by Briana Bierschbach
Published: June 14, 2013
Tags: Capitol renovation, Lori Swanson, Mark Dayton, Wayne Waslaski
Last session’s near-unanimous support for funding a major portion of the Capitol restoration project likely will turn into bipartisan grumbling this fall, as the project moves inside the 108-year-old building.
by Briana Bierschbach
Published: May 30, 2013
Tags: bath salts, Dan Schoen, duluth, Erik Simonson, Jim Newberger, John Ward, Kathy Lohmer, Lori Swanson
DFL House Speaker Paul Thissen this week created a temporary committee on controlled substances and synthetic drugs that will hold hearings over the interim on drug abuse issues. Rep. Erik Simonson, DFL-Duluth, will chair the committee, which has to present a report to the speaker by the time session starts in February next year.
by Paul Demko
Published: April 22, 2013
Tags: bullying, Christie Eller, Jim Davnie, Julianne Ortman, Lori Swanson, Scott Dibble
On April 4, Sen. Julianne Ortman sent a letter to Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson asking the state's top lawyer to review the constitutionality of legislation designed to prevent bullying in schools. It was signed by every member of the Senate GOP caucus.
by Charley Shaw
Published: April 10, 2013
Tags: Joe Atkins, Kelby Krabbenhoft, Lori Swanson, Sanford Health
South Dakota-based Sanford Health has pulled out its attempts to merge with Minnesota-based Fairview Health Services. Sanford's bid had drawn significant criticism from Minnesota legislators and Attorney General Lori Swanson. The company's CEO said in a statement it's "only going where we are invited."
by Paul Demko
Published: April 8, 2013
Tags: Chuck Mooty, Dan Schoen, David Feinwachs, Fairview Health Services, Joe Atkins, Lori Swanson, Sanford Health, University of Minnesota Medical Center
DFL Reps. Joe Atkins and Dan Schoen have introduced legislation that would prohibit out-of-state-ownership of medical facilities run by the University of Minnesota. One bill would implement a ban on such takeovers through the end of 2014, while the other measure would create a permanent ban.
by Charley Shaw
Published: January 4, 2013
Tags: Ben Gerber, chris eaton, Deb Hilstrom, Energy, Joel Johnson, Lori Swanson, Melissa Hortman, net metering, PUC
The outlook for energy policy is quite different as DFLers get set to take control of both the House and Senate in the 2013 legislative session. Business groups that had pursued an aggressive agenda in the last two years of GOP control will likely adopt a more defensive posture.
by Charley Shaw
Published: October 31, 2012
Tags: Jim Schowalter, Lori Swanson, Mark Dayton, Tobacco appropriation bonds
The state's high court has given the Dayton administration the green light to borrow money to finance state operations that will be financed by the state's settlement with tobacco payments.
by Charley Shaw
Published: September 5, 2012
Tags: Alan Gilbert, Chris Coleman, Department of Public Safety, gambling control board, Joe Atkins, Joe Campbell, Lori Swanson, Morrie Lanning, R.T. Rybak, Tom Barrett, Vikings Stadium
Though the ink has long since dried on the Minnesota Vikings stadium legislation, there is still sufficient action on several stadium-related fronts to keep Vikings lobbyists employed for the foreseeable future.
by Briana Bierschbach and Mike Mullen
Published: August 25, 2012
Tags: Charles Nauen, Daniel Fanning, David Schultz, Erik Simonson, Jay Fosle, Kerry Gauthier, Lori Swanson, Pat Turgeon, Roger Reinert, Sarah Lewerenz, Tom Huntley, Wy Spano
It’s been a dizzying 10 days for Democrats in Minnesota. It was back on August 15 that news reports first indicated that first-term DFL Rep. Kerry Gauthier was investigated – but not charged – by police for having oral sex with a 17-year-old male at a public rest stop.
by Briana Bierschbach
Published: July 9, 2012
Tags: constitutional amendments, Lori Swanson, Mark Dayton, Mark Ritchie, photo I.D.
Just hours after Republican lawmakers and groups announced a lawsuit against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie for changing the title of a proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment, the two-term DFL elections chief announced he has also changed the title of Republican's proposed photo I.D. amendment.
