Ballot Plan For Minimum Wage Battered Yet Advances

Despite a collection of traditional adversaries aligning in opposition Friday, Democratic senators advanced a proposed ballot measure to let voters resolve a legislative deadlock over the minimum wage. A Senate jobs panel endorsed a constitutional amendment on a party-line vote over the objections of business, labor, faith and other advocacy groups. The measure would let voters decide if increases in the minimum wage should be automatically tied to inflation starting in 2017.

• Mar 28, 2014

United Against Building, GOP Hopefuls Split On Pot

Five Republicans running for Minnesota governor are leaving no doubt they are united in their opposition to a planned Senate Office Building. The candidates held a joint news conference Thursday at the Capitol to showcase their distaste.

• Mar 27, 2014

Voters Could Get Say On Auto-Hikes To Minimum Wage

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says voters should decide whether Minnesota's minimum wage climbs automatically. A constitutional amendment that he and another prominent senator put in play Thursday would ask voters this fall if they think the wage should be forever linked to inflation.

• Mar 27, 2014

GOP Presses For Resolution On Building Controversy

Legislative Republicans pressed Monday for a speedy resolution to a controversy over a proposed Senate office building, making clear they oppose its construction. Several GOP lawmakers said the state should make do with the space it has, and reconfigure Capitol renovation plans if necessary.

• Mar 24, 2014

Tax Vote Delayed As Time Crunch Looms

Minnesota legislators planned quick and possibly final votes Thursday on a measure that would provide income tax breaks and repeal some controversial new business taxes. The Minnesota Senate prepared to debate a $434 million tax relief plan that also puts $150 million into a state budget reserve.

• Mar 20, 2014

Minn. Tax-Relief Bill Put In Higher Gear; Vote Due Soon

A tax relief measure put on a fast track in the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday could mean immediate breaks for at least 300,000 people. The Democratic-crafted proposal was unveiled a day after Gov. Mark Dayton implored lawmakers to speed up. The bill could get a floor vote as soon as Thursday.

• Mar 19, 2014

Minn. Senate Panel Approves Gift-Ban Restoration

A Minnesota Senate subcommittee on elections unanimously approved a bill Monday to reinforce a gift ban that was softened last year. The exception passed last spring allowed lawmakers to get lobbyist-purchased meals at receptions as long as all legislators were invited.

• Mar 17, 2014

Time Running Out To Pass Medical Marijuana Legislation

The up-and-down medical marijuana bill at the Capitol may be down again. Top lawmakers in the House and Senate say it's not likely to pass this year. Advocates of legalizing medical marijuana are hoping to make Minnesota the 20th state in the country to do so. Thursday, the advocates said it's possible to pass it this year. But it's not about medicine at this point at the Capitol; it's about math.

• Mar 14, 2014

Minn. Senate Preps Emergency Heating Bill For Vote

The fast-track plan to provide $20 million in emergency heating assistance has been staged for a vote Monday in the Minnesota Senate. But a slight change by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday will likely to force another House vote on the measure too.

• Feb 26, 2014

GOPers Who Backed Gay Marriage Face Consequences

David FitzSimmons knew when he joined a very small group of legislative Republicans who voted for legal gay marriage in Minnesota that he might face political fallout on his conservative home turf. And he did.

• Feb 16, 2014

Lawyer Tab In Brodkorb Case Tops $390,000

A now-settled lawsuit filed by a fired staffer cost the Minnesota Senate $396,000 in legal defense fees on top of a severance award, a new tally based on a billing document made public Friday shows.

• Dec 6, 2013

Minn. Republican Sues To Block Senate Building

A former Republican lawmaker has filed suit in Ramsey County District Court to stop an $89.5 million State Senate office building project. The Minnesota Legislature approved the new office building for Senators and staff in the last days of the 2013 session.

• Oct 31, 2013

GOP's McFadden Has $1.2M For Minn. Senate Race

Minnesota Republican Senate candidate Mike McFadden says he raised $700,000 for his campaign in the last three months, and has $1.2 million in the bank as he seeks to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Al Franken next year.

• Oct 10, 2013

Minn. Senators To Vote Monday On Brodkorb Deal

Minnesota state senators are scheduled to vote Monday on a $30,000 settlement that ends a lawsuit brought by an ex-aide who was fired over his affair with the majority leader.

• Sep 27, 2013

Minn. Senate Gets $91K Invoice In Brodkorb Case

The Minnesota Senate's latest invoice for a legal dispute with a former staff member shows $91,600 in expenses over three months. That invoice, to be reviewed at a hearing Monday, brings the taxpayer costs in the case above $300,000. The Senate is paying a private law firm to defend the chamber against a lawsuit by fired GOP aide Michael Brodkorb.

• Sep 9, 2013

Minn. Senate Wants Brodkorb Case Tossed Over Error

Minnesota Senate attorneys sought Thursday to have a former aide's lawsuit dismissed because they say the case has been tainted by an erroneous release of a list alleging Capitol sexual affairs.

• Aug 15, 2013

Minnesota Leaders To Discuss Special Session Prospects

After negotiating by letters and press releases, Minnesota's top state officials will get in the same room to discuss a possible September special session. Gov. Mark Dayton said he plans to meet on Friday with leaders from the House and Senate.

• Aug 14, 2013

Ex-Minn. GOP Senators Want McFadden As '14 Nominee

Minnesota Republican Senate candidate Mike McFadden has announced the backing of former Sens. Norm Coleman and Rod Grams in his campaign for the party's 2014 nomination.

• Aug 2, 2013

Gov. Dayton Considers Special Session

Gov. Mark Dayton's office confirmed Thursday it is in talks with Minnesota legislative leaders on a special session to provide disaster aid to communities hit by severe storms.

• Aug 1, 2013

Fired Minn. Aide's Lawsuit Cites Other Affairs

For the first time, a fired Minnesota Senate operative has made detailed accusations central to his federal wrongful termination lawsuit: a list of other lawmakers and staff members who allegedly carried on affairs over the years without losing their jobs.

• Jul 11, 2013

Minn. Senate Leader Hann Out Of GOP Governor Race

The Republican leader of the Minnesota Senate is not running for governor next year. Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie says Friday he's not joining the growing field of Republicans in the 2014 race.

• Jul 5, 2013

Gov. Hopeful Thompson Leaves Senate Leadership Post

State Sen. Dave Thompson says he's giving up his leadership post in the Minnesota Senate because of his candidacy for governor. Thompson resigned as assistant minority leader in a Wednesday letter to top Republican senators.

• Jul 3, 2013

Senate Sets Aside $500K To Defend Brodkorb Case

The Minnesota Senate is setting aside a half-million dollars for future legal costs as it fights a federal lawsuit of a former senior aide. The allowance is part of a new Senate budget for 2014, when Michael Brodkorb's lawsuit is due for trial.

• Jun 26, 2013

Minn. Senate Legal Costs In Brodkorb Case: $226K

State legal expenses associated with former Senate aide Michael Brodkorb's lawsuit now top $226,000. The Minnesota Senate is paying a private firm to fight claims it mishandled Brodkorb's termination. The latest $27,700 invoice was made public Wednesday and covers expenses from February through April.

• Jun 12, 2013

Minn. Lawmakers Near Finish With Tax Hike Votes

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.

• May 20, 2013

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