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Rep. Morrie Lanning of Moorhead says a proposed House public works bill contains too little flood-prevention money. It would fund $12.7 million in flood prevention, compared to $26 million in a Senate-passed measure.

Lawmakers fight for flood prevention funds

ST. PAUL - Minnesotans are fighting flood waters along the Red River and elsewhere while their lawmakers are fighting about the cost of preventing prevent future floods. The fight spilled...

news Tue, Mar 31, 2009 - 10:04am

Republican Representative Torrey Westrom of Elbow Lake, who is blind, urged a Senate committee Wednesday to pass a bill making state documents, information and Web sites more accessible for people who are blind or deaf. It is rare for members of one legislative chamber to advocate for a bill in the other chamber.

Westrom testifies in Senate committee

State Representative Torrey Westrom often discusses bills in legislative committees, but it usually occurs in Minnesota House committees. That changed briefly last Wednesday when Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, went before a...

news Mon, Mar 30, 2009 - 8:51am

Green Acres headed for final vote

ST. PAUL - A balance between development and preserving farmland is due for a decision. Full House and Senate votes may come as early as Monday on a "Green Acres"...

news Mon, Mar 30, 2009 - 8:48am

Medical marijuana bill gathers steam at the Capitol; Pawlenty has threatened veto

WILLMAR -- Dan Hartog doesn't look forward to the hassles that law enforcement officials predict will happen if the medical use of marijuana is legalized in Minnesota. "Who's overseeing it?...

news Mon, Mar 30, 2009 - 8:43am

State lawmakers proposing 3-into-1 county merger in central Minn.

ST. PAUL -- Three central Minnesota lawmakers are backing a measure to merge Stearns and Benton counties with a portion of Sherburne County. Lawmakers are expected to introduce a similar...

news Wed, Mar 25, 2009 - 10:22am

Julie Haseman, an Alexandria lawyer, testifies to a state House committee Monday night, representing five of six townships that voted to disband the Central Lakes Sanitation District near Alexandria. With her, from left, are Michelle Saffel, John Kolb and Rep. Torrey Westrom.

Committee OKs sewer district to fold

ST. PAUL - A half-dozen years of fighting appears near an end for Douglas County's Central Lakes Region Sanitary District. A bill that got its start Monday night would disband...

news Mon, Mar 23, 2009 - 11:56pm

Rep. Paul Marquart of Dilworth on Monday announces a proposal to allow counties to collect a sales tax instead of raising property taxes.

Property tax chairman: Let counties raise sales, not property, tax

ST. PAUL - Minnesota counties should be able to raise the sales tax instead of property taxes to make up for state aid cuts, the two state House tax chairmen...

news Mon, Mar 23, 2009 - 11:50pm

Rural lawmakers defeat school sharing, for now

ST. PAUL - Rural lawmakers afraid that local firms could lose business helped defeat a proposal to encourage school districts to work together. Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, said...

news Tue, Mar 17, 2009 - 10:00am

First big bills set for debate in legislature

ST. PAUL - Minnesota legislators could pass some of the biggest bills yet this year on Monday, but budget work awaits more information from Washington. Senators expect to debate a...

news Fri, Mar 13, 2009 - 2:21pm

Rep. Paul Marquart of Dilworth explains his proposal to provide tax breaks to some cabin owners. Looking on is Jeff Forester, who represents cabin owners.

Cabin owners seek tax break

news Thu, Mar 12, 2009 - 8:30am

Sen. Keith Langseth of Glyndon concentrates on a Tuesday night report by State Economist Tom Stinson, who said that as a way to create jobs the state needs to fund public works projects.

Senate releases $367.4 million bonding bill

ST. PAUL - Minnesota senators considered spending $26 million for flood prevention projects Tuesday, a day when much of the state was buried in snow that could melt into spring...

news Wed, Mar 11, 2009 - 9:57am

ommissioner Tom Hanson of Minnesota Management and Budget listens to a reporter's question Tuesday after he announced a budget deficit of about $4.6 billion. Photo by Don Davis. St. Paul Capitol Bureau.

Federal money reduces state budget shortfall

By Don Davis St. Paul Capitol Bureau ST. PAUL - Minnesota budget writers are thanking Washington today as finance officials announce the state deficit actually dropped from what was expected...

news Tue, Mar 03, 2009 - 11:44am

Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden led a news conference late last week announcing a public relations campaign about the importance of state aid to cities. To his right is St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Photo by Don Davis, St. Paul Capitol Bureau.

Cities begin crusade to save state aid

By Don Davis St. Paul Capitol Bureau ST. PAUL - Cities across Minnesota launched a public relations campaign to save state aid they receive, saying proposed budget cuts would cost...

news Mon, Mar 02, 2009 - 12:37pm

Update -- Lawmakers change time of Alex town hall meeting

Lawmakers will be visiting communities around the state to get input on the governor's budget recommendations and listen to the public's ideas to address the state's $4.8 billion budget deficit...

Sat, Feb 14, 2009 - 12:00am

Sen. Steve Murphy of Red Wing, left, listens as physician George Wagoner encourages a Minnesota Senate panel Wednesday to pass Murphy's bill allowing the use of marijuana by people suffering from specific illnesses. Photo by Scott Wente, St. Paul Capitol Bureau.

Medical marijuana debate revived

By Scott Wente St. Paul Capitol Bureau ST.

news Thu, Feb 12, 2009 - 12:00am

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