So far this session, Gov. Mark Dayton has steadfastly beat the drum for his legislative program to give a boost to the state’s job market: a bonding bill, a Vikings stadium and a jobs tax credit. The Republican majorities in the House and Senate, meanwhile, have pushed through committee numerous proposals that they contend will reduce the tax and regulatory burden on business and make government less costly and more efficient.

Many of the questions focused on the government shutdown last year, and whether steps should be taken to ensure state spending or programs continue in the event of a future impasse.

Anderson was voted down in the chamber in which she served for nearly 20 years on a 37-29 party-line vote on Monday. Democrats defended their former Senate colleague and her record at the PUC, which regulates energy and telecommunications matters in the state.

It was supposed to be such a nice session. Or at least that’s what Capitol watchers and many lawmakers were expecting after last year’s bitter shutdown fight. Nor was that the only wound still in need of closing.

Sen. Julianne Ortman said she expects former Sen. Ellen Anderson's appointment will be rejected.

Republican legislative leaders’ aborted move to fire the veteran lead staffer on an environmental funding commission is still mired in mystery and fueling controversy.

News that Susan Thornton, the chief staffer for the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), had been fired came as a shock last week to many state legislators and people who lobby on environmental funding issues.

Sen. Linda Higgins doesn’t want her political obituary written just yet. First off, while the five-term Minneapolis senator announced last Monday that she won’t seek re-election in 2012, she plans to serve out her term through the end of next year.

The changing demographics and DFL-friendly voting record of Senate District 46 signaled an easy win for DFL Sen.-elect Chris Eaton in Tuesday’s special election.

Former DFL Sen. Ellen Anderson's appointment to lead the Public Utilities Commissioner under Gov. Mark Dayton passed through the Senate Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee without recommendation, and will now face a full vote on the Senate floor.