Don Davis
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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.
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ST. PAUL -- Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed what he called a "mean-spirited, divisive, unMinnesotan" proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, but his action will not stop the public from voting on it next year. The symbolic veto this morning drew attention to the most publicized bill that passed the just-completed 2011 legislative session.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota officials are preparing for a July 1 government shutdown after Gov. Mark Dayton blamed right-wing Republicans for refusing to compromise on a new state budget. Democrat Dayton on Tuesday vetoed Republican lawmakers' $34 billion budget plan for the next two years and said there is a "strong likelihood" of a shutdown.
ST. PAUL - Time expired on the 2011 Minnesota legislative session before the House could vote on a bill to provide $450 million in sales tax proceeds for arts, clean water, outdoor projects and parks and trails. After earning quick passage in the Senate Monday afternoon, the House debated the so-called legacy bill heatedly before temporarily voting to send the bill back to negotiators for further work Monday night. Less than an hour later, Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, asked his colleagues to reconsider that decision.
ST. PAUL -- The smiles seen on Jan. 4, opening day of the 2011 legislative session, became frowns by Monday as Minnesota's 201 lawmakers headed home with no idea when they will wrap up their primary job: writing a two-year budget. Republicans who run the Legislature said they did their part before the Monday night constitutional adjournment date. They passed 10 budget and tax bills to fund state government with $34 billion for the two years beginning July 1. However, Democratic Gov.
ST. PAUL -- Gov. Mark Dayton says he is pessimistic of any real movement toward a budget deal today, the final day of the 2011 regular legislative session, and Republicans in control of the Legislature could point to no progress. Nine budget and tax bills sit on Dayton's desk for signatures or vetoes, and all indications are it will be the latter. "Where there is a will, there's a way," Dayton said, "but there has to be some willingness." Dayton said Republicans refuse to come off their $34 billion two-year budget target.
ST. PAUL -- An 18-month campaign about gay marriage began moments after the Minnesota House approved a constitutional amendment on the issue late Saturday. And if the five-hour House debate is any indication, Minnesotans are in for 18 months of emotional and hard-fought campaigning. The campaign is expected to bring in millions of dollars for both sides. An hour after the House voted 70-62 to ask voters to decide whether marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman, those opposed to the amendment launched their campaign, Minnesotans United for All Families. Bill sponsor Rep.
ST. PAUL -- One comment says it all: "Not much progress was made." With those words, House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, summarized this morning's budget talks between legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton. Facing a Monday night deadline to complete the budget in the 2011 legislative session, there appeared no way that can happen.
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ST. PAUL -- Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday vetoed a Republican-written plan to redraw state legislative and federal congressional districts. Earlier, he said that he would not sign any redistricting plan -- or other election-related bills -- without broad bipartisan support. The redistricting plans left the House and Senate on mostly party-line votes. In a letter to lawmakers, Dayton said that he had warned them that he would not approve a redistricting plan drawn "for the purpose of protecting or defeating incumbents." Dayton said the U.S.