TheRepublic.com - Mark Dayton News

Minn. lawmakers wrap up historic session

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:56:15 -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.

Minn. Senate rejects tax judge at Dayton request

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:02:32 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The Minnesota Senate has voted unanimously to reject the confirmation of a Minnesota Tax Court judge who is facing suspension and censure.

Dayton asks Senate to reject tax court appointee

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:05:58 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Gov. Mark Dayton is asking the state Senate to reject the confirmation of a Minnesota Tax Court judge who is facing suspension and censure.

Minn. taxes on way up, but which and on whom?

Wed, 15 May 2013 01:05:18 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota taxes will rise by $2 billion in the next two-year state budget, but who pays how much on what is still being hammered out as the Legislature speeds toward a Monday deadline for the session's adjournment.

For Minnesota gay marriage sponsors, it's personal

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:24:30 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - As a crowd of thousands roared from the lawn of the state Capitol, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday that makes gay marriage legal here come Aug. 1.

Vikings see the light with design of new stadium

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:58:21 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS - Opening the roof over the new home of the Minnesota Vikings would have forced planners of the $975 million project to eliminate some of the fancy features.

Paulsen rules our run for US Senate or MN governor

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:35:56 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS - GOP U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen ruled out a run for either the U.S. Senate or the Minnesota governor's office on Monday, saying he plans to seek a fourth term in the House instead.

Details about Minnesota gay marriage bill

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:05:58 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota's Senate is scheduled to debate and vote Monday on a bill to add the state to the growing list of those that allow gay marriage. It's the last step before Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, who has promised to sign legislation.

Minn. gay marriage supporters back change to bill

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:17:28 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - On the eve of a historic House vote, the group lobbying to pass gay marriage at Minnesota's Capitol threw its weight Wednesday behind a proposed change to the bill that gives more comfort to churches opposing same-sex marriage and could make it easier for Republicans to support it.

Gov. Dayton wary of Vikings cutting Kluwe

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:00:58 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Gov. Mark Dayton has joined the list of those wondering if the Minnesota Vikings cut veteran punter Chris Kluwe solely for performance purposes.

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.

GOP entrant in Minn. gov race is political vet

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:12:32 -0400

HAMEL, Minnesota - Jeff Johnson, a Republican rooted in Minnesota politics for a dozen years, on Sunday became the latest candidate to announce a 2014 challenge to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, casting himself as the type of candidate the GOP needs to break its electoral dry spell.

Obama declares storm disaster in SW Minnesota

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:52:13 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - President Barack Obama has declared a major federal disaster for five southwestern Minnesota counties hit by an April ice storm.

Medical marijuana bill outlined, but debate waits

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:35:28 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Supporters of legalizing marijuana for medical use put their plan forward at Minnesota's Capitol on Thursday even though the major debate will wait until next year.

Senate backs Minn. tuition for immigrants' kids

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:02:40 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill that extends in-state public college tuition rates to children of people who are not in the country legally.

Dayton names directors of health insurance site

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:44 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday appointed six people with a wide range of health care experience to serve on the board of directors for the Minnesota's health care exchange, the online marketplace where the uninsured and other residents will be able to shop for coverage under the federal health care overhaul.

Minn. Senate rejects, then backs tax hike bill

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:47:42 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The Minnesota Senate approved a package of income, property and sales tax hikes Monday - just barely - after a pair of votes that showed the political difficulty for Democrats of raising taxes even when they fully control state government.

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.

Republican businessman to run for Minn. governor

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:30:39 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota's slow-starting 2014 governor's race got its first serious Republican contender on Wednesday when a successful businessman and political newcomer launched a campaign.

Minn. Senate moves to fix Capitol with tax dollars

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:41:35 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Minnesota senators are moving to pay for renovations of the state Capitol using tax dollars rather than through state borrowing for public construction projects.

Reeling elsewhere, labor poised for Minn. gains

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:25:36 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Sitting side by side before state lawmakers, Minnesota Orchestra horn player Brian Jensen and third-generation sugar worker Becki Jacobson couldn't have come from much different worlds. But they had something in common: both had gone through lengthy labor lockouts, and both were asking the state to make unemployment benefits considerably more generous.

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.