Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he accomplished nearly everything he set out to do. The governor kept his campaign pledge to balance the budget without raising state taxes, and pushed through the bulk of his legislative agenda. But during the last half of the year, he took some heat for the effects of his budget, for income he earned from a political ally when he was a candidate and for the release of a level three sex offender since he took office. Pawlenty says he doesn't think the public is paying attention to the criticism. (12/30/2003)

A year-end analysis of the work the Minnesota legislature has done during 2003, and a look ahead to the issues that might come up in 2004. ( 12/26/2003)

The Minnesota Legislature may hear a bill that would allow the public to put proposed laws on statewide ballots. Critics worry ballot initiatives would give too much power to special interest groups. ( 12/23/2003)

Minnesota's Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke distributed Friday what she describes as a slimmed-down set of social studies standards that includes many changes. She says the new draft puts more emphasis on analysis, explanation, evaluation and comparison. ( 12/22/2003)

Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke on Friday released a new draft of social studies and science standards that she said were extensively changed from a widely criticized first effort. (12/19/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that he is exploring ways to discipline a state doctor and others who declined to seek civil confinement of a convicted sex offender now suspected of abducting North Dakota student Dru Sjodin. (12/18/2003)

Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove says more sex offenders should be sent to prison for life without parole. Life without parole is currently reserved for a handful of the worst murder cases. Zeller's plan calls for certain offenders who use weapons in sex crimes, or those who target children and vulnerable adults, to spend the rest of their lives in prison. ( 12/18/2003)

Gov. Pawlenty travels around the state Thursday to announce the locations of new tax-free enterprise zones. Starting next month, new development on thousands of parcels of land outside the metro area will be free from property, income, and sales taxes. Economically-stressed rural communities are waiting to see if this will spark the turnaround they need. Critics say Minnesota is about to land the latest blow in a battle nobody wins. (12/18/2003)

Next month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is to decide whether to support the State Corrections Department in its call for new funds to expand Minnesota's prisons. Corrections officials say the state's prisons are at 99 percent capacity, and won't be able to handle a rising inmate population. Deputy Corrections Commissioner Dennis Benson told <i>All Things Considered</i> host David Molpus, &quot;our backs are against the wall, with only 85 vacant beds in the entire statewide system.&quot; Molpus recently visited the Stillwater state prison with Benson to see how officials are dealing with the crowded conditions. (12/17/2003)

Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, says he plans to ask his colleagues to form a commission that could recommend closing some college campuses in Minnesota. Michel's proposed commission would be modeled on a federal commission that closed military bases in the 1990s. It would have 13 members appointed by House and Senate leaders and the governor and would recommend campus closings based on criteria that include operating costs, instructional costs as related to enrollment, geographic access and demographic projections. ( 12/17/2003)

Minnesota House Republicans say they will propose a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would create lifetime prison sentences for violent and dangerous sex offenders. They don't have the necessary votes to move forward with Gov. Pawlenty's proposal to implement the death penalty for violent sex offenders, but they are proposing to lock up those criminals for life without parole. (12/16/2003)

Senate DFLers are the latest group at the state Capitol to propose a plan to reduce health care costs. The issue is likely to be a hot issue in the upcoming legislative session. House Republicans have proposed a dramatically different plan and a task force appointed by the governor is also working on the issue. (12/16/2003)

House Democrats say an analysis of local property tax increases across the state shows a pattern of winners and losers. (12/11/2003)

Several advocates for the poor say some Minnesota pharmacies are violating federal law. They say the pharmacists are refusing to provide drugs to low-income people who can't afford a new drug co-pay required by the state. Federal law says pharmacies are required to give medicine to people who say they can't afford it. (12/09/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty set up a stadium screening committee to assist him in making a professional stadium proposal for the 2004 legislative session. The committee's first meeting is Tuesday. ( 12/08/2003)