Democrats who control the Legislature saved some politicking and deal-making on Capitol restoration bonding and taxes for the final hours of the regular 2013 Legislative session

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.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, who earlier this week said a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage was likely dead, now says there’s a “very good chance” something could get done on the issue yet this year.

Winkler said the bill would pass when the Senate has a majority of votes lined-up to vote for a $9.00 minimum wage.

The bills, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rest and Rep. Ryan Winkler, increase state limits on the contributions that candidates can receive and the amount of money they can spend.

Politicians give speeches for a living. We asked the Capitol Insiders which of the current legislators are the best orators? Here are their top answers.

Campaign finance legislation that’s proposing to increase fundraising limits for candidates has passed to the House and Senate floors. The House and Senate bills allow spending and contribution increases to give candidates a chance to compete with big-spending outside groups.

A bill that would bump the state minimum wage up to $9.50 an hour has cleared the floor of the Minnesota House.

Legislation that would significantly raise the state's minimum wage for the first time in eight years is headed to the House floor. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, cleared the Ways and Means Committee on a voice vote Monday.

Union leaders say they are moving full speed ahead with their legislative agenda this year, despite recent comments from Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk that many issues on their wish list will not pass this session.