State Legislature

Gov. Mark Dayton says he expects budget talks with top Republican lawmakers to pick up in the coming days. The Democratic governor said Tuesday that his breakfast meeting with GOP legislative leaders was "constructive."

A Republican-drafted plan to revamp Minnesota's eight congressional districts has moved through a state House committee. The proposal was approved by the House Redistricting Committee on a 7-5 party-line vote Tuesday after being made public the day before.

A bill approved by the Minnesota House would instruct school districts to hold back third graders who are struggling with reading. The bill requires that schools hold back students who are not reading at grade-level in third grade.

A House bonding committee is taking up a $28 million proposal for flood-relief projects from Austin to Roseau. Tuesday's hearing in the House Capital Investment Committee comes as Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's recommendation for $1 billion in state borrowing has gone nowhere in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Republicans are ready to offer a new-look playing field for Minnesota's eight seats in the U.S. House. A redistricting plan expect to come out Monday will suggest adjusted district lines reflect population shifts.

A State Senator from St. Cloud believes the legislature is heading toward a special session. While on WJON this (Friday) morning Senator John Peterson says he is less optimistic than ever, after Governor Dayton made a comment that he was willing to call a special session -- if the budget proposal doesn't include a tax increase for the state's highest earners.

The Minnesota House has passed a bill requiring voters to present a photo ID before they can cast a ballot. The GOP-sponsored bill passed 73-59 Thursday on a mostly party-line vote.

The top Senate Republican says the Minnesota Legislature likely won't vote this year on a bill to lift a ban on new nuclear power plants. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch told reporters Thursday that the bill is "on pause" after passing both chambers in February.

The proposal to allow casino-style gambling at Minnesota horse-racing tracks is getting a look at a Capitol hearing. The proposal to authorize the so-called racinos has percolated at the Legislature for years but been thwarted by opposition from tribal casino interests and gambling opponents.

Gov. Mark Dayton says he would sign legislation for a new Vikings stadium even if lawmakers blow a deadline to finish the budget. Dayton told reporters at the Capitol Wednesday that he would act if lawmakers complete a stadium bill, even if the budget is still undone.