Patricia Lopez

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Patricia Lopez

Political Editor | State and national politics

Phone: 651-2673-7028, cell: 612-599-2654

Email: patricia.lopez@startribune.com

Patricia Lopez is the Star Tribune’s political editor, supervising coverage for state and national politics. Lopez started at the Star Tribune in 1992, as Minneapolis City Hall reporter. She moved to the state Capitol in 1994. Before becoming political editor, Lopez was the Star Tribune’s chief political reporter, covering the governor, U.S. Senate races and the state budget.
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Friday: New round of financial questions dogs Franken

Responding to new Republican charges that DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken hid income from California tax authorities for years, Franken's campaign said that his accountant is trying to sort out whether taxes are owed.

Updated: April 24, 2008, - 10:50 PM

Panel to take a stab at overhauling state's tax code

The commission will study Minnesota's tax code that the governor says puts state businesses at a disadvantage.

Updated: April 24, 2008, - 12:09 AM

A bit of common ground emerges on budget talks

Gov. Pawlenty scaled back his plan to tap a health-care fund, proposing additional spending cuts instead.

Updated: April 21, 2008, - 10:32 PM

State's budget talks off to slow start

A park, a rail line, a nursing home and a health-care fund emerged as key bargaining points in an early budget negotiation among legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Updated: April 16, 2008, - 10:14 PM

Bad vibes hindering progress at Capitol

It has been a fast-paced, bumpy ride from the beginning of the 2008 legislative session, and the hard part still lies ahead.

Updated: April 13, 2008, - 10:47 AM

Pawlenty checks on Minnesota troops in Kosovo

The governor made a stealthy visit to the Balkan nation that declared its independence from Serbia in February.

Updated: April 12, 2008, - 11:46 PM

Are shacks a spark of hope for bars?

Supporters of an amendment to let establishments set up smoking shelters outside say bar and restaurants need help for their ailing businesses hurt by the ban. Opponents see possibility for "mischief."

Updated: April 04, 2008, - 08:27 PM

State House and Senate approve massive budget bills

The two bills aim to erase the state's deficit but include a lot more and have drawn GOP ire.

Updated: April 04, 2008, - 01:37 PM

Senate passes tax measurel; JOBZ project in danger

"I think we've got a collision course here with respect to a governor's veto," the Senate's leading Republican said. "It's unfortunate. This is not a good bill for Minnesota."

Updated: April 04, 2008, - 12:55 PM

$4.3 million federal grant could help 7,000 avoid foreclosure

With a record number of Minnesotans facing foreclosure, help is coming in the form of a $4.3 million federal grant that could prevent more than 7,000 foreclosures across the state.

Updated: April 01, 2008, - 11:06 PM