state representative tim o'driscoll

A bill that would raise Minnesota's minimum wage to more than $10 an hour by 2015 is moving through the Legislature. The House Labor, Workforce and Regulated Industries Committee on Thursday passed a bill to increase to the minimum wage in three steps until it hits $10.55.

Just over a day after an explosion rocked the Verso paper mill in Sartell killing one worker and hurting five others, Governor Mark Dayton and area lawmakers are voicing their concerns on whether the plant will be rebuilt.

Governor Dayton has signed into a law a bill that eliminates a state mandate to create a tiered water pricing system. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Tim O'Driscoll of Sartell and senator John Pederson of St. Cloud, lifts the mandate which would have taken effect January 1st.