ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers failed to pass a state Equal Rights Amendment that would have enshrined protections for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights in the state Constitution as the 2024 legislative session came to an acrimonious end.
The Minnesota ERA was the one of the biggest casualties as partisan rancor, lengthy debates and filibusters were fueled by the continued participation of a Democratic senator who was arrested on a burglary charge. Democrats, who hold just a one-vote majority in the Senate, needed her vote to pass any legislation that lacked bipartisan support.
A compromise to legalize sports betting also failed to cross the finish line by the midnight Sunday deadline. So did a public infrastructure borrowing package known as a bonding bill that was supposed to be the centerpiece of the session. Neither could pass without at least some GOP support. But Republicans who said they were frozen out were unwilling to supply the votes needed for the 60% supermajorities required for new debt unless Democrats dropped the ERA. And enough Democrats were opposed to sports betting, so that some GOP votes were essential.
Germany's foreign minister visits Kyiv as Ukraine battles to hold off a Russian offensive
Intl beer festival to open in Qingdao WCNA
China's air passenger trips to reach 9 million during May Day holiday
Changbai Mountain launches serial summer events
Judge blocks Biden administration from enforcing new gun sales background check rule in Texas
Autumn view of Potala Palace in Lhasa, SW China's Tibet
Camping becomes burgeoning trend in China
Xi Calls on National Art Museum of China to Build Worldwide Prestige
Eleanor Tomlinson puts on a leggy display in sparkly black minidress as she joins co