Health Plan Act clears hurdle despite insurance industry opposition

Republicans and DFLers squared off in committee on Monday as the Minnesota Health Act, a bill to create a single payer health system in the state, got its first hearing. The ideological divide centered on DFLers who argued that health care should be a public good available to all, and Republicans asserted that the market, and to a small extent the government safety net, should determine the future of health care in Minnesota.

All sides agreed, however, that the current system of health coverage is broken.

Medical marijuana bill introduced in the Senate

A bill to allow incurably ill patients to legally purchase marijuana is up for consideration in the Minnesota Senate. The Medical Use of Marijuana bill is nearly identical to a bill that passed the Senate last year and almost passed the House. It enjoys partisan support this year, although last year Gov. Tim Pawlenty indicated he would veto such a bill so long as law enforcement opposed it.

Controversial reproductive privacy bill back at Capitol

A reproductive health bill being considered in the Minnesota Legislature this year states that the government has no business interfering with the constitutionally protected privacy rights set forth in Roe v. Wade. While presumptive gubernatorial candidates Sens. John Marty and Tom Bakk are among the bill’s co-authors, staunchly pro-life Gov. Tim Pawlenty is unlikely to sign the bill should it get to his desk.

Marriage Equality bill likely to drop Thursday

The much anticipated Marriage and Family Protection Act is likely to be submitted in the Minnesota Senate Thursday morning, bill proponents say. The act would make Minnesota statutes related to marriage gender neutral and would open the door for same-sex marriage. Bill supporters are planning a gathering of supporter at the Capitol Thursday morning to mark the occasion and show legislators their support for marriage equality.

Marriage equality will be hot legislative issue in 2009

Same-sex marriage will again be a hot topic in the state Legislature this year, and some new initiatives are sure to create controversy. But for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that has been playing defense against social conservatives for more than a decade, the 2009 legislature will be the friendliest in years, some lawmakers say.

Sen. John Marty eyeing run for governor

Sen. John Marty announced on Monday that he is organizing an exploratory campaign for governor. The 22-year senator of the suburbs north of St. Paul ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Arne Carlson in 1994 losing by a large margin.
“After…

Phony ‘grassroots’ telecom industry group pushes back against cell phone reforms

The telecommunications industry is working hard to kill a cell phone reform bill at the Minnesota legislature that would guarantee customers accurate information about billing and service area coverage. And it’s using an industry front organization masquerading as a grassroots…

Dispute over auto emission limits heading for Minnesota

Minnesota is not yet among a group of states suing the Bush administration for the right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. But the state could soon become entangled in the conflict, as lobbyists and lawmakers…