2008

May

• School employee insurance bill sent to Pawlenty

• Pawlenty rejects minimum wage hike

• Ventura says he’s serious about possible Senate campaign

• Vehicle emissions bill defeated

• Minnesota loses 10,000 jobs in April

• Pawlenty, legislators inch closer to deal

• MN Senate conservatives, liberals unite to pass legislation against federal Real ID Act Law

• Legislature presses ahead to the end of the session

• Talks resume for session-ending budget deal

• Pawlenty vetoes health care bill

• Property tax cap stalling legislators

• Maccray school district plans for 4-day week to save money

• Health care bill clears Legislature; will Pawlenty sign it?

• Governor calls property tax cap key to deal

• Pawlenty tops Post VP list

• 2008 legislative session: All that scrapping paying off this time

• Debate brewing after Legislature OKs minimum-wage hike

• Outside firm to look into DNR fundraising

• Budget talks on hold

• House approves new psych hospital for Woodbury

• Hockey clears House hurdle

• Pawlenty signs compensation package for bridge victims

• Legislators OK higher dropout age, minimum-wage hike

• Transportation bill is retooled to boost its chances

• Booster seat rule dropped after Pawlenty objects

• Minimum wage hike faces Pawlenty veto

• Minn. House votes to allow aid for studies of stem cells from human embryos

• Minnesota congresswoman corrects committee on city for Republican National Convention

• Bill moves ahead: No dropping out before 18

• Minn. senator says he faces unwelcome choice on road safety rules

• Rare copy of Declaration of Independence on display in Minnesota today

• Legislature sends governor new school ‘report card’ plan

• Senate passes bill to defer foreclosures, but Pawlenty and bankers oppose it

• Pawlenty: Property tax cap is key to passing a budget

• Bridge victim fund clears Legislature, heads to Pawlenty

• Pawlenty signs bovine TB prevention bill

• Budget talks to resume this afternoon

• Sex ed curricula all over the map in Minnesota

• Nearly 10 percent tuition hike possible at U of M next fall

• Delta president to Minn. lawmakers: HQ decision final

• State Supreme Court to hear UnitedHealth case

• Governor, leaders hold more budget talks; no breakthrough

• Budget talks to resume this afternoon

• Minn. lawmakers dig in for a weekend of negotiations over budget, other unresolved items

• Pawlenty corrects McCain on 35W bridge collapse

• Amid higher office buzz, Pawlenty says serving full term is his `intention’

• McCain backs off statement that wasteful spending led to bridge collapse in Minneapolis

• NewsBreak: Deal reached for Minn. bridge collapse victims

• The numbers tell the truth

April

• GOP Begins Air Attacks on DFL for Gas Tax Hike

• Pawlenty wants Mall of America proposal refined

• Budget back-and-forth produces Pawlenty offer, though deal is a ways off

• Bigger MOA gets bipartisan boost

• MN Senate on board with limits for teen drivers

• House debates sex ed, school hours

• Minn. Senate votes to get tough on teenage and unbelted drivers

• Minn. House votes down measure to stop schools from shortening their days

• MN House Republicans to run ads assailing Democrats for gas tax hike

• DFLers make opening offer in budget dance

• Pawlenty uses vetoes to take down bill dealing with drivers licenses, Cuba trade resolution

• Pawlenty’s tax group to focus on jobs

• Biodiesel mandate sparks food fight

• Bill allowing chiropractors to work on animals passes House

• MN Legislators to new teen drivers: Forget those midnight joyrides

• Event in D.C. for Gov. P fuels more talk about VP

• Oberstar pushes NTSB chief to rethink holding a public hearing on 35W bridge

• Without solid infrastructure, a state is stuck

• Governor, legislators meet to discuss health care

• MN House Democrats revive plan for property tax relief

• Pawlenty’s opening budget offer takes less from health fund

• Federal highway official is named state transportation chief

• Federal highway official is named state transportation chief

• Democrats say it’s up to Pawlenty to revive rail money

• Pawlenty’s LRT veto—good negotiating strategy?

• Gov. admits ‘cheap shots’ line pushed the boundary

• Bridge victims’ fund stuck at Capitol

• St. Paul residents demand Central Corridor project

• Lawmakers differ on status of budget discussions

• Minn. Senate gives nod to bill to create contracts between parents, surrogate mothers

• Pawlenty admits warning to DFLer, denies actual threat

• Minn. Senate approves compromise on suing home, auto insurers

• House passes narrower version of health care bill

• MINN. HOUSE PASSES MAJOR HEALTH CARE REFORM PACKAGE

• Turmoil in Minnesota AG’s office roils House DFLers

• Medical marijuana bill on its way to MN House vote

• Group says surrogacy bill allows for ‘baby selling’

• Democrats say it’s up to Pawlenty to revive rail money

• Pawlenty Derails More Economic Development

• ‘New Minnesota Miracle’ is unveiled

• Pawlenty uses line-item veto to trim bonding bill

• Coaching hires may get scrutiny

• MN Senate passes tax measurel; JOBZ project in danger

• Legislature approves $925 million for new projects

• Pawlenty rips construction bill, but quiet about what’s next

• State House and Senate approve massive budget bills

• First Reading: A budget in balance Published (4/4/2008)

• Senate sacks Vikings stadium study

• Minn. House says yes to smoking shacks during budget debate

• Legislature: Let’s spend $925 million

• 3 more counties OK transit sales tax

• Minn. House supports background checks for school coaches

• Proposed freeze on foreclosures runs into obstacle: Pawlenty

• Conference committee agrees on bonding bill

• MN Senate votes to warehouse all newborn DNA

March

• Smoking ban cuts receipts from pull-tabs, bingo

• Auditor to examine allegations against Minn. AG’s office

• CCHC tells Gov. Pawlenty thank you

• Child care changes

• MN House passes ‘good faith’ insurance bill

• Probe of attorney general’s office may be next

• Minnesota Senate / DFLers spell out tax bill

• Talks begin over compensation for Minn. bridge collapse victims

• MN House Democrats look to rainy day accounts to fix deficit

• Huge health care bill spikes a nasty fever

• Minnesota Supreme Court ranks high in influence

• Legislators could resume talks on billion-dollar bonding bill

• MN Rep. Tingelstad won’t seek reelection

• Metro lawmaker’s bill offers ways to pare deficit

• ‘Do you want to fund your schools—or not?’

• Showdown builds at Capitol between trial lawyers, insurers

• Poll finds most Minnesotans back rail transit expansion

• Outsider steps into state Supreme Court’s top job

• House Republicans part ways with Pawlenty over nursing homes

• Former governor Carlson criticizes budget cuts

• State unready for disaster, audit says

• Lawmakers begin to pick at Pawlenty budget fix

• 3 Republicans who overrode veto lose party endorsement

• Road money rolling to south metro

• Two Republicans resuscitate racino bill, tout budget benefits

• Senate Finance Committee OKs $25 million for 35W victims

• Pawlenty’s budget fix: Spend less and tax less

• Metro, outstate cities’ groups back change in state aid plan

• MN House passes $1 billion bonding bill

• Senate passes $1.1 billion borrowing bill

• GOP says it will roll out TV ads denouncing DFL for tax increases

• Pawlenty hobnobs in Arizona, sets pundit tongues a-wagging

• Rogue Republicans still feeling heat from overriding governor’s veto

• Foreclosure help may be on the way

February

• State faces 935 million questions on deficit

• House OKs $40 million for bridge survivors

• House passes bridge survivors compensation bill 120-10

• Transportation Commissioner Molnau ousted

• Minn. Senate dumps Molnau as transportation commissioner

• Minnesota’s budget deficit hits nearly $1 billion

• Minnesota budget deficit nearly $1 billion

• MN Senate unveils bonding proposal

• Minnesota could face $1 billion deficit

• Budget trouble dead ahead

• Senate DFLers plan to vote today to oust Molnau

• Pawlenty, Republican leaders circle the wagons after gas tax defeat

• 6 GOP legislators stripped of leadership positions

• The Big Borrow: Critiquing the Republican transportation alternative

• House, Senate override a Pawlenty veto for the first time

• Local Republicans split on transportation

• Gun debate will return to Capitol

• Pawlenty rejects transportation plan

• Legislature OKs roads plan

• How they voted on Transportation Bill

• Legislature passes transportation bill

• Transit advocates try to gain some traction

• Transportation bill begins bumpy journey to a likely veto showdown

• University Of Minnesota / U leaders push bioscience buildings

• Pawlenty aims to keep NWA hub

• Automatic gas tax hikes cut from bill

• Just ahead: Big votes on MN gas tax hike

• Rep. Mark Olson apologizes on House floor

• Flooded homeowners still waiting for help

• Court system short of cash

• Highway budget headed for cash shortage, MnDOT warns

• Minnesota Poll: Approval of Pawlenty is highest in four years

• DFLers tout bills for environment

• 35W bridge victims’ benefit package wins 1st round

• Legislature aims for higher bonding for higher education

• Pawlenty warns lawmakers he will veto tax hikes

• Gov. and legislature largely in agreement on health care changes

• DFLers offer sweeping transportation initiative

• Legislative auditor criticizes rural JOBZ program

• DFL plans to delay an attempt to remove Molnau

• State economist says deeper deficit looms in Minnesota

January

• State budget gap ‘likely to grow’

• NTSB chief softens comments about bridge collapse

• State of State date, site chosen

• U of M president says gas tax would free up money for higher education

• Light-rail line’s high costs draw warning

• Pawlenty calls state spending skewed

• Cost overruns at MnDOT are on the rise

• Pawlenty announces clean energy plan

• School funds at their limit, Pawlenty says

• Secretary of State’s office launches precinct caucus finder

• Source: Design flaw caused 35W bridge collapse

• Borrow to fix roads and bridges, House GOP leader says

• Pawlenty’s plan borrows big for bridges, roads

• Two panels will propose big shifts in state health care

• Suburbs want new recipe for how state aid is given

• REP. KIM NORTON TO RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD

• Pawlenty signs order to enforce federal immigration law

• Protesters greet Gov. Pawlenty at environmental meeting

• Election gives DFL veto-proof majority

• No Child Left Behind: GOP senators want it to be history

2007

December

• Tax bite deepens as home values fall

• Pawlenty, wife warm to idea of earlier walleye opener

• Millions in highway funds are in jeopardy

• Pawlenty to campaign for McCain in N.H.

• State could lose House seat after 2010, estimates show

• Budget shortfall at $373 million

• Ruling limits Minn. agency’s power on special education

• Flood relief: How fast is fast enough?

• Non-profits may lose property tax exemption

• Campaign board won’t investigate Ritchie; auditor’s probe remains

• MnDOT: $30 million won’t prevent delays

• GOP caucus expels Rep. Olson, but he vows to fight for his seat

• Complaint calls for investigation of Ritchie

• Pawlenty rejects special session for bonding bill

• State leaders say Vikings stadium is a no-go in ‘08

November

• State predicts $373 million shortfall

• Pawlenty to announce Supreme Court justice pick

• State board investigates all 7 justices about marriage laws

• Tax bite deepens as home values fall

• Concerns build over Minnesota Capitol redo

• Committee puts blame on MnDOT for Wakota Bridge

• Midwestern governors to gather for historic energy summit in Milwaukee Print

October

• In India, Pawlenty looks to boost Minnesota’s overseas trade

• Workshop finalizes aesthetics of I-35W bridge

• After S.E. Minnesota flood, a new struggle

• Avoiding usual legislative logjam may help avert future traffic jams

• Two West Nile Deaths In Minnesota

• I-35W bridge collapse survivors group makes plea for more aid

• Senate Secretary: Confirmation Hearings May Have to Wait for January

• No tax and no rush on bridge, public says

• MnDOT may not have cash for 2nd Wakota Bridge span

• Law Firm Sues For Access To Bridge Documents

• Highway 14 funds could be diverted to bridge

• Minnesota Poll: Show of support for Pawlenty

• Oberstar, Peterson, McCollum, Walz, Ellison urge governor to apply for federal bridge money

September

• Pawlenty voices displeasure over MnDOT manager’s travels

• Swanson sues Sprint, alleging deceptive practices

• Minnesota’s new health chief vows to build trust

• Pawlenty picks new health commissioner

• Molnau should leave MnDOT post, legislator urges governor

• Pawlenty outlines small business assistance plan

• Minnesota pressures Washington on health care for kids

• I-35W bridge may delay other projects

• Rich contract awarded for I-35W bridge replacement

• ‘It is amazing how much we don’t know’ about our water sources; House panel aims to fill in the blan

• ‘Embarrassed’ by bridge impasse

• James B. Hovland: A conflict at the helm of MnDOT?

• Pawlenty signs flood relief bill

• Special session underway

• Flood aid is focus of special session

• Pawlenty calls special session to pass flood relief package

• WALZ CALLS ON PAWLENTY TO CONVENE SPECIAL SESSION

• Road tax urgency slipping away

• Talk of special session is still just that

• Special-session talks are as messy as flood

• Special session hits snag

• $32 million in emergency flood aid promised

• Gas-tax increase to fix bridges is a tough sell

• Governor, DFL leaders try to nail down agenda

• DFL leaders request quick special session

• Minnesota first lady to join mediation center

• Want an interchange? Show us the money

August

• Pawlenty authorizes aid as DFL decries ‘dithering’ on session

• Pawlenty says he could back 5-cent gas tax increase

• Path to special session is a tricky one

• Special session likely for dual disasters

• Governor, lawmakers agree session likely for dual disasters

• President Bush orders federal aid for Minneapolis bridge collapse

• Mandernach resigns as health commissioner

• Call For Special Session For Flood Relief

• After flooding, momentum builds for a special session

• Phone call put brakes on bridge repair

• As state money diminished, so did goals for bridge safety

• Hatch admonished for improper professional conduct

• Rep. Olson, convicted of assaulting wife, must pay fines, attend behavior workshop

• Movement in motion to revive bonding bill

• I-TEAM: Memo Cites 8 Bridges Needing Replacement

• MN Senate-House panel to examine collapse

• Gas-tax shift poses plenty of pitfalls

• Gas tax increase appears certain

• First Alarm About Bridge Raised in 1990

• Pawlenty may call special session

• Transportation chief Molnau cuts short her trip to Beijing

• Bridge was rated ‘structurally deficient’ in 2005

• State sets up a 24-hour veterans hot line

• At least 7 dead as Minneapolis bridge collapses

• Bridge Falls Into Mississippi River

July

• Governor to ask for agricultural disaster declaration

• Push to get instant runoff on St. Paul ballot nears goal

• CCHC Asks Governor Pawlenty to Obey State Law on Baby DNA

• Linda Pfeilsticker wins MN House District 28B Primary Race

• , Pawlenty want military to revise ‘hands-off’ policy

• MPR: Healthcare in Minnesota

• Kiffmeyer: Staff errors led to overpayments

• Liebling Gets Funds For Volunteer Healthcare Programs

• Kiffmeyer overpaid herself and her staff, audit finds

• Auditor questions worker pay under Kiffmeyer

• Minnesota Republicans change caucus date

• Northstar line’s funding prospect is encouraging

• Taxes push up MN state revenues

• Evaluation tools sought for Minnesota’s schools

• Minnesota battles to save congressional seat

June

• State, unions reach deal on contracts

• Iron Rangers sound off at Mandernach

• Big raises for Minnesota Senate staffers approved

• Pawlenty sets Aug. 7 special election for Sviggum’s seat

• Sneak Attack on Genetic Privacy

• Firms sue state to end JOBZ tax breaks

• Companies pressed for millions for GOP convention

• Health chief is grilled for four hours

• Sviggum named labor, industry commissioner

• BREAKING NEWS: SVIGGUM TO LEAVE MN HOUSE

• Teachers, insurers lead in lobbying expenses

• MnDOT bows out of State Fair

• An apology for delay in releasing cancer findings

• Minnesota leaders brainstorm about how to land cash for GOP convention

• Panel’s big task: reducing Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions

• Special session talks continue

• Minnesota tax burden is no longer in top 10

• Drivers, MnDOT feel more bumps in the roads

• Pawlenty: Funding for roads is still possible

• Pawlenty commissioner will jump back to private sector

• Pawlenty opens door to a limited special session

• H. Dan Ness: An opportunity for better roads is lost

• Hot-button issues with potato salad

• Pawlenty ‘willing to listen’ to special session pleas

• Veto hasn’t derailed GOP’s 2008 convention

May

• Vetoed in the MN tax bill

• Copies of Pawlenty Veto Letters

• GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SIGNS K-12, HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRANSPORTATION BILLS, VETOES TAX BILL

• Pawlenty vetoes tax bill, signs three spending measures

• Increases in local aid are at stake in tax bill

• Pawlenty trims, signs 3 budget bills

• Easing the way for electronics recycling

• DFL pushes back in mini-standoff

• Bills are still making their way to Pawlenty

• Pawlenty has until June 1 to act on tax bill

• Analysis: Bipartisan spirit was left in the dust as session ended

• Minnesota has stake in kids’ health program

• Tax bill subsidizes megamall expansion

• MN Senate president arrested on DWI charge

• Pawlenty to discuss legislative session at stops around Minnesota

• Governors’ Veto Letter

• Veto override fails; no new transit funds

• Now, Pawlenty holds the cards

• Awaiting word on MN revenue sharing

• MN Budget bills approved by the Legislature

• Lawmakers hurry to finish budget without MN governor’s guarantee

• MN - Deal or no deal? Clock ticks toward midnight deadline

• MN - Anatomy of a compromise

• Outdoor, arts amendment headed to MN voters

• No Vikings stadium bill now, but next year, maybe?

• Anxious mood surrounds negotiations at Minn. Capitol

• MN Senate revives bill on insurance denials

• Talks at Capitol reach ‘a pathway’ to a deal

• MN State Capitol countdown

• Vikings: It’s 4th down for stadium funding

• DFL CHAIR ASKS GOVERNOR TO STOP OBSTRUCTING PROGRESS

• When and where the MN smoking ban applies

• Key changes in five key bills

• MN Budget deal? It’s a question mark

• MN Outdoors measure advances

• DFL prepares budget without tax increase

• Pawlenty vetoes gas tax, income tax bills

• Conservation bill stalls in MN House Taxes Committee

• Pawlenty vetoes gas tax, income tax bills

• Key section cut from car-buyer’s-rights bill

• MN Legislative countdown

• Minnesota House OKs gas tax increase - by veto-proof margin; Senate votes next

• House challenges Pawlenty by backing higher gas tax

• GOP has the edge at start of final week

• Wendell R. Anderson and Arne H. Carlson: For a state to compete, it must lead in education

• Political stumbling blocks stood in Minnesota’s path

• Property taxes paying lion’s share for state’s roads, bridges

• Ban to alter life as smokers know it

• MN Poll: Tax-rate plans favored

• Tax-for-tax plan headed for veto

• MN Senate OKs outdoor/arts funding bill

• MN Vote likely today on bill to ban smoking statewide

• MN House eases speeding ticket law

• National group cleared of 2006 campaign charges

• Smoking ban supporters make concessions to gain House votes

• Tax-for-tax swap passes state Senate

• Tax-tradeoff proposal headed for votes today

• Mortgage fraud bill gets final passage

• Statewide smoking ban heads for final votes

• Bipartisan group agrees on gas tax increase

• Pawlenty endorses report on changing management of natural resources

• MN Capitol cookout: A chance to listen or ‘marketing tool’?

• College spending plan in Minn. joins budget merry-go-round

• Lawmakers intend to reveal transportation deal Wednesday

• College spend plan heads to House

• MN Senate OKs new driving rules; House may hit brakes

• $10 billion MN health bill faces veto

• Pawlenty, Legislature likely headed for boxing ring

• Excerpts: Pawlenty-DFL on road funding

• House rule change lifts flying restriction

• House approves ‘cyberbullying’ bill

• Pawlenty balks at funding bills

• Pawlenty aide’s appointment to college board in doubt

• Domestic partner benefits are nixed

• MN Disaster relief bill advances on rancorous note

• Insurance fight sets stage for MN Gov. veto

• Easing way for electronics recycling

• Through the years with Mike Hatch

• Former AG Mike Hatch resigns amid office controversy

• Text of resignation letter from Mike Hatch

• Senate passes bill to permit medical marijuana use

• How Senate voted on medical marijuana

• Pawlenty vetoes public works bill

• House, Senate pass $334 million public works bill

• State Senate approves health-care rights for domestic partners

April

• Bill pits lawyers against insurers

• With 3 weeks left, budget showdown ahead at Capitol

• Smoking bill: How they voted

• House passes tax bill

• How the House voted on tax bill

• A warning on conservation policy

• Vikings present case for new stadium to Senate panel

• Pawlenty fills Hennepin County judicial vacancies

• Senate passes plan to recycle ‘e-waste’

• Union lashes out at MN state attorney general

• MN House backs statewide smoking ban

• Meeting focuses on school safety

• Smoking ban backers want to close House loopholes

• ‘Outdoor amendment’ approved by MN House committee

• MN Senate votes to permit tax dollars for stem-cell studies

• Bill aims to aid battered women

• Panel rejects outdoor funding measure

• Pawlenty picks wife’s successor on bench

• MN House tackles bill on electronics recycling

• 8 conference committees get down to work

• In the end, income tax increase may not have the votes

• Should state further limit teen drivers?

• HOUSE PASSES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH BILL

• Key Parts of Just Passed MN House Health Bill

• With fervor, House passes $9.9 billion health bill

• Politics colored probe of autism center billing

• After few vetoes in 1st term, Pawlenty prepares to let loose

• MN House set to debate health reform, abortion, more

• Hockey museum included in bill passed by House

• Divided House passes spending bills

• State may have been overbilled $3 million

• MN House votes to freeze MnSCU tuition for 1 year

• House passes $13.9 billion, two-year K-12 finance bill, by 119-13 vote

• MN Senate OKs wage hike; GOP says it’s bad policy

• Session drags on for tired Minnesota politicos

• Debate-weary House passes hefty school funding bill

• Univ. Minnesota Buildings Evacuated

• Budget work goes slowly, quickly

• Showdown looms over smoking ban

• Legislative briefs

• MN Senate OKs bill requiring youth ATV riders to wear helmets

• JOBZ is gone but maybe not for long

• Over its 82 years, state’s gas tax has never cost so little

• The JOBZ program

• MN Senate gives push to bill banning fees on gift cards

• DFL puts Pawlenty economic development program on the ropes

• State Senate unanimously OKs bill prohibiting predatory lending

• MN First Lady leaves job at private firm

• Republicans to counter DFL gay-rights initiatives

• Heavy trucks fill St. Paul Capitol area to back gas tax hike

• Ready to talk transportation

• Auditor finds MinnesotaCare benefit errors

• County DFL fined over Hatch lawn signs

• New board is proposed to oversee state judges

• Roller coaster ride at Capitol

• MN Uranium tests for veterans proposed

• MN Senate panel narrowly approves marijuana bill

• Why a real ID act?

• Minnesota joins states bucking plan for a national ID

• College students need Money 101, state Senate says

• Big-rig proposal draws protest

• College students need Money 101, state Senate says

• Pawlenty, DFL set to collide

March

• Proposed tax rates

• Bill would push utilities to conserve

• PhotoCop busted in MN Legislature

• State’s proposed 9.7% top tax rate may lead nation

• Minnesota Legislature / DFL, Pawlenty doing tax dance

• MN House passes bill to nip abusive loan practices

• MN Education bill provides big increases

• MN Senate panel OKs property tax relief bill

• Minnesota Senate OKs car buyers’ rights bill

• Minnesota Senate passes bill to cover thousands of uninsured

• $306.6 million state bonding bill passes on a 56-9 vote in Senate

• $900 million income tax increase is in the mix

• House DFL unveils plan to move state to universal health

• Money Needed to Train

• State Database Glitch Halts Departments

• MN Senate tax bill puts businesses in a bind

• MN HOUSE PASSES $255 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL

• MN Senate approves statewide smoking ban

• MN Senate Approves Smoking Ban

• Taxes favor Minnesota’s wealthy, businesses

• 3 approaches to slicing MN education pie

• DFL: Tax relief for 90% of homeowners

• Outstate News (3-25-07)

• An underfunded mandate

• Lori Sturdevant: State policy grew out of a spiritual journey

• MN House approves $9 billion roads bill