A Minnesota Senate panel approved legislation Thursday to spend $100 million on a variety of education initiatives, including voluntary prekindergarten, teacher development and school counselor grants.
The head of Minnesota's economic development agency announces her departure after five years at helm. Gov. Mark Dayton said his deputy chief of staff will take over the department.
Senate Democrats want to spend most of the state's $900 million projected surplus on education, rural broadband and racial equity initiatives. House Republicans want tax cuts and transportation projects.
Planned Parenthood officials say they would lose more than $4 million a year in government reimbursements under a bill moving through the Minnesota House. The sponsor of the bill calls it a way to provide more access to health care for women in rural areas.
Minnesota lawmakers on Tuesday tiptoed into a brewing national debate over gender-based restrooms restrictions. A bill to require restroom use by biological gender got some spirited testimony, but no vote.