• Bigger MN budget surplus sets up battle over taxes
    Republicans and DFLers are at odds about what to do with the windfall. Gov. Dayton wants more pre-kindergarten spending. The GOP is eyeing tax relief.February 27, 2015
  • Graphic: How did Minn. lawmakers spend the state's $1.2B surplus?
    The biggest single chunk of that money went back to the state's taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.May 16, 2014
  • Minn. House considers $323M budget plan
    Minnesota's Democratic-controlled House is considering a budget that spends another $323 million of the state's surplus.April 4, 2014
  • Minn. mayors praise boost in state funding
    Several Minnesota mayors are praising the boost in state funding that's coming their way after several years of budget austerity.June 19, 2013
  • Political spin begins as 2013 session ends
    Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders will shift from policy to politics today, now that the 2013 session is over. Dayton will hold a press conference this morning, while Republican lawmakers will travel the state to give their spin on the session.May 21, 2013
  • Budget in hand, Legislature adjourns
    The last votes included the Senate's passage of a massive tax bill, and House approval of a measure to finance state government operations. Both votes were delayed most of the final day by negotiations on a new, smaller bonding bill that covers repairs on the State Capitol.May 21, 2013
  • Budget in limbo with legislative deadline just hours away
    Members spent most of the weekend working to pass pieces of a two-year, $38.3 billion budget -- the main work of the session. The House passed the tax bill that finances that spending earlier Monday morning after a six-hour debate by a 69-65 margin.May 20, 2013
  • Minn. House passes K-12 finance bill
    The Minnesota House passed a K-12 finance bill that would increase funding by $485 million for all-day kindergarten, special education, early childhood education and the classroom.May 19, 2013
  • Minn. lawmakers take budget debate down to wire
    The final pieces of Minnesota's next two-year, $38 billion budget were falling into place Sunday as state lawmakers clocked long hours and held a succession of late-night debates at the Capitol. By late afternoon, lawmakers had sent six of nine major budget bills to Gov. Mark Dayton.May 19, 2013
  • Minnesota budget deal: Higher taxes for top earners, smokers
    Minnesota would have the fourth highest income tax rate in the nation under a deal reached by Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL legislative leaders.May 17, 2013
  • With clock ticking, big differences remain in Capitol budget bills
    Significant differences remain in the tax bill, and DFL leaders appear willing to throw in the towel on a minimum wage increase.May 16, 2013
  • Dayton, DFL leaders agree on budget targets
    Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature's top Democrats have reached a budget deal that includes income tax increases on wealthier Minnesotans and a cigarette tax increase, and aims to provide property tax relief.May 12, 2013
  • Minn. April tax haul up by $153M
    Minnesota's tax haul for April was $153 million better than forecasters had expected, a strong month that probably has little effect on the trajectory of legislative budget talks.May 10, 2013
  • Lawmaker pay raise rests with committee
    A pay raise plan for Minnesota elected officials is a key point of difference as a House-Senate panel begins negotiations on a state agency budget bill.May 2, 2013
  • Minn. Senate passes funding for all-day K
    The State Senate passed a two-year, $15.7 billion education finance bill Thursday on a 35 to 28 vote that includes full funding for all-day kindergarten in every district.April 25, 2013
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

MPR News
Radio

Listen Now

Other Radio Streams from MPR

Classical MPR
Radio Heartland

Services