February 12, 2026
Former state senator and Watertown physician Scott Jensen, MD, announced on February 9 that he was ending his campaign for governor and will instead run for state auditor.
In January, Jensen finished fourth in a statewide straw poll of GOP candidates. Current State House Speaker Lisa Demuth finished first.
Jensen ran on the Republican ticket for governor in 2022 with running mate, former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk. They lost to Gov. Tim Walz by 7 percentage points. Jensen first joined the Minnesota Senate in 2016 representing Carver County. He served one term before his run for governor.
April 9, 2026
An amended piece of legislation that would exempt buprenorphine from prior authorization (PA) was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 9.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard a bill that would require coverage for psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services under Medical Assistance.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the House Taxes Committee heard legislation focused on supporting the financial stability and ongoing operations of Hennepin Healthcare.