MiddleMinnesota (Views of a Moderate Pol)

Radinovich/Juhnke: Bill Aims To Back State Off On Chili Cook-Offs. (AP)

Sparks, Poppe support latest budget plan. (Albert Lea-Austin)

Bakk/Hann/Daudt: Governor’s revised budget less bold and less controversial. (ECM)

Torkelson: Dayton’s revised budget offers better out-state LGA distribution. (New Ulm)

Thissen/Seiben/Bakk/Daudt: Dayton-Senate DFL ‘switcheroo’? Lawmakers may consider some of his dropped sales-tax provisions. (MinnPost)

Saxhaug: Forestry issues heading to state Capitol. (Bemidji)

Now in the minority, Rep. Davids criticizes Democratic colleagues. (ECM)

Down-home Minnesota quotes from John Persell. (Bemidji)

MNGOP Rep. Mary Franson, through tears, says: “Democrats are just destroying this state”. (CityPages)

Juhnke/Faust/Erickson/Poppe/PetersburgWagenius/Kresha/Hamilton: Ag funding bills fails to advance in policy committee. (AgriNews)

Bly/Hamilton/Anderson: Many proposals for spending AGRI fund dollars. (AgriNews)

Eaton/Benson: Wolf hunting moratorium advances. (ForumNews)

Thissen/Liebling: Minnesota’s proposed nurse staffing legislation scaled back. (AP)

Atkins/Franson/Lourey/Daudt/Abeler/Hann: Proponents see healthful step forward. (Red Wing)

Dahms: Mental health advocates have their say at the state Capitol. (Marshall)

Latz/Ortman/Limmer/Hilstrom: Senate panel passes gun bill. (ForumNews)

Chamberlain/Dahle: Bill would end Minnesota’s high school graduation tests. (AP)

Senator Al Franken introduces a bill to make cell phone transferring easier. (WDAY)

Franken bill would restore tax incentives for volunteer firefighters. (Winona)

Franken/Klobuchar: Senators Ask STB to Back [Rail] Shippers. (ECT)

Sen. Franken wins victory in ongoing fight to end dropped calls in Greater Minnesota. (ECM)

Franken: Eh? Poetry contest for military family members. (Duluth)

Nolan/Franken/Klobuchar/Rukavina: ‘EPA not Anti-Mining’. (Virginia)

Nolan supports Historic Veterans Art Project. (Little Falls)

Kline under fire over fundraiser for scandal-plagued Tennessee congressman. (HotDish)

Kline/Peterson: Republicans reject mininum wage push on Kline jobs bill. (HotDish)

Bachmann/Franken: Is Senate run in Michele Bachmann’s future? (St. Cloud)

After keeping a low profile, Bachmann re-emerges at CPAC. (MPR)

Bachmann at CPAC: ‘We do it because we love. We do it because we care.’ (MinnPost)

Michele Bachmann says bloggers are a “miracle” and “where it’s at!” during CPAC speech. (CityPages)

Low-profile Bachmann homes in on Minnesota road projects. (HotDish)

Amy Koch to appear at MinnRoast; will she be “gently skewered” about Brodkorb? (CityPages)

Michael Brodkorb pleads guilty to DUI, says he “should be dead” (CityPages)

Constitution key for local Tea Party members, Republicans. (Bemidji)

Local officials make pitch for trail bonding money. (Detroit Lakes)

Snowbird tax faces opposition. (Rochester)

DNR counts wolves in Minnesota. (ForumNews)

DNR seeks public input on new Lake Vermilion park. (AP)

Meat inspector furloughs coming in July. (AgWeek)

Federal legislation would ban slaughter of US horses. (AgWeek)

St. Patrick’s Day recipes for the Irish lads and lassies. (HTF)

Johnson Letter: Working on Highway 14. (New Ulm)

Schomacker Letter: Health care exchange does more harm than good. (Worthington)

Letter: Klobuchar misreads 2nd Amendment. (Pine City)

Letter: Let’s invest in our child care providers. (Bemidji)

Sparks Column: Busy week for lawmaking and constituents. (Albert Lea)

Ingebrigtsen Column: Healthcare exchange bill limits choices. (Alexandria)

Newman Column: Insurance exchange bill flawed. (Glencoe)

Franken Column: Wrestling should remain an Olympic sport. (PineJournal)

Column: Secretary of State Ritchie proposes changes in election laws. (Brainerd)

Column: Legislature must pass Senate File 786 to protect rural communities from frac sand rush. (Preston)

Column: Powerline battle came to Pope County 35 years ago. (Glenwood)

Column: Trip to Washington opens eyes on how country is run. (AgriNews)

Column: Time article gets to the root of the problem on health care [costs]. (Timberjay)

Column: HSUS aims to end animal ag. (AgWeek)

Editorial: Want more stadium revenue from electronic pull tabs? Good luck with that. (Crookston)

Editorial: Dayton’s step back on taxes is a step in the right direction. (Austin)

Editorial: Dayton’s move a step in the right direction; we’ll take it. (Marshall)

Editorial: Dayton right to drop taxes. (International Falls)

Editorial: MN tax reform is still needed. (Strib-Detroit Lakes)

Editorial: Dayton holds to tax the rich plan. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Is Dayton giving up on tax reform? (New Ulm)

Editorial: Take same-sex marriage issue to public. (Worthington)

Editorial: Let Minnesotans vote on marriage for same-sex couples. (Duluth)

Editorial: Don’t discount importance of the farm. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial: Early voting makes active democracy easier. (Mankato)

Editorial: State official pay raise – is time ever right? (New Ulm)

Editorial: State pay hikes need rethinking. (St. Cloud)

Editorial: Destination Medical Center adds up to a solid investment. (Rochester)

Editorial: Dems must negotiate on entitlements. (Mankato)

Editorial (Nolan): EPA needs public criticism. (Virginia)

Editorial Cartoon: New TSA Regulations. (Rochester-Houston, TX)

Column (Urdahl-Newman): Democrats spring gay marriage trap. (Litchfield)

Simon/Lesch/Thissen/Bakk/Petersen/Clark/Marty: Political boomerang: GOP’s defeated amendment put same-sex marriage on fast track. (MinnPost)

Head of college Republicans endorses same-sex marriage. (HotDish)

Dibble/Clark: Gay marriage opponents waved bizarre signs during yesterday’s Capitol rally. (CityPages)

Beard/Keil/Clark/Dibble: GOP: Gay marriage debate should not be priority. (ForumNews)

Anzelc/Bakk/Melin/Reinert/et.al: Range Legislators: Purple Caucus not really necessary. (Virginia)

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

Lourey/Hann: Senate approves health care bill. (AP)

Ward/Ruud/Gazelka; Lawmakers disagree on health insurance exchange bill. (Brainerd)

Murphy/Halverson/Benson/Woodard: GOP legislators hope to change health-exchange bill in conference. (MInnPost)

Dahms sees holes in health insurance exchange. (New Ulm-Marshall)

MNGOP Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen: Gov’t is paying minority men to impregnate women. (CityPages)

Sawatzky/Radinovich/Thissen: Dayton prepares new budget plan without business tax. (ForumNews)

Dahms/Koenen: Politicians see governor pulling back on taxes as a good thing. (Marshall)

Thissen/Rosen/Hann: Lawmakers pleased with Dayton’s changes to budget plan. (MinnPost)

Sheran/Bryneart/Johnson: Legislators seek suggestions for reworking state taxes. (Mankato)

Rep. Kresha reflects on fast-paced session’s top issues. (Little Falls)

Phyllis Kahn and Dean Urdahl want Minnesota to invest in the movie business. (CityPages)

Urdahl takes on parents’ coach complaints. (Hutchinson)

Thissen/Daudt: Panel recommends pay increases for Minn. government leaders. (AP)

Sparks: Farm Bureau members Meet with Legislators. (Preston)

Clark: Johnson, Cohen re-elected to university board. (ForumNews)

Franken still pushing mental health parity. (Mankato)

Health Notes: Arthritis Foundation honors Franken. (Duluth)

Franken: Duluth Mail Processing Facility Gets Temporary Reprieve. (NorthlandNews)

Franken: Poetry contest open to Minn. military children. (Winona)

Franken/Dayton/Johnson/Paulsen/Kline: Coleman out of 2014 campaigns. (ForumNews)

Obama Gridiron riff on Klobuchar: Franken ‘second-funniest’ Minnesota senator. (HotDish)

Klobuchar: Minn. senator targets metal thefts. (St. Cloud)

Rep. Nolan urges EPA to amend haze timeline. (Virginia)

Dayton ready to drop Minn. sales tax overhaul. (AP)

Mark Dayton doesn’t want to raise minimum wage as much as bill advancing in House would. (CityPages)

Jungbauer/Downey: Forum scheduled for GOP party chair candidates. (MinnPost)

Poll: Most Minnesotans want way for illegals to become legal. (Strib-Albert Lea)

The Local Foods Project – growing good food near home. (HTF)

Kelly Letter: Be part of a silica sand mining legislative solution. (Red Wing)

Hamilton Letter: State’s economy continues to improve. (Worthington)

Gruenhagen Letter: Minnesota’s economy on the mend. (Hutchinson)

Letter (Hann): Where is the Republican Plan? (New Ulm)

Letter: Minimum wage increase would have many benefits. (Worthington)

Savick Column: Raising minimum wage increases profits. (Albert Lea)

Koenen Column: A permanent budget solution is needed Minnesota. (Granite Falls)

Weber Column: Relief for long-term care workers. (Jackson)

Newman Column: Let us not unravel state budget progress with more state taxes. (Glencoe)

Franken Column: Wrestling should remain an Olympic sport. (Worthington)

Walz Column: Keeping our commitment to our veterans. (WasecaCoNews)

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

Column: February Forecast Bolsters Need for Revenue. (Aitkin)

Editorial (Kahn-Dettmer-Bernardy-Wills): Veterans’ concerns getting overdue hearing from state Legislature. (Little Falls)

Editorial (Latz-Hilstrom-Paymar): An opening for gun compromise. (Mankato)

Editorial (Hilstrom-Cornish): Dueling gun bills. (New Ulm)

Editorial (Ward-Radinovich-Ruud): District 10: Legislators team up for constituents. (Brainerd)

Editorial: No room for red tape in sand mining. (St. Cloud-Albert Lea)

Editorial: No new gas tax needed. (Fairmont)

Editorial: On same-sex marriage, gun-control, the voting blocks have changed. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Get tough on antibiotics given to livestock. (Mankato)

Editorial: Dayton drops business to business tax plan. (New Ulm)

Editorial (Reinert-Miller): Purple fits Minnesota for more than one reason. (Winona)

McNamar/Ingebrigtsen: Dayton budget in question. (Fergus Falls-MPR)

Swedzinski: Dayton should rethink tax proposal in light of new figures. (Marshall)

Savick/Jensen/Petersburg/Sparks: Steele County lawmakers react to economic forecast. (Owatonna)

Koenen/Dahms/Schomacker: Legislators say state needs to be cautious on minimum wage. (Marshall)

McNamar/Westrom: Guns, health care and taxes topics at town hall meeting. (Morris)

Sheran: Legislative auditor’s report critical of St. Peter’s Minnesota Security Hospital. (St. Peter)

Bly/Merriam: CapX landowners tired of ‘Buy the Farm’ wait. (St. Cloud)

Land negotiations under way in CapX2020 power line project. (Winona)

Bakk: Push for more background checks stalls; 99 percent of gun applications approved last year. (CityPages)

Bakk/Paymar: Top Minnesota Democrat doubts expanded gun checks will pass. (AP)

Simon/Hann/Daudt/Seiben/Kiffmeyer/Kahn: DFL’s proposed election-law changes unlikely without bipartisan support. (MinnPost)

Limmer/Dibble/Simon/Gruenhagen/Ward/et al: Push to legalize gay marriage is under way at state Capitol. (AP)

MNGOP Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen on being gay: “It’s an unhealthy, sexual addiction”. (CityPages)

Gruenhagen: Homosexuality is a ‘sexual addiction.’ (HotDish)

Petersen: National Organization for Marriage vows to spend $500K to defeat GOP legislators who vote for gay marriage. (MinnPost)

Swedzinski: House panel forwards school anti-bullying bill. (Marshall)

Drazkowski/Kelly/Schmit: PUC postpones decision, will re-examine need for wind farm. (Red Wing)

Julie Rosen trolls activists during frac sand hearing, says “they have to expect” misery. (CityPages)

Reinert/Gazelka/Metzen: Sunday liquor sales corked. (ForumNews)

Simon/Cornish: Minnesota bill would stiffen penalties for fake 911 calls. (AP)

Dahms: Brewer’s tax credit gets second chance – To help Schell’s Brewery. (New Ulm)

Skoe/Persell: Armory supporters head to Legislature to lobby for bill. (Park Rapids)

Rep. Urdahl introduces bill to protect coaches. (AP)

Ruud/Ward/Radinovich: New leaders for Aitkin County GOP. (Aitkin)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar tours WASP. (Glenwood)

Franken visits Two Harbors. (LakeCountryNews)

Franken/Klobuchar: Like it or not, sequestration takes hold: a round-up. (MinnPost)

Walz: Stalemate is humiliating. (AP)

Kline/Paulsen/Franken/Klobuchar: Bachmann votes against Violence Against Women Act. (HotDish)

Michele Bachmann only MN congressperson to vote against Violence Against Women Act. (CityPages)

Peterson: Submissions wanted for Congressional art contest. (Hutchinson)

Sviggum to return to the University of Minnesota. (HotDish)

More aid flows to region under Dayton’s plan. (Litchfield)

Dayton proposal aims to help students who are learning English. (Rochester)

Advocates seek more help for sexually exploited children. (Rochester)

Your place at the table: Re-introducing the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability. (HTF)

Horse slaughter plant might be approved by USDA. (AgWeek)

Sustainable ag’s ethanol link – The key is more corn acres. (AgWeek)

County exploring single-sort recycling system. (Hutchinson)

Norad may shed Minn. alert station. (AP)

Letter: Nurses demand high standards in Minnesota. (Bemidji)

Letter: DFL uses new majority to limit gun rights. (Duluth)

Marquart Column: Putting our kids on the path to the world’s best workforce. (Detroit Lakes)

Poppe Column: Capitol is focused on the budget. (Austin)

Drazkowski Column: Unions won raises; taxpayers going to lose. (Winona)

Franken-Ramstad Column: Improving care for mental illness. (Strib)

Frans Column: Governor’s budget fixes the state deficits. (Albert Lea)

MAPE Column: Let’s keep budget debate honest. (Bemidji)

Column: Finding local supplier puts pork back on the menu – There was a time not too long ago when people knew exactly where their food originated. (Detroit Lakes)

Editorial (Petersen-Kriesel): Supporting gay marriage a stand against hate. (Winona)

Editorial: Governor, show leadership – Mineral exploration is about holes in the ground, not mining; OK the leases. (Virginia)

Editorial: Dayton wants to tax your newspaper. (Albert Lea)

Editorial: Legislators should reject Dayton’s plan to tax ads. (Austin)

Editorial: Taxing advertising a bad idea. (Worthington)

Editorial (Lille): State budget not out of the woods yet. (New Ulm)

Editorial: No need for [Sunday liquor] sales. (Austin)

Editorial (Reinert-Drazkowski): Sunday liquor sales? Let store owners decide. (Rochester)

Editorial: Are these license plates, or fund-raising tools? (Crookston)

Editorial: Unlikely coalition shows mining urgency. (Duluth)

Editorial: Don’t laws exist now to oversee these [sand] mines? (Fairmont)

Editorial (Schmit): [Sand] Mining company’s offer might bear fruit.(Rochester)

Editorial: Review sand mining regulations. (Mankato)

Editorial: DHS report should be wakeup call. (Mankato)

Editorial: Uncertainty fuels sequester worries. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Talk of organic food ‘checkoff’ is premature. (Rochester)

Editorial (Hausman): Sequel to ‘PhotoCop’ would end badly. (Rochester)

Mary Franson, Phyllis Kahn introduce bill to legalize industrial hemp production. (CityPages)

Petersen/Stumpf/Dibble: GOP Minnesota legislator preparing to co-sponsor gay marriage bill. (Strib)

McNamar/Anderson/Westrom: Legislators weigh in on session. (Glenwood)

Fritz/Jensen: Local legislators discuss environmental issues in Owatonna. (Owatonna)

Schmit/Hansen: Red Wing senator proposes changes for how the booming industry is regulated, taxed. (Winona)

Schmit touts study of mining concerns. (ForumNews)

Schmit: Red Wing Mayor Dennis Egan to step down April 1. (Rochester)

Atkins: Minn. nurse staffing debate exposes partisan rift. (AP)

Latz/Ortman: Courts seek more money for salaries. (ForumNews)

Koenen/Dahms/Latz: Gun bills aplenty at Legislature. (Marshall)

Latz/Champion/Ortman/Nienow: Gun laws: Support for ‘prosecutors’ bill,’ but ‘ban’ proposals unlikely. (MinnPost)

Latz/Goodwin/Cohen/Ortman/et.al: State lawmakers propose gun access restrictions. (ForumNews)

Goodwin/Latz/Paymar: State sees spike in gun notices. (AP)

Latz: Gun buyer checks argued at Minn. Senate hearing. (AP)

Johnson offers bill As first action. (New Ulm)

Nornes supports Perham Community Center. (Fergus Falls)

Holberg: Auditor says Minn. police’s data use has problems. (AP)

Representative Greg Davids invites public to respond to session survey. (Preston)

Franken/Juhnke: Dairy farmers lament new farm bill milk policy. (WinonaPost)

Sen. Al Franken to serve as UMM Commencement speaker. (Morris)

Franken urges support of bill to retain teachers, boost study of math and science. (Duluth)

Franken makes a President’s Day stop at Feed My Starving Children. (CoonRapids)

Klobuchar talks workforce. (Fergus Falls)

Klobuchar rising to new ranks in politics. (St. Cloud)

Klobuchar discusses exports, workforce creation during tour at Superior Industries. (Morris)

Klobuchar visits Glencoe factory. (Hutchinson)

Klobuchar: Senatorial tour. (Glencoe)

Oberstar touted for Transportation Secretary. (Timberjay)

Cassellius: Education head visits district, checks out Woodson. (Austin)

Corn cob removal not a significant threat to soil conservation. (Willmar)

Giving pork a voice. (Pipestone)

Biodiesel educational opportunities announced. (HTF)

Ice fishing shelter removal dates approaching. (HTF)

Lourey Column: State-run exchange meets unique needs of residents. (Duluth)

Huntley Column: Minnesota again leads in health care. (Duluth)

Reinert Column: Blue and red make purple, a bipartisan caucus. (Duluth)

Savick Column: Bill calls for upgrade of Mayo Civic Center. (Albert Lea)

Poppe Column: Legislature showing signs of working together. (Austin)

Schmit Column: Statewide silica sand talks start at last: Lawmakers must balance state, local needs. (Red Wing)

Marty Column: Time is right for marriage equality in Minnesota. (Hutchinson)

Pogemiller Column: Dayton’s budget supports prosperous, well-educated citizenry. (Morris)

Solon Column: The local impact of Gov. Dayton’s budget proposal. (Owatonna)

Frans Column: Dayton’s tax plan is a fair, stable solution. (Rochester)

Column: Dayton’s tax proposal is a camouflaged increase. (Austin)

Column: No gimmicks, just more taxes. (Aitkin)

Column: Hunting, fishing has impact on area, state. (Glenwood)

Column: United States Postal Service is essential to rural America. (Glenwood)

Editorial: A To Do list for District 19A’s newly elected legislator. (St. Peter)

Editorial (Franken-Klobuchar): Effort to stop Asian carp merits support. (Alexandria-Detroit Lakes)

Editorial (Paulsen-Klobuchar-Franken): Medical devices shouldn’t get tax break. (Mankato-Fergus Falls)

Editorial: Legislators should stop the stunts. (Austin)

Editorial: State should stay out of hospitals. (Albert Lea)

Editorial: Pipeline should proceed. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Keystone protesters ineffectual. (Moorhead)

Editorial: Obama should allow Keystone XL pipeline. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Minimum wage hikes could be jobs killer around state, country. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Carp keep showing up in state rivers. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Pick state poem based on merit. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Will EPA really find common sense on haze rules? (Virginia)

Johnson wins 19A House seat – Quist says he quits. (New Ulm)

Clark Johnson wins House 19A seat. (Mankato)

Theis wins House 14A special election. (St. Cloud)

Bakk/Koch: Another bill comes to Senate for Brodkorb’s legal case. (HotDish)

Tomassoni/Hortman: Coalition wants Minnesota minimum wage upped to $9.50. (ForumNews)

Thissen/Daudt/Davids/Kresha: Capitol rule change touches off partisan spat. (Strib)

Koenen/Bakk/Hann: Hundreds at Minnesota rally want Valentine gift: gay marriage. (ForumNews)

Kelly/Nelson/Loon: Gay marriage creates choices, costs for Minn. GOP. (AP)

Hann/Daudt/Bakk/Thissen: GOP leaders rule out reprisals against caucus members who vote for gay marriage. (MinnPost)

Savick/McNamar/Murphy: From a small town to a big city – Former Wells Mayor Shannon Savick settles into role as state rep. (Albert Lea)

Schmit/McNamara: Sand debate arena widens. (ForumNews)

Norton/Gunther/Mahoney/Leidiger/Senjem: Destination Medical Center passes through first committee. (Rochester)

Lesch/Howe/Holberg/Newberger: Lawmakers look into pet mills, consider licensing and inspection. (ForumNews)

Sheran/Chamberlain: Dayton gets Minn. bill expanding Medicaid rolls. (AP)

Dahms/Torkelson: Dahms discusses health insurance issues. (New Ulm)

Poppe/Sparks/Hamilton: Many issues discussed at Pork Congress legislative forum. (AgriNews)

Hamilton/Ozment/Wagenius/Sviggum/Poppe/Sparks/Murphy/Drazkowski/Kahn/Kiel: House Republicans balk at ag committee structure. (AgriNews)

Dayton, Saxhaug propose more tourism funding. (Bemidji)

Dahms/Koenen: Dept. of Revenue details Dayton tax plan. (Marshall)

Bakk/Thissen: Dayton administration puts finer point on tax plan. (AP)

Dean/Franzen/Halverson: ‘Budget Plan C’? Legislators already working on alternatives to Dayton’s proposals. (MinnPost)

Bakk/Hann: Bigger deficit? Tax impacts? State budget questions abound. (ForumNews)

Lenczewski: Impact of Dayton’s tax plan worries local governments. (MPR-Bemidji)

Dayton challenges critics of tax plan. (Austin)

Dayton administration defends controversial sales tax overhaul. (MinnPost)

Dayton: Do tax increases kill jobs? Minn. soon to find out. (AP)

Stumpf: New grant, up to $300K, aims to boost college completion rates. (Crookston)

Westrom and McNamar plan town hall in Morris next Friday. (Morris)

Green schedules town hall meetings. (Park Rapids)

Franken seems on solid ground as he approaches 2014 election. (MPR-Duluth)

Franken talks farming in Albert Lea. (Austin)

Franken/Klobuchar: Ag. Secretary Vilsack visits Minnesota. (AP)

Franken/Klobuchar/Ellison/Walz/Nolan: Asian carp fight continues. (ForumNews)

Klobuchar vows review of American Airlines-US Airways merger. (HotDish)

Minimum wage hike questioned: legislative proposal would increase rate to $9.50 an hour. (Bemidji)

Minnesota Republicans subject of another soul-searching session. (MinnPost)

No bovine TB found in northwestern Minnesota deer. (Hutchinson)

USDA to begin 4-week general CRP signup May 20. (AP)

Let it snow: N.D., western Minnesota may see drought abate. (Morris)

Schomacker Letter: Dayton disappoints with tone, message. (Worthington)

Gruenhagen Letter: Fracking good for Minnesota, United States. (Glencoe)

Letter: Savick left before guns hearing. (Albert Lea)

Faust Column: Explore solutions, but protect 2nd Amendment. (Pine City)

Sparks Column: Legislators mull education-related measures. (Albert Lea)

Ingebrigtsen Column: Conformity tax bill benefits Minnesotans. (Alexandria)

Westrom Column: Tax conformity bill will provide relief for Minnesotans. (Morris)

McNamar Column: Expanded Medicaid coverage is win-win-win for state, district. (Morris)

Klobuchar Column: Prescription drug prices should be affordable for seniors. (Worthington)

Column (Dayton): A refreshing defense of Minnesota. (Bemidji)

Column: State must act to stop spread of AIS. (Park Rapids)

Column: When the politicians take charge of education. (Timberjay)

Column: Drones pose concerns abroad and at home. (Albert Lea)

Column: Farmers deserve the air time. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial (Drazkowski-Davids): Constitution trumps pandering legislation. (Winona)

Editorial: Duluth can expect better from Huntley. (Duluth)

Editorial (Dayton-Tomassoni-Melin-Metsa-Anzelc): DFL didn’t want to ‘overreach,’ but that’s what’s happening over. (Virginia)

Editorial (Bakk-Reinert): Gov. Dayton tames Duluth biz community. (Duluth)

Editorial: Possible cigarette tax goes too far. (Albert Lea-Austin)

Editorial: Smokers are taxed enough. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial (Sheran): Mental health bills mark a good start. (Mankato)

Editorial: Gun control, like abortion debate, needs to find common ground. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Range, rural areas key to gun control. (Virginia)

Editorial: Fix the sequester – Congress should quit playing politics and starting working on behalf of the nation. (Timberjay)

Editorial: Untie restraints on Postal Service. (Mankato)

Endorsement: Dorsher best suited for 14A seat. (St. Cloud)

Dayton-Bakk-Thissen Column: Time to move Minnesota forward together. (Jackson)

Column: Dayton’s tax plan is a major leap forward. (Granite Falls)

Column: May not be best time for tax plan. (Fergus Falls)

Editorial (Bakk): Dayton’s budget deserves close look. (International Falls)

Editorial: Dayton targets revenue but not costs. (Detroit Lakes-Grand Forks)

Editorial: Admire Dayton’s efforts, but more spending, more taxes not answer. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Lawmakers should reform tax reform plan. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Governor’s proposal is just a starting point…Who dares to touch the third rail? (Glenwood)

Eken/Daudt/Stumpf/Anderson/Koenen/Faust: Lawmakers wonder about Dayton budget’s rural impact. (ForumNews)

Wagenius/Poppe/Torkelson/Hamilton: Ag chairwomen take action to give farmers bigger committee voice. (ForumNews)

Thissen/Thompson: Dayton defends his budget plan, ready for a post-session re-election run. (MinnPost)

Urdahl/Newman: Dayton’s service tax irks businesses. (Litchfield)

Marquart: Dayton plan gets an ‘F’ from DL [school] district. (Detroit Lakes)

Hann: Hutchinson residents saw Dayton’s plan early. (Hutchinson)

Faust/Latz/Clausen/Cornish/Sheran/et al: Minnesota lawmakers ready for gun debate. (ForumNews)

Lenczewski/Davids/Norton: Key state lawmaker: Destination Medical Center ‘unlikely to ever happen’ (Rochester)

Swedzinski/Falk/Lourey: Rep. wants exchange group to have more accountability. (Marshall)

Simon/O’Driscoll/Winkler: First election-change bill would offer ‘no-excuse’ absentee voting. (MinnPost)

Simon/Daudt: Minn. considers small step toward earlier voting. (AP)

Nelson/Thompson: After initial LGA bump, cities’ state aid could vary under Dayton budget plan. (ForumNews)

Saxhaug: Crowd tells senator arts funding makes a difference. (Bemidji)

Stumpf/Hausman: $109 million state Capitol renovation project proposed. (ForumNews)

DFL Rep. Tina Liebling introduces bill to ban smoking in some private homes. (CityPages)

Klobuchar making strides. (Austin)

Klobuchar looks to increase visas as part of immigration reform. (MinnPost)

Franken talks education with veterans. (Hastings)

Franken introduces student mental health bill. (MinnPost)

Franken starts year with $1.3 million cushion and no clear challenger. (Strib)

Peterson/Franken/Klobuchar/Cornish: Obama to land in state not in lock-step with his gun control plan. (ForumNews)

Franken/Nolan/Dayton: Martin re-elected state DFL chairman. (AP)

Nolan adds former State Rep. Al Doty to his congressional staff. (Little Falls)

Dayton: Minnesota eyes long-ignored sales tax on services. (Duluth)

Dayton speaks to the media during Minnesota Newspaper Association convention. (ECM)

Cassellius: Commissioner visits GSL. (Glencoe)

Minn. Senate Oks 2 more Dayton cabinet picks. (AP)

State DFL hires Ellen Perrault as communications director. (MinnPost)

Minnesota GOP insiders wonder where they go from here. (MinnPost)

Andy Parrish: “The Republican Party is an absolute disaster” (CityPages)

A draft Tom Emmer for Governor in 2014 movement exists. (CityPages)

Minnesota marriage amendment fight cost us $18 million we didn’t need to spend. (CityPages)

Minnesota on track to meet renewable energy standards. (Alexandria)

Minnesota Power to convert coal plant to gas. (Duluth)

Opponents criticize hunting season on wolves. (Bemidji)

Protesters on both sides of gun debate brave a cold Duluth day to speak out. (Duluth)

Newman Letter: Here’s what is in governor’s budget proposal. (Glencoe)

Letter: My thoughts on the recent visit to Ely by Senator Franken. (Ely)

Letter (Poppe-Kresha): Is the DFL really for helping farmers? (Little Falls)

Letter: Reforms helped pension systems. (Albert Lea)

Sparks Column: Improving rural Minn. through broadband. (Albert Lea)

Hann Column: Dayton plans new taxes on Minn. families. (Albert Lea)

Miller Column: Taxes and spending: The state giveth; the state taketh away. (Winona)

Bradley Column: Learn from the disabled — and those who care for them. (Rochester)

Nelson Column: Little cigars are a big problem in Minnesota. (Rochester)

Column: I’m Just Sayin’ – Gun salesman of the year: Barack Obama. (Alexandria)

Column: The real Humane Society of the United States. (Jackson)

Column (Rukavina-Franken): Differing maps create confusion in land exchange debate. (Timberjay)

Column (Peterson): The end of the Farm Bill? (Hutchinson)

Column: Gun control does not work. (Redwood Falls)

Cartoon: Ramirez cartoon on homicide weapons. (Willmar)

Column: Compared to the ‘good ole days,’ income tax rates are better now. (Glenwood)

Editorial Norton-Senjem): Keep politics out of election law change. (Fergus Falls-Rochester)

Editorial: Legislators: Gun law changes needed, but tread lightly. (Marshall)

Editorial: Isn’t it ironic? Shortfall in electronic pulltabs to fund stadium. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Minnesota will win with Destination Medical Center. (Rochester)

Editorial: Urge legislators to pass cat-dog breeding bill. (St. Joseph)

Editorial: Where are Nolan, Klobuchar, Franken on a land swap? (Virginia)

Editorial: Gov. Dayton’s budget – It’s a sound proposal that deserves legislative support. (Timberjay)

Editorial: [Dayton Budget] Republicans, Democrats both seem wrongheaded. (Fairmont)

Editorial (Marquart-Thissen): Dayton plan not for faint of heart. (Detroit Lakes)

Editorial: Budget battle begins. (New Ulm)

Editorial: Both taxes deserve our attention – Fees on clothing, Web seem reasonable. (St. Cloud)

Editorial: Who will pay the tab for ‘lower’ sales tax? (Rochester)

Eken/Daudt/Anderson/Koenen/Sertich: Rural budget impact: good or bad? (ForumNews)

Shoe/Hann/Bakk/Sertich: Questions remain about Gov. Dayton’s tax plan impact. (ForumNews)

Bakk/Gazelka/Kresha/Thissen: Dayton’s budget proposal cuts tax rate; includes first-ever sales tax on clothing, services in Minnesota. (ECM)

Dahms/Koenen: Sen. Dahms: Dayton spending plan misses the mark on education equity. (Marshall)

Hamilton: Businesses worry about Dayton tax plan’s effects. (ForumNews)

Torkelson/Dahms/Klobuchar: Dahms calls for rural coalitions in St. Paul. (New Ulm)

Atkins: Crystal union supporters join anti-lockout bill debate. (ForumNews)

Dibble/Senjem/Bishop: Lawmaker wants bust of Harry Blackmun in Capitol. (Rochester)

Wagenius/Dill/Poppe/Sparks: Tough issues looming in ag and natural resources. (ECM)

Holberg/Lesch/Cornish: Lawmakers to weigh in on license plate readers. (AP)

Erickson introduces bills tackling issues at Mille Lacs Lake. (Aitkin)

Ruud named to Great Lakes Commission. (Brainerd)

Amy Koch reviews her ‘bad year,’ hits back at GOP critics. (MinnPost)

Koch: Fired Senate staffer critically injured in crash. (AP)

Koch: Family says fired Senate staffer improving after crash. (AP)

Klobuchar, Franken accept — diplomatically — modest filibuster change. (MinnPost)

Rep. Nolan receives subcommittee assignments. (Duluth)

Poll: Franken looking strong in 2014 Senate re-election bid. (PPP)

Poll: Dayton leads every potential Republican candidate. (PPP)

Swanson: State sues wind energy developer. (ForumNews)

Gov. Dayton appoints Austin’s Susan Olson to outdoor council. (Austin)

Dayton: Tax reform is the difficult route. (Albert Lea-Austin)

Gov. Dayton: No money for high-speed rail lines. (AP)

Landwehr: DNR identifies ex-worker who accessed data. (AP)

Minnesota native McDonough no stranger to Obama’s inner circle. (AP)

Obama letter to be part of Ely time capsule. (Ely)

Study: Investing more in ag research would increase efficiency, productivity. (AgWeek)

Shortchanging ag research? (ForumNews)

Letter (Wagenius-Ward-Radinovich-et al): They should ditch the ‘F’ in DFL. (Aitkin

Letter (Kelly): DFL acronym no longer includes farmers. (Red Wing)

Letter (Savick-Hamilton): House is helping agriculture issues. (Albert Lea)

Poppe Column: Respectful debate needed as state leaders discuss issues. (Austin – Rochester)

Kelly Column: Capitol has diminshed rural priorities. (Red Wing)

Drazkowski Column: Dayton’s magic act will make your money disappear. (Rochester)

Krinkie Column: GOP offers a better way to balance budget. (Detroit Lakes – Morris)

Column: Ask your local lawmakers to support the U of M. (Morris)

Column: Greater Minnesota must be a priority. (Bemidji)

Editorial (Hamilton-Hortman-Wagenius): Keep an eye out for rural interests. (Mankato)

Editorial: JOBZ replacement would be sound government. (Albert Lea)

Editorial: State databases must be secured. (Albert Lea)

Editorial: Education top priority in 2013. (ECM)

Editorial: Higher tobacco taxes are win-win for Minnesota. (Rochester)

Editorial: DFL errs in closing 14A convention. (St. Cloud)

Editorial (Bakk): The state constitution – Requiring a three-fifths majority in Legislature makes sense for approving amendments. (Timberjay)

Editorial (Hann-Daudt): MN GOP sings same old song. (Grand Forks-Detroit Lakes)

Eaton/Winkler: Minimum wage: Minnesota falls behind other states. (MinnPost)

McNamar/Westrom: Local legislators begin work on bills to benefit constituents. (Morris)

Koenen/Schomacker/Swedzinski: Legislators hear about the benefits of educational and job programs. (Marshall)

Bakk/Bonoff: University of Minnesota president says progress made in administration cuts. (ForumNews)

Skoe/Ortman/Thompson: Legislators begin looking into how to reform state taxes. (ForumNews)

Rest/Skoe/Ortman: Lawmakers start to look at sales tax. (AP)

McNamara/Wagenius/Dill: Carp barrier: disco, electric or …? (ForumNews)

Murphy/Hamilton/Poppe/Ward/Falk: GOP loses farm vote, but gets attention. (ForumNews)

Norton: Bill would make it easier to change ballot. (Rochester)

Simon: Voter ID may be revisited. (Hutchinson)

Atkins: E-pulltab, bingo games will pay off, supporters say. (ForumNews)

Goodwin: Bill proposes to ban smoking in theatrical performances. (AP)

Goodwin/Paymar: Bill would make it harder for felons to own guns. (AP)

Daudt/Hann: Dayton, GOP legislative leaders find some common ground at first breakfast session. (MinnPost)

Urdahl: Commission seeks progress on Capitol repairs. (Litchfield)

Hansen: Lawmaker seeks probe of data breach at DNR. (AP)

Dorholt/O’Driscoll/Howe/Newberger: Newcomers in the Capitol: Freshmen legislators finding their way. (St. Cloud)

O’Driscoll works on budget, school funding. (Sartell)

Rep McNamar sworn in for first term as 2013 legislative session begins. (Glenwood)

Al Franken: Bulletproof? (WashPost)

Will Al Franken Coast? (WSJ)

Senator Franken spends day in Ely. (Ely)

Franken/Klobuchar/Peterson: Minn., N.D. lawmakers have mixed reactions on Obama plans. (ForumNews)

Klobuchar: Senator gets inside look at Tuohy Furniture. (Chatfield)

Klobuchar: Homegrown Energy Tour comes to Granite Falls. (Granite Falls)

Peterson ‘skeptical’ about gun control proposals. (Litchfield)

Nolan adds name to bill to end Afghanistan war. (Duluth)

Clark Johnson wins DFL endorsement for House 19A. (Mankato)

19A: Gieseke talks about solving issues, saving money. (New Ulm)

14A: Democrats endorse Dorsher at closed convention. (AP)

Dorsher: House 14A convention closed without her knowledge. (St. Cloud)

Downey: Minnesota GOP will choose new state chair from rival factions still at war. (MinnPost)

(Farmers Union-Farm Bureau): Budget, property taxes expected to be top issues at Legislature. (AgriNews)

Minnesota’s 2012 crop sets records. (AgriNews)

Minnesota adds 9,100 jobs in December — jobless rate drops to 5.5 percent. (Detroit Lakes)

EPA sets haze regulations for taconite plants. (Duluth)

EPA issues rules to cut haze over Voyageurs, BWCA. (AP)

Construction of ‘green dorm’ off to quick start in Morris, Minn. (Willmar)

Gunther Letter: Bad news for rural areas. (Fairmont)

Gruenhagen Letter (Thissen): Highest priority is to be a voice for rural Minnesota. (Glencoe)

Benson Letter: DFL changes committees, hurts rural Minnesota. (Rochester)

Kresha Letter (Wagenius-Poppe-Thissen): Voice of ag interests will be weakened by Metro-area chair. (Little Falls)

Poppe Letter (Hamilton): Republican starts year with attack. (Albert Lea-Bemidji-Brainerd)

Letter (Wagenius): DFL has done much for agriculture. (Little Falls)

Letter (Wagenius): Kresha should resist partisanship; work across the aisle. (Little Falls)

Letter (Franken): If it walks like a secret and talks like a secret, it’s a secret. (Ely)

Column (Rukavina): And the land exchange debate continues…(Timberjay)

Column: Should filibuster be limited or abolished? (Alexandria)

Column: Reason to be skeptical about latest gun plan. (Austin)

Editorial: New plan needed to pay for Vikings stadium. (Austin)

Editorial: Franken’s visit to Ely could’ve been better. (Ely)

Editorial: We hope lawmakers act in responsible way. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Those with stake should lead fight against carp. (Fairmont)

Editorial: Did not take long before DFLers began to raid taxpayers’ pocketbooks. (Glencoe)

Editorial: Split up farm bill, debate merits separately. (Mankato)

Editorial: Minnesota recycling falling behind. (Mankato)

Editorial (Davids): Bipartisanship still needed in DFL-controlled Legislature. (Rochester)

Sen. Senjem’s practical veterans home plan should prevail. (Rochester)

Editorial: Pawlenty’s commission could help Dayton. (Grand Forks)