Articles

Gay marriage again topic of fervent debate

St. Paul - The gay marriage issue’s two sides are engaged in smaller versions of last year’s campaign leading up to a constitutional amendment vote.

MINN. LEGISLATIVE NOTEBOOK: Senators remove lockout benefit extension plan

ST. PAUL – Minnesota senators removed extended unemployment benefits for workers locked out by employers in labor disputes during a Friday bill debate.

Minnesota Senate emphasizes job creation

ST. PAUL – Minnesota senators opted to spend $383 million on economic development opportunities, with an emphasis on creating jobs. Money would be spent on programs ranging from those designed to create jobs to attracting movie producers to improving worker training.

Water key part of Minnesota Legislature's outdoors measure

ST. PAUL – Water plays a critical role in economic development and environmental concerns, but Minnesota lawmakers do not agree on how potential water shortages should be addressed.

Minnesota Political Notebook: Tax debate divides Dems this session in Minnesota

ST. PAUL - Everyone knew taxes would be a prime discussion point this Minnesota legislative session, but it now appears to be less between Democrats and Republicans than among Democrats who control the House, Senate and governor’s office.

• Don Davis

Hunt is on for new source for Vikings stadium funding

ST. PAUL – The treasure hunt is on: seeking money for Vikings stadium construction costs after the original plan produced less money than expected.

Minn. House offers $800 bonding bill, including more money for Moorhead flood protection

ST. PAUL - The sponsor of the Minnesota House public works funding bill says it would help Minnesota continue its recovery from recession.

• Dayton bonding proposals range from small to large

Key parts of Dayton’s bonding plan

ST. PAUL – Here are major public works projects Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proposes borrowing money to fund:

Minnesota Political Notebook: Baby boomers make writing Minnesota budget difficult

ST. PAUL - Baby boomers will make writing the state budget harder, reduce the Minnesota labor force and cause state health care spending to soar, State Demographer Susan Brower said.

• Don Davis

Sequestration could cost Minnesota more than $90M

Schools, health programs could be among most affected, committee finds
ST. PAUL – The federal government’s failure to agree on how to fix its debt problem could cost Minnesota more than $90 million this year.

Columns

Minnesota Political Notebook: DFL goes after Pawlenty’s presidential campaign

St. Paul - Democratic-Farmer-Laborites aren’t taking it easy on Tim Pawlenty just because he’s from Minnesota.

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: New legislators create new end-game questions

ST. PAUL - Fifty-four Republicans serving their first year in the Minnesota Legislature face their first end-of-session circus, and no one knows just how they will react.

• Don Davis
• Minnesota House OKs bill expanding deadly force rights
• Minnesota Legislature faces hurdles before reaching finish line

Minnesota Legislative Notebook: Legislature enters home stretch without answers

ST. PAUL - The most-heard comment around the Minnesota Capitol these days is: “I don’t see how we get there.”

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: Dayton compares bonding with flood needs

ST. PAUL - Gov. Mark Dayton puts the need for Minnesota to fund public works projects up there with flood fighting.

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: Legislator proposes selling state park trees to make money

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, convinced a committee to amend an outdoors funding bill to include his idea to sell black walnut and other trees in southeast Minnesota’s Frontenac and Whitewater state parks.

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: Republicans signal Dayton will not sign budget bills

St. Paul - Republican state budget plans will become clear in the coming week, although no one expects the governor to agree.

• Don Davis

Minnesota political notebook: Minnesota to consider Sunday alcohol sales

ST. PAUL - Whether Minnesota retailers should sell alcohol on Sundays will be debated by a Senate committee Wednesday, perhaps the first time that has happened.

• Don Davis

In Minnesota, war of words comes before budget

St. Paul - The tweets flew fast and furious Thursday afternoon as Minnesota legislators debated what Republicans said was Democrat Gov. Mark Dayton’s tax-increase plan.

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: Potential federal shutdown may attract attention

St. Paul - The country’s political attention lately has focused on Wisconsin and a battle over public unions.

• Don Davis

Minnesota Political Notebook: DFL likely to challenge selection of regents

St. Paul - Monday night’s selection of new University of Minnesota regents could be contentious.

• Don Davis