The Senate's legal bills stemming from Michael Brodkorb's wrongful termination lawsuit have now reached $226,000. The latest billings from the Larkin Hoffman firm add $27,701 to the tab for work done between February 13 and April 30.

GOP-aligned independent groups have rushed to fill the campaign spending gap that Republicans face in their battle for continued control of the Minnesota Legislature.

The Apple Valley-area seat is open due to Chris Gerlach’s retirement.

An unusually large number of legislators and prominent Minnesota politicos are opting to run in county commissioner races across the state.

The perennial bill to install slots in the state’s two racetracks was yanked from its first hearing in the Senate Education Committee amid fear that the committee’s conservative members would kill it early in the session.

In recent weeks, local party activists around Minnesota have commandeered many a school auditorium to endorse candidates for state House and Senate races.

The intra-party battle for the Republican nomination in the district is shaping up to pit three Republicans against one another.

If Sen. Dave Thompson has his way, the road to the 2012 election will feature many scenes like the one that unfolded early Monday morning at the Capitol.

Gerlach announced his retirement via news release late Monday, citing his family and small business, direct mail house Capitol Direct, as his reasons for leaving the Capitol. Gerlach's announcement comes ahead of his Senate district's endorsing convention this weekend.

The constitutional amendment passed in the GOP-controlled committee after more than three hours of debate on a 7-6 vote. GOP Assistant Majority leader Bill Ingebrigtsen voted against the bill alongside all DFLers on the committee.