Republicans say momentum, not money, is key in two districts.

Both political parties highlighted Minnesota's new absentee voting law when outlining their ground games heading into the Aug. 12 primary elections

The most important spending to many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, a 5 percent pay hike for home and community-based services workers, will cost a projected $91 million.

Peterson's announcement was hailed by DFL Party chair Ken Martin, who called Peterson a "true champion for farmers."

House Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the budget plan would "build on our historic investments in education.

Move MN, a coalition of transportation funding advocates, hopes the two revenue streams would result in $727 million per year.

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

"The DFL Party is in a strong position to reelect Gov. Mark Dayton [and] Sen. Al Franken," Martin said.

Leitz told board members the next two months would be a critical period for MNsure.

Over the course of the entire year, Peterson received just over $500,000 in total donations, with about $71,000 of that figure coming from individuals.