Dayton met with a group of 11 medical marijuana activists at the governor’s mansion.

The finding clears the path for the state to sell bonds that will help finance the stadium construction.

The Senate passed a transportation finance bill that includes no significant new revenue by a 43-24 vote on Sunday evening. The bill already cleared the House and is now headed for a signature by Gov. Mark Dayton.

House vets join first-timers in Senate GOP fold as Capitol Report continues profiling all 65 of the newly elected members of the Minnesota Legislature.

The tightly contested Senate District 33 GOP primary contest between state Rep. Connie Doepke and David Osmek was an expensive affair. Osmek prevailed by just 107 votes in the race to replace retiring Sen. Gen Olson in a solidly GOP district.

For most candidates getting past the primary election is merely the first electoral hurdle that must be surmounted prior to joining the Legislature. But for candidates in districts that tilt heavily in favor of either the DFL or GOP, the primary race can effectively serve as the only meaningful contest.

Republican Rep. Connie Doepke is under attack from a second conservative independent group in her bid to replace retiring Sen. Gen Olson. Americans for Prosperity Minnesota recently sent out a piece linking Doepke to President Barack Obama and his signature health care legislation in a district that votes overwhelmingly Republican.

**UPDATED** State Rep. Connie Doepke is distributing a mailing that includes a quote from U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen praising her political service. "I wish I could have served with Connie in the Minnesota House, she's a great Representative and a proven leader," the blurb reads. The piece also refers to Paulsen as a "long time supporter" of Doepke.

Despite a deadlocked endorsing convention, Jerry Hertaus is the lone GOP candidate for one of the safest Republican House seats in Minnesota.

A handful of August primary elections are heating up across the state thanks to the new redistricting map, an uptick in legislative retirements and widespread dissatisfaction with the job lawmakers are doing in St. Paul.