State Legislature

Minnesota's legislative auditor says the state's process for environmental review of private-sector projects is too often burdened by delays, uncertainty and duplication of effort.

Read More|Comment

Supporters of adding slot machines to Minnesota's two horseracing tracks are starting to ramp-up their efforts. John Derus is on the Board of Directors for the Running Aces track in Columbus Minnesota. He says their pushing the State Legislature to allow them to add 1,500 slot machines at each track.

Read More|Comment

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's $1 billion public works bill gets its first look in the Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday. The House Capital Investment Committee holds the first hearing on Dayton's recommendations for civic centers, college labs, flood protection, roads and bridges paid for by state-issued bonds.

Read More|Comment

The Minnesota House has approved a bill that would remove an obstacle to new nuclear power in the state. Supporters say the bill is an initial step intended to let utilities make a case for a nuclear plant.

Read More|Comment

There's a bill making it's way through the State Legislature that would freeze the salaries of all public school district employees for the next two years. St. Cloud Area School District Superintendent Bruce Watkins says he's not supportive of that piece of the bill.

Read More|Comment

The Minnesota Senate has approved a two-year pay freeze for employees in Minnesota public and charter schools. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dave Thompson, says that without the freeze, districts would be forced to lay off some teachers so they could afford to pay the raises for the rest.

Read More|Comment

Harming or killing a law enforcement dog could come with stiffer penalties under legislation making its way through the Minnesota Legislature. Lawmakers take a deeper look Tuesday at a bill that would increase potential restitution costs for people who hurt dogs used in police actions, search and rescue, correctional facilities or arson investigations.

Read More|Comment

One state senator thinks his proposal to end the ban on Sunday liquor sales might have a chance this year. Sen. Roger Reinert of Duluth says the extra tax revenue from liquor sales can help with a projected $6.4 billion shortfall in the 2012-2013 state budget.

Read More|Comment

The Minnesota Senate has approved legislation giving energy regulators authority to issue permits for new nuclear power plants. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch says the bill wouldn't lead to immediate construction of a plant. It would get rid of a 17-year-old moratorium on consideration of nuclear energy facilities.

Read More|Comment

The Minnesota House passed $1 billion in state budget cuts in a close vote. The bill passed on a 69-63 vote. State Representative King Banaian of St. Cloud was one of four Republicans that voted against it. He says he didn't feel there was enough discussion about the bill.

Read More|Comment