A new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation estimates that one in five Minnesotans had no health insurance for at least a portion of 2001 and 2002. The organization released the figures as part of Cover the Uninsured Week. The foundation, along with business, labor and political leaders are joining together in hopes of finding a way to lower health care costs. (03/10/2003)

A citizens committee will present its recommendations next week for new state academic standards in reading and math. State education commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke and two key legislative leaders updated a metro area business group on efforts to replace the Profile of Learning with a simpler approach to what students must learn. (03/07/2003)

A proposal to freeze all public employee salaries for two years got its first legislative hearing on Friday. Sen. Tom Neuville says his bill won't reduce the state's projected $4.2 billion. But he says it will help control costs for the state, cities, counties and school districts. The idea has sparked a wave of opposition from unions, teachers, mayors and other groups. (03/07/2003)

A crowd of University of Minnesota students gathered at the state Capitol Thursday to voice their concerns about likely state budget cuts and increased tuition. The students arrived one day after university president Robert Bruininks delivered a similar message to lawmakers. But despite the warning of reduced programs and services, legislators say the current budget deficit means higher education should brace for cutbacks. (03/06/2003)

More than 1,000 gay and lesbian Minnesotans came to the Capitol on Thursday to protest a proposal to remove sexual orientation from the state's human rights law. They called the bill "mean-spirited." The bill's author says he wants to prevent homosexuality from being taught in the schools. (03/06/2003)

As lawmakers debate Gov. Pawlenty's budget proposal, the issue of property taxes is becoming a major focus. DFL lawmakers say the governor's budget would result in significant local property tax increases. They say that violates the spirit of the no-tax-increase pledge on which Gov. Pawlenty campaigned. Pawlenty says his pledge didn't apply to property taxes. He says property taxes are going up with or without his budget. (03/05/2003)

Officials in Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration say there's no substance to reports that a Florida insurance company received favorable treatment in return for campaign contributions. The company -- American Bankers Insurance -- also denies any wrongdoing connected to its political donations. But Democratic leaders in the Senate say they'll press for an investigation into the matter. (03/05/2003)

A bill that would would create up to 10 tax-free zones outside the Twin Cities was approved Wednesday by a Minnesota House committee. Supporters say the bill would attract businesses and boost job growth, and Gov. Pawlenty considers the proposal one of his top priorities. Critics say the bill is a form of corporate welfare. (03/05/2003)

In 1994, Minnesota's largest utility, then known as Northern States Power, went to the state Legislature with a controversial request. The cooling pool where NSP stored spent nuclear fuel inside its Prairie Island plant was nearly full. The company wanted to store additional waste outside, in steel casks. After months of bitter debate, lawmakers granted permission for 17 casks. Nine years later, the casks are full and the company, now Xcel Energy, is back at the Capitol asking for more. (03/04/2003)

A bill that would require women to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion has cleared its first hurdle in the Minnesota House. The House Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved the bill on a 12-4 vote. (03/04/2003)

A joint session of the Legislature selected nine new members to the University of Minnesota's 12-member Board of Regents on Monday, putting an end to a partisan process that denied a seat to former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. (03/03/2003)

The Senate Education Committee chair is proposing a bill that would repeal the Profile of Learning graduation standards and replace it with standards created by several national teacher organizations. It's the first time Senate DFLers have proposed legislation that would repeal the controversial show-what-you-know graduation standards. The House has passed a bill that would repeal the Profile and replace it with an undefined set of standards. (03/03/2003)

Gov. Pawlenty on Friday asked for and accepted the resignation of Labor and Industry Commissioner Jane Volz. Volz revealed that she failed to pay for workers' compensation insurance for her employees at the law firm she founded in 1997. State law requires employers have the coverage. The labor and industry commissioner oversees worker health and safety laws. Pawlenty says he made the decision after it became clear to him that the Senate would not confirm her. (02/28/2003)

A new Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press poll finds strong support for a law that would require a woman to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion. The Minnesota Legislature has debated the waiting period for several years. Supporters say the bill would give women time to fully understand the procedure. Opponents say the bill does little except create restrictions for women who seek out the procedure. (02/28/2003)

Saying the state must act boldly or miss out on the next technological revolution, Gov. Tim Pawlenty promised an aggressive push Thursday to spur new research and business development in biotechnology. (02/27/2003)