Overall, Minnesota ranks 31st among the 50 states, a “moderate” ranking lying between “fair” and “low."

The recent Legislative Session yielded just 77 laws, and Republicans say that’s not a bad thing.

The vast majority of the 26 new members sworn in Tuesday come from outside the metro area, and Republicans claim their majority marks a step toward restoring parity among outstate communities and the Twin Cities.

While some pessimists are predicting a return to gridlock and dismissing the happy talk as just that, a few important factors are seriously different, and better, this time around.

If there is a fight to be had over a number of hot-button topics over the course of the 2015 legislative session, expect Representative Greg Davids to wind up in the middle of it.

The Minnesota House speaker is confident the DFL will retain the majority even though conservatives are hopeful of their odds to regain control after two years.