Stateline Headlines

States Use Driver's Education to Boost Organ Donation

Virginia is one of a handful of states that use drivers education as a vehicle to boost organ donation. At least eight others -- Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin have adopted similar policies in the past few years.

States Embracing Use of 'Green Power'

Demand for "green power" -- electricity generated by renewable energy sources such as wind and water -- is slowly rising. The movement owes its momentum to state policies. Texas, for example, recently passed an electric utility deregulation law stipulating that a certain percentage of Lone Star electricity must be made with green power. For more information, click on

Democrats Have Edge in Statehouse Races

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Democrats are likely to make gains in state legislative races this year, but it's a toss-up whether the seats they win will be enough to overtake control of a handful of narrowly divided statehouses, a panel of election experts said at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual conference here.

A Few Candidates Buck Conventional Wisdom on Taxes

Taxes are a hot subject in this year's gubernatorial campaigns, with many calling for tax cuts. But candidates willing to talk about higher taxes are a rare breed. Still, there are a few of them.

Oklahoma Rejects Bonding for Capitol Renovation

As the legislature adjourns, repairs for the Capitol and state office buildings are put off another year.

States Find Laws Against Sports Head Injuries Tricky to Enact

Everyone wants to reduce the number of head injuries suffered by young athletes. But deciding just how to do that is more complicated than it might seem.

Despite same-sex marriages in Minnesota, change likely slow in North Dakota

Cities, Counties Hurt By Budget Cuts

Starved for cash due to slumping sales tax revenues and rising Medicaid costs, North Carolinas Mecklenburg County needs another revenue hit like a fish needs a bicycle. But thats exactly what it got in February. Through April of this year, 10 states Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington have cut local revenue sharing dollars to balance fiscal year 2002 budgets.

Infographic: A Turning Point for Gay Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have won big victories in state courts and state capitals in recent years. Now, they’re hoping to extend that success to the ballot box.

Tea Party Could Sway Key Governors' Races

In the Republican gubernatorial primaries, Tea Party supporters played an outsized role in defeating establishment candidates. Can they pull off an upset twice?

Equality to the south

All Public Sector Employees in New Jersey Will Have to Live In-State

MANAGEMENT BEAT: No more commuting from New York and Philadelphia for New Jersey workers … Governments are spending more time collecting and organizing data than using it … A collective bargaining showdown in Nevada, and other management news.

Govs, Media - A Love, Hate Relationship

Some governors love talking policy with reporters, and others thirst for the spotlight. But mostly governors want to control what voters read and hear about them.

States Try to Help Veterans Find Jobs

With U.S forces out of Iraq and combat troops slated to leave Afghanistan in 2013, states are readying for an influx of returning troops who will be looking for work.

Minn. taxes on way up, but which and on whom?

Minn. lawmakers end push to open voting early

Minn. Senate passes stripped-down gun bill

Minn. House OKs unemployment insurance rate cut

Quirk in health law may affect some in Minnesota

With days left for a deal, tax committee bargaining comes into view

Same-sex marriage group creates political-action organization

Legislature moves to raise campaign limits

Backup Vikings stadium funding source to surface

Minnesota pensions -- Why do they get bailed out and not you?

In the Minnesota House, who pushed that voting button?

DNR collaring moose calves to study, protect species

Officials should investigate costs, benefits of frac mining, report says

Legislature -- Subsidies targeted at specific companies to encourage job creation

Minn. solar energy mandate closer to becoming law

Minn. gov. signs emergency fire assistance order

DFL lawmaker -- Deal reached on frack sand mining

For Minnesota gay marriage sponsors, it's personal

Minn. taxes on way up, but which and on whom?

Budget battle 'check in'

Minnesota Senate resurrects noncontroversial gun-data bill

'Ban the Box' signed into law

Dayton signs same-sex marriage law, which takes effect Aug. 1

Another hole opens in Vikings stadium funding plan

Minnesota's Capitol case for a bonding bill

Debate on child-care unions moves to Minnesota Senate

Minnesota ushers in gay marriage

Report card -- Great Lakes still have big problems

Food stamps, crop insurance big issues in new farm bill

Study finds chemicals, drugs common in Minn. lakes

Minn. solar energy mandate closer to becoming law

New Minn. cigarette tax unlikely to exceed Wis.

Minnesota Senate clears way for same-sex marriage

U.S. Rep. Paulsen rules out run for Minnesota governor or U.S. Senate

Minnesota affirms marriage equality

Minnesota becomes 12th state to legalize gay marriage

Small businesses wonder what health overhaul has in store for them

Polymet releases new environmental study to DNR, EPA and tribes

Same-sex marriage supporters jubilant; opponents say issue not settled

With Vote, Minnesota Is 12th State to Allow Gay Marriage

Minnesota becomes the 12th state to allow gay marriage and the third state to do so this month.

Bill would regulate 'biosimilar' drugs

Dayton, Minn. DFL leaders reach budget deal

Minn. gay marriage bill has last legislative step

Minn. lawmakers enter homestretch of 2013 session

Minnesota Senate passes 1 percent solar mandate

Minn. finance chief -- April tax haul up by $153M

Minnesota tax proposal could cut charitable giving

Minnesota gay marriage deal has roots in gun debate

Vikings stadium funding plan relies on bars' culture, marketing and 'whales'

Minnesota budget deal -- Higher taxes on high earners, tobacco

Clean Water Accountability Act expected to pass Legislature this week

New drinking laws prompt civic action by college students

'Proud' Minn. gays and lesbians wonder -- What's after marriage vote?

Minn. Senate to take up transportation plan

Minn. makes insurance exchange contracts public

Panel calls for tuition change for Minn. students

4 in Minn. House GOP break ranks on gay marriage

Minnesota Legislature must protect trout streams

Flu-season death toll nears 200 in Minnesota

In historic vote, Minnesota House approves gay marriage bill 75-59

Minn. House backs small move toward earlier voting

Hundreds rally for Minn. gay marriage bill

Minnesota House set to vote on gay marriage bill

Minn. gay marriage supporters back change to bill

Minnesota must protect groundwater supply

Minnesota gas tax hike rejected

Senate votes 39-28 to increase Minnesota's minimum wage

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton working on new Vikings stadium funding plan

Housing recovery in Minnesota leaves minorities behind

Dwindling frac sand legislation rests on trout stream setbacks

Minnesota House to vote on same-sex marriage Thursday

Radinovich's stand on marriage could cost him job, voters say

Minnesota's exports growth slowed in 2012

Bill on unionizing in-home care workers to be in committee Wednesday

DFL legislators, Dayton continue budget talks

Minnesota House to vote on same-sex marriage Thursday

Minnesota should delay ban on prone restraints

Minnesota House passes bill that would require 4% solar power

Rural Minnesotans less optimistic about economy

States Unleash the Hounds! Sniffing Out Invasive Mussels

Minnesota officials hope man’s best friend will help the state quash its zebra mussel invasion.