Minnesota State Legislature

Opponents of legalizing gay marriage in Minnesota are holding a rally at the Capitol. The Thursday afternoon gathering is sponsored by Minnesota for Marriage.

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The Minnesota Senate will debate its bill to get the state's health insurance exchange up and running. The Senate is scheduled to take up the issue Thursday.

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A House committee is reviewing a proposal to raise state taxes on beer, wine and liquor. The Taxes Committee convenes Wednesday to review the proposal from Rep. Karen Clark, a Minneapolis Democrat. Her bill would increase excise taxes on beer from $2.40 to $13.97 per 31-gallon barrel, which works out to about 3 cents a glass.

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The Minnesota House has passed a bill establishing Minnesota's health insurance exchange, with its sponsor calling it the most substantial changes to state healthcare policy in 50 years.

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Top Minnesota lawmakers are tacking toward new gun legislation that wouldn't impose universal background checks for gun purchases. House Speaker Paul Thissen and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk say the alternate plan backed by gun rights advocates is more likely to pass this session than one from the House Democrat who led gun hearings last month.

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Minnesota lawmakers want to put prank callers to 911 emergency lines on notice that future fake calls could come at a price. Bipartisan legislation introduced last week would make it a gross misdemeanor to report a fictitious emergency to 911 dispatchers with the intent of luring authorities somewhere.

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Minnesota apparently won't pass any laws to ban assault rifles or high-capacity ammunition magazines this year. The bill aimed at reducing gun violence was introduced in the State House yesterday (Thursday).

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Minnesota lawmakers have launched a push to allow gay marriage in the state beginning this summer. Sponsors of the gay marriage bill aim to repeal Minnesota's 1997 law that prohibited marriage between couples of the same sex.

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Business leaders from around St. Cloud are heading to the State Capitol tomorrow (Wednesday). The 7th Annual "St. Cloud Area Evening at the Capitol" is being organized by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

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