State Legislature

A bill that would change the state's laws on gun permits and the right to use deadly force in cases of self-defense is getting a hearing before a House public safety committee.

Minnesota lawmakers will consider a proposal to grade Minnesota schools on their performance during an Education Finance Committee meeting. The main education bill now before the Legislature would create an A to F grading scale for schools and school districts, similar to reports cards given to schools in Florida.

Republican state lawmakers are vowing to put a gay marriage ban before Minnesota voters next year. A group of legislators said Tuesday they will propose amending the state constitution.

The iconic bubble-topped Metrodome could soon be without its main tenant and Minnesota lawmakers want a clear plan for how to preserve the Minneapolis building for other uses. As Minnesota lawmakers consider the Vikings request for a new stadium, some in the Legislature are seeking a task force to keep the Dome open for high school, collegiate and recreational sports.

This issue of requiring a photo I.D. to vote is gaining momentum at the State Legislature. It was the topic of a lot of discussion on WJON this (Tuesday) morning on "Two Cent Tuesday". One of the callers was former DFL Representative Larry Haws of St. Cloud. He says he believes it will pass and become law. And he says he has his feet "firmly planted on both sides of the issue".

Officials with the Department of Natural Resources have a message for Minnesota hunters and anglers: We need more money. They're stumping for higher license fees, a provision that's part of Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal.

The two Minnesota lawmakers most important to the Vikings' push for a new stadium at the Capitol this year don't live anywhere near the Twin Cities and are not even huge Minnesota Vikings fans.

A GOP proposal would require parental consent before minors could seek treatment for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases or drug and alcohol abuse, undoing a 40-year-old Minnesota law.

Minnesota lawmakers have approved changes to a state program meant to hold down property taxes in rural Minnesota. The Senate approved the changes Thursday on a bipartisan vote of 45-15.

Workers for Delta Airlines and other air carriers will have more leeway to trade work shifts when a new Minnesota law takes effect Friday. Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill Thursday that exempts airlines from a state statute requiring overtime pay for workers who put in more than 48 hours a week, in cases when the employees voluntarily agree to swap scheduled hours.