Michael Paymar

Apr 30, 2014

Senate charges ahead on medical marijuana

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk explained that the Senate’s quickened pace came at Dayton’s urging. “The governor, probably about two weeks ago, actually asked the Legislature to move on the bill,” Bakk said. “I guess, at his request, we thought we would show him that courtesy.”

Mar 26, 2014

Endorsement battles refigure legislative field

Retiring legislators, or those seeking higher office, have left some relatively safe seats open, while other districts’ endorsements have been altered.

Mar 24, 2014

The Capitol Note: Dayton signs $440 million tax cut bill

[Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the Senate legislation’s approval in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday evening.] From tax cuts to bonding, the big-picture stories of ...

Feb 7, 2014

State House candidates build war chests

With big piles of money and high stakes, candidates for governor, Congress and the U.S. Senate have so far absorbed most of the attention when it comes to fundraising. But they aren’t the only politicos who turned in fundraising disclosures in January after clamoring for donations in 2013.

Feb 4, 2014

The Capitol Note: Dayton to announce running mate choice

The latest conventional wisdom points to chief of staff Tina Smith as the odds-on favorite.

Jan 31, 2014

Pinto leans on track record in House 64B race

When the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women selected the first recipient of its “Inspire” community ally award in 2013, Dave Pinto was a natural choice. “Domestic violence is a complicated issue, and one of the things Dave does exceptionally well is he understands the complexities and still moves forward with positive change,” said Liz Richards, the nonprofit’s executive director.

Jan 9, 2014

The Capitol Note: MNsure board talks about new figures and hiring a permanent leader

The board also discussed its thinking about hiring a full-time, permanent replacement for April Todd-Malmlov.

Dec 19, 2013

The Capitol Note: New MNsure head apologizes, promises improvements

MNsure board chair Brian Beutner told reporters that he was sad to see Todd-Malmlov leave.

Dec 17, 2013

Duluth Rep. Tom Huntley to retire

Huntley has chaired the Health and Human Service Finance Committee in three different legislative sessions, including the present.

Dec 13, 2013

Bergstrom aim: ‘get out in front’

Greta Bergstrom’s campaign strategy to win the DFL endorsement for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Michael Paymar is simple, according to her campaign co-chair. “Get out in front and get people backing you right from the start,” St. Paul City Council member Amy Brendmoen said.

Dec 12, 2013

The Capitol Note: Dayton voices frustration over MNsure

Dayton said the existing "operational problems" worry him, and are the kind of hitches that should have been worked out some time ago.

Dec 6, 2013

The Capitol Note: Forecast points to big surplus

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowaler said the Legislature and the administration should use a projected surplus to build up the state's reserve accounts.