Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Giving an independent commission the ability to set pay could raise salaries

Fresh perspectives on recent news events from Jeff Kolb, Amy Koch, Ann Lenczewski and Peggy Flanagan.

Fresh perspectives on recent news events from Nekima Levy-Pounds, Greg Davids, Ryan Winkler and Amy Koch.

A fresh perspective on recent news events from Ryan Winkler, Amy Koch, Javier Morillo and Greg Davids.

Insights on recent news events from Ryan Winkler, Pat Garofalo, Don Ness and Amy Koch.

A fresh perspective on recent news events from Nekima Levy-Pounds, John Kreisel, Rep. Greg Davids and Amy Koch

Though legislators have already passed $443 million in tax cuts, they're still wrangling over the differences between two bills that would provide roughly $100 million in additional tax relief. The House has passed $323 in new spending, which must be meshed with a $210 million bill from the Senate.

After enduring one of Minnesota public life’s most humiliating episodes in recent memory, former GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch has turned the page.

The latest round of legal expenses cover Larkin Hoffman's work negotiating a settlement with Brodkorb which included $30,000 of severance pay.