David Tomassoni

Feb 4, 2011

If Dayton won’t push gambling, who will?

Gov. Mark Dayton stirred the pot last week when he acknowledged he will not include revenue from gambling ventures in his budget presentation on Feb. 15. The news left disappointed advocates of gambling expansion fretting that the DFL governor may be yielding to his party's long-standing alliance with tribal gaming interests - which have given lavishly to DFL party units and campaigns in the past [...]

Jan 7, 2011

Bipartisan agreement between GOP legislators and governor’s office will ease way on some measures

As the new Republican legislative majorities scramble to articulate their early-session priorities, one action item is almost ready for prime time: plans to address longstanding business about Minnesota's purportedly onerous permitting process.

Sep 15, 2010

State’s epic deficit will lend a boost to pro-gambling interests in 2011

Flanked by members of the hospitality industry, Iron Range DFL Sen. David Tomassoni helped kick off a "grassroots" statewide campaign at a Capitol news conference on Tuesday to push for electronic gambling in the state's bars and restaurants. It's a proposal he has unsuccessfully tried to pass since 1994, but this just might be the year the three-term senator and former House member gets his wish.[...]

Sep 10, 2010

Group launches campaign for gambling in bars

Gambling in bars is back on the table in Minnesota, as a group supporting the hospitality industry plans a tour to promote an expansion of gaming in licensed establishments.

Jul 16, 2010

Unions, biz offer first look at lege race spending

While the gubernatorial campaigns and the legislative caucuses are attracting most of the money and attention in the current election cycle, legislative candidates in competitive districts are also getting some measure of love from the PAC donors who have weighed in with their first finance reports of 2010.

Jun 11, 2010

Clash over Iron Range public works reflects old schism

From the upper floors of the Virginia Regional Medical Center on the Iron Range, three working mines are visible. Each year these mines, which don’t pay property taxes, are taxed according to how much taconite they produce. That money supplements local property taxes in this property-poor corner of the state, funding schools, local governments and economic development.

May 21, 2010

Midway through candidate filing period, many legislative races lack challengers

If the phrase “sure thing” can be applied anywhere in politics, it might be appropriate in a small part of St. Paul, including Falcon Heights and a swath of territory north of Interstate 94.

Feb 17, 2010

Bonding package headed to conference committee

The House and Senate are rushing into conference committee this week, hoping to make good on the pledge of DFL leaders that an early bonding package will be passed quickly.

Feb 10, 2010

Historic rehabs a key part of ‘construction stimulus’ bill

A historic rehabilitation tax credit is among the key provisions of a "construction stimulus" bill that's on the move in the Minnesota Senate.

Dec 4, 2009

A bad week for McElroy, DEED

Between the brickbats from two prominent DFL state senators and a critical legislative auditor's report, the past few days have been decidedly unkind to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and its commissioner, Dan McElroy.

May 23, 2005

Geography, more than party labels, can unite lawmakers in Minnesota

Governor’s budget won’t pitch gaming, but bills will come Gov. Mark Dayton stirred the pot last week when he acknowledged he will not include revenue from gambling ventures in his ...