Former State Rep. Sandra Peterson, who helped guide the merger of Minnesota’s two largest teachers unions, has died. She was 79.

It’s not uncommon for a legislator or two to announce their retirements after the end of session. But 2012 has seen more last-minute departures than many political pros can ever recall.

Sen. John Harrington’s legislative career will come to a close after just two years. In 2010 the former St. Paul police chief easily won an eight-candidate DFL primary to replace retiring Sen. Mee Moua.

About all the competing House and Senate bonding proposals share is a dim prospect for bridging their many differences with the other chamber’s bill.

Transportation policy wonks wondering how the new Republican legislative majority will approach the Metropolitan Council can find a hint in the state GOP platform. The party's position is succinct and seemingly unambiguous:

Chaudhary's primary loss made him the body's fifth departing chair

Main Story: Bring on the challengers • House District 8B: Rudy Takala, a Republican from Pine City, is challenging second-term Rep. Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley. • ...

Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis; pictured), who chairs the subcommittee on Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division, tells PIM that he’ll be introducing legislation this ...

[This story was originally published in the 4/21/08 issue of The Weekly Report.] Once again, there’s a perennial proposal (HF 2662/SF 2605) to create staggered ...

[This story was originally published in the 4/21/08 issue of The Weekly Report.] Once again, there’s a perennial proposal (HF 2662/SF 2605) to create staggered ...