The debate over gay marriage is getting personal at the Capitol as supporters of a ban push for a vote this year and opponents play defense. (04/13/2005)

The Minnesota Senate has beaten back an attempt to force a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. The failed tactic came as thousands of gays, lesbians, and their supporters rallied on the Capitol grounds in opposition to the gay marriage ban. (04/07/2005)

Plans to expand gambling options in Minnesota have hit a snag in the Senate. Last night, a Senate committee voted down a proposal to open a state-run casino in partnership with three northern Ojibwe tribes. The same committee also rejected a separate plan to authorize slot machines at the Canterbury Park Racetrack in Shakopee. (04/05/2005)

The Minnesota House has agreed to put a ban on same-sex marriages to voters next year. If the Senate concurs, Minnesotans would face a ballot question to restrict marriage to relationships between one man and one woman. Supporters of the measure argue such a constitutional change would preserve the traditional notion of marriage. Opponents say it's discriminatory and unnecessary. (04/01/2005)

Attorney General Mike Hatch says that Gov. Pawlenty's plan to open a new Twin Cities casino with three northern Minnesota Indian tribes is probably unconstitutional the way it's written, because it calls for the state lottery to run the casino. (03/30/2005)

Two proposals for new gambling venues have passed their first legislative hurdle. On Friday night, the House Gaming Division gave the nod to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a state-tribal partnership that would operate a Twin Cities casino. It also advanced a plan to open put slot machines at the Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee. Opponents say either proposal could lead to an unchecked explosion of gambling in the state. (03/19/2005)

A Minnesota House committee has approved a measure that would allow Minnesotans to vote on amending the state Constitution to ban gay marriage. (03/18/2005)

Opponents of a constitutional amendment on marriage say the location and the timing of a hearing smack more of politics than public policy. They say the hearing appears to be targeting two DFL opponents of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. (03/17/2005)

Should Minnesota marriages be permanently defined as between one man and one woman? The House Civil Law Committee heads to Grand Rapids Friday to hold a hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. ( 03/17/2005)

After weeks of news conferences, speculation and chatter, the House Gaming Division held the first legislative hearing Wednesday on what could turn out to be the three most substantive proposals this session to expand gambling as a source of state revenue. (03/16/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a new casino gets a hearing in a House committee on Wednesday. The committee will also consider a bill that would allow up to five video lottery machines similar to slot machines in every bar. DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina is the author of that bill. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer. (03/16/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing the state hire a coordinator to work with faith-based groups seeking state grants to provide social services. Twenty governors have established similar offices, but the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation says the initiatives violate the constitutional separation of church and state. (03/15/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for a state-tribal casino has launched a high-profile debate in the Legislature. But members of the three northern tribes involved in the deal are also raising questions about whether they can trust the state, and whether they'll give up more than they'll gain. (03/15/2005)

The casino Gov. Pawlenty is proposing offers thousands of jobs and million of dollars in civic economic incentives, still no Minnesota community has stepped forward in hopes of becoming home to the casino. (03/13/2005)

A bill designed to help pregnant women, once seen as possible common ground in the bitter abortion debate, ended up highlighting the divisions Thursday in a House committee hearing. (03/10/2005)