Dayton’s controversial ‘snowbird tax’ may not fly
The prorated income tax proposal for part-time Minnesota residents raises lots of questions ranging from fairness to enforcement to constitutional concerns.
James Nord
James Nord covers politics and the Minnesota Legislature.
DFL, GOP legislative leaders frame budget discussion very differently
Republicans criticize Dayton’s budget as a tax-heavy plan, while DFLers supported many of the proposal’s values.
Enthusiasm for Dayton’s ed budget reduces DFL pressure for speedy schools repayment
The governor’s plan would invest an additional $340 million in early-education initiatives, voluntary all-day kindergarten and K-12 education.
Revamped sales tax designed to reflect today’s service-oriented economy
The plan, though, immediately was rejected by groups representing interests ranging from lawyers to retailers.
Cautious DFL lawmakers praise Dayton’s budget vision but demur on details
They didn’t fully endorse a broadened sales tax but did get behind the concepts of property tax relief and a better-funded education system.
Dayton budget would boost spending and increase high-income taxes
The governor’s plan also offers property tax relief and lowers – but broadens – Minnesota’s sales tax.
Minnesota health-exchange bill clears first of many committee stops
The exchange legislation, with a late-March deadline, likely faces a dozen similar legislative hearings and hours of floor debate.
Pitches to extend sales tax to online purchases and clothing aired
Sen. Ann Rest presented the online sales plan, which has the support of Minnesota’s business community.
DFL, GOP squabble over committee handling of agriculture issues
The Rules Committee voted down efforts to separatedoversight of farm issues from a committee that also handles environment and natural resources funding.
Uncertain fate awaits Minnesota’s health plan for working poor
The Legislature has several options, such as replacing MinnesotaCare with a similar program or adding current participants to the planned state health insurance exchange.
U of M President Kaler pledges quick response to Legislature, outlines budget request
The university has faced continuing scrutiny since a Wall Street Journal article singled it out as a prime example of “administrative bloat.”
DFL’s first Senate and House ‘priority’ bills not quite aligned
Both agree on the health exchange, but the Senate also chose such issues as a minimum wage hike and funding for voluntary full-day kindergarten.
Minnesota budget fix likely ‘nothing groundbreaking,’ Speaker Thissen says
DFL leaders outlined their broad legislative priorities Wednesday but provided little in the way of detail.
House DFL opens session with priority of paying back $550 million to schools
Speaker Paul Thissen said other early proposals would deal with a state-based health insurance exchange and jobs.
Despite budget focus, DFL legislative leaders will face hot-button issues
Even before Tuesday’s opening day of the session, several DFLers already were talking about pushing gay marriage legislation and tightening gun control laws.
Minnesota Legislature’s budget priority overshadows other big policy issues
“Everything is secondary to the budget,” says Senate Majority Leader-designate Tom Bakk.
Voting amendment defeat: ‘When they announced it, I was like, Yes! Justice prevails’
Myrna Nelson said she could feel public momentum shift as volunteers made their case against the proposed constitutional amendment.
Minnesota’s health exchange process gets conditional approval from feds
It’s still waiting, though, for word on federal guidelines and a $39 million grant to run the program through the end of next year.
Firearms in Minnesota: by the numbers
A brief overview of what we know about guns in Minnesota — and what we don’t know.
Minnesota Legislature to review — and maybe revise — gun control laws
Several key Minnesota lawmakers are re-evaluating state firearm regulations and plan to hold hearings next session, following the Newtown school shootings.
