making the combined company one of the largest health systems in the U.S.

Why it matters: If the deal closes, it means 12 metro hospitals — including Minneapolis' Abbott Northwestern, St. Paul's United and Coon Rapids' Mercy — will have a new operator.

Allina would keep its brand and Minneapolis headquarters, with Lisa Shannon remaining president and CEO, according to a press release.

• It expects a closing by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

Between the lines: Allina has lost money in the last four years, but officials told the Star Tribune that the deal is not a rescue.

• They said it's not about cutting, but rather a way for the system to grow.

The other side: SEIU chapters representing Allina workers called on Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to provide "all appropriate inquiry and oversight."

• "Increased consolidation and out-of-touch, overpaid executives have too often moved us backward in recent years," the labor union argued.

What we're watching: The two nonprofits said they plan to invest $2 billion in Minnesota and western Wisconsin on new outpatient clinics, expanded specialty institutes, technology upgrades and research and clinical trials.

The Timberwolves' March skid just got worse as the team announced Anthony Edwards has an inflamed right knee.

• Edwards will be out for at least a week or two and will be re-evaluated afterward. The regular season ends on April 12.

Why it matters: The Wolves have lost four of their past six games and they're now at risk of falling out of the top six seeds in the Western Conference.

• That would force them to win a play-in game to make the postseason.