minnesota house

The House has passed a bill that would let schools consider teacher performance in making layoff decisions. State law currently requires that seniority be the only consideration in teacher layoffs.

Minnesota House Republicans say property tax relief for home and business owners will be one of their top priorities for the next legislative session.

The Minnesota House has passed new restrictions on abortion but fell short of the votes needed to override a likely veto by abortion rights supporter Gov. Mark Dayton.

A move to prohibit synthetic substances that mimic marijuana and other drugs is gaining traction at the Capitol. A Senate public safety panel voted Thursday to consider incorporating the proposal into a larger drug bill.

A public safety package that would toughen penalties for sex offenders while cutting spending on prisons, legal services, crime victim programs and the state's anti-discrimination office has cleared the House.

The Minnesota House has voted to toughen a state law to deter people from harming or killing public safety dogs like those police use. By a 107-22 vote, the House approved legislation Thursday increasing potential restitution costs for people who hurt dogs used in police actions, search and rescue, correctional facilities or arson investigations.

An effort to criminalize synthetic marijuana sold as herbal incense has easily cleared the Minnesota House with bipartisan support. The bill from Republican Rep. John Kriesel of Cottage Grove passed on a 124-4 vote on Thursday.