Politics & Policy
Republicans praised the special session for offering natural-disaster relief but called it a “missed opportunity” in addressing the “man-made disaster” of new taxes.
Effective Democracy
Advocates worry that judicial elections here, as in several other states, could start resembling political campaigns with big-money and special-interest influence.
Politics & Policy
Community forums are giving exchange officials a chance to answer the public’s basic questions about the evolving program.
Politics & Policy
Before Aug. 1, same-sex couples who were legally married in supportive states or Canada couldn’t receive a divorce in Minnesota courts.
Politics & Policy
Wednesday’s party offered a chance for supporters to commemorate the culmination of years of efforts to secure the right to marry.
Political Agenda
The departments of Health and Commerce requested that insurers reveal prices for their health plans a month earlier than previously required.
Politics & Policy
The state Commerce Department is examining ways to provide at least a summary of the rate information before October.
Effective Democracy
While the state so far has avoided the expensive, highly politicized judicial elections that have plagued other states, we may not stay so lucky for long.
Politics & Policy
Early MNsure issues involve a dual-tier payment system for the system’s “helpers,” and a blackout on rate information until October.
Effective Democracy
Voting-rights advocates are happy with Minnesota’s expansion of absentee balloting but disappointed that the Legislature failed to approve early voting.
Politics & Policy
Gov. Dayton praised him as “an invaluable source of economic wisdom, sound judgment, and common sense.”
Politics & Policy
Three legislators say Senate leaders got passage of the bonding bill in exchange for no action on the wage measure and the anti-bullying bill. The Senate leader denies it.
Politics & Policy
They acknowledge a few regrets: no increase in minimum wage, the small bonding bill and the mountainous backlog of transportation projects awaiting funding.
Politics & Policy
Successes include $2 billion in new taxes to solve a projected budget deficit and fund program investments, as well as legislation making us the 12th state to approve same-sex marriage.
Politics & Policy
Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign the legislation, which would allow many child-care workers and personal-care attendants to decide if they want union representation.
Politics & Policy
Lawmakers head into the session’s final day with deals in place to conclude their budget work on time, following days of messy debate.
Politics & Policy
As Monday’s adjournment deadline approaches, most of the legislation for Minnesota’s $38 billion budget is falling into place.
Politics & Policy
By Saturday afternoon, DFLers had finished up with the massive Health and Human Services legislation, plus jobs and economic development, the judiciary and higher education.
Politics & Policy
The package includes a fourth-tier income tax hike and a $1.60-per-pack cigarette tax increase, ends some corporate loopholes and extends the sales tax to certain business services.
Politics & Policy
The plan involves using one-time tobacco revenue and funds from closing a corporate tax loophole.
