The trio of perceived shortcomings within MNsure cropped up in rapid succession, with each matter coming to light in a matter of days last week.

Following the 2012 elections, it was unclear how much momentum was left in the Tea Party movement, both nationally and in Minnesota. Political analysts blamed the conservative faction for several embarrassing Republican losses in high-profile campaigns, while overall public opinion seemed to have soured on the concept.

Just over two months remain before MNsure, the state’s federally mandated health insurance marketplace, is slated to open for business. But there remain numerous tasks that need to be completed before the Oct. 1 rollout.

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.

No bill has faced a more tortuous path this legislative session than a proposal to allow child care workers and personal care assistants to unionize.

The DFL-controlled Senate’s bill faced unanimous Republican opposition as well as three DFL defectors, but prevailed in a 35-28 vote.

While voting against the $975 million stadium proposal last year, the committee's chairwoman, Rep. Ann Lenczewski, brought the sports memorabilia tax before lawmakers. The bill would also expand the sales tax to suite and box seat rentals.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann came to the state Capitol on Tuesday to call for increased transparency for the state's $8 billion-per-year Medicaid program.

A preliminary audit of the state’s Medicaid rates released on March 1 determined that they were “actuarially sound.” That’s the finding that Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson repeatedly stressed during a phone call with reporters the day the report was released.

After House and Senate DFLers announced the introduction of their gay marriage bill on Wednesday, it didn’t take long for the reaction to make itself felt.