Minnesota

The tribal movement toward energy independence through renewable-powered microgrid projects has been slowed, if not stalled, by shifting political winds.

In a Monday special session that went late into the night, the state legislature passed a $66 billion budget that includes a $700 million bonding bill.

The Democratic states sued a day after schools were required to certify the elimination of DEI programs or risk losing federal funding.

The Boston-based Nixon Peabody added seasoned municipal finance expert Michael Melzer as a partner, while Barclays lost three professionals.

Another big deal from a major borrower is moving forward after Rochester's City Council last week approved a conduit bond sale for the Mayo Clinic.

Rhonda Skoby and Rachel Lochner joined the Minneapolis public finance practice of Taft, Stettinier and Hollister as partner and associate, respectively.

Charter schools drove the worst January ever for impairments since Municipal Market Analytics began tracking default trends, the firm said in a Feb. 5 report.

Kutak Rock LLP has doubled its public finance footprint in Minnesota with the addition of four new public finance attorneys to its Minneapolis team.

Bond proposals are included in recent budget proposals from the Minnesota and North Dakota governors, as the region's 2026 spending plans begin to take shape.

The deal will refinance some debt and take out new debt to fund an electronic records transition, renovate spaces and buy equipment.