Minnesota Lawyer

On May 6 Richard Carlbom became engaged to his boyfriend of more than four years. Two weeks later the Minnesota House voted to place a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the 2012 ballot.

Tagged with: Chris Coleman Cristine Almeida John Kriesel Karen Clark minnesotans united for all families politicsinminnesota Richard Carlbom Tim Kelly Tim Walz

DFLers Chris Eaton and Rep. Jeff Hayden handily won primaries Tuesday ahead of an Oct. 18 contest to fill two open seats in the state Senate.

Tagged with: chris eaton Cory Jensen Jeff Hayden Linda Berglin Linda Scheid politicsinminnesota Special Election

Minnesotans United for All Families, the main group opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, has assembled a 35-member steering committee to guide its efforts. The group includes four state legislators: Reps. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, and Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, and Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis.

Tagged with: 2012 gay marriage constitutional amendment John Kriesel Karen Clark minnesotans united for all families politicsinminnesota Scott Dibble Tim Kelly

Supporting Michele Bachmann’s presidential bid wasn’t necessarily an easy decision for David FitzSimmons. While the three-term Republican congresswoman would seem a natural choice for FitzSimmons, who chairs the Republican Party in her home 6th District, he was squarely in the Ron Paul camp during the 2008 election and worked for his campaign.

Tagged with: Andy Parrish Ben Golnik Bill Walsh Brian McClung Brian Sullivan Chris Tiedeman David FitzSimmons David Strom Ernie Leidiger Evie Axdahl Geoff Michel Jack Meeks Kathy Lohmer Kurt Zellers Linda Runbeck Matt Dean Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Pat Garofalo Peggy Scott politicsinminnesota Rick Perry Ron Paul Steve Drazkowski Tim Pawlenty Tom Emmer Tony Sutton Tony Trimble Vin Weber Warren Limmer

Environmental and conservation groups harbor growing doubts about the constitutional soundness of state lawmakers’ use of so-called Legacy dedicated funds for outdoors and cultural projects.

Tagged with: Dave Zentner Denny McNamara Jim Nobles LCCMR Legacy amendment politicsinminnesota Steve Morse

The deal to close Minnesota’s $5 billion budget deficit included $640 million in borrowing through state bond sales. The source of that money has typically been referred to as “tobacco bonds,” but that’s not necessarily an accurate description of how the state will generate the short-term infusion of cash.

Tagged with: lori swanson politicsinminnesota Tobacco bonds

If you hear political activists calling for change in the 2012 state House and Senate elections, you won’t be faulted for thinking that the rhetoric must be coming from DFLers. After all, Democrats lost control of both chambers in a 2010 election that saw a conservative tide roll across Minnesota and the rest of the country.

Tagged with: Amy Koch Barack Obama Jim Abeler John Kriesel Kurt Zeller Kurt Zellers Mark Dayton Michael Brodkorb Michele Bachman Michele Bachmann Mitch Berg Pat Garofalo politicsinminnesota Rudy Takala Steve Gottwalt Sue Jeffers

Some bills were only posted online in the early hours of Wednesday morning, just hours — or minutes — before they passed. By morning they were signed into law by the governor. Now some lobbyists, many of whom spend long days and nights at the Capitol during session, are scrambling to understand the budget bills’ implications for their clients.

Tagged with: Gary Carlson Joel Carlson Mark Dayton Minnesota Management and Budget politicsinminnesota Tom Hanson

The marathon talks between the administration of Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders that led to the end of the state government shutdown have drawn widespread criticism for their haste and secrecy.

Tagged with: Bob Gunther Mark Dayton Mike Parry Mindy Greiling Morrie Lanning Pat Garofalo Paul Gazelka politicsinminnesota

Since before the state government shutdown even began, it was clear where the impasse was headed if neither governor nor Legislature blinked: straight to the courtroom of Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin.

Tagged with: Erick Kaardal Kathleen Gearin Minnesota Constitution Minnesota Supreme Court politicsinminnesota Ramsey County District Court Tim Pawlenty