Legislators agree on disaster relief but disagree on tax-repeal measures
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.
James Nord
James Nord covers politics and the Minnesota Legislature.
Is Minnesota on the brink of ultra-expensive, partisan judicial elections?
Advocates worry that judicial elections here, as in several other states, could start resembling political campaigns with big-money and special-interest influence.
MNsure health exchange readies big rollout, including State Fair presence
Community forums are giving exchange officials a chance to answer the public’s basic questions about the evolving program.
Minnesota’s new marriage law also resolves gay-divorce ‘limbo’
Before Aug. 1, same-sex couples who were legally married in supportive states or Canada couldn’t receive a divorce in Minnesota courts.
Unsung heroes of gay-marriage campaign get their chance to celebrate
Wednesday’s party offered a chance for supporters to commemorate the culmination of years of efforts to secure the right to marry.
State officials request early release of health plan prices
The departments of Health and Commerce requested that insurers reveal prices for their health plans a month earlier than previously required.
State considers release of health-insurance rates for MNsure
The state Commerce Department is examining ways to provide at least a summary of the rate information before October.
Recent legal, political changes could endanger Minnesota’s highly regarded judicial selection system
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.
Minnesota health exchange, as expected, encounters a few ‘hiccups’
Early MNsure issues involve a dual-tier payment system for the system’s “helpers,” and a blackout on rate information until October.
Most states have both early and no-excuse absentee balloting, but not Minnesota
Voting-rights advocates are happy with Minnesota’s expansion of absentee balloting but disappointed that the Legislature failed to approve early voting.
State economist Tom Stinson steps down, after five governors and three decades
Gov. Dayton praised him as “an invaluable source of economic wisdom, sound judgment, and common sense.”
Did Bakk trade away the minimum-wage measure for Capitol-repairs bonding bill?
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.
DFL leaders declare session a wide-ranging success
They acknowledge a few regrets: no increase in minimum wage, the small bonding bill and the mountainous backlog of transportation projects awaiting funding.
DFL wraps up session with key victories, some losses — and hectic last day
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.
House approves disputed unionization bill with no votes to spare
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.
Minnesota Legislature, after contentious weekend, should wrap up quietly Monday
Lawmakers head into the session’s final day with deals in place to conclude their budget work on time, following days of messy debate.
Legislature wrapping up big budget bills, but controversial measures linger
As Monday’s adjournment deadline approaches, most of the legislation for Minnesota’s $38 billion budget is falling into place.
Four budget bills on way to Dayton; bonding bill fails; union fight awaits
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.
Gov. Dayton, DFL legislative leaders have tax deal for budget
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.
Stadium funding backup plan entails one-time revenue, ongoing tax money
The plan involves using one-time tobacco revenue and funds from closing a corporate tax loophole.
