Minnesota State Legislature

Minnesota has accepted a federal offer to put more low-income people on a state-fashioned Medicaid program with the costs falling to the federal government. Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday signed a bill authorizing the expansion that affects more than 35,000 people.

The Legislature has sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill that will allow about 250,000 Minnesota taxpayers to claim new federal tax deductions on their state releases as well.

A plan adding more than 35,000 people to government-subsidized health insurance rolls in Minnesota is headed to Governor Mark Dayton's Desk. The state Senate voted 45 to 22 yesterday (Thursday) to approve the Medicaid expansion.

The Minnesota Senate has unanimously approved a bill that will let some Minnesota taxpayers claim recently enacted federal tax deductions on their state taxes too.

A plan adding more than 35,000 people to government-subsidized health insurance rolls in Minnesota is headed to Gov. Mark Dayton's desk. The state Senate voted 45 to 22 on Thursday to approve the Medicaid expansion.

Minnesota lawmakers are moving this week to take the federal government up on a health care offer: By making more low-income people eligible for the Medical Assistance program they're getting the U.S. government to temporarily foot the extra costs.

Thousands of state employees may soon get a raise. State Senators Thursday approved a new contract that includes a 2 percent pay hike.

An influential Minnesota House Democrat is proposing a substantial increase in the state's cigarette tax. Rep. Ann Lenczewski of Bloomington wants to more than double the state's cigarette tax by $1.60 a pack, from $1.23 to $2.83.

A Duluth lawmaker is pushing a bill that would legalize liquor sales on Sundays, even though he admits its chances are slim. Sen. Roger Reinert says consumers have wanted the change for years.

The national debate over guns has come to Minnesota's Capitol as lawmakers begin marathon hearings on a dozen proposed changes to state gun laws. A huge crowd turned out Tuesday at the House Public Safety Committee's first of three days of hearings on gun bills.