DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said that it is a "fantasy island" scenario for Republicans to believe that the state will receive a waiver from the federal government in time for the start of the next biennium in July.

Following the passage of HF 1, the permitting reform bill signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday, environmentalists are feeling still more pushed around by a bipartisan pro-mining effort from legislators. The conflict further underscores the clout of mining interests in a legislative session where the pursuit of jobs has turned into a political gold rush.

Retired Republican Rep. Laura Brod and former GOP House Speaker Steve Sviggum were both recommended for spots on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents - despite originally seeking the same seat on the body. They face a vote from the full Legislature Monday.

State Rep. Rick Hansen's time on the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council was rocky from the start.

A bill that would partially repeal Minnesota's smoking ban has been introduced in the House. The legislation would allow smoking in bars provided they meet certain requirements.

The public introduction of Senate File 1 by Republicans was mostly about symbolism, and GOP Sen. Geoff Michel did not seem to hide it.

There were few surprises when the Minnesota House GOP released committee rosters last week. Legislators, Republican and Democrat alike, landed in spots where they've sat before, or - in the case of new lawmakers - where they have accrued relevant experience in their professional and personal lives.

There is erosion on the horizon for the region's standing in the legislative balance of power; population declines have many predicting a loss of seats in the 2012 round of redistricting. Which makes it all the more ironic that the stars could be aligning for a 2011 Iron Range leadership sweep in the legislative and executive branches that some lawmakers find unpalatable.

Prior to the 2006 elections, the people of Senate District 56, which covers much of Woodbury and north-central Washington County, had an entirely Republican delegation in St. Paul. But when the votes were counted that year, the district's Republicans - two representatives and one senator -had all been swept out of office, victims of a pro-DFL swing that averaged 11 points in each of the area's three legislative races.

DFL candidates for governor are jetting across the state Monday to appeal to voters on the eve of the primary election.