State Legislature

Republicans who lead the Minnesota Senate are calling for $200 million in business tax cuts and quicker approval of business permits. The first Senate bill introduced Monday would cut the state corporate income tax in half over six years and reduce the business property tax to its 2009 level.

Top GOP lawmakers are revealing their plans to boost Minnesota's job market, their top priority this year. Senate and House Republicans are slated to unveil their proposals in separate news conferences on Monday.

Representative Steve Gottwalt says Governor Dayton's plan to raise taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans will hurt small business owners. Meanwhile, Representative Banaian says he's lukewarm to the idea of putting together a bonding bill.

A lone legislative panel meets Thursday to discuss education policy as the Legislature's short first week wraps up. The House Education Reform Committee has the sole hearing scheduled, mainly to kick off its work for the session that started Tuesday.

Three area lawmakers will return to St. Paul on Tuesday. Steve Gottwalt and Larry Hosch return to the State House and Michelle Fischbach is in the Senate.

The coming State Legislative session could be the last chance for lawmakers to strike a deal for a new Vikings stadium. Look for the Vikings to bring a proposal to State Lawmakers sometime in February.