David Tomassoni

Oct 2, 2015

Senators assess bonding needs up north

The Senate Capital Investment Committee is in the middle of the second leg of its four-part tour of state project ideas.

Sep 23, 2015

EPA policy flicks switch on power plant fight

Pat Garofalo holds a press conference and a hearing to warn Minnesotans of potential economic fallout from the new federal “clean power plan."

May 16, 2014

$283M later, budget bill wraps in wee hours

A delay was caused by the late submission of a series of negotiating requests from Gov. Mark Dayton, who sought the inclusion of several provisions that had not yet been funded in the bill.

Apr 23, 2014

Senate panel to examine minority pay gap

The Select Committee on Disparities and Opportunities will be co-chaired by Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis.

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.

Feb 13, 2014

The Capitol Note: MNsure budget questioned as enrollment lags

Plenty of legislators claim to get “deep” into the issues and want to make sure they go beneath the “surface” to find out what’s really going on. Some take this ...

Jul 19, 2013

Minnesota Film & TV Board gets $10M for incentives; boon or boondoggle?

In some ways, the modern era of film and television production started in Minnesota. In 1997, the Legislature passed an incentive program hoping to lure producers to film in the North Star State. Prior to that, the Minnesota Film and Television Board had used the state’s homegrown charms, such as scenery and a competent workforce, to romance the makers of Hollywood films such as “The Mighty Du[...]

May 15, 2013

Conference committees hash out differences

While the public’s eyes were glued this week to the passage and signing of the gay marriage bill, most lobbyists were camped out in the Capitol well into the night tracking — or awaiting — the deliberations of numerous conference committees.

May 13, 2013

House tenders offer to the Senate on omnibus jobs bill

The House has matched the Senate on funding for some economic development programs. But the two sides broke from conference committee on Monday night with some important differences yet to be ironed out.

May 3, 2013

Solar outlook cloudy: House, Senate differ on energy standards

After 10 days of limbo and behind-the-scenes talks at the state Capitol, legislation to boost the state’s solar power industry has passed out of House and Senate committees.

Apr 30, 2013

Frac sand limitations fail in Senate Finance Committee

The Senate Finance Committee turned down Sen. Matt Schmit's bid to amend frac sand legislation into the game and fish bill less than a week after it removed from the same bill by a different committee. However, Gov. Mark Dayton's administration has voiced strong support for Schmit's proposal, creating the potential for it to reemerge before session's end.

Apr 30, 2013

Senate omnibus elections bill headed to floor

The Senate's omnibus elections bill cleared the Finance Committee on Tuesday, but with all Republicans voting against it. The legislation is now cleared to be taken up on the floor.