The Office of the State Auditor has released its analysis of the finances of more than 550 special governmental districts that range from the Metropolitan Council to local watershed districts. As has been the case in the past, the report that covers 2011 shows that the special districts overall spend more than they take in. But the Auditor Rebecca Auditor cautioned that the overall numbers can’t easily be rendered as a blanket statement on the finances of all of the state’s special districts.

Backers of state legislation that would allow cities to collect street fees call it an intuitive way to pay for long-term maintenance. Opponents call it a poorly disguised tax hike.

Carrying rainbow flags and signs saying "Love is Love," the supporters sang and chanted "marriage equality now" on Thursday afternoon as House members entered into their scheduled floor session for the day. The headliners of the event, organized by campaign-turned-lobbying group Minnesotans United for All Families, were clergy members representing denominations and faith groups from around the state.

Here’s a guide to key policy matters that are likely to be addressed and heavily lobbied in the 2013 legislative session.

The path through any budget session leads to a negotiating table at which the governor and legislative leaders work out the most politically palatable taxing and spending deal they can muster. But the budget is never the only game in town. Before the session endgame gets played out, a network of committees will play host to various and sundry dramas involving policy issues before state government.

DFL Rep. Steve Simon, the incoming chairman of the House Elections Committee, says the panel will have a big agenda this session on the heels of a major election year. Already he’s heard a desire from members in both parties to put more teeth in state campaign finance laws after outside money poured into the state to influence a handful of key legislative races this fall.

Of the 38 seats won by DFLers in reclaiming control of the Minnesota Senate on Nov. 6, no fewer than 14 will be filled by members who were not part of the caucus in 2011-12. But in several cases, the newcomers will hardly be strangers.

With no groundswell predicted for either party in this year’s election, the legislative races in Eagan’s District 51 are once again likely to prove pivotal in GOP efforts to retain control of the Legislature.

For better or worse, Michael Brodkorb was back on the campaign trail last week. This time, however, the former GOP attack dog, deputy Republican Party chair and Senate communications guru who helped mastermind the 2010 GOP takeover of the chamber has materialized in a glossy pink and blue mailer that’s being used to attack Republicans.

Julie Bunn was one of five DFL candidates who, along with the state DFL Party and the DFL Senate Caucus, were accused of colluding on independent expenditures made by the party. Bunn said she received the board's decision in a letter dated Oct. 16.