Minnesota’s relationship with China dates back to the 1870s, when the first Chinese immigrants traveled to the state. Over the decades, the bond between China and Minnesota has grown significantly and today Minnesota enjoys many sister-province and sister-city relationships, academic partnerships, business relationships, and cultural and humanitarian ties. On Friday, Governor Dayton’s delegation will travel to our sister state, the Province of Shaanxi, home of the famous terra cotta warriors, to meet with Governor Zhao and other Shaanxi Province officials and participate in a banquet for the delegation and celebrate the bond that has grown between our states. [Read More]

In seeking new ways to save people and the state money, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will use a permit already employed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) to meet the requirements of MPCA Clean Water Act permit.[Read More]  

In a recent editorial for Access Press, a Minnesota disability news outlet, Steve Larson, senior public policy director for The Arc Minnesota commended state leaders for their work to reverse a number of funding cuts to Minnesota Health and Human Services (HHS). [Read More]

In 2010, the Minnesota Legislature enacted legislation allowing the Department of Human Services to develop a Collaborative Psychiatric Consultation Service. Now, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has entered into a two-year, $1.7 million contract with the Mayo Clinic to deliver specialized guidance to primary care providers and pediatricians who prescribe psychotropic medications for children. The new service is referred to as “collaborative psychiatric consultation” and is based on pilot projects that have been shown to improve quality of care and save money. [Read More]

Governor Dayton has proclaimed, June 18th, Minnesota Women Veterans Day.  “It is right and proper to honor, remember, and thank these patriots for their service and sacrifice, because ‘women were there too.’” [Read More]

The newest paperless initiatives on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s website include a “Local Code Lookup” feature and an eTRAKit online electrical permit system for homeowners. These new tools will make it quicker and easier for homeowners and contractors to access local code information as well as obtain electrical permits online. [Read More]