Rank-and-file House Republicans press their case for limiting spending to...
Republican Rep. Steve Drazkowski and others say they have accepted the $34 billion number. But in their eyes, this means that they have already “compromised” on the budget — even if it’s only with...
View ArticleMN Voter’s Alliance seeks to repeal the Legacy amendment
The Minnesota Voters Alliance has launched a campaign to repeal the 2008 Legacy amendment, and the conservative groups has pulled on two House Republicans to help in the effort.
View ArticleLawsuit: Shutdown means stop
On Monday, yet another legal petition regarding the terms of a state government shutdown is expected to be filed in Ramsey County District Court, and this one makes a very simple case: In the event of...
View ArticleChamber scorecard touts 2011 victories
On Monday the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released its legislative scorecard for the first session since Republicans swept control of the Legislature in last year’s elections. Predictably enough, the...
View ArticleWhen government is part of the problem: the sequel
Last year I wrote about an exchange in the 2010 session between now retired Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud, and Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan. Haws sponsored legislation to allow students to transfer...
View ArticleTwitter: A political force or an echo chamber?
Nationally, the social networking site was the catalyst for the recent Anthony Weiner scandal and his ultimate resignation, after the seven-term Democratic congressman from New York accidentally...
View ArticleRacino push may wither again
There was little fanfare when not one but two racino bills surfaced in the Minnesota Legislature last week. The perennial proposal to install slot machines in racetracks usually enters into the...
View ArticleGlobal deal or no, some bills are moving late in session
With momentum building to finish off the 2012 legislative session, the House and Senate spent hours on the floor last week debating bills.
View ArticleCanterbury Park, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux cut deal that upends gambling debate
The catalyst for a landmark gambling deal cut between horseracing track Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux tribe was a minor bill that didn’t get a single hearing during the 2012...
View ArticleWho punched their ticket to the Capitol on Tuesday?
For most candidates getting past the primary election is merely the first electoral hurdle that must be surmounted prior to joining the Legislature. But for candidates in districts that tilt heavily in...
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