First bills target schools, taxes
In their first joint action of the 2013 session, the newly elected Democratic leaders of the Minnesota Legislature held a news conference to show they were on the same page regarding broad goals for...
View ArticleSenate DFLers amend funding mechanism for health exchange
The health exchange bill grinding its way through Senate committees now relies on general fund dollars to cover the costs of the online marketplace. Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, brought an...
View ArticleDFL lawmakers propose raising miniumum wage to $9.50
The bill, which supporters are calling the Family Economic Stability Act, was introduced in both chambers on Wednesday. In addition to raising the minimum wage, the bill would fund childcare assistance...
View ArticleHIX bills draw closer to floor debate
Legislation to establish a Minnesota health insurance exchange is nearing the end of its grueling committee march. The House version has cleared six committees, with stops at Taxes and Ways and Means...
View ArticleNelson, Eaton will carry personal care assistant unionization bill
Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, will carry legislation that would allow thousands of home-care workers to seek union representation.
View ArticleRenewable energy: 40 by ’30?
It’s been six years since DFL legislators reached a deal with former Gov. Tim Pawlenty to require utilities to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Energy advocates...
View ArticleDeadline brings action on flurry of bills
As the first committee deadlines of 2013 loom, Minnesota legislators have spent the week holding hearings on high-profile legislation ranging from the legalization of same-sex marriage to state funding...
View ArticleWolf hunt ban advances in Senate
A proposal to reinstate the ban on wolf hunting in Minnesota has cleared its first committee.
View ArticleFirst committee deadline scuttles many measures
For many lobbyists, working the Legislature is as much about the bills they are able to stop as the bills they are able to pass. That’s why Friday’s final deadline for policy measures to pass through...
View ArticleHouse, Senate gird for battle over wage
Midway through a March 13 hearing in the Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, asked about the thought process behind a proposal to raise the...
View ArticleConference committees on key finance bills take shape
With most major finance bills clearing the House and Senate floors, attention will now turn towards conference committees this week. Conferees on several bills have already been appointed by...
View ArticleAmended minimum wage bill heads to House floor
Legislation that would significantly raise the state's minimum wage for the first time in eight years is headed to the House floor. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley,...
View ArticleMinimum wage increase clears Senate, headed to conference committee
The Senate passed legislation by a 39-28 vote on Wednesday that will increase the minimum wage to $7.75 an hour for large employers by 2015. All DFLers voted in favor of the measure, while all...
View ArticleFate of minimum wage increase uncertain
Winkler said the bill would pass when the Senate has a majority of votes lined-up to vote for a $9.00 minimum wage.
View ArticleBakk changes tone on minimum wage deal
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, who earlier this week said a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage was likely dead, now says there’s a “very good chance” something could get done on the issue...
View ArticleLawmakers adjourn after last-minute machinations on bonding, taxes
Democrats who control the Legislature saved some politicking and deal-making on Capitol restoration bonding and taxes for the final hours of the regular 2013 Legislative session
View Article2013 session leaves unfinished business
Whether the 2013 legislative session in Minnesota was a successful one depends on which Democrat you ask. While many long-sought DFL priorities were achieved at the end of the five-month session,...
View ArticleHouse Democrats, Dayton start next minimum wage push
Gov. Mark Dayton, labor activists and House members made an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday to renew a push to raise the state's minimum wage from $6.25 per hour to $9.50 by 2015.
View ArticleAnzelc proposes ballot initiative to raise Minnesota’s minimum wage
DFL Rep. Tom Anzelc, Balsam Township, said Wednesday that he plans to introduce a constitutional amendment next session that would raise the state's minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $10 per hour by...
View ArticleSteve Simon holds fundraising lead in Secretary of State race
Simon's 2013 fundraising total was several times larger than both of his opposing candidates' total collections last year.
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