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.
Jude Bellingham's new model girlfriend Laura Celia Valk looks sensational in a figure
Karen rebel forces attack stranded Myanmar junta troops on Thai border — Radio Free Asia
War, hostages, antisemitism: A somber backdrop to this year's Passover observances
Ukrainian president orders demobilization of conscripts
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
London police apologize after threatening to arrest 'openly Jewish' man near pro
Milwaukee teenager gets 13 years for shooting inside restaurant that killed 2 other teens
Director Romeo Castellucci drops out of Brussels Ring Cycle halfway through because of money, time
Should you claim child benefit? What it's worth
Sarah Nurse scores in OT to lift Toronto over Montreal 3
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Head and Sharma set up Hyderabad to blow away Delhi by 67 runs in IPL