A change to the method used to amend the constitution--to require a two-thirds majority support in both houses, for instance--would, itself, require the passage of an amendment.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says proposed amendments to the state constitution should need backing from 60 percent of both the Senate and the House.

DFL Rep. Tom Anzelc, Balsam Township, said Wednesday that he plans to introduce a constitutional amendment next session that would raise the state's minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $10 per hour by 2015 and adjust the rate in the future according to inflation. Many state employers play the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Pro-gay marriage group Minnesotans United for all Families has released its first television ad this session as lawmakers near a likely floor vote on legalizing same-sex marriage.

Frenetic early-morning celebrations capped an historic Election Day in which Minnesota voters defeated two ballot initiatives that were a hallmark of the GOP-controlled Legislature that swarmed to victory two years ago on a national wave.

Just hours after Republican lawmakers and groups announced a lawsuit against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie for changing the title of a proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment, the two-term DFL elections chief announced he has also changed the title of Republican's proposed photo I.D. amendment.

IP delegates did not endorse a candidate to run against incumbent DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar at their party convention in Roseville this weekend. Two candidates --accountant Glen Menze and farmer Stephen Williams -- vied for the party's backing but fell short. The candidates will likely head to an August primary election for the IP slot on the ballot.

The constitutional amendment is one step from the ballot, awaiting likely action Wednesday in the Senate.

GOP legislators began sounding the constitutional amendment drumbeat even before the start of Session 2012.

The proposal, authored by freshman GOP Sen. Scott Newman, passed on a 36-30 vote after nearly five hours of debate. GOP freshman Sen. Jeremy Miller voted with all DFLers against the measure.