Preparations are already underway for a partial state government shutdown. Unless Minnesota's House, Senate and governor can come to a mutually agreeable budget by June 30, unfunded parts of state government deemed non-essential would have to close. Should state workers start planning their vacations, or is there a compromise waiting in the wings? ( 06/13/2005)

Work begins this summer on the last link of one of Minnesota's longest-running and most controversial road building sagas. (06/12/2005)

Sen. Linda Berglin's refusal to get out of the way of Republicans' plan to eliminate state health coverage for some 30,000 adults is a key to the Legislature's special session, one that could ultimately lead to a partial shutdown of state government. (06/12/2005)

Democrats said Thursday they would accept a portion of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed cigarette charge as long as the proceeds go to subsidized health care programs. (06/09/2005)

The failure to pass a budget so close to the end of the fiscal year is causing concern for many people, including those who rely on state-subsidized health care. People who rely on the state's MinnesotaCare insurance and those who treat them say they don't know how to plan for their care beyond July 1. (06/08/2005)

The latest plan for a new Twins stadium is stalled at the Capitol, and it's unclear whether it will be revived. Lawmakers are in special session but have put aside legislation that doesn't have to do with the state's budget. Hennepin County commissioner Mike Opat sheparded the plan through the county board and spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about the likelihood of a new Twins stadium being built. (06/08/2005)

We've heard a lot this session from the leaders of the Minnesota Legislature: Rep. Steve Sviggum, Sen. Dean Johnson, etc. But what does the legislative process look like to a relative newcomer? ( 06/08/2005)

State officials are preparing to mothball entire sections of state government if a new budget isn't approved by the end of the month. (06/06/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking Attorney General Mike Hatch to consider stepping aside in the event a budget impasse requires a court order to keep critical state services running. (06/03/2005)

School district leaders are relying a lot on guesswork this year as they prepare their annual operating budgets. They still don't know how much state funding is headed their way, because state lawmakers have yet to pass an education finance bill. (06/02/2005)

Senate Democrats say they won't discuss Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal for a 75-cents per pack cigarette tax until Republicans show they can pass the measure in the GOP-controlled House. The back-and-forth charges continue, as Pawlenty and lawmakers struggle to craft a new state budget. (06/01/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's "health impact fee" appears to have landed with a dull thud at the Capitol. It isn't just his political foes who have criticized it, but some usual allies as well.And it's apparently done little to break the budget stalemate; negotiators appear no closer to reaching a deal. (05/26/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the $2.8 billion higher education funding bill in Rochester Thursday. The state's college and university leaders say the recent session was much better for higher ed than past efforts. But students and others say the progress isn't enough. (05/26/2005)

As the Legislature's regular session swung to a close Monday night, Minnesota's smaller political parties got a surprise boon. Lawmakers passed a bill that confers major party status on any party that runs a sufficient number of candidates for the Legislature, Congress and state constitutional offices. What politics are at play in that bill and in the three-day old special legislative session? ( 05/26/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's is expected to sign increased sex offender penalties into law next week. The bill calls for sending the most violent sex offenders to prison for life with no chance for parole. Some in the legal system are trying to figure out what kind of impact the law will have on the courts, prisons and streets of Minnesota. (05/25/2005)