Jesson tasked with implementing uncertain health care law It's not like Lucinda Jesson needs more to do. She's running Minnesota's largest agency, the Department of Human Services -- a department that comprises nearly 30 percent of the state's budget.February 18, 2011
Comparing Wis., Minn. public employment benefits If you're wondering what sparked the controversy in Wisconsin about proposed changes to the state's labor law and public employee compensation, it helps to look at the numbers as they are now.February 18, 2011
Wealthy Minnesotans on Dayton's tax hike proposal Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a state budget that relies heavily on tax increases on the wealthy to close a projected $6.2 billion budget deficit.
We asked sources in our Public Insight Network who would be affected by Dayton's proposed tax increases for their reaction.February 16, 2011
U of M economist on how state tax rates affect jobs Some of the opponents of Gov. Dayton's tax plan argue that raising taxes on the rich will drive jobs out of Minnesota.
Economist Laura Kalambokidis discussed the issue with All Things Considered's Tom Crann on Wednesday.February 16, 2011
Tax accountant talks Dayton's proposed tax increases Michael Schaffer, a certified public accountant, discussed how the proposed tax increases would impact Minnesotans during an interview with All Things Considered on Wednesday.February 16, 2011
With budget out, Dayton and GOP can start dealing Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a budget plan yesterday that is dramatically different from the ideas put forward by Republican lawmakers. They'll try to reach a deal by the end of session in May.February 16, 2011
Cities cheered by budget proposal, but brace for cuts Minnesota cities and counties encouraged by Gov. Mark Dayton's budget plan to restore funding for local-government aid might want to hold off on the celebrations.February 15, 2011
Wis. GOP poised to cut worker rights in budget fix Wisconsin is poised to strip collective
bargaining rights from most of the state's 175,000 public employees
in the boldest step by a new Republican governor and Legislature to
solve budget problems by confronting organized labor.February 15, 2011
MPCA head: Agency will make progress despite 11 pct. cut The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says even with an 11 percent reduction in funding, it will be able to make progress on key issues under Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal.February 15, 2011
GOP pushes for cross-border health insurance purchases The idea is a core response to the Democrats' federal health care overhaul. States have had the power to regulate insurance within their borders for at least 140 years, but the GOP has introduced a bill that would allow residents to buy health insurance outside of their states.February 15, 2011
Grand Rapids' mandate: less money, more innovation With the goal of forever eliminating state local government aid money from the operating budget -- city officials came up with a plan that involved Grand Rapids borrowing money from itself to invest and prepare for the future.February 14, 2011
Strapped cities enlist volunteers to pick up slack (and weeds, garbage) Among the leaders in using volunteers to provide government services, Red Wing gets about $100,000 a year worth of volunteer labor to weed and plant parks, water flowers, repair picnic tables, gather trash, maintain signs and more.February 14, 2011
When one head is better than two: cities find savings in cooperation Cities have shared costs for years, but now they're under pressure to save even more money that way, and some are combining efforts on everything from sewage treatment to food inspection.February 14, 2011