MiddleMinnesota (Views of a Moderate Pol)

Editorial: More pain at the pump – just in time for road trips. (Worthington)

Hausman/Hamilton/Daudt/Carlson: Minnesota House defeats construction projects bill. (AP)

Swedzinski: House nixes bonding bill. (Marshall)

Poppe/Wagenius/Franson/Dill/et al: Outdoors, ag provisions include paint, bees and farmers. (ForumNews)

Bakk/Thissen/Franson: DFL infighting has minimum wage hike on life support. (CityPages)

Westrom: Loud union dispute joins legislative budget debate. (ForumNews)

Newman/Eaton/Bakk/et al: Senate legacy funds debate turns rural-urban. (ForumNews)

Minn. House backs nursing home pay hike. (AP)

Lourey/Huntley/Rosen/McNamar/et al: Budget funding elderly, disabled heads to governor. (ForumNews)

Dayton: Use cigarette, corporate taxes for stadium. (AP)

Dibble/Pratt: MNGOP Sen. Pratt: Gay marriage ceremony had nothing to do with move to lock Senate doors. (CityPages)

MNGOP Rep. Gruenhagen on climate change: “It’s just a complete United Nations fraud” (CityPages)

Zellers/Hann/Thompson/Rosen/et al: Republicans are already lining up to run for governor. (ECM)

Franken looks to restrain e-Verify errors in immigration reform. (MinnPost)

Sen. Franken Pushing to Reform Credit Rating Agencies. (NorthlandNewsCenter)

Franken wants board to monitor credit ratings firms. (MPR)

Franken, Walz introduce bipartisan legislation to tackle VA backlog. (ECM)

Klobuchar, Franken question gas prices. (Duluth)

Klobuchar says more women are needed in manufacturing industry. (Alexandria)

Rukavina: Nolan staff pledge support in job loss. (International Falls)

A preview of things to come: Republicans smack Rick Nolan on Keystone. (MinnPost)

FBI joins probe of Bachmann’s presidential campaign. (MinnPost)

Walz continues push for transparency. (Austin)

Rep. Tim Walz to speak at St. Peter Memorial Day program. (St. Peter)

Peterson: House Ag Committee approves farm bill. (AgWeek)

Dayton asks Senate to reject tax court appointee. (AP)

Delta plans to add jobs on Range. (Virginia)

Farmers were finally able to make significant planting progress. (Benson)

Steele County, Minnesota farmers making progress in the fields. (Owatonna)

Farmers: Recent damp weather is more bad news. (Austin)

Statewide planting average stalled by almost 50 percent. (Pipestone)

Newman Letter: Did not support vote to increase minimum wage. (Glencoe)

Gruenhagen Letter: Thoughts on passage of state’s gay marriage bill. (Glencoe)

Letter: McNamer’s same sex marriage vote. (Morris)

Letter: McNamer’s vote on same sex marriage is disappointing. (Morris)

Letter: Jay McNamer is out of touch. (Morris)

Letter (Ward-Radinovich): Thanks, Joe and John. (Brainerd)

Letter (Ward-Radinovich): Supports Joe, John. (Brainerd)

Letter (Ward-Radinovich): Courageous action. (Brainerd)

Letter: Miller’s misleading frac sand statement. (Winona)

Letter: Now is the time to fund Hwy. 23. (Marshall)

Savick Column: Investments are a priority at the Capitol. (Albert Lea)

McNamar Column: Budget will help students, communities and businesses. (Morris)

Westrom Column: The final week of session. (Morris)

Column: Klobuchar needs help to promote STEM education. (Rochester)

Krinkie Column: Minnesota commits another stadium error. (Grand Forks)

Column: High-profit food companies target sugar farmers. (Crookston)

Column: Economic tools will boost Greater MN. (Pine City)

Column: What will happen at the legislature still unknown. (Glenwood)

Column: Gay marriage law doesn’t affect most folks. (Fergus Falls-Albert Lea)

Editorial: Marriage equality – A step forward for many Minnesota families. (Timberjay)

Editorial: In Minnesota all are now equal under the law. (St. Peter)

Editorial (Dornholt-Gottwalt-et al): Equality is spreading in Minnesota – Too many from area tried to block progress. (St. Cloud)

Editorial: Nolan steps up to the plate. (Ely)

Editorial: DFL erred by pursuing party-line approach. (Grand Forks)

Editorial (Falk-Gruenhagen-Martin): Bigger budget, big changes. (Hutchinson)

Editorial: Dayton shouldn’t oppose a gas tax increase. (Rochester)

Editorial: Minnesota governor shows true colors with tobacco tax. (Owatonna)

Editorial (Davids): What happened to restraint, DFL? (Duluth)

Editorial: We won’t regret these not passing [Unionization-Min Wage]. (New Ulm)

Editorial (Dayton-Klobuchar-Franken-Nolan): Self-righteous, sanctimonious B.S. from MCEA. (Virginia)

Editorial: Costs of health-care reform will be borne by counties and states. (Duluth)

Jensen/Petersburg/Fritz/Sparks: Jensen tells Owatonna voters that she will vote yes on gay marriage. (Owatonna)

Anderson/Falk: Ballot results no predictor of House marriage vote. (AP)

Letter: Rep. Jay McNamar: How I decided to vote in favor of same-sex marriage bill. (Morris)

Letter: Faust decides: yes to same-sex marriage. (Mora)

Clark/FaustKelly/et al: ‘Freedom for everyone’: Minn. House passes gay marriage bill. (ForumNews)

Clark/Woodard/et al: Minn. House approves same-sex marriage bill. (AP)

Newton/Abeler/Clark/et al: Historic House vote approves same-sex marriage legislation. (ECM)

Clark/Petersen/Simon/et al: Supporters of same-sex marriage jubilant with House decision. (ECM)

Simon/Clark/Loon/Halverson/Woodard: Minnesota Senate next stop for gay marriage bill. (AP)

Poppe: Gay marriage vote is right thing to do. (Austin)

Clark/Dibble/et al: House’s historic same-sex marriage vote greeted with eerie silence — and then roar from the masses. (MInnPost)

Faust/Loon/Thissen/et al: Legislators brace for marriage vote fallout. (MPR)

Clark/Dibble: MN for Marriage suddenly worried people might think they’re bigots. (CityPages)

Thissen/Bakk: In Minnesota Legislature, 3 budget plans, 1 big deadline. (PioneerPress)

Bakk/Hann: State budget talks continue, but no deal. (ForumNews)

Swedzinski/Dahms/WeberKoenen/Bakk: On bonding prospects, mayor says it’s up to legislators. (Marshall)

Hausman/Stumpf/Bakk: Bonding bill stands still. (ForumNews)

Hornstein: Compromise gas tax reemerges to fund transportation, Hwy 14. (New Ulm)

Dibble/Franzen/Osmek: Senate votes to raise gas tax by 5 cents. (AP)

Sen. Weber talks ice storm cleanup, biotech center, gay marriage. (Worthington)

Schoen/GreenClausen/et al: New lawmakers find surprises at Capitol. (ForumNews)

Franken: Make your community a little more like Morris. (Morris)

Franken: $1.6 Million Available For Community Health Clinics. (WCCO)

With Judiciary Committee drawing attention, Franken and Klobuchar are, too. (Strib)

Klobuchar, Franken pitch amendments to immigration bill. (MinnPost)

Secretary of State Ritchie disputes Census claim that Minnesota was No. 3 in voter turnout. (MinnPost)

Gov. Dayton catches walleye as fishing season opens. (ForumNews)

2014 Governor’s Fishing Opener heads to Brainerd lakes area. (Brainerd)

GOP candidate Jeff Johnson on raising taxes, stricter gun control, gay marriage: He’s opposed. (MinnPost)

Somali culture in Willmar to be featured on the next Postcards. (Morris)

CRP faces challenges as next signup period looms. (AgWeek-Crookston)

Brandt: Order higher blends of biodiesel, ethanol for use on the farm. (AgriNews)

2nd Amendment resolution gets County Board approval 3-2. (Glencoe)

PolyMet Mining holding open house. (HTF)

Hamilton Letter: Tax hike proposal will hurt all hardworking taxpayers. (Worthington)

Letter (Savick): Representatives must heed their constituents. (Albert Lea)

Letter (McNamar): Tax more, spend more is not good campaign slogan. (Alexandria)

Letter (Ward): Representation? (Brainerd)

Letter: Drazkowski is OK with socialism if it gets him votes. (Rochester)

Wiger-Dahle Column: Senate makes needed investments in K-12. (Grand Forks)

Miller Column: One-size-fits-all approach is wrong for sand mines. (Rochester)

Sparks Column: Senate education plan would help schools. (Albert Lea)

Poppe Column: Budgets address future issues. (Austin)

Drazkowski Column: Are you rich? The DFL seems to think so. (Rochester)

Hann Column: Let’s spend better, not more. (Winona)

Kline Column: Workers, employers deserve choice on ‘comp time.’ (Rochester)

Editorial: Gay marriage may be right; it’s also a bit tricky. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Gay marriage vote. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Now it is the state Senate’s turn. (Albert Lea)

Editorial (Melin-Dayton): Medical marijuana – Doctors and patients should have the right to decide. (Timberjay)

Editorial (Drazkowski-Davnie): Bullied kids aren’t on ‘path of victimhood’. (Rochester)

Editorial: House is overreaching with anti-bullying law. (Austin)

Editorial: House bullying law a stretch. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial: Senate DFLers shouldn’t push for early voting. (Rochester)

Editorial: Haste when budgeting equates to waste. (Austin)

Editorial (Weber-Bakk): BAC money – it’s up to bonding. (Worthington)

Editorial: Vikings jettison Kluwe for all the wrong reasons. (Crookston)

Editorial: Isn’t it only fair to pay sales taxes online? (Fairmont)

Editorial (Franken-Klobuchar): Editorial: Time to tax online retailers. (Park Rapids)

Editorial: Level sales tax playing field. (New Ulm)

Editorial: County has gone gun crazy. (Hutchinson)

Winkler/Poppe/Drazkowski/Kieffer: House passes minimum wage increase off the floor. (PIM)

Metsa/Winkler/Bakk: Minn. House passes steep bump to minimum wage. (AP)

Winkler/Fabian/Anzelc/Franson/Metsa: How high will Minnesota’s minimum wage rise? (ForumNews)

Thissen/Paymar: Gun-control advocates push Thissen for vote on ‘doomed’ background-check bill. (MinnPost)

Thissen/Murphy: Sami Rahamim Criticizes DFL for Stalling on Gun Control. (St. Louis Park)

Radinovich/Ward: Radinovich to back gay marriage. (Brainerd)

Radinovich/Sawatzky/marquart/Housley/Bakk: DFL swing vote on gay marriage to support bill. (AP)

Loon/Kieffer/McNamar/Faust/et al: Gay marriage: At least 7 swing-district House DFLers could support. (PioneerPress)

Simon/Seiben/Sanders: Election bills take shape in House, Senate. (ECM)

Bonoff/Hann/Ortman/et al: Senate passes tax bill after rejecting tax bill. (ECM)

Bakk: Nonprofits nervous about proposed Minnesota tax change on charitable contributions. (MinnPost)

Metsa/Anzelc/Melin/Garafalo: Rangers keep pushing solar. (Virginia)

Sparks/Schmit: Minnesota Senate passes ‘DREAM Act.’ (Rochester)

Pappas/Gazelka/Ortman/Torres-Ray: Undocumented immigrants could get college aid under Senate bill. (ForumNews)

Schmit/Miller/Kelly/Tomassoni: Mining restrictions near trout streams face upstream battle. (Rochester)

Swedzinski/Dahms: Soon crunch time at the Capitol. (Marshall)

Thompson: Unionization measure on track for passage. (ForumNews)

Melin/Barrett/Schoen: Minn. medical marijauna bill outlined, but debate waits. (AP)

Swedzinski/Dahms: Marijuana bill has ‘long road’ ahead. (Marshall)

Simon/Holberg/Latz: Childhood sexual abuse bill passes House. (ECM)

Westrom presents bill for UMM. (Morris)

Beard: Hostile reception greets Dayton at first metro-area ‘Meet with Mark’ session. (MinnPost)

Kiel/Zerwas: A sweet theft. (ForumNews)

Franken touts railroad regulation in Blooming Prairie stop. (Owatonna)

You can dish it out like a politician: Franken releases recipe book from annual competition. (Winona)

Wealthy exec poised to take on Al Franken. (Politico)

Franken/Klobuchar/Walz: Southwest Minnesota receives disaster declaration. (Worthington)

Klobuchar/Peterson/Walz/Nolan/Franken: Crusoe chosen as the [USDA] Farm Service Agency State Executive Director in Minnesota. (PolNews)

Klobuchar seeks immigration changes aimed at foreign-born doctors. (Rochester)

Nolan visits Pierz to talk about Medicare, Social Security. (Little Falls)

Michele Bachmann is pissed Obama didn’t declare Dzhokhar Tsarnaev an enemy combatant. (CityPages)

Obituary/Editorial: Loehr to be remembered for passions. (St. Cloud)

Meeker/Cokato DFL Party to meet May 18. (Litchfield)

HIGHWAY 53 REROUTE – How will it impact you and your community? (HTF)

CRP faces challenges. (AgWeek)

Minnesota Senate panel rejects anti-sand mining measure. (AP)

Chris Kluwe could be released during Monday meeting with GM Rick Spielman. (CityPages)

Thune requests scrutiny of European ethanol decision. (AgWeek)

NM horse slaughter plant to open soon. (AgWeek)

Tax relief tops $850 million as ND Legislature wraps up longest-ever session in wee hours. (Fargo)

Projects proposed would up N.D.’s wind energy capacity 41 percent. (Grand Forks)

Blooming Prairie shatters record for May snowfall. (Owatonna)

An open letter to Sen. Tomassoni. (Timberjay)

Gunther Letter: Do we want more taxes? (Fairmont)

Nornes Letter: Historic tax increases approved. (Fergus Falls)

Westrom Letter: Hardworking taxpayers deserve better than tax bill. (Morris)

NcMamar Letter: Health and Human Services bill will hurt local hospitals. (Morris)

Schomacker Letter: Legislator lends support to pro-life initiatives. (Worthington)

Letter: Clean energy needed. (Austin)

Graves Column: I pledge to help information reach citizens in 6th District. (St. Cloud)

Collin Peterson Column: Flood control must include modern tiling. (Grand Forks)

Johnson Column: Legislative Update. (St. Peter)

Poppe Column: House budget designed to boost middle class. (Austin)

Newman Column: Tax Omnibus Bill: Will you be better off? (Glencoe)

Gruenhagen Column: Update on bills heading to conference committees. (Glencoe)

Column: Legislature can seize LGA reform opportunity. (Cloquet)

Column: Please ask lawmakers to support affordable housing. (Duluth)

Column: Pension surcharge is an unfair bailout. (Duluth)

Column: Pay raise would be worth it, if it dialed down partisanship. (Glenwood)

Column: Damn the torpedoes – new taxes may be ahead. (Aitkin)

Column: Tax hikes will hurt. (Austin)

Editorial: Caution urged on increase of taxes. (Willmar)

Editorial: Is there a tax that DFLers do not like? Probably not. (Glencoe)

Editorial (Marty): Foolish attack on fossil fuels – Legislative folly at high level. (Virginia)

Editorial: Dayton, public need to accept discourse realities. (Mankato)

Editorial: The clock is ticking. (Worthington-St. Cloud)

Editorial: Highway projects – Legislators should let MnDOT do its job. (Timberjay)

Editorial: LGA plan is good deal for rural Minn. (Albert Lea-Willmar)

Editorial: Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Great Race. (Grand Forks)

Editorial: Plan to end protections for wolves makes sense. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Viking stadium funding solution requires patience on all sides. (ECM)

Editorial: Think about the impact before making new laws. (Albert Lea)

Column (Bakk/Thissen): Will Minnesota lawmakers stomach alcohol tax? (Strib)

Zellers: Minnesota legislator scolded for Leinie’s rip. (Winona)

Lenczewski/Bakk: Minnesota bars, brewers blast booze tax proposal. (MPR)

Kiel/Marqurt/Murphy/Hamilton/Anderson/Thissen: Legislature: Rural Minnesota: ‘Left behind’ or a priority? (ForumNews)

Bly/Dahle/Hortman: Farm families watching Buy the Farm legislation. (AgriNews)

Hann/Thompson/Rosen/Zellers/et al: Capitol Chatter: GOP governor ballot for could be crowded. (ForumNews)

Zellers/Hann/Thompson/Rosen: Gubernatorial race touched off by Republican businessman. (ECM)

Petersen/Thissen: New conservative lobby pushes for gay marriage. (AP)

Weber/Swedzinski: Neither version of tax bill sits well with GOP. (Marshall)

Tax proposal is ‘too high,’ says Dahms. (Redwood Falls)

Anzelc/Simonson/Franson/Lenczewski/Davids/et al: Minnesota House approves tax plan. (ForumNews)

Newberger/Lenczewski/Uglem/Benson/et.al: House passes tax bill that raises taxes, eliminates deficit and repays schools. (ECM)

Skoe/Rest/Hann/Murphy/Ortman: Three tax routes face Minnesota lawmakers. (ForumNews)

Atkins/Falk/Dill/Drazkowski: Rural concerns raised over hospital staffing. (ForumNews)

Erhardt: Rochester has taken lumps during DMC debate. (Rochester)

Lesch/Norton/Scott/Liebling: House bill allows some DMC donor information to stay private. (Rochester)

Petersburg/Hornstein: House Transportation bill does not fund Highway 14 expansion. (Owatonna)

Huntley/Abeler: Minnesota dentists want higher reimbursement for public patients. (ECM)

Gunther/Rosen/Daudt/Paulsen: Fairmont grad leads College Republicans. (Fairmont)

Franken meets teacher of the year. (KUDZ)

Franken supports immigration reform. (AgriNews)

Franken: E-Verify ID check ‘isn’t ready for prime time’ (MPR)

Bachmann/Franken: Hundreds attend anti-tax rally at Minnesota Capitol. (AP)

Walz/Peterson/Franken: Efforts launched in Congress to help next generation of farmers. (AgWeek)

Surprise! Michele Bachmann’s attorney blames media for Iowa ethics scandal. (CityPages)

Gov. asks Obama for Minn. disaster declaration. (AP)

Gov. Dayton next public forum is Monday in Shakopee. (MinnPost)

Dayton’s approval rating much higher than Legislature’s, says KSTP poll. (MinnPost)

State commissioners Jesson, Cassellius visit Bemidji to discuss education, health and human services funding. (Bemidji)

Bates: Increased education funding a welcome change from years of ‘doom and gloom.’ (Crookston)

Northland anglers, bait shop owners concerned about new minnow-harvesting ban. (Duluth)

Chickens find a coop in Hutchinson. (Hutchinson)

Hamilton Letter: I’m fighting for long-term care facilities, nursing homes. (Worthington)

Letter (Bakk): Democrats tax us to cover their pay raise. (Duluth)

Sparks Column: Major legislation wins bipartisan support. (Albert Lea)

McNamar Column: Three bills will have big impacts on community. (Morris)

Westrom Column: Senate DFL’s Omnibus Transportation Finance Bill will mean everyone pays more. (Morris)

Kelly Column: Get government out of the marriage business. (Red Wing)

Column: Welcome back, American Crystal employees. (AgWeek)

Column: Historic LGA deal will strengthen our communities. (Worthington)

Column (Lenczewski): State Legislature moves to Planet Bizarro. (Little Falls)

Editorial (Morgan): Uninformed vote shortchanges Minnesota. (Duluth)

Editorial (Bakk): More taxes for more spending? This again? (Fairmont)

Editorial: Senate DFL reaching deeper for taxes. (New Ulm)

Editorial: If state must tax more, lines need to be drawn. (Marshall)

Editorial: Is there merit with state fee increases? (St. Cloud)

Editorial: DFLers are robbing the people to pay St. Paul. (Owatonna)

Editorial (Gruenhagen-Frans): State’s issues are myriad and complex. (Glencoe)

Editorial: LGA plan is good deal for rural Minn. (Willmar)

Editorial: Rochester shouldn’t renege on $5 million deal. (Rochester)

Editorial: Give e-gaming a chance to finds its footing. (Rochester)

Editorial: A fair [legislative salary] increase. (Austin)

Editorial: Education funding – Finally some good news from St. Paul. (Timberjay)

Editorial: MnDOT sales mission should be safety first. (Mankato)

Editorial: Online tax is fair. (Austin)

Editorial: Closing sales tax loophole a good idea. (Fergus Falls)

Franson Column: Minimum wage is about jobs, not justice. (Alexandria)

Column: Franson isn’t Santa; she’s Chicken Little. (Alexandria)

Wagenius/McNamara/Hamilton/Anzelc/Kiel/Anderson: Fee increases bother GOP in ag-outdoors bill. (ForumNews)

Wagenius/Hamilton/Fabian/Sundin/Anderson: Minn. House backs water fee hikes. (AP)

Skoe/Senjem/Lenczewski: Rochester officials want local DMC match scaled back. (Rochester)

Davids/Anzelc/Carlson/McNamara: Testy times at the Capitol as angry Republicans walk out of committee meeting. (MinnPost)

Anzelc/Metsa/Tomassoni/Melin/Saxhaug/Dill: Rep. Anzelc says no to a legislative pay boost – But other Range lawmakers will willingly vote yes. (Virginia)

Ruud/Erickson/Saxhaug/Metsa: Searching for gay marriage votes at Capitol. (AP)

Dibble/Clark/Kelly: Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage. (ForumNews)

Dibble/Clark/Newman/Bakk: MN for Marriage: “Don’t let the metro area force gay ‘marriage’ on the rest of the state” (CityPages)

Holberg: MNGOPer falsely claims swanky Chicago DEED party uses Minnesota taxpayer money. (CityPages)

Poppe/Sparks: New state office could give Austin’s hunt for broadband steam. (Austin)

Ingebrigtsen/Tomassoni/Gazelka: Notebook: Lockout extension out. (ForumNews)

Thissen: PoliGraph: Income tax plan would hit few small businesses. (MPR)

Champion/Ortman: Minn. Senate passes bill altering job applications. (AP)

Senjem/Michel/Robling/Gerlach: Depositions in Brodkorb case begin. (MPR)

Kriesel: Injured Iraq veteran, former state rep to speak at Prayer Breakfast. (Fergus Falls)

Bachmann’s legal troubles rooted in presidential campaign divisions. (Strib)

Breaking silence, former Bachmann aide wants ‘true facts to come to light’. (MinnPost)

Nolan: MnDOT still vexed on Highway 53 reroute. (Duluth)

Nolan: New center in Ely will fight copper mining. (Duluth)

Kline: Minn. GOP lawmaker rules out race vs. Sen. Franken. (USAToday)

Sen. Franken Presents Overdue Medal To Princeton Vet. (WCCO)

Moorhead, Clay leaders update Sen. Franken on flood fight. (Moorhead)

Al Franken hopes for federal funding to help Clay County. (WDAY)

Franken seeks to improve E-Verify rules. (Agriculture.com)

Franken faults reform bill’s immigrant ID system. (Strib)

Sen. Franken Co-Sponsors Water Project Bill. (KELO)

Klobuchar, Franken Sign Legislation to Keep St. Cloud Control Tower Open. (WJON)

Governor Dayton to visit Albert Lea. (Austin)

Pogemiller/Cassellius: Students seek low cost, high flexibility educational experiences. (Morris)

Panel fines GOP group created to fund recount in 2010 governor’s race. (MinnPost)

As Crystal workers head back to jobs, resentments linger. (Moorhead)

After lockout, Crystal claims success, but prices paid by workers, company. (Grand Forks)

Hamilton Letter (Walz-Klobuchar-Franken): Thanks to all those who helped in wake of storm. (Worthington)

Letter (Eken-Marquart): Thanks for help from politicians. (Moorhead)

Savick Column: House shows its support for creating jobs. (Albert Lea)

Poppe Column: House DFLers pass plan to create jobs. (Austin)

McNamar Column: State makes huge strides on jobs. (Morris)

Dorholt Column: St. Cloud area would see benefits from bonding bill. (St. Cloud)

Schmit Column: Senate’s education plan will help Minnesota stay on top. (Rochester)

Weber Column: Raising energy mandate is premature. (Jackson)

Brown Column: Eliminate wasteful spending for efficient government. (Mora)

Westrom Column (Bachmann-Nienow): Oversight and accountability needed for HMOs. (Morris)

Column (Franken-McCollum): Learning from Promising Models and Leaders in the North Star State. (USDA)

Klobuchar Column: Keeping rural communities connected. (Jackson-Pine City)

Column: Proposed LGA formula good for long term. (Albert Lea)

Column: Minimum wage hike helps workers, economy. (Grand Forks)

Column: State must step up for homeless young people. (Rochester)

Column: Consensus near on the failures of No Child Left Behind. (Timberjay)

Editorial (Jensen): Minnesota legislators shouldn’t be in it for the pay raises. (Owatonna)

Editorial (Lenczewski-Norton): Secrecy and subsidies are a bad combination. (Rochester)

Editorial: Environmental groups making it tougher for Ely tourism efforts. (Ely)

Editorial: Legalize Sunday liquor. (Mankato-Fergus Falls-Worthington-Winona)

Editorial (Norton-Kelly): Civil unions proposal is a legislative cop-out. (Rochester-Fergus Falls)

Editorial (Dayton-Hornstein): Delay on state’s road plan is unfortunate. (Mankato)

Editorial (Kisacaden): Wheelage tax won’t fix every road, but it’s a start. (Rochester)

Editorial: Middle route back on table; should be No. 1 – Get rid of the western 53 option; it’s dumb on steroids. (Virginia)

Editorial: State should fund scholarships for low-income, pre-K children. (ECM)

Editorial: Medicare solutions – Better options available than raising eligibility age. (Timberjay)

Editorial: Compromise plan on guns seems reasonable. (Fairmont)

Editorial (Hoven-Heitkamp): Editorial: Not much courage in Senate. (Moorhead)

Editorial: U.S. Senators dealt with their own threat. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Many politicians held hostage by threats of gun lobbyists. (St. Joseph)

Juhnke: Facebook through the generations: Family uses social media to communicate, stay in touch. (Willmar)

Bakk/M.Murphy: Gay-marriage opponents stage rally in Duluth. (Duluth)

MNGOP blames DFL for wasteful spending approved by MNGOP. (CityPages)

Eken/Tomassoni/Jensen: Job, tax plans might benefit rural Minnesota. (ForumNews)

Hausman/Dean: Bonding leader urges backing for bill. (Red Wing)

Dahms/Koenen: GOP Sen: Senate DFL’s tax plan ‘a mistake’ (Marshall)

Jensen brings legislative update to Owatonna restaurant. (Owatonna)

Simonson: House DFL Talk Jobs, Bonding at Duluth Meeting. (NorthlandNews)

Marquart/Woodard/Thissen/Murphy: House DFL legislation wants to set school goals. (ForumNews)

Stumpf/Nienow/Torres-Ray/Wiger: Minnesota education advocates applaud Senate funding approach. (MinnPost)

Hornstein/Dayton: Gas tax funding for Highway 14 unlikely. (New Ulm)

Hornstein/Dibble/Dayton: Tax dispute leaves status quo transportation funding. (ForumNews)

Norton/Skoe/Nelson/Lenczewski: Backers of Destination Medical Center bill remain optimistic. (Rochester)

Dean/Hann/Dayton: Local water, bridge projects on bonding list. (Park Rapids)

Skoe/Thissen/et.al: Notebook: Taxes split DFL. (ForumNews)

Rep. Pelowski seeks $1 million for Winona port. (Winona)

Jason Metsa Interview on area tax issues. (Virginia)

Rep. Metsa visits St. Michael’s Health Center. (HTF)

Franken/Klobuchar/Dayton: MN Governor, Senators Visit Winter Storm Damage. (KELO)

Walz, Klobuchar and Franken talk about damage to area. (Worthington)

Walz/Franken/Klobuchar/Dayton: U.S., state politicians visit SW Minnesota. (Worthington)

Minn. Dem Franken says he has $2M banked for 2014. (AP)

Franken/Walz/Bachmann/Klobuchar/Peterson/et.al: Sen. Franken dishes it up with an ode to Willmar, Minn. (Willmar)

Franken/Walz/Klobuchar: ‘Hermann the German Hotdish’ tops competition. (New Ulm)

Franken/Walz/Klobuchar/Peterson/et.al: Rep. Walz wins Hotdish Off. (Detroit Lakes)

Walz Wins Franken’s Hotdish Contest in D.C. (KEYC)

Rep. Walz wins Sen. Franken’s annual Minnesota delegation hotdish contest. (Winona)

Franken provisions to improve mental health in schools clears hurdle. (ECM)

Sen. Franken, business leaders address ‘skills gap’ in Stacy. (PostReview)

Franken Bets On ‘DREAM Act’ In Immigration Bill. (AP)

Franken/Makowski: Vets ‘benefit’ from meeting. (Hibbing)

Nolan: PTC incubator to hatch new business. (Pine City)

Bachmann: Graves says he’ll run again. (St. Cloud)

DFLer Graves seeks rematch with Minn.’s Bachmann. (AP)

Dayton to hold town hall on budget Tuesday in Virginia. (Duluth)

Dayton: Money to pave Luce Line coming? (Hutchinson)

GOP hopes Keith Downey will stabilize shaky state party. (MinnPost)

Minnesota Chamber president decries ‘worst session’ in St. Paul. (Litchfield)

End of [Crystal Sugar] lockout: New contract is for four years, workers hope to be back in six weeks. (Crookston)

Forest supervisor talks mining. (Ely)

High school trap shooting team prepares for competition. (Glencoe)

Minnesota farmers enjoy huge year in 2012. (Rochester)

Gorans Discovery Farm in sixth year of research. (AgriNews)

Hamilton Letter: Shocked at cuts to caregivers. (Jackson)

Letter (Walz-Peterson): Federal ‘Sodsaver’ would protect prairies. (Red Wing)

Sparks Column: Finance divisions churning out budget bills. (Albert Lea)

Gruenhagen Column: Cut waste, before we ask for any more. (Glencoe)

Drazkowski Column: DFL pushes radical increase in government spending. (Winona)

Cassellius Column: Investments in early education will place kids on path to success. (Granite Falls)

Column: Let public decide on e-tabs. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial (Bakk): Timing not right for raise. (International Falls)

Editorial (Dill): Time for GMO labeling. (Timberjay)

Editorial (Hornstein-Dayton): Gas tax needed for Highway 14. (New Ulm)

Editorial (Ward-Kresha-Gazelka): Except for state capitol, delay bonding until next year. (Little Falls)

Editorial (Dayton-Davnie): Property tax plan deserves closer look. (International Falls)

Editorial (Kahn): Don’t let lawmakers usurp Minnesota’s Legacy fund. (Grand Forks)

Editorial (Simon): There’s no time limit on the suffering. (Winona)

Editorial: Dayton budget plan offers little stability. (St. Cloud)

Editorial: Pass a budget … Please! (Winona)

Editorial: State legislators quibble over Mayo request for help in $5 billion expansion. (Brainerd)

Editorial: Local government aid needs boost and new formula. (Albert Lea-Austin)

Editorial: Investments in mines from other countries a positive investment. (Ely)

Editorial: State picks winners, losers through bonding. (Fairmont)

Editorial: State should exercise caution on minimum wage. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Lost privacy should be of concern to citizens. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial: New bills will help local economy. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial: We need anti-bullying bill, but schools need control. (Marshall)

Editorial: Exchange has warts, but Minnesota made right choice. (Marshall)

Editorial: Keep the state out of nursing. (Park Rapids-Duluth)

Editorial: Time ticking away for top priorities
Some key bills require additional studies, info. (St. Cloud)

Grampa Dayton proudly announces new grandson, Hugo Benjamin Dayton. (MinnPost)

Eken/Benson/Moe: Minnesota’s legislators: Are they underpaid? (MinnPost)

Murphy/Sawatzky: Key House DFL’er: Legislature is balancing budget honestly. (Willmar)

Daudt: Key Minnesota Republican makes case for no tax hike. (Willmar)

Murphy/Savick: House majority leader says a temporary tax would be fair. (Albert Lea)

Daudt/Woodard/Scott: House minority leader: DFL’ers hurting economy. (Albert Lea)

Kiel touches on various issues with session about to reconvene. (Crookston)

Dahms, Swedzinski address town meeting at Marshall Area Y. (Marshall)

Lourey/Weber/Thissen/Thompson: April is for budget; guns and marriage return in May. (ForumNews)

Nelson/Erhardt/Rosenthal: Mailer attacks Carla Nelson for support of cigarette tax hike. (Rochester)

DFL Rep. Gene Pelowski: Tubby Smith’s $2.5 million buyout is “obscene” (CityPages)

Pelowski: The future of health care. (Winona)

MNGOP Sen. Sean Nienow says Dayton “duped” public about e-pulltabs, demands investigation. (CityPages)

Hornstein: Bill will propose gas tax increase for ‘corridors of commerce’ highways. (New Ulm)

Zellers/Thompson/Hann/Stanek/Dean/Johnson: Who will take on Dayton in 2014? Some GOP names surface. (MinnPost)

Franken touts additions to Senate budget. (MPR)

Franken believes farm bill will pass this year. (AP)

Franken meets with Ag leaders. (KEYC)

Franken discusses higher-ed funding, minimum wage. (Winona)

Senator Franken makes stop in Rochester. (KTTC)

Franken’s visit highlights needs of imprisoned mentally ill. (Rochester)

Franken hires a campaign manager. (MPR)

Franken taps Democratic hand to run ’14 campaign. (AP)

Klobuchar staff presents ‘Fraud Prevention Office Tour.’ (Cloquet)

Klobuchar highlights MN business at president’s Export Council. (Glenwood)

Nolan/Franken/Klobuchar/Metsa: 53 option ‘nonstarter’ – Westerly highway relocation slapped down. (Virginia)

Rep. Nolan gets earful on U.S. Highway 53 reroute. (Duluth)

Ethics office probing Bachmann has tense relationship with House members. (MinnPost)

Glenn Beck blames federal investigation into Bachmann on Minnesota’s Somali population. (CityPages)

Dayton appoints Lillehaug to Minn. Supreme Court. (AP)

Dayton: A smoking border battle. (ForumNews)

Dayton defends budget plans in St. Cloud – Gov. listened to gun, tax queries. (St. Cloud)

Ed. commissioner tours, talks in Marshall. (Marshall)

Meet the president: Riverland staff welcomes Atewologun. (Austin)

{Transportation funding] A road to higher taxes? (Marshall)

Lawmakers tighten belts amid automatic [sequestration] budget cuts. (AP)

State exports post ninth straight record quarter. (Brainerd)

Minn. proposes to double water fees for top users. (AP)

Can elected officials not attend in person if they can Skype? (Albert Lea-MPR)

USDA: Highest corn acreage since 1936 expected. (AP)

MPCA advises farmers on manure management. (AP)

Gruenhagen Letter: Will continue his defense of traditional marriage. (Glencoe)

Davids Letter: Representative fighting to prevent tax increase. (Spring Valley)

Schomacker Letter: Dayton’s latest budget proposals are too costly. (Worthington)

Letter (Marquart-Savick): Rep. Savick hardly spoke at meeting. (Albert Lea)

Letter: Cornish’s gun agenda dangerous, pointless. (Mankato)

Nancy Larson Letter: State control of health exchange plan a plus. (Hutchinson)

Letter: Union a good idea for child care providers. (Duluth)

Letter: Energy proposals would hurt electricity consumers. (Morris)

Letter: Legislation would hurt electric coops. (Spring Valley)

Letter: Proposed bills could increase electric rates. (Park Rapids)

Letter: Minnesota rushed into a wolf hunt with too little public input. (Rochester)

Poppe Column: Lawmakers poised to address the drought. (Austin-Albert Lea)

Gazelka Column: I support efficient, not expensive government. (Little Falls)

Drazkowski Column: Are you ready for some healthcare? (Winona-Red Wing)

Column (Daudt-Zellers-Torkelson-Woodard-Bakk): GOP typhoon giving way to change – Democrats and Republicans move to the middle. (Mankato)

Erickson Column: One-size-fits-all legislation wrong approach for education. (Mora)

DeKruif Column: Too much government isn’t good. (Mankato)

MN Chamber Column: Small businesses face challenges at Capitol. (Albert Lea)

Column (Marty): Traditional marriage is privileged for good reason. (Litchfield)

Column: News and Comment: gay marriage, guns, cyber attacks. (Mankato)

Editorial (Franken): Congress should pass farm bill. (Mankato)

Editorial: [DHS] Oversight failure hurt our state gov’t. (Willmar)

Editorial: Crookston and St. Cloud don’t co-exist in the same ‘Greater Minnesota.’ (Crookston)

Editorial: A pivotal week for gay marriage, and for the Supreme Court. (Crookston)

Editorial (Pogemiller-Dayton): Valuing higher ed: Lawmakers’ turn. (Duluth)

Editorial (Schmit): Editorial: Statewide [silica sand mining] moratorium is doubtful. (Red Wing)

Editorial (Davids/Norton/Lenczewski/Daudt/Senjem/Thissen): DMC needs Dayton’s unequivocal support. (Rochester)

Editorial: Farmers deserve thanks for keeping up with the times. (Detroit Lakes-Alexandria)

Editorial: [Vikings Stadium] Is it possible to make a bad decision even worse? Answer: Yes. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Minnesota should fund all-day kindergarten. (ECM)

Editorial: Background checks are reasonable. (Mankato)

Editorial: Exchange has warts, but Minnesota made right choice. (Marshall)

Editorial: Minnesota health exchange deserves attention. (St. Cloud)

Biden working over Bakk on gun control issue in Minnesota. (Virginia)

Editorial (Bakk-Dayton): Time for all-day K. (Duluth-Worthington)