Ethanol is known to many as the fuel which takes more energy to make than it yields. The Cornell scientist most known for promoting the claim says that equation also applies to other fuels. (03/21/2005)

Two proposals for new gambling venues have passed their first legislative hurdle. On Friday night, the House Gaming Division gave the nod to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a state-tribal partnership that would operate a Twin Cities casino. It also advanced a plan to open put slot machines at the Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee. Opponents say either proposal could lead to an unchecked explosion of gambling in the state. (03/19/2005)

A Minnesota House committee has approved a measure that would allow Minnesotans to vote on amending the state Constitution to ban gay marriage. (03/18/2005)

Warning signs surfaced Friday that a construction projects bill all sides hoped to finish by Easter is stuck in its tracks and a Republican resolution to hold the line on state spending is in trouble. (03/18/2005)

Opponents of a constitutional amendment on marriage say the location and the timing of a hearing smack more of politics than public policy. They say the hearing appears to be targeting two DFL opponents of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. (03/17/2005)

Should Minnesota marriages be permanently defined as between one man and one woman? The House Civil Law Committee heads to Grand Rapids Friday to hold a hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. ( 03/17/2005)

A House Agriculture committee has rejected three bills that would have banned or restricted use of the farm herbicide atrazine. Similar bills have been proposed in the Senate, but are unlikely to see any action. (03/17/2005)

After weeks of news conferences, speculation and chatter, the House Gaming Division held the first legislative hearing Wednesday on what could turn out to be the three most substantive proposals this session to expand gambling as a source of state revenue. (03/16/2005)

About 200 ethanol supporters rallied at the state Capitol in support of doubling the state's ethanol mandate on Wednesday. Gov. Pawlenty urged the crowd to persuade wavering lawmakers to vote for the plan. The bill has bipartisan support in the Legislature, but it's about to face its toughest test in a key House committee, which holds a hearing on the bill on Thursday. (03/16/2005)

Legislators who represent Minneapolis are calling for the restoration of state aid to cities, saying the funding cuts are one reason violent crime is on the rise in Minneapolis. (03/16/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a new casino gets a hearing in a House committee on Wednesday. The committee will also consider a bill that would allow up to five video lottery machines similar to slot machines in every bar. DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina is the author of that bill. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer. (03/16/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing the state hire a coordinator to work with faith-based groups seeking state grants to provide social services. Twenty governors have established similar offices, but the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation says the initiatives violate the constitutional separation of church and state. (03/15/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a state-tribal casino has launched a high-profile debate in the Legislature. But members of the three northern tribes involved in the deal are also raising questions about whether they can trust the state, and whether they'll give up more than they'll gain. (03/15/2005)

An education committee passed a bill Tuesday to allow the state's schools to ignore the No Child Left Behind law beginning in 2006 unless a series of changes are made to it. (03/15/2005)

A report in Sunday's Star Tribune found that fully 83 percent of students who score poorly on state tests get no extra help under the sweeping 2002 federal education reform law No Child Left Behind. Can No Child Left Behind live up to its name? ( 03/15/2005)