The fastest growing part of the state's budget is health care. As more people lose private insurance and as health care costs rise, the state is considering ways to prevent even more Minnesotans from losing access to health care. ( 01/04/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty put forward a beefed-up, $816 million proposal for state-backed construction projects Monday along with an invitation to hear out legislators who want to borrow even more. (01/03/2005)

The Minnesota Legislature convenes Tuesday for its 2005 session with plenty on its plate: a projected $700 million budget shortfall, mounting transportation and education needs as well as contentious social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. How do the challenges facing this legislature compare with those of years past? ( 01/03/2005)

Lawmakers are returning to St. Paul to convene the 84th Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday. The principal order of business will be crafting a two-year state budget that's currently projected to run at least $700 million short. (01/03/2005)

Midday examines the key issues in education and the challenges facing the 2005 legislature when it convenes next week. ( 12/29/2004)

Midmorning gets an end-of-the-year update from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor discusses the budget, education, gambling and the state of the state. ( 12/23/2004)

Gov. Pawlenty on Wednesday proposed a 10-year, $7 billion transportation package. He says it will accelerate dozens of road and transit projects across the state. DFL leaders called it a credit-card financing scheme. (12/22/2004)

The union representing Minnesota teachers has joined the call for increased state spending on schools. (12/17/2004)

The debate over sports stadiums is alive again at the Minnesota Capitol. Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum predicted Tuesday that the 2005 Legislature will approve funding for new stadiums for the University of Minnesota football team and the Minnesota Twins. (12/15/2004)

A new proposal by the Association of Minnesota Counties outlines includes a 10-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase, a move Gov. Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly ruled out. (12/14/2004)

A looming $700 million deficit anticipated in Minnesota's next budget cycle has reframed the debate on how much government the state can afford. (12/13/2004)

School leaders throughout Minnesota say it's time for state lawmakers to end their financial pain. They're pushing for an increase in state support over the next two years. (12/07/2004)

Some Republican Party activists say GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's call to use casino profits to help solve the budget shortfall threatens to divide Republicans, because it conflicts with the party platform. (12/06/2004)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty outlined a package of initiatives Friday that he said would help Minnesota military members and veterans. (12/03/2004)

Minnesota is headed into a fourth straight year of budget deficits. State officials Wednesday projected a $700 million shortfall during the upcoming two-year budget cycle. The budget news has led to a chorus of interest groups calling for tax increases of some sort to plug the leak. (12/02/2004)