Minnesota Legislature: Social Issues



The push to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota got underway Wednesday when two DFL legislators unveiled a bill that would strike down the prohibition currently in state law. (02/27/2013)
Government-subsidized child care providers have renewed their effort to form a union, and this time they're asking labor-friendly Democrats to write it in state law. (02/25/2013)
A national group opposed to same-sex marriage says it will spend $500,000 to defeat Republican lawmakers in Minnesota who vote to legalize same-sex marriage. (02/25/2013)
The hard-fought battle over same-sex marriage that dominated Minnesota politics last year is likely to continue during the legislative session that begins today. With the defeat of the marriage amendment and the Republican majorities that sponsored it, DFLers who favor marriage rights for same-sex couples see their opening. But opponents say the amendment's does not necessarily mean support for same-sex marriage. (01/08/2013)
The group, Minnesotans United for All Families, is shifting roles from a group that worked to defeat a constitutional amendment to a group that will lobby for the legalization of same-sex marriage. (12/20/2012)
The plan to pay for the state share of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium using proceeds from electronic pull-tabs is inching forward. However, plans to legalize sports-themed tipboards have officially been shelved, as a nationwide legal battle over sports gambling plays out. (07/03/2012)
Officials with the Canterbury Park horse track and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community have agreed for the track to drop its long pursuit of slot machines. In return, the tribe will pay Canterbury $75 million over 10 years. (06/04/2012)
Thousands of Minnesota bars and restaurants will soon be eligible to offer electronic pull tabs and bingo to their patrons. (05/21/2012)
Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a bill that would require a doctor to be in the room when a woman takes a pill to induce abortion. (04/30/2012)
The Minnesota House is expected to vote Monday on a bill that would expand gambling in Minnesota. The bill, which passed the Minnesota Senate on Saturday, would add more tables and higher stakes to the poker room at Canterbury Park and allow betting on simulcast horse races at Native American casinos. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. (04/30/2012)
The House and Senate both held floor votes this week on two separate abortion-related bills. The votes came as other work -- such as a health care spending bill and a tax bill -- remain unfinished, prompting criticism from opponents of the abortion measures. (04/19/2012)
The White Earth Indian Nation says it's prepared to pay $400 million toward the cost of building a new Minnesota Vikings football stadium, in return for an agreement allowing the tribe to build a casino in the Twin Cities metro area. (04/05/2012)
A Senate committee Monday will debate two bills placing restrictions on abortions and clinics that provide abortions in Minnesota through licensure and requirements for use of medication designed to end pregnancy. (02/27/2012)
Republican legislative leaders are in hot water with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life after agreeing to drop several abortion and human cloning bans. (07/15/2011)
Kansas still has one abortion provider, but two others that don't have state licenses were hoping to persuade a federal judge to block a new licensing law and health department regulations they consider burdensome. (07/01/2011)

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