Lawmakers adjourn after last-minute machinations on bonding, taxes
Democrats who control the Legislature saved some politicking and deal-making on Capitol restoration bonding and taxes for the final hours of the regular 2013 Legislative session
Lawmakers adjourn after last-minute machinations on bonding, taxes
Democrats who control the Legislature saved some politicking and deal-making on Capitol restoration bonding and taxes for the final hours of the regular 2013 Legislative session
Tensions over tax on farm machinery repairs delays tax bill
The inclusion of business-to-business taxes, particularly those that could cost farmers, are causing last-minute tensions over the omnibus tax bill.
House passes tax bill with $2.1 billion in increased revenues
The House passed a tax bill that includes just over $2 billion in tax increases by a 69-65 vote early Monday morning. The legislation now heads to the Senate and is the lynchpin of the budget deal needed to conclude the legislative session.
House and Senate break Legacy impasse
Differences that had festered all session long on the Legacy dedicated funding bill for environmental and cultural projects were settled early in the morning on the last day of session. The House and Senate passed the compromise, which now awaits approval by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Legislature sends Dayton bill that increases campaign spending and contribution limits
State lawmakers on Monday sent a campaign finance bill to Gov. Mark Dayton that allows candidates to raise and spend more money. The bill received bipartisan support in the House and Senate but also drew dissent from DFLers in the majority on some provisions.
Daycare, PCA unionization bill sent to Dayton’s desk after 68-66 House vote
The bill passed the House by a tally of 68-66, with the entire House Republican caucus joined by five moderate Democrats who voted in opposition.
Proposed constitutional amendment dealing with legislator pay headed to ballot
A proposed constitutional amendment that would give an independent panel the authority to set salaries for House and Senate members passed the Senate on Monday morning by a 43-23 vote margin. The amendment is expected to be on the ballot in 2016.
‘Lights on’ transportation finance bill clears final hurdle
The Senate passed a transportation finance bill that includes no significant new revenue by a 43-24 vote on Sunday evening. The bill already cleared the House and is now headed for a signature by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Dayton asks Senate to remove Tax Court Judge George Perez
In his letter to Skoe, Dayton wrote, "Had I known about the Board's findings, I would not have reappointed him to the Tax Court."
Legislature sends environment and ag budget to Dayton
The House and Senate on Saturday night passed their negotiated deal on funding for the next two years for the environment and agriculture. The conference report is the settlement between the opposing viewpoints in the DFL majorities between business and environmentalists.
Broadbased state regulations emerge for frac sand mining
House and Senate conferees have agreed on a set of regulations for frac sand mining in southeastern Minnesota. One conferee said the breadth of the issues that are addressed makes the legislation the first of its kind in the country.
Health and human services budget headed to Dayton’s desk
The legislation, which includes a 5 percent rate increase for nursing homes next year and additional spending for mental health services in schools, passed of the chamber floor on a 39-28 vote. At the start of the debate, bill author Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, said the final budget bill was considerably better than a proposal passed earlier in the year. That’s because both chambers originally faced a $150 million targeted budget cut in health and human services, but that number was scaled back to $50 million when leadership reached final budget targets with Gov. Mark Dayton.
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THEPOLITICSPORTAL
COMMENTARY
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David Strom: There ought (not) to be a law…
It’s almost impossible to argue against tightening the rules intended to prevent hazards. After all, who is in favor of hazardous activity, especially when one person’s hazardous activity can put other people in danger?
ELECTIONS
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Stripped down elections bill passes Senate unanimously
Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport, removed all controversial provisions from the omnibus elections bill when it came up for a vote on the floor Wednesday evening. The stripped down legislation passed unanimously.
BUDGET / TAXES
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Tensions over tax on farm machinery repairs delays tax bill
The inclusion of business-to-business taxes, particularly those that could cost farmers, are causing last-minute tensions over the omnibus tax bill.
EDUCATION
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Higher ed bill headed to Dayton’s desk
The House passed a higher education finance bill that increases spending by $250 million and freezes tuition for two years on 76-56 vote on Friday. Just three Republicans voted for the bill, sponsored by Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona.
ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT
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House and Senate break Legacy impasse
Differences that had festered all session long on the Legacy dedicated funding bill for environmental and cultural projects were settled early in the morning on the last day of session. The House and Senate passed the compromise, which now awaits approval by Gov. Mark Dayton.
HEALTH CARE
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Health and human services budget headed to Dayton’s desk
The legislation, which includes a 5 percent rate increase for nursing homes next year and additional spending for mental health services in schools, passed of the chamber floor on a 39-28 vote. At the start of the debate, bill author Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, said the final budget bill was considerably better than a proposal passed earlier in the year. That’s because both chambers originally faced a $150 million targeted budget cut in health and human services, but that number was scaled back to $50 million when leadership reached final budget targets with Gov. Mark Dayton.
