The next frontier in the battle over tax increases emerged subtly, almost imperceptibly, at the tail end of a Monday evening floor session.

A bipartisan group of legislators unveiled a bill on Wednesday to create a state-administered marketplace where individuals and corporations will be able to purchase health insurance. Minnesota must enact such legislation by the end of March in order to be in compliance with the federal Affordable Care Act, which will be fully implemented in 2014.

For DFLers preparing to take the reins of both legislative chambers, there was good news in Minnesota’s November economic forecast. And the forecast’s bad news — well, that was good news for Democratic leadership too.

The state's high court has given the Dayton administration the green light to borrow money to finance state operations that will be financed by the state's settlement with tobacco payments.

Many Republicans, including some of those present at Tuesday's hearing, have been reluctant to engage with the governor on implementing the Affordable Care Act.

For casual observers outside Minnesota health care policy circles, the health insurance exchange that’s being pursued under the strictures of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act appeared to be a collaborative process. At least until recently.

At first it was a “hare-brained scheme,” and then it was “absolutely worth considering.” At first it was roofless, and then it couldn’t be built without a roof.

After appearing to reject GOP leadership's new plan for a new roofless Vikings stadium and dismissing it as a smoking gun and distraction, Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL leaders now say the proposal is “absolutely” worth considering.

The House passed its omnibus tax bill in a lengthy floor session Wednesday night.

Gov. Mark Dayton has offered a revised budget that raises revenue from business taxes to provide increased funding for several priorities.