Hometown Source

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, and Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria stepped out the Senate Chamber shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday (May 9) and headed down to a committee room where the stadium conference committee was meeting. “I think we have a deal,” said Rosen, pausing on the broad Capitol stairwell [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter The Republican House could take up the Vikings stadium conference committee report late this evening — Day 118 of the legislative session — and possibly even vote to finish the 2012 legislative session. “We do have a Day 119,” said House Majority Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, of an extra constitutional [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter Charges of rich guys in $3,000 suits strong-arming the legislative process and of unspoken forces attempting to run out the clock on the Vikings stadium initiative ricocheted within the Senate on Tuesday (May 8) during a lengthy, sometime emotional stadium floor debate. “There was a lot of passionate feelings [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter The voice of Minnesota was heard tonight, said Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. The Republican House on Monday (May 7) passed a Vikings stadium bill on a bipartisan 73 to 58 vote — it was a stronger vote than anyone anticipated, said Dayton, speaking shortly after conclusion of the eight-hour [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter The Republican House today (May 7) passed a $496 million bonding bill containing a number of area projects. Included in the bill is $7 for the Dakota Technical College transportation and emerging tech lab renovation, $26 million for the North Hennepin Community College bioscience and health career addition, and [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter That the most ballyhooed vote of the legislative session could be only three days away has not escaped attention at the State Capitol. Vikings stadium advocates lined a committee room table at a media availability this afternoon (May 4), restating their cases for supporting the legislation that looks to [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter Republican leaders today (May 4) spoke of “burning the last bridge” and damaged future votes in slamming Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s veto of the Republican tax bill. Dayton vetoed the tax bill today, short hours after it received its final votes on the Senate Republican floor and was sent [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter Republican leaders today (May 3) released a $496 million bonding bill that theoretically includes a number of area projects. But the makeup of the bill is still in flux. House Capital Investment Committee Chairman Larry Howes, R-Walker, explained that in talks with Dayton Administration officials it was explained to [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter An attempt by Sen. Michael Jungbauer to override a veto of his fireworks bill by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton fizzled today (May 3) on the Senate floor. Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, his right arm in a sling from banging his elbow while working under a car, argued on the Senate [...]

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter The long anticipated vote on the Vikings stadium is slated for Monday (May 7). Republican leaders today (May 3) dropped their recent proposal to use general obligation bonding to help to pay for the stadium, leaving the two stadium bills currently on the House and Senate floors awaiting the [...]