The change came as the labor force participation rate – or the proportion of Minnesotans working or looking for jobs – continued to grow, hitting 70.8 percent in May.

The state sent layoff notices to 9,451 state employees — including DEED’s staff of 1,490 — that would take effect July 1, when the current budget runs out, if Gov. Mark Dayton and legislators can’t iron out a funding plan.

Minnesota’s construction industry reignited hopes for stronger growth by adding 6,600 jobs in April, the biggest gain for any industry.

On his first official visit to the state Governor General David Johnston pushed officials on both sides of the border to take a harder look at untapped opportunities.

The Minnesota House cleared an omnibus jobs and energy bill that would shave $11 million from appropriations for the Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund.

The so-called “fast-track” legislation touched off a firestorm in Washington, largely dividing Minnesota’s congressional delegation down party lines.

Minnesota employers added 7,800 jobs in March, ratcheting up year-over-year gains to 50,829.

To keep Minnesota and the rest of the country thriving, Carla Hills called on the federal government to step up efforts to rope China into either an existing trade agreement or a new one specifically designed to bring together the superpowers.

Broadband projects are out, tourism is in as the omnibus bill takes shape in the House.

House Republicans sketched out total spending for “jobs and economic development” at $330 million, $102 million less than the corresponding amount in the current budget.