It’s a bit of déjà vu for Republican activists in the 1st Congressional District. Just two years ago, delegates at the endorsing convention had to pick between state legislator Randy Demmer and former legislator and conservative stalwart Allen Quist for the party’s backing in the race.

The perennial bill to install slots in the state’s two racetracks was yanked from its first hearing in the Senate Education Committee amid fear that the committee’s conservative members would kill it early in the session.

Lee Byberg will get a second chance at knocking off 11-term DFL incumbent Rep. Collin Peterson in the 7th Congressional District. Byberg defeated state Sen. Gretchen Hoffman on the first ballot to secure the GOP endorsement at Saturday's convention in Alexandria.

The constitutional amendment passed in the GOP-controlled committee after more than three hours of debate on a 7-6 vote. GOP Assistant Majority leader Bill Ingebrigtsen voted against the bill alongside all DFLers on the committee.

Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed legislation expanding the circumstances under which gun owners can use deadly force without facing potential criminal charges.

The first things to draw the eye upon entering Minnesota Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans’ office are his pair of three-legged stools. The two stools represent snapshots of Minnesota’s tax system taken a decade apart.

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson has picked up another Republican challenger in the 7th Congressional District in western Minnesota. State Sen. Gretchen Hoffman, R-Vergas, has announced her plans to challenge the conservative Democrat. Her announcement resolves the conflict that arose when the Senate districts were redrawn to put Hoffman and fellow Senate Republican Bill Ingebrigtsen of Alexandria in the same district.

Legislation expanding the right of Minnesota gun owners to use deadly force against intruders cleared the Senate on Thursday by a 40-23 vote. At least four DFLers joined every Republican in passing the bill.

The complaint filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings says Senate Republicans used public funds to print partisan literature that was distributed at Republican precinct caucuses last week. State law prohibits using taxpayer money for any campaign purposes.

Talk of tax reform created a few pariahs during the 2011 session. A handful of moderate Republicans, including Senate Taxes Chairwoman Julianne Ortman and Finance Chairwoman Claire Robling, proposed reviewing the hundreds of tax breaks on state books.