Over the objections of Republicans on the committee, DFLers on a voice vote Tuesday agreed to hire outside counsel to prepare a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the plaintiffs in the ongoing litigation challenging one of Pawlenty's unallotments.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau is supporting state Rep. Tom Emmer in the governor's race. The Waconia Republican served five terms in the state Legislature before being plucked by Gov. Tim Pawlenty for the state's number two post. Molnau also served as head of the Minnesota Department of Transportation until being ousted by DFL legislators in March 2008.

A new leader for the state House GOP caucus is expected to emerge from a closed-door meeting in the State Office Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A new leader for the state House GOP caucus is expected to emerge from a closed-door meeting in the State Office Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Stating that non-citizens have voted in Minnesota elections, Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised the issues of immigration and requiring photo identification at the polls last week. ...