This month’s meager primary voter turnout has caused Gov. Mark Dayton and leaders from both parties to once again mull moving the primary to June. Just 9 percent of registered Minnesota voters turned out for the August 14 primary.
Read More »Tag Archives: Rick Hansen
Sand-mining boom on legislative agenda
While excavating sand is nothing new in Minnesota, the rush to excavate large quantities to ship to the Dakotas has quickly unearthed a prominent issue for state legislators and regulators.
Read More »Boom in frac sand mining leaves Minnesota regulators scrambling
Silica sand mining has become a booming business in southeastern Minnesota, and as a result it’s also become a burgeoning issue at the Legislature.
Read More »In CD 2, new map spawns new hope for DFLers
It wasn’t until the redistricting maps were released that DFLers became noticeably interested in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.
Read More »Obama campaign enlists DFL lawmakers, Rybak
The Obama campaign in Minnesota said Monday morning that it would unveil a list of participants in a so-called Truth Team.
Read More »Auditor weighs in on Legacy amendment problems
The Minnesota Legislative Auditor has released a much anticipated report about the problems lawmakers have encountered in their efforts to allocate the proceeds of a dedicated sales tax for environmental and cultural projects.
Read More »Asian carp: Will a plague of jumping fish end Minneapolis’ days as river port?
On Sept. 15, crews from scads of state and federal agencies launched a small fleet of research boats at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul, looking for an answer to a suddenly pressing question: Have two species of the dreaded Asian carp finally worked their way up the Mississippi River to the Twin Cities?
Read More »Fiscal notes, gov consolidation top auditor’s list
A year ago, the Legislative Audit Commission passed over a proposal to evaluate the way state agencies prepare the fiscal notes that have long served as the basis for doing state budgets. One year later, amid a session punctuated by public disputes about their accuracy, the commission made an investigation of fiscal notes one of the highest priorities for Legislative Auditor James Nobles and his staff.
Read More »Capitol security and renovations remain thorny
Rep. Dean Urdahl wants to spend $550,000 in dedicated proceeds from the 2008 Legacy sales tax amendment to create a State Capitol Preservation Commission. The 16-member panel would be charged with selecting an architectural firm to draw up plans for a comprehensive, multiyear renovation of the century-old building.
Read More »Lessard-Sams critic Hansen dropped from council
Rep. Rick Hansen, a persistent critic of decisions made by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, has been removed from the 12-member body.
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