Officials and students with the state's public colleges and universities are criticizing Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to change the way Minnesota funds higher education. (01/19/2005)

If Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his way, the city of Rochester could be in for a building boom. In Pawlenty's State of the State address from Rochester Tuesday, he outlined a list of projects for the city and the region. Political observers say the attention on Rochester could be an attempt to shore up Republican support in what's long been considered GOP territory. (01/19/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave some juice to a decades-old wish to create an undergraduate university in Rochester during his State of the State speech Tuesday. University of Minnesota officials say they don't have the money to embark on such a project. (01/18/2005)

A report from the Minnesota Legislative Auditor says state gambling officials could be doing a much better job regulating Native American casinos, Canterbury Park's poker card room, and pull-tab operations. (01/18/2005)

What course will the Governor set for the state of Minnesota is 2005? What will his choices mean for the people of Minnesota? What effect will the more Democratic Minnesota Legislature have on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's agenda? ( 01/18/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday used his State of the State address to call for establishing a university in Rochester, saying it's important to beef up the higher education offerings in what amounts to a boom town. (01/18/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty gives his annual "State of the State" address in Rochester Tuesday morning. Minnesota Public Radio has live coverage. ( 01/18/2005)

In anticipation of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's annual "State of the State" address in Rochester on Tuesday, three former Minnesota governors talk about what they would say if they were in the Pawlenty's shoes today. They also look back on their days as the state's chief executive. ( 01/17/2005)

Gov. Pawlenty says borrowing to pay for highway projects is a common-sense, fiscally responsible idea. Is it? (01/17/2005)

Lawmakers of both major parties joined bartenders and restaurant patrons at a German eatery Friday to back a statewide smoking ban that would snuff out cigarettes in restaurants, bars and private clubs. (01/14/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his plan for increasing K-12 education funding two percent a year over the next two years on Thursday. Pawlenty's proposal also included incentives for schools to scrap their seniority-based teacher compensation plans in favor of performance pay. Democrats and school officials called the proposed funding increase a good start, but insufficient. ( 01/14/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is making changes in teacher pay the cornerstone of his upcoming education budget. His plan includes incentives for teachers to be paid based on their performance in the classroom. He is also proposing 2 percent increases in basic school funding in each of the next two years. (01/13/2005)

A Minnesota Senate committee considers a bill Thursday that would restore some health care benefits for MinnesotaCare, the state's subsidized health insurance program. Two years ago, lawmakers put a $5,000 cap on outpatient services for some adults without children. Some DFL lawmakers say the cap is forcing some low-income Minnesotans to forego needed health care. (01/12/2005)

State lawmakers turned a critical eye Tuesday on a major plan to expand Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Members of the Senate Transportation Committee heard from some who say the plan has moved too fast and too quietly. (01/12/2005)

Hearing only praise, Alice Seagren received unanimous support from the Senate Education Committee in her quest for confirmation as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's education commissioner. (01/11/2005)