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Democratic Sen. Jim Metzen, whose 42 years in the Legislature make him one of Minnesota's longest-serving state lawmakers, said Saturday that he won't seek re-election. Metzen said in September that he was being treated for a recurrence of lung cancer.
Former Republican state Rep. Jim Abeler has won his party's nomination for an open Senate seat. The Anoka chiropractor easily beat party-endorsed activist Andy Aplikowski in Tuesday's primary winning 61 percent of the vote.
With an eye on either salvaging a special session or putting those hopes to rest, lawmakers began weeding through ideas on Thursday that would bring Minnesota in compliance with a federal high-security driver's license law, extend unemployment benefits for laid-off steelworkers and tackle racial economic disparities.
A Republican state senator who ran for Minnesota governor in 2014 said Tuesday that he won't run for re-election because he's moving to North Carolina.
Gov. Mark Dayton has asked legislative leaders to make a final call by the end of next week on whether to hold a special session, he told The Associated Press in a Thursday interview.
A top Minnesota Senate Democrat on social services issues is not seeking re-election in 2016. Sen. Kathy Sheran announced on Monday her plans to retire after her third term is up. Sheran was first elected to the Mankato-area district in 2006.
As far as Gov. Mark Dayton is concerned, Senate Republicans can keep their offices where they're at. Dayton commented Tuesday on a declaration by GOP senators that they'd forego a move to the new Senate Office Building when it opens early next year.
Just weeks before the new Minnesota Senate Office Building is scheduled to open, some senators may not want to move in. The $90-million structure behind the State Capitol will be ready in January for all 67 senators to move into new offices, but not everyone is happy about it.
Minnesota's now-scattered 67 state senators are planning their move into offices under one roof for the first time anyone can recall. As the new, $90 million Senate Office Building nears completion, an office draft is underway.
A third Republican state senator plans to step down next year. Sen. Branden Petersen announced Monday he won't run for a second term in 2016. The Andover Republican served one term in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2012.
Minnesota's path to a new state budget took another abrupt turn Friday when Democratic senators reworked a funding bill for agricultural and environmental programs instead of passing a plan negotiated between Gov. Mark Dayton and House Republicans.
The Minnesota Senate has rejected a bill to fund environmental and agricultural programs that's key to a successful wrapup to the legislative session.
The Minnesota House passed the education finance bill early Monday morning. Just before 4:30 a.m. the House passed the bill 71 to 59.
The Minnesota Lottery's experiment with paperless, instant-play tickets sold over the Internet and other platforms will come to an end because Gov. Mark Dayton decided Thursday against vetoing legislation suspending the games.
Soon, Minnesota drivers can show proof of insurance with a smartphone. Both the Minnesota House and Minnesota Senate unanimously approved the new law. Now, it goes to the governor for his signature.
Minnesota's legislative session is moving into its final, frantic week with the full outline of a new state budget still a blur but some potential elements of an agreement coming into focus. The few people in on private negotiations are saying almost nothing, but the Capitol has turned into its usual hothouse of rumors and compromise scenarios.
Gov. Mark Dayton's cabinet is officially on the job. The DFL-led Minnesota Senate confirmed seven state agency heads Tuesday. Candidates on the slate oversee pollution control, veterans affairs and other areas.
Minnesota's Senate has adopted a tax plan that could put a dent in property taxes for homeowners, farmers and businesses — except for railroad companies.
In a pair of votes Monday, the Senate rejected attempts to bar use of public dollars toward football's premier event and to repeal a sales tax exemption on Super Bowl tickets.
Minnesota lawmakers are hoping to send more help to turkey farmers and the state as they fight a deadly bird flu outbreak.
Schools and families are joining Minnesota's governor to say House and Senate education budget proposals are too small. Both the GOP-led House and DFL-controlled Senate would increase education spending.
Some smaller measures in tax plans on the table in Minnesota's budget discussion aim to make a big impact on public health and child safety. They won't get the attention of business property tax breaks or across-the-board income exemptions causing clashes, but the measures stand a decent chance of happening.
A longtime staff member of the Minnesota Senate was killed after being struck by a Green Line light rail train on her way to work Thursday morning. Lynne Thomas had been a legislative assistant in the Senate for 28 years. She was crossing University Avenue on the light rail tracks when she was hit and killed by a train around 7:30 a.m.
Senate Republicans are putting pressure on one of Gov. Mark Dayton's commissioners. Mike Rothman has served as commissioner of the Department of Commerce since 2011.
State lawmakers will soon draw the final line in Minnesota's education funding debate.
