STATE GOVERNMENT
Mental health care program has become bogged down with bureaucracy
Plans to cut 200 full-time positions from a mental health direct care program may not adversely affect Hubbard County. But in going leaner and meaner, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has exposed itself to questions of how a well-intentioned program became mired in bureaucracy, which torpedoed the facilities built to deliver that mental health care.March 13, 2010
Legislature passes bonding bill despite gripes
Republicans blasted a public works funding bill as being too expensive, but as the Minnesota House and Senate passed a revised measure Thursday a Democrat delivered the most stinging speech against the plan written by his own party members.By Don Davis , March 12, 2010
Pawlenty secures agriculture disaster declaration for Hubbard, 15 other Minnesota counties
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Beltrami, Clearwater, Wilkin, Mahnomen, Becker, Pope, Hubbard, Wadena, Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook and Carlton Counties have been designated as primary agricultural disaster areas by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack due to losses caused by the combined effects of multiple disasters that occurred during the growing season.March 11, 2010
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justce resigns
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson announced Thursday that he will leave the state's highest court effective June 30.By Andrew Tellijohn , March 11, 2010
Pawlenty 'can work with' bonding bill
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is looking at ways to chop a public works funding bill down to size and how to expand a sex offender facility on the cheap.
By Don Davis , March 11, 2010
Pawlenty seeks federal pre-flood help
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants President Barack Obama to declare an emergency in advance of flooding.By Don Davis , March 10, 2010
Report: DNR lacks money to manage land
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to acquire significant amounts of land for conservation purposes, but it lacks the resources to manage and maintain the land it already owns, according to a legislative audit report.By Sam Cook , March 09, 2010
Cook senator Bakk proposes sales tax expansion to clothing 
Minnesotans just don’t want to pay sales tax on their clothing purchases, something Sen. Tom Bakk proposed Thursday as a way out of a state budget hole.
By Brad Swenson , March 05, 2010
New bonding bill big, but with Pawlenty priorities
The Minnesota House and Senate appear ready to give Gov. Tim Pawlenty more and less of what he wants for public works funding.
By Don Davis , March 05, 2010
Bonding bill hits new snag
It is time for Minnesota House and Senate leaders to get on the same page, the Senate's chief public works negotiator says.
By Don Davis , March 04, 2010
Minnesota economy improves slowly, but balancing the budget still challenging
Minnesota's current budget picture is a bit brighter than three months ago, but the next budget could be the state's biggest-ever financial challenge.
By Don Davis , March 03, 2010
Minnesota budget numbers slightly down, to $994 million deficit
Minnesota's budget numbers are a bit better today, but not enough for state officials to celebrate.
By Don Davis , March 02, 2010
Can betting on the horses solve Minnesota's financial woes?
Lack of money may convince Minnesota legislators to back the long-proposed, often-failed racino concept this year, supporters of the concept say.
By Don Davis , February 23, 2010
Conference committee rejects funding for sex offender treatment facility
Minnesota House and Senate negotiators early today rejected Gov. Tim Pawlenty's major request for a public works funding bill, $89 million to expand a Moose Lake sex offender treatment facility.
By Don Davis , February 22, 2010
Pawlenty appears on " Meet the Press" Sunday to discuss possible presidential run
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told a national television audience Sunday that he likely will decide whether to run for president early next year.
By Don Davis , February 21, 2010
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