DFL Rep. Carly Melin Advocates of legalizing marijuana use for medicinal purposes claim that they have 40 co-sponsors for legislation that will be introduced on Thursday.

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter went before the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday to give an overview of the February forecast, which had cut the projected budget deficit from $1.1 billion down to $627 million over the next two years.

When so-called right-to-work legislation came up for a floor vote in March, Sen. Jeremy Miller was the only Republican to vote against the proposal. Although it was merely a procedural vote to send the proposed constitutional amendment to a different committee, organized labor was grateful for the freshman legislator’s public opposition.

State Reps. Connie Doepke and Steve Smith feel the wrath of GOP grass roots, may head to primary.

On the fifth and final ballot GOP delegates in Senate District 31 pushed Sen. Michelle Benson over the 60 percent threshold required for endorsement. The freshman legislator defeated three-term incumbent Sen. Mike Jungbauer in a tight contest for party backing.

On Saturday Reps. Glenn Gruenhagen and Ron Shimanski squared off in Hutchinson for the GOP endorsement in House District 18B. On the second ballot Gruenhagen pulled within half a percentage point of crossing the 60 percent threshold required for endorsement.

Republican legislative leaders’ aborted move to fire the veteran lead staffer on an environmental funding commission is still mired in mystery and fueling controversy.

Jeff Hilger describes himself as first and foremost a horse guy. He owns a sprawling farm in Stillwater where he breeds thoroughbreds. He has also worked in the corporate world. One thing Hilger’s a bit low on is political experience.

The news of GOP Rep. Tom Hackbarth’s appointment to head a new House energy subcommittee signals the beginning of his return from nearly a year in political purgatory.

The House Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee will no longer be a stand-alone committee and Rep. Steve Smith will no longer be a chairman, according to House Speaker Kurt Zellers. Also, Rep. Tom Hackbarth has been given a gavel on a new energy subcommittee.