Stateline Headlines

Rochester lawmaker to challenge Walz in Minn. 1st

Dayton admin wants Minn. union law cases tossed

Advocates call MNsure enrollment system unfair

Republican-controlled Assembly to begin budget debate, vote expected Wednesday

State slashes fines in 2010 natural-gas explosions in Edina and St. Paul

Minn. philanthropy leaders hope to tap $48 billion transfer of wealth

DFL lawmakers hint that some sales tax increases may go away

Child sex trafficking is a Minnesota public health issue

Independence Party faces key decisions for gov, Senate races; major-party status at stake

Minnesota Poll -- Minnesotans split on IRS scrutiny

Sequester cuts hit home for Minnesotans

Advocates for poor say MNsure's 2-tier enrollment system is unfair

Officials skeptical of report on administrative efficiency at U of M

Wisconsin and Minnesota -- governments next-door going in opposite directions

Child sex trafficking is a public health issue in Minnesota

How Did States Create Jobs?

States this year awarded tax breaks to businesses, touted worker-training programs and even poached jobs from each other to boost their economies and create work for the nearly 12 million Americans still unemployed.

U.S. EPA tells Minnesota to do a better job of preventing water pollution

Grant aims to improve heart-attack care in rural Minnesota

FAQ -- Minnesota's new solar energy law

Minnesota must address special ed teacher shortage

Minn. officials to discuss sales tax changes

Dayton, trade delegation are bound for Sweden

Minority groups in Minnesota grow faster than the national average

Call center coming to answer questions about MNsure

Minnesota campaign raises alarm on toll of elder abuse

MNsure board to hear from future customers

Minnesota initiative is a model for mental illness dialogue

Minn. farm water quality program launched

Cost of MNsure health plans won't be revealed until October

Minn. tax collections continue to outpace forecast

State Sen. Ortman considering challenge to Franken

Feds belatedly send $67 million in disaster funds to Utah, Colorado, 12 other states

Other states resent Scott’s job poaching

Looming Minn. cigarette tax sparks buying frenzy

Minn.'s Dayton sets out on 10-day European mission

Pedaling while plowed? It's not against the law but has its risks

Vilsack, Dayton to christen state water quality project

Along ND border, Minn. business owners say higher taxes hurt

Gov. Dayton's misguided Legacy funds veto

Same-sex couples step up for Minnesota marriage licenses

Minnesota economy surged in 2012

Minn. moves ahead with some Common Core education standards

Dayton's sons among trade delegation to Europe

Gay-friendly marriage licenses make Minn. debut

New State Economist announced as Tom Stinson retires after 26 years

Secretary of State Ritchie won't run again

Second lawsuit filed to challenge home care union bill

Gov. Dayton won't self-finance like he did in past campaigns

Regents, students like University of Minnesota tuition relief

Minnesota begins all-year efforts to fight flu

Workforce has changed, but unequal pay has not

Why Minnesota teachers union opposes Teach for America

Minn. farmers who delayed planting face decisions

Minn. Secretary of State Ritchie won't run again

Dayton privately re-signing a handful of bills

Minnesota's sex-offender program needs reform

Legislature leaves sex offender program untouched

Tom Stinson retires as Minnesota's state economist

Spring planting in Minnesota is still behind schedule

Minnesota pulls in $300 million tax windfall; schools stand to gain

Minnesota safety experts draw lessons from Oklahoma tornadoes

Skyways by Vikings stadium could cost taxpayers $6.4 million

Grain markets watch spring planting delays

Missouri, Midwest economy show steady growth

Minnesota must repair a tax mistake

State Rankings for Health of Seniors

Rankings of states by the health of their seniors.

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.

States Unleash the Hounds! Sniffing Out Invasive Mussels

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

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Backers See Momentum As 6th State Allows Same-Sex Civil Unions

Colorado becomes the latest state to allow same-sex civil unions, as marriage supporters see victories around U.S.

Colorado Governor to Sign Civil Union Law

Colorado becomes the latest state to allow same-sex civil unions, as marriage supporters see victories around U.S.

The End of ‘No New Taxes’ in Minnesota

After more than decade of budget deficits balanced without tax increases, Democrats have taken power in Minnesota promising a different path.

Illinois State Government Narrowly Averts Labor Strike

After more than 15 months of negotiations, Democratic Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois’ largest state-worker union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

Why Tax Revision Is an Inexact Science

Several governors are talking about major change in their state tax structures this year. How do they know how much money a revised tax system will bring in? Often, they don’t.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2013

ST. PAUL, Minnesota Feb. 6 Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mark Dayton's 2013 State of the State Address

Issue to Watch: Renewable Energy

Here is a look at states considering major action on renewable energy policy.

In Massachusetts, Mobilizing Private Investment for Public Good

Massachusetts to tap private investors who want to help pay for money-saving public programs

Are Voter ID Opponents Winning the Battle but Losing the War?

Voter ID opponents have won high-profile court battles, but may be losing ground on the longer-term legal fight against the laws.

Can Digital Recordings Save Money for Courts?

Faced with crippling budget shortfalls, state courts are replacing in-person stenographers with digital recording systems. But do they really save money?

Best of #StateReads: Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's Political Career Ended with a 'Mighty Fall'

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

State Test Results Questioned

Minnesota education officials this week credited tougher standards and a new online testing system as part of the reason 5 percent more students passed the state’s math test this year than last. Brenda Cassellius, the state’s education commissioner, predicted that those tougher standards, adopted in 2007, will lead to

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.

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

States Loosen Up on Fireworks Laws

In amateur hands, fireworks are as dangerous as ever. But states have a hard time passing up the revenue they bring in.

Courts Struggle to Maintain Safety

No one is sure why, but courthouses are becoming more dangerous every year. Better security is needed, but security isn’t cheap.

Oklahoma Rejects Bonding for Capitol Renovation

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

Mining Boom in Great Lakes States Prompts Environmental Concern

PART ONE OF TWO: Mining is a thriving industry again in the upper Midwest. But there are questions about whether current state regulations can handle the environmental impact.

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.

Minnesota Considers Easing Budget Gimmick

TAX AND BUDGET BEAT: Last year, Minnesota delayed payments to school districts to close its budget gap. This year, with the budget in better shape, it's thinking about reversing course.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2012

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Feb. 15 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mark Dayton's (D) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker and Members of the MN House of Representatives. Madam President and Members of the MN Senate. Madam Chief Justice and Distinguished Members of the MN Supr

Three States to Weigh in on Republican Candidates

TODAY'S TAKE: It's not quite "Super Tuesday," but today (February 7) marks the first day of the 2012 presidential campaign that will see more than one state cast ballots.

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.

Minnesota Vikings Stadium Subsidy Debate Heats Up

TAX & BUDGET BEAT: With a possible special session looming, Minnesota lawmakers will have to decide whether keeping the NFL's Vikings is worth $300 million in state money.

Minnesota Legislators Try to Prevent Future Shutdowns

TODAY'S TAKE: Now that Minnesota politicians have ended the longest state government shutdown in U.S. history, many are wondering how to avoid such a major disruption in the future.

Tobacco Bonds to Rescue Minnesota, for Now

The deal to end Minnesota's government shutdown uses long-term payments from Big Tobacco to fill a short-term budget gap.

Most Minnesota Lawmakers Still Collecting Their Paychecks

TODAY'S TAKE: More than 20,000 Minnesota state workers have stopped receiving paychecks because of a government shutdown that is now in its 12th day. But most state lawmakers have opted to continue getting paid, and Governor Mark Dayton has not furloughed his state-paid housekeeper.

Judges Uphold Cost-of-Living Cuts to Pensions

TODAY'S TAKE: Colorado and Minnesota lawmakers could legally reduce cost-of-living adjustments for currently retired state employees, judges said. The rulings could prompt more states to try the same thing.

Fate of Florida Commuter Rail Line Up to Governor

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Florida's governor weighs the arguments for a commuter rail line ... California regulators deal with the unintended consequences of a clean fuel requirement … Minnesota drivers could be caught in traffic if a budget is not passed on time, and other transportation news.

Shutdowns Loom in Iowa, Minnesota

TODAY'S TAKE: This week could see the first state government shutdown since 2007, when Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell ordered a partial closure that lasted nine days.

Can Nonprofit News Survive?

Online startups such as Minnesota's MinnPost, The Texas Tribune, the Connecticut Mirror and California Watch have established themselves as must-reads among aficionados of statehouse news. The question is whether they can raise enough money to keep going.