The Minnesota Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would overhaul the state's child support guidelines for the first time in two decades. The guidelines affect about 300,000 children in the state. The House could pass a similar measure this week. And although it contains some differences from the Senate version, the sponsors of the two bills say they think they can find common ground before the Legislature adjourns next week. (05/17/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's drive to open a state-operated casino appears to have finally run out of steam. After weeks of delayed votes, parliamentary shortcuts, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, casino supporters on Tuesday pulled their bill from committee just hours before a scheduled hearing. (05/17/2005)

Minnesota Twins stadium supporters narrowly turned back an attempt to force a citizen referendum on the sales tax increase that would pay for the downtown Minneapolis ballpark. (05/17/2005)

With one week left to go in the session, there is a dizzying list of legislation still unresolved at the Capitol. Education, taxes, transportation, health care and a number of smaller proposals are still very much up in the air. Will the Senate, the House and the governor be able to reach a mutually agreeable solution before the May 23 deadline? ( 05/16/2005)

- Gun control advocates in the Senate got an opportunity they were denied two years ago, as they tried - but ultimately failed - to set stricter limits on who can carry a handgun in public as their fellow lawmakers voted to revive a court-overturned 2003 gun permit law. (05/14/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty stands poised with his veto pen should a 10-cent gas tax hike passed by the Minnesota House Thursday make it to his desk. The bill goes to the Senate next and could be considered as early as Monday. ( 05/13/2005)

A group of local journalists take a look back at the week in news, from tax proposals at the Capitol to coverage of the mourning of a St. Paul police officer. ( 05/13/2005)

For the first time in more than a decade, the Minnesota House has voted to raise the state's gas tax. Ten Republicans joined with most Democrats on Thursday to pass a $7.7 billion transportation package. It's also the first time the House has passed a tax increase since Gov. Pawlenty was elected, which could put his "no new taxes" stance to the test. (05/13/2005)

The Minnesota House on Thursday approved a gigantic transportation package that includes a 10-cent increase in the gas tax over the next three years. (05/12/2005)

The Republican-controlled House voted Wednesday to give Minnesota communities the option to enact half-cent sales tax increases, to cut back local government aid to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth and to curtail the renters' property tax credit. How will the House tax bill be reconciled with a very different Senate bill based on an income tax increase for the richest 44,000 Minnesotans? ( 05/12/2005)

With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, Gov. Pawlenty is urging legislative leaders to reach a budget deal. The call came as the House was passing a vastly different tax bill than the one that passed the Senate last week. And taxes aren't the only issue on which the House and Senate are far apart. (05/11/2005)

The 2005 legislative session is winding down, and a lot of work remains. Is there enough time left for Republicans and DFLers to find common ground on the state budget, a gay marriage amendment, and a new ballpark for the Twins? ( 05/11/2005)

A plan to increase the Hennepin County sales tax to pay for the bulk of a new downtown Minneapolis ballpark cleared its first legislative hurdle on a lopsided 17-to-5 bipartisan vote. (05/11/2005)

A new study by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota says smoking was responsible for almost $2 billion in medical costs in 2002. The insurer's Center for Tobacco Reduction and Health Improvement also blames smoking for 5,689 deaths that year. (05/11/2005)

The NFL is expected to announce this week that Reggie Fowler is no longer the lead partner in a group that wants to buy the Minnesota Vikings, and real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf has taken his place. Star Tribune sportswriter Jay Weiner talks with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about the change. (05/10/2005)