Michelle Fischbach

Sep 30, 2013

Senate committee approves Brodkorb severance pay

Aside from the severance package, the committee will still need to convene at a later date to sign off on final defense payments.

Jun 28, 2013

Senate, Brodkorb battle over personal records in latest filings

The Senate is seeking a variety of personal materials from aggrieved former staffer Michael Brodkorb, including medical records, recent employment history and private communications relating to his discrimination lawsuit.

May 29, 2013

Bachmann’s surprise retirement spurs speculation about GOP field

**UPDATED** U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's surprise decision to not seek re-election has produced a frenzy of speculation about who might seek the GOP nomination in Minnesota's most conservative congressional district. At least a dozens names have been floated as possible successors to the four-term incumbent.

May 20, 2013

Proposed constitutional amendment dealing with legislator pay headed to ballot

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.

May 8, 2013

Unionization bill clears Senate committee on second try

Legislation that would allow child care providers and personal care assistants to join labor unions was sent to the Senate floor on a 12-10 vote Wednesday evening. The bill cleared the Senate Finance Committee without a recommendation of support, the third committee it has advanced out of without explicit backing from its members.

Nov 2, 2012

Caucus leaders hit the road for closing pitches

Leaders from all four legislative caucuses are spending the waning days of the 2012 campaign barnstorming key districts around the state.

Nov 1, 2012

Senate President Fischbach to make final campaign push

Senate President Michelle Fischbach has set a campaign schedule that’s heavy on greater Minnesota districts in the days leading up to next Tuesday’s general election.

Oct 17, 2012

Kaler’s first U of M budget breaks new ground

The 2013 Legislature marks University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler’s first chance to negotiate a budget request at the State Capitol.

Jun 5, 2012

Hann, Fischbach to run GOP Senate election efforts

Hann and Fischbach were recently appointed by GOP leadership to serve as co-chairs of the cuacuses' election team. They will join recently-hired operative Gregg Peppin in trying to maintain Republican's first-ever modern majority in the Senate chamber.

Apr 17, 2012

Senate ethics panel deadlocks again over DFL complaint against Geoff Michel

It's been nearly a month since the committee last met to discuss complaint, opting to meet again after talks stalled. This time senators acknowledged their unbreakable stalemate, and voted 3-1 to adjourn to the call of the chair with no final decision.

Mar 23, 2012

Senate panel deadlocks over Michel ethics complaint

Flanked by almost the entire GOP caucus, Sen. Geoff Michel vigorously defended his handling of the Amy Koch-Michael Brodkorb scandal at a hearing before the Senate ethics panel on Friday afternoon.

Feb 15, 2012

DFL files campaign finance complaint against Sviggum, 15 senators

The complaint filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings says Senate Republicans used public funds to print partisan literature that was distributed at Republican precinct caucuses last week. State law prohibits using taxpayer money for any campaign purposes.