Minnesota Lawyer

The number of job vacancies in Minnesota increased by 32 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2010, according to a report released Thursday by the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Employers reported 54,700 job openings, compared to 41,400 a year ago.

Gov. Mark Dayton has created a new task force that will look for ways to expand broadband service in Minnesota.

The lion's share of the state Department of Commerce is getting a makeover. Commissioner Mike Rothman says key parts of the agency's portfolio like consumer protection and insurance regulation are being overhauled.

Moody's Investor Service, one of the three big bond rating agencies, has announced a negative outlook for Minnesota's creditworthiness. MMB's Schowalter implores lawmakers to solve long-term fiscal woes.

Spending on health care in Minnesota reached $36.4 billion in 2009, an increase of 3.8 percent, according to a new report by the Minnesota Department of Health. That's the slowest rate of growth in more than a decade, and below the national average of 4.3 percent.

As the Republicans and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton persist in a stalemate that could result in a government shutdown, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President David Olson said he’s not getting pushback from his members on the Legislature’s central budget choice: to hold the line on tax increases.

The so-called "Surly" bill, which would allow microbreweries to sell their products on site passed out of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee on Wednesday evening. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid, DFL-Brooklyn Park, is headed to the Senate floor for possible consideration.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said that it is a "fantasy island" scenario for Republicans to believe that the state will receive a waiver from the federal government in time for the start of the next biennium in July.

New state Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman's top appointments indicate a change of attitude toward health insurance exchanges from the previous administration. Also, Deputy Commish Manny Munson-Regala will leave the agency effective Friday.

Over the objections of Republicans in the Legislature, Gov. Mark Dayton wants a $1 billion bonding bill.