Tim O’Driscoll

The Minnesota House has passed a bill that would let schools consider teacher performance in layoff decisions. State law currently requires that seniority be the only consideration. Opponents say the bill would make it easier for districts to layoff teachers with high salaries.

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A longtime police chief for the city of Sartell has passed away. Jerry O'Driscoll died on Monday after about a 10-week battle with cancer.

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We're just in the first week of the state legislative session and already Republican lawmakers are floating the idea of putting another constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The amendment would require voters to produce a photo ID.

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Republican State Representative Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud is reacting to the latest news from Governor Mark Dayton. He says it's a good sign. And Republican State Representative Tim O'Driscoll of Sartell says he's cautiously optimistic about today's (Thursday) news.

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As lawmakers wait to see what Governor Dayton does with the budget bills that have been sent to his desk, the State House is expected to vote on the gay marriage amendment issue today (Friday).

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As the State Legislature and the Governor continue to spar over high profile issues like the budget, gay marriage, and a Vikings stadium -- there's also bills that have quietly passed that tinker with the State Land and Legacy Amendment. The Land and Legacy Amendment brings in hundreds of millions of dollars, and state lawmakers have been voting on conflicting bills on where that money should go.

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Monday will be a big day at the State Capitol. The latest budget forecast will be released. The last budget forecast released in November projected a $6.2 billion deficit in the next two-year budget cycle, which starts on July 1st. However, that same forecast had our current budget running at a surplus.

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The issue of a potential bonding bill bubbled up to the surface again this week when Governor Dayton unveiled his plan to spend $1 billion in construction projects. Representative O'Driscoll would prefer to first spend the money that's already been allocated. And Representative Hosch says he's disappointed Governor Dayton left the SCSU Science Lab out.

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Three freshmen lawmakers from the St. Cloud area will be sworn-in tomorrow at noon. King Banaian, Tim O'Driscoll, and John Pederson take their oath of office right before the 2011 State Legislative session begins.

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