House and Senate GOP release March committee deadlines

Both chambers sent out a memorandum on Tuesday setting three March deadlines for committee work during the 2012 session.

Campaign finance complaint against Sen. Thompson dismissed

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board has dismissed a complaint alleging reporting violations by Sen. Dave Thompson. Earlier this month the Minnesota DFL Party filed a complaint against the GOP legislator arguing that $70,000 in payments from the state Republican Party should have been disclosed in a public filing.

Senate GOP starts push for business property tax phase-out

Coming into the session, phasing out the business property tax was among the top priorities for a caucus that some say is under pressure from business interests to deliver after a bruising and somewhat disappointing 2011 session.

Anderson raises $75,000 for 8th CD race

Anderson finished raised about $55,000 in the fourth quarter, leaving him with about $13,000 cash on hand and bringing his total haul for the year to nearly $75,000.

Senate denies Ellen Anderson as chair of the PUC

Anderson was voted down in the chamber in which she served for nearly 20 years on a 37-29 party-line vote on Monday. Democrats defended their former Senate colleague and her record at the PUC, which regulates energy and telecommunications matters in the state.

Paulsen finished year with more than $1 million in the bank

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen raised $317,000 in the final three months of 2011 and finished the year with more than $1 million in his campaign account.

Rep. Murdock won't seek re-election

GOP Rep. Mark Murdock will not run for re-election in 2012. The two-term legislator from Perham cited a desire to spend more time with his family as part of the reason for stepping down.

Dayton: Legislation could be needed on exchange

In the past, Dayton has said his administration has the authority to move forward on an exchange, a process that he has delegated to a broad task force charged with making recommendations and studying its implementation.

GOPer eyes Minnetonka's House District 43B

David Lloyd, owner of a financial advisory practice, has registered to challenge DFL Rep. John Benson in House District 43B, a seat the benson won with about 51.5 percent of the vote in 2010.

Right-to-work battle comes to Capitol

The past year has seen polarizing, multimillion-dollar battles over the role and rights of labor unions across the country.