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 — Many Minnesotans may be perfectly happy to see sex offenders tossed behind bars, with jailers throwing away the keys. However, a federal judge says the system Minnesota...
ST. PAUL -- Gay advocates have lobbied for allow same-sex marriages for years, but they made little progress. That appears ready to change Tuesday when House and Senate committees will...
ST. PAUL — Republicans call gay marriage a distraction from important duties legislators face, such as passing a state budget. ADVERTISEMENT Print ESSER PLUMBING AND HEATING OF PERHAM Products you...
ST. PAUL — Scammers who convince older Minnesotans to send money to people they think they are helping are targeted by a new bill. These scams continue to be a...
Minnesotans must loudly demand that lawmakers approve Sunday alcohol sales if the proposal has a chance to pass, its Senate sponsor says. Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, said the House is...
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota House will decide today whether to send a nearly $500 million public works borrowing bill to the governor or continue work on it. On Monday, the House and Senate passed slightly different versions of the bill, which would allow state funds to go toward colleges, roads, bridges, flood prevention and the state Capitol building, among other needs throughout the state. The Senate, which approved the bill 45-22, shifted some money to allow for funding new projects during its Monday debate.
ST. PAUL - Minnesota legislators are on call to vote on flood-relief funding Monday, but it remains unclear whether communities affected by a June 17 tornado outbreak - including Wadena - also can expect help. Even the flood action is tentative, depending on whether the federal government declares southern Minnesota a disaster area yet this week. Flooding brought on by record and near-record rainfalls began on Sept. 22 across southern Minnesota, especially the southeast.
News that Minnesota cities and counties will receive full state aid checks later this month appropriately came on a day when many were sending out snowplows and all were dealing with bitter cold weather as the season's first major storm whipped through the state. Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced on Tuesday that he will not reduce or eliminate December state payments to local governments.
The bright spot for the Minnesota economy next year may be when the federal government hires more than 8,000 workers to conduct an every-10-year-census. State Economist Tom Stinson did not paint a pretty picture for the economy when he and other state officials Wednesday released a report about how the economy affects the state budget. "The recovery will be long, slow and bumpy," Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson said. The report prepared by Stinson, Hanson and the state's financial consultant predicted that more people will lose jobs until at least early spring.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty may target local governments as he looks for ways to plug continued budget deficits. Shortly after his aides announced that the current budget contains a $1.2 billion hole and the next two-year budget is $5.4 billion short, Pawlenty on Wednesday said his first action could be chopping a state payment due to local governments later this month.