Carly Melin

May 1, 2014

House heralds medical marijuana compromise

House Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Melin’s bill would be put up for a vote in the House Rules Committee on Friday, and said it was “unclear” when the bill would reach the House floor.

Apr 30, 2014

Senate charges ahead on medical marijuana

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk explained that the Senate’s quickened pace came at Dayton’s urging. “The governor, probably about two weeks ago, actually asked the Legislature to move on the bill,” Bakk said. “I guess, at his request, we thought we would show him that courtesy.”

Apr 21, 2014

The Capitol Note: Lawmakers critical of law enforcement influence

The law enforcement lobby has been a powerful force in blocking proposed medical marijuana legislation this session, highlighting the clout of police and prosecutors in shaping public policy.

Apr 11, 2014

Dayton invites marijuana debate; Senate obliges

Medical marijuana bill heard in Senate after governor’s remarks.

Apr 8, 2014

Dayton to lawmakers: Stop hiding on medical pot

“Let’s see ‘em vote. They’ve hidden behind their desks the whole session,” Dayton said at a press conference at the Capitol.

Mar 12, 2014

The Capitol Note: Amended bullying bill clears Senate committee

GOP Sens. Carla Nelson and Roger Chamberlain have introduced an alternate bill.

Mar 11, 2014

The Capitol Note: Nguyen’s withdrawal opens door for former GOP Sens. Daley, Howe

Thissen: Law enforcement “not opposed to” bill On Thursday House leaders announced a breakthrough in negotiations with law enforcement on the hot-button topic of medical marijuana, offering new legislation that ...

Mar 5, 2014

The Capitol Note: “Unsession” roll-out highlights 1,000 proposed changes

Dayton also issued an executive order calling on all executive branch agencies to begin using plain, "easy-to-understand" language.

Mar 4, 2014

The Capitol note: Minimum wage negotiations continue

House negotiators rejected the Senate’s $9.50 offer last night, in part because its application would have been restricted to big businesses.

Feb 21, 2014

The Capitol Note: Judge says sex offender commitment system “clearly broken”

In a statement following the decision, DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson echoed the call for legislative action this spring.

Feb 19, 2014

The Capitol Note: Medicinal marijuana support at 51 percent

The idea is significantly more popular with the young and less affluent, and polls much better with Democrats than Republicans.

Dec 4, 2013

Otto’s mining move riles Rangers

Otto shook up both her role as state auditor and her campaign for re-election last month when she cast the lone “no” vote as the state’s Executive Council took up 31 exploratory nonferrous mining leases in northeastern Minnesota. The leases went ahead anyway, but in voting against them, Otto became the first statewide elected official to express concern about the state’s move toward the ne[...]