Top Minn. Legislators Pledge Boost In Minimum Wage
Democrats who lead the Minnesota Legislature left no doubt Wednesday that a minimum wage increase of some kind will prevail in the upcoming session.
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Democrats who lead the Minnesota Legislature left no doubt Wednesday that a minimum wage increase of some kind will prevail in the upcoming session.
A coalition of transportation, business and labor interests proposes a new 5-percent sales tax on fuel in Minnesota to help raise money for new transportation projects. The $750-million-a year roads and transit plan from the group calling itself Move MN is being unveiled Tuesday at a legislative hearing.
Some of Minnesota's well-known mayors, including the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, are putting their weight behind an effort to pass Minnesota's first minimum wage hike in 8 years.
Minnesota funeral homes could soon face new requirements when it comes to sharing pricing information. A bill the Legislature will consider this year would compel funeral providers to post their prices on the Internet if they already maintain a Web site.
Forget the return of deep snow and cold temperatures. The forecast Minnesota's political class is watching this week has to do with the state budget.
The Minnesota Vikings have broken ground on their new stadium. Team owners and officials were joined by hundreds of local politicians, business leaders and purple-clad fans Tuesday morning to commemorate the start of construction on the billion-dollar project.
A state security panel backed the idea of more regular permit checks for gun owners who want to carry weapons in the State Capitol, but fell short of votes Tuesday on a proposal to ban guns altogether in certain state government buildings or areas.
A Minnesota legislator who has taken a visible role in public safety and gun issues says he won't run for a 10th term in the 2014 election. State Rep. Michael Paymar announced Wednesday he will leave the Legislature after his current term expires.
There is so little oversight of a state program that has spent $44 million promoting sustainable forestry on private land that lawmakers should make significant changes to it or scrap it altogether, Minnesota's legislative auditor said Tuesday.
A Minnesota legislative panel formed to keep tabs on the Vikings stadium deal is meeting to go over a recently signed lease and the development agreement. The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities lacks power to alter the agreements.
A contingent of Minnesota legislators and convention bureau representatives is in Atlanta trying to convince lawmakers from elsewhere to put the Twin Cities in their travel plans. More than a dozen Minnesota lawmakers are at the National Conference of State Legislature's summer summit.
The Minnesota Legislature's most senior members are getting a rundown on how the state's economy is performing. Nine top House members and nine from the Senate were due to convene the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy on Thursday.
Lobbying groups spent more than $11 million at the Minnesota Legislature this past session, according to Minnesota's Campaign Finance Board. Now, there's a new player at the top of the spending list.
Top Minnesota lawmakers purposely delayed the start of a new sales tax on warehousing services until next April in case they need to revise or undo it before then. The storage service tax, which doesn't apply to mini-storage rentals, became a point of dispute.
Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic legislative leaders call the just-finished session a success and that they accomplished what they set out to do. Dayton and the lawmakers held a Tuesday news conference at the Capitol, just a few hours after the session wrapped at midnight.
Minnesota lawmakers worked right up to the end Monday before adjourning a session that produced $2.1 billion in tax hikes and a historic vote on gay marriage. The gavel fell after a frenetic final push to wrap up major issues.
A few final debates echoed through the state Capitol Monday, as lawmakers haggled over tax increases and union organizing in a session that's already seen a big spike in spending on schools and a landmark law legalizing gay marriage.
Extensive work on the 107-year-old state Capitol is getting the go-ahead from Minnesota lawmakers in a late financial rescue package. A borrowing proposal that came together on the Legislature's final day includes $109 million for the next phase of a renovation to the deteriorating building. The money was needed this year to keep underway construction from halting. A new parking ramp will be authorized, but paid for with fees from users.
Minnesota voters will decide in 2016 if the constitution should be changed to let an independent board set the pay of legislators. The state Senate voted 43-23 early Monday to put the proposed amendment on the statewide ballot. It follows a tighter House vote on the identical measure.
North Dakota is promoting its business climate at Minnesota's expense, and some politicians are not happy about it. The Greater North Dakota Chamber has created billboards that mock proposals in the Minnesota Legislature, including bills that would raise certain taxes.
Nearly 100 amendments await Minnesota House lawmakers if they move ahead as planned on a bill that could lead to unionization of in-home day care providers and personal care attendants. The volume foreshadows a long fight should the House brings the bill up on Saturday as planned.
With time running out in this year's session, Minnesota lawmakers appear to be close to a deal for the next state budget. It doesn't involve taxing clothing or any changes to the alcohol tax, but there will be some noticeable changes for some people.
A new plan for paying off Minnesota Vikings stadium debate is about to surface at the state Capitol as the legislative session nears its conclusion. Leaders of a House-Senate committee crafting a wider-ranging tax bill alluded to the new proposal while trading offers on Wednesday.
Pressed for time, the Minnesota Legislature faced increasing urgency Thursday to start sending Gov. Mark Dayton the bills that make up the two-year, $37 billion state budget. Democrats running the Capitol have a late Monday deadline to pass the budget and avoid a special session.
Minnesota's governor is set to sign a bill legalizing gay marriage that will let same-sex couples hold weddings starting Aug. 1. Gov. Mark Dayton has repeatedly promised to sign the bill. He's scheduled to do so during a ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the front steps of Minnesota's Capitol in St. Paul.
