State government

Individuals and small businesses recovering from summer storms would share in a disaster recovery bill lawmakers are discussing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected Minnesota's request to help home and business owners, but a proposed nearly $190 million funding package...

ST. PAUL - Republicans took Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to court this morning for changing the title of a proposed constitutional amendment, then he changed the title of the second amendment going in front of voters on Nov. 6. Just after noon, the secretary announced...

ST. PAUL - Gov. Mark Dayton today vetoed a Republican plan to take money out of the state reserve fund to repay money owed Minnesota school districts. Dayton called the plan an irresponsible "raid" on state reserves. He also criticized a GOP Senate plan to take $100 million more...

The White Earth Nation proposes giving the state $400 million for a Vikings stadium in exchange for permission to build a Twin Cities casino. "Minnesota will have the money and the Vikings will be able to proceed in a timely manner," White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor told reporters...

ST. PAUL - Minnesota House members approved wolf hunting and trapping seasons on Tuesday despite warnings that the American Indian community may challenge it in court. "When we make laws, we make laws for all the people of Minnesota," Rep. Kerry Gauthier, DFL-Duluth, said before...

One of the 2012 Minnesota Legislature's prime tasks is to approve public facility repair and construction funds, but the three proposals vary widely as lawmakers look to wrap up their work for the year. The final of the three public works funding plans, from Senate Republicans, overwhelmingly...

Minneapolis officials say they have enough votes on their City Council to approve a new Vikings stadium, but financing and other issues keep the proposal in doubt. Mayor R.T. Rybak this morning gave Gov. Mark Dayton letters of support from seven council members, giving the stadium...

Wadena is losing residents and businesses, city leaders told a Minnesota Senate committee Monday night in seeking state aid to rebuild facilities lost in a 2010 tornado. "We have been planning for 21 months," Mayor Wayne Wolden told members of the Senate committee that recommends...

ST. PAUL -- Smiles surrounding a Minnesota Vikings stadium announcement seemed to indicate victory, but in reality they represented something else: a beginning. "Now, the real work begins, persuading a majority of the Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Legislature to approve...

Minnesota's state government budget is a bit brighter than expected. Several sources this morning reported the state will have $323 million more in the current two-year budget than predicted in a November budget forecast. The official announcement was to come later in the morning,...

Opponents of requiring photo identifications for voters talked against it for hours Wednesday, knowing their chances of stopping the proposal were slim. Just four of more than 30 witnesses at a five-hour Minnesota legislative committee meeting spoke in favor of the proposed constitutional...

ST. PAUL - County attorneys might soon be able to carry weapons while on duty if a bill unanimously passed by a Minnesota House committee Thursday makes it through the Legislature. The bill would exempt county attorneys and assistant county attorneys from a state statute prohibiting...

Good feelings evident at the opening of the 2012 Minnesota legislative session quickly evaporated as lawmakers dove into their work. Legislators exchanged handshakes and hugs early Tuesday as they returned to the Capitol.