Tony Lourey

Oct 4, 2017

Is the individual insurance market worth preserving?

2 key leaders say yes but differ over path

May 14, 2014

Marijuana conferees get started

Aside from their sudden velocity and a good amount of attention from leadership, advocates and the press, the two proposals shared little in common at the start of the session’s last week.

May 14, 2014

Budget conferees head toward finish line

Rep. Lyndon Carlson, who chairs the House Ways & Means Committee, said a few provisions in the agriculture and jobs portions of the budget were the most significant hang-ups left.

Apr 28, 2014

The Capitol Note: Medical marijuana proposal advances in Senate, future uncertain

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-3, across party lines, to move the languishing proposal forward. It has so far passed one committee in the House. Sen. Scott Dibble, the measure's chief Senate sponsor, called the proposal a "responsible bill."

Apr 23, 2014

Senate panel to examine minority pay gap

The Select Committee on Disparities and Opportunities will be co-chaired by Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis.

Feb 21, 2014

Session ’14 agenda: The fine print

Discussions about the repeal of new taxes, a bonding bill and a proposed increase to the state minimum wage seem destined to take center stage this spring.

Feb 13, 2014

The Capitol Note: MNsure budget questioned as enrollment lags

After a long delay, the federal government approved the “innovation waiver” needed to implement the state’s $542 million reinsurance plan. Passed in 2017, the bill was meant to defray insurers’ ...

Jan 10, 2014

‘The year of MNsure’ for legislative auditor

All eyes in the political scene have turned to the state health insurance exchange, it seems, and most are casting either a skeptical glance or a withering glare in the direction of MNsure. Earlier this week, the exchange began its own “end-to-end” review of its work process, while simultaneously holding a first meeting with Office of theLegislative Auditor (OLA) head Jim Nobles.

Dec 20, 2013

The Capitol Note: Dayton addresses MNsure leadership change

Dayton said he had been speaking with the MNsure board on an increasingly frequent basis in recent months.

Nov 14, 2013

DHS rescinds exemption offered to Amplatz hospital

In a statement issued to Politics in Minnesota on Thursday afternoon, Fairview argued that it still felt that it qualified for the exemption.

Nov 13, 2013

Supporters look to build on Olmstead Plan

The release of Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan on Nov. 1 was met with guarded enthusiasm by many of the state’s advocates for improved services for the disabled. The plan, a court-mandated strategy to improve long-term services for people with disabilities, is a broad, ambitious outline, and was arrived at after nearly a full year of cooperation among eight state agencies.

Nov 13, 2013