Minnesota Lawyer

As planners behind the divisive Southwest Light Rail Transit project move their work toward final government votes, they may have to worry about pleasing more than just elected officials and project funding partners.

“As a prosecutor, a judge, an attorney in private practice, and now, as our nation’s attorney general, I’ve seen the criminal justice system firsthand, from nearly every angle. While I have the utmost faith in — and dedication to — America’s legal system, we must face the reality that, as it stands, our system is in too many respects broken.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced this past week that the Justice Department would significantly alter how nonviolent drug offenders are charged in order to circumvent mandatory minimum sentencing requirements.

The Legislature passed a bill that authorizes funds to be used in restoring the Capitol building. We asked the Capitol Insiders what they would want to see changed about the Capitol — serious or not.

Click to read the 2013 edition of our Leaders in Public Policy special section.

Over 200 people gathered July 11 at the St. Paul Hotel to honor the winners of the fourth annual Leaders in Public Policy (LIPP) awards.

Rep. Karen Clark

Todd Hill, Larkin Hoffman lobbying team and Erin Sexton.

Scott Magnuson

Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association, Minnesota Restaurant Association and Minnesota Retailers Association.