Gov. Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk have proposed a special session to deal, in part, with the state’s racial disparities.

Complaints against Jeff Hayden and Bobby Joe Champion are still splitting the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct along party lines.

The state Republican party will stand behind state Supreme Court candidate Michelle MacDonald despite legal troubles stemming from an intoxicated driving allegation.

The Select Committee on Disparities and Opportunities will be co-chaired by Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis.

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota is calling on MNsure to reconsider which groups receive outreach grants so that African American organizations are included in the mix.

**UPDATED** Senate and House members continue to squabble over leadership of a committee that's supposed to provide oversight for the Minnesota Vikings stadium and other sports facilities.

With most major finance bills clearing the House and Senate floors, attention will now turn towards conference committees this week. Conferees on several bills have already been appointed by legislative leaders.

While seniority ruled in the majority's selections for committee chairs, a number of newly elected senators will serve as committee vice-chairs.

Foung Hawj’s initial run for a Senate seat didn’t suggest that he had a bright future in electoral politics. In a crowded, nine-candidate DFL primary field in 2010, Hawj won just 10 percent of the vote.

A recount will be conducted on Thursday to confirm the outcome of the closely contested DFL primary in House District 59B. Raymond Dehn defeated Terra Cole by just 19 votes in the North Minneapolis race, with Ian Alexander trailing well behind.