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.”

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

1.) Gov. Mark Dayton signed $440 million in tax cuts into law late Friday, reports the Pioneer Press. It followed a day in which both ...

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.