The new $700 million deficit projection is larger than legislative leaders had predicted, and could set the stage for another round of contentious budget talks next session. (12/01/2004)

Seeking power in numbers, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration announced Monday that state government would team with business groups, labor interests and others to get a better deal on health care. The new alliance potentially would combine the purchasing power of 3.5 million Minnesota users of health care. (11/29/2004)

Brace yourself. Now that the debate over the Hiawatha light rail line has concluded, there's another big Twin Cities transit brouhaha on the horizon. This one is the Central Corridor project. The question is what form of transit should be built between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul -- bus or rail? The answer may be known by Jan 1, 2005. (11/21/2004)

Supporters of amending the Minnesota Constitution to ban same-sex marriage say they'll renew their push to get the measure on the ballot. They say they're energized by the passage of similar measures in other states on Election Day. (11/15/2004)

Last week's strong DFL gains in the Minnesota House could imperil GOP plans to boost state revenues with gambling dollars. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and top Republican legislators have been pushing for a state share of Native American casino funds -- and they turned the matter into a last-minute campaign issue this year. But the post-election landscape now makes it seem less likely that gambling proposals will advance. (11/11/2004)

A Minnesota Citizens League report on higher education in Minnesota released Tuesday says the state is ill-prepared to handle the changing and expanding demographics of low income, immigrant and minority students. The report urges state leaders to make short and long term reforms to ensure Minnesota maintains its high quality of life by investing in a highly educated workforce. (11/09/2004)

The DFL captured 13 seats in the Minnesota Legislature in Tuesday's election, shrinking the once comfortable Republican majority to a mere two-seat advantage. Will the closer balance of power break the gridlock that marked session 2004 or add to it? ( 11/05/2004)

Senate Minority Leader Dick Day will continue in his leadership post, despite announcing two months ago that he was stepping down. Senate Republicans on Thursday voted to keep Day as minority leader. The Owatonna Republican says he changed his mind after some lobbying from his colleagues. He says his caucus is willing to work with Democrats in the Legislature to avoid a repeat of last session's partisan gridlock. (11/04/2004)

A new Minnesota poll shows a majority of Minnesotans favor a gaming proposal from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor wants Indian tribes to share some of their gambling revenue with the state. The poll, conducted last week for Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, also shows most Minnesotans are opposed to an expansion of gambling in the state. (11/02/2004)

The Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system voted Wednesday to support a $1.3 billion legislative budget request that includes $67 million in new spending. The budget plan assumes a 4 percent tuition increase for each of the next two years. But students say they've had enough of tuition increases, and they asked for a freeze. (10/20/2004)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he wants to increase K-12 education funding next year, as long as the money is linked to several key reforms. The governor plans to push the recommendations of a national panel that wants to overhaul the current systems for training and paying teachers. Pawlenty outlined his priorities for schools Wednesday during a meeting with business, education and government leaders. (10/13/2004)