Republican candidates for governor are unified in disliking MNsure, but each candidate has taken a different tack in criticizing the exchange.

Approval of the building is currently pending in the House Rules Committee.

The idea is significantly more popular with the young and less affluent, and polls much better with Democrats than Republicans.

When it comes to his bid for re-election next fall, Rep. Tim Faust said the gay marriage vote will only have a small impact on his chances. “It’s going to make a difference, but is it going to make a difference in the mind of the independent voter? I don’t think so.”

The increase would cost about $86 million in the current budgeting period, and advocates are hoping there will be extra cash in the state’s coffers after the November and February budget forecasts.

A new coalition of advocates for the elderly and disabled in Minnesota is planning an aggressive campaign to persuade legislators to pass a 5 percent increase in their budget next session, which would cost the state an additional $86 million in the current budgeting period.

If you ask Gov. Mark Dayton, one-party rule worked out well for just about everyone this session. “I think it worked extraordinarily well for Minnesotans,” the governor said in a celebratory Tuesday morning press conference.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would give an independent panel the authority to set salaries for House and Senate members passed the Senate on Monday morning by a 43-23 vote margin. The amendment is expected to be on the ballot in 2016.

With most major finance bills clearing the House and Senate floors, attention will now turn towards conference committees this week. Conferees on several bills have already been appointed by legislative leaders.

A state government finance bill with a pay increase for legislators squeaked by the state Senate on Tuesday afternoon. The bill passed 34-32 with five DFLers and all Republicans voting against the bill in a roll-call that lasted several minutes.