$283M later, budget bill wraps in wee hours
A delay was caused by the late submission of a series of negotiating requests from Gov. Mark Dayton, who sought the inclusion of several provisions that had not yet been funded in the bill.
The Capitol Note: Lawmakers critical of law enforcement influence
The law enforcement lobby has been a powerful force in blocking proposed medical marijuana legislation this session, highlighting the clout of police and prosecutors in shaping public policy.
Bonding: House borrowing, cash bills pass committee vote
House Republicans gave some indication of their own priorities during the committee meeting.
Transportation spending picture stays muddled
During the 2013 legislative session, DFL lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton settled on a $300 million funding package for so-called Corridors of Commerce. In October, when Dayton announced the awarding of grants for 10 projects spread throughout the state, his announcement was heralded as good news by a number of Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove.
Where the state is aiming its incentive cash
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development this year got an infusion of money from state lawmakers for a variety of economic development programs. And since the money became available on July 1, the money has been flowing to companies and local governments for a variety of business expansions.
House passes jobs and energy conference agreement
The House passed its jobs and energy budget bill on Wednesday night 73-59. The bill has increased funding for a passel of economic development projects and also requires investor-owned utilities to produce 1.5 percent of their power from solar sources by 2020.
Conference committees hash out differences
While the public’s eyes were glued this week to the passage and signing of the gay marriage bill, most lobbyists were camped out in the Capitol well into the night tracking — or awaiting — the deliberations of numerous conference committees.
House tenders offer to the Senate on omnibus jobs bill
The House has matched the Senate on funding for some economic development programs. But the two sides broke from conference committee on Monday night with some important differences yet to be ironed out.
Workers’ comp bill moving in both chambers
State lawmakers are introducing a workers’ compensation proposal that business and labor leaders alike regard as the most significant change to the system in 18 years.
House restores prohibition on schools starting before Labor Day
A perennial battle over whether schools should be allowed to begin classes prior to Labor Day surfaced in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.
House passes economic development bill
The House voted 75-57 to pass its workforce and economic development bill that increases funding for a variety of state programs that are designed to spur new business activity. The bill drew fire from Republicans over a provision to allow locked out workers to receive unemployment benefits for three years.
Mahoney introduces omnibus jobs and economic development proposal
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Chair Tim Mahoney has introduced his committee’s omnibus bill that includes economic development incentives and job training programs. The bill spends $234 million for the 2014-2015 budget period from all state funds including $153 million from the general fund.
Top News
- Defining ‘and’ in sentencing statute falls to Supreme Court
- Hashtag rates higher libel protection
- Court: Performance issues, not bias, prompted union to fire organizer
- Robot milker case yields $122M
- 2023 Up & Coming Attorneys
- 2023 Unsung Legal Heroes
- Appeals court takes up transgender health coverage case
- Court upholds sex-with-minor report submitted by man’s therapist