TheRepublic.com - Paul Thissen News

Minn. session '13: What got done, what didn't

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:26:12 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota state lawmakers promised when the legislative session began that their top priority was setting a new state budget. To that end, they produced a $38.3 billion two-year spending plan that hikes taxes on top income earners and on cigarettes, and distributes hefty spending increases to public schools, freezes tuition at state colleges and steers new money to job-creation programs.

Minn. lawmakers wrap up historic session

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:22:38 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - 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.

Minn. Capitol renovation gets last-day rescue

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:49:44 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Extensive work on the 107-year-old state Capitol is getting the go-ahead from Minnesota lawmakers in a late financial rescue package.

Downed Minn. projects bill may be back but slimmer

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:43:05 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Top Minnesota lawmakers are searching for a way to assemble a slimmed-down construction projects bill that would include renovation funding for the state Capitol.

Minnesota appears poised to legalize gay marriage

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:07:32 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota appears poised to legalize gay marriage, as the Democratic speaker of the state House said Tuesday that a gay marriage bill endorsed by the governor and likely to pass in the state Senate also now has enough backing in his chamber.

Tech firm near win in quiet push for Minn. breaks

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:34:52 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - In early February, a development agency in Gov. Mark Dayton's administration made a deal with a giant pharmaceutical company: The state would explore grants and tax breaks that could yield almost 200 high-wage jobs all while keeping Baxter Healthcare Group's name out of the public conversation.

Senate tax plan to affect more than top 2 percent

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:29:03 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS - The Senate's soon-to-be-unveiled tax plan will likely affect more than 2 percent of the state's top earners with an income tax increase, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said Monday.