Tom Saxhaug

May 14, 2014

After strange interlude, sprinklers apparently out of bonding bill

House Capital Investment Chair Alice Hausman told reporters on Wednesday that the sprinkler provision would not be included in either chamber’s final bonding package.

Apr 9, 2014

Senate panel okays $109 million Lessard-Sams package

The recommendations call for the acquisition of almost 2,000 acres of native prairie and would pay for restoration and enhancement projects on another 7,000 acres of such lands.

Mar 18, 2014

U seeks funding for terrestrial pest center

The U pegs costs for this “virtual center” at about $9 million over the course of a decade.

Jul 5, 2013

Where are they now? Class of ’10 edition

Catching up with four former GOP legislators.

Apr 30, 2013

Frac sand limitations fail in Senate Finance Committee

The Senate Finance Committee turned down Sen. Matt Schmit's bid to amend frac sand legislation into the game and fish bill less than a week after it removed from the same bill by a different committee. However, Gov. Mark Dayton's administration has voiced strong support for Schmit's proposal, creating the potential for it to reemerge before session's end.

Apr 29, 2013

Conference committees on key finance bills take shape

With most major finance bills clearing the House and Senate floors, attention will now turn towards conference committees this week. Conferees on several bills have already been appointed by legislative leaders.

Apr 19, 2013

Marriage bill’s fate uncertain

On the steps of the state Capitol, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton stood in the sleet on Thursday to encourage a crowd of hundreds to push their legislators to legalize gay marriage this session.

Apr 5, 2013

House proposes Legacy changes

The Minnesota House is getting pushback as it seeks to reset the calendar for appropriating Legacy dollars for hunting and fishing habitat.

Feb 6, 2013

Gun bills give rural DFLers ‘heartburn’

Paul Marquart knows that when it comes to the gun debate at the Capitol, most of it boils down to matters of region and culture.

Feb 6, 2013

House may buck Lessard-Sams recommendations

Even though Minnesota faces a $1.1 billion budget deficit, there are still some much-coveted pots of money up for grabs in 2013, thanks to the Legacy amendment’s provisions for spending on outdoors and cultural projects.

Nov 16, 2012

Senate Democrats name committee chairs

The Senate DFL has formalized its committee structure and appointed the chairs who will direct the flow of legislation in 2013.

Nov 9, 2012

DFL majorities pick their leaders

Close on the heels of Tuesday’s election, members of the new DFL House and Senate majorities gathered behind closed doors on Thursday to elect their leaders. As expected, the minority leaders who helped steer Democrats back into control — Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, and Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook — were elevated to House speaker and Senate majority leader.