Sean Nienow

Apr 27, 2012

The 10 days that upended the stadium debate

When the sun rose on Tuesday, April 17, the slow death of the Minnesota Vikings stadium bill appeared complete at last.

Apr 25, 2012

Racino gets amended into Vikings stadium bill

The Senate Finance Committee turned the Vikings stadium political situation upside down by inserting the controversial revenue source of allowing slot machines at two Minnesota racetracks. The Senate's chief author immediately vowed to have the so-called racino removed from the bill tomorrow in the Taxes committee.

Apr 20, 2012

Congressional hearing will probe $30 million UCare donation

On March 16 last year, Gov. Mark Dayton announced some seemingly excellent news: UCare had decided to make a $30 million “donation” to help solve the state’s $5 billion budget deficit.

Apr 18, 2012

DHS Commissioner Jesson will testify at congressional hearing on Medicaid spending

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday to look at concerns about transparency and accountability in how federal Medicaid funds are spent. Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson has agreed to testify about the state's practices in spending nearly $2 billion a year in federal funds [...]

Apr 18, 2012

Few flashpoints as HHS omnibus bill takes shape

The health and human services omnibus bill is typically among the most contentious and complicated pieces of legislation debated by the Legislature.

Apr 11, 2012

Former Sen. Olseen to run for House

Olseen was first elected to the state Senate in 2006, but was dealt significan defeat in 2010 when he lost to GOP Sen. Sean Nienow by nearly 13 points.

Mar 30, 2012

Bonding: You can’t get there from here

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.

Mar 30, 2012

HMO audit bill could be revived

Legislation requiring annual independent audits of the health care organizations that administer Minnesota’s Medicaid program has followed a tortuous path this legislative session.

Mar 14, 2012

Senate sinks HMO audit bill

Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman David Hann promised to hold a hearing on a bill requiring independent annual audits of the health plans that administer the state’s Medicaid program. On Monday he followed through on that promise.

Mar 7, 2012

As endorsing season looms, MN legislators scrambling to finalize election plans

House and Senate races across the state are rapidly shaking out after the release of the 2012 legislative map last month. And with local endorsing conventions set to take place throughout March, incumbents and challengers alike have little time to make decisions about their political futures.

Feb 22, 2012

Feds’ Medicaid investigation: Many questions, few answers

Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson set off a potential landmine last week when she revealed that the federal government is investigating the state’s Medicaid program. Roughly 600,000 poor people receive medical coverage through the program with the state and federal government splitting the $7B tab.

Feb 20, 2012

Shutdown-related bills are moving through Senate

A Republican state senator is moving legislation through committee that would hit lawmakers in their pocketbooks when they don’t pass a budget on time.