Hann says the idea is "off the table, frankly," and insists his caucus will stick to the deal.

A House panel on Tuesday took four hours of testimony on a raft of bills aimed at restricting the government’s use of cellphone tracking devices and drones.

The bill will increase the basic funding formula to schools by $234 million, or 3 percent, which Marquart said would break down to more than $300 in new spending per student.

The proposal failed on a 76-56 vote on Friday, with only three Republican legislators -- Reps. Tama Theis, Chris Swedzinski and Mark Uglem -- voting yes. Bonding bills need a supermajority to pass, meaning Democrats would have needed to attract eight Republican votes to reach the 81 required.

K-12 education finance bills that account for roughly 40 percent of the state’s general fund spending are moving through the House and Senate floors this week.

The election of Steve Green marks one of the few bright spots for the Republican Party of Minnesota from the 2012 legislative elections. Facing a fundraising disparity and an uphill battle in terms of name recognition, Green managed to defeat former DFL Rep. Brita Sailer for the open seat in House District 2B.

Over the past decade, Senate District 47 — stretching around north metro area cities like Champlin, Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park — has been a place where moderate Democrats could prosper despite the district’s slight GOP tilt.