Don’t call it a tax increase
Republican legislators have zero interest in Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposal to raise $1.8 billion by increasing income taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents. That much is abundantly clear after months...
View ArticleShutdown: The end is near
The agreed-upon "framework" is based on an approximately $35.5 billion spending offer GOP leaders presented to Dayton on the eve of the shutdown, which the governor re-presented to them — with added...
View ArticleAnd the deed is done: Dayton signs budget bills to end shutdown
After a seven-month standoff between DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature that produced an unprecedented three-week government shutdown, the state budget impasse came to a...
View ArticleState agencies detail their wish lists
State agencies have submitted their preliminary requests for construction projects that they would like to see funded in preparation for a bonding bill during the 2012 legislative session
View ArticleTransportation chairs will take another run at Met Council in ’12
The Republican transportation chairs in the state House and Senate plan to charge into the 2012 legislative session with the beginnings of an effort to take away the Metropolitan Council’s traditional...
View ArticleBonding awaits its turn at center stage
Though serious debate on a bonding bill remains weeks away, legislators and administration officials are already weighing their wish lists with an eye toward setting priorities for a capital investment...
View ArticleEndorsement roundup: Mike Beard survives 12-ballot endorsing barn-burner
State Rep. Mike Beard barely survived a GOP endorsement challenge on Saturday in House District 55A. Beard faced a backlash for his support for retention elections of judicial contests. There were also...
View ArticleDisaster relief special session set to convene Friday
In advance of Friday’s special session, Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders put their signatures to a set of written terms and a spreadsheet for disaster relief for northern Minnesota. Following a...
View ArticleGroups opposing gay marriage rally at the Capitol
Hundreds gathered for the afternoon rally held in the rotunda to push back against the recent introduction of bills in both chambers to legalize same-sex marriage. The rally was held at the same time...
View ArticleBill calls for ‘gross receipts’ sales tax on gas
A state transportation bill introduced last Friday includes a gas sales tax that would help road improvement funds keep pace with inflation, an idea that has the strong support of transportation...
View Article