Recent content from Maya Rao
Target CEO Brian Cornell to testify in DC against import tax
Proposed rule could drive price increases for retailers.
Rep. Nolan meets Trump officials to revive copper mining near BWCA
The DFL congressman sees a chance that the administration will undo Obama decision.
Minn. GOP in D.C. back health care measure amid blowback
U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen is defending his heavily scrutinized vote for the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act. He and fellow Minnesota Republicans Tom Emmer and Jason Lewis say it's an effort to bring down health insurance costs.
Minnesota native running for Virginia governor defends Confederacy
Corey Stewart, a Duluth native running for governor of Virginia, stirs up national controversy over defense of Confederate flag.
Ellison's failed bid to run DNC was costly venture
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's unsuccessful bid to chair the Democratic National Committee wasn't cheap.
Poll: Trump has 40% approval rating among Minnesotans
As Donald Trump reaches Day 100 as president, the poll shows a stark divide: Most Minnesotans outside the Twin Cities area continue to back him.
GOP's Erik Paulsen spent big on last cycle, on track to do so again
In the previous election cycle, Paulsen spent far more defending his congressional seat last year than any other Minnesotan in Congress.
Ellison, Sanders, Democrats make new push for $15-an-hour minimum wage
Proposal reflects growing support among Democrats for higher base wage, but lacks GOP support.
Affordable housing advocates fear proposed HUD cuts would be devastating to Minnesota
Reduced federal spending on housing would affect constituencies as diverse as working families, seniors and people with disabilities, and those with criminal histories.
Senators push United Airlines for answers on overbooking
Minnesota Sens. Klobuchar, Franken are among those questioning airline's policy.
For Ellison, role with national Dems a chance to rebuild local parties
In DNC role, he's helping to rebuild the party from the ground up.
Rep. Jason Lewis charts own path on Capitol Hill
Approaching 100 days in office, Lewis' new congressional career is unfolding during an unusually chaotic era in Washington.
Midwestern farm interests closely watching Trump's ag secretary nominee
WASHINGTON – As Sonny Perdue moves toward becoming President Donald Trump's secretary of agriculture, Minnesota's congressional delegation and business leaders are hoping the former…
Walz's run for gov. raises stakes for southern Minn. seat
Republicans see a chance to reclaim the First District seat in the U.S. House, but Democrats say they'll fight to hold it.
Rural Minn. hospitals fear fallout as work visas slow
As populations age in rural parts of the state and region, hospitals and clinics increasingly rely on immigrant doctors
Reps. Jason Lewis, Erik Paulsen voice disappointment over GOP health care bill failure
The Minnesota congressmen say they'll keep working on the issue.
Supreme Court hears dispute over St. Croix property
Justices posed tough questions to attorneys for the landowners and to the government regulators who blocked the transaction.
Selling rice to Japan? Minnesota tribes marketing wild rice to the world
Leech Lake has hired a marketing specialist and is going to food shows to talk up the savory and nutritional qualities of the rice that grows on tribal waters. It's now backed by a USDA grant.
Twin Cities, Minnesota officials see big impact from Trump's budget
Concerns expressed about cuts in environmental cleanup programs, heating for poor households, AmeriCorps and airport service and security.
Older, poorer Minnesotans would lose most under GOP plan
Minnesotans who are older and less affluent would get significantly fewer tax credits from the new Republican national health care plan, according to a new analysis.
Casseroles clash at Franken's annual hotdish competition for Minnesotans in Congress
Rep. Collin Peterson's bear dish wins Sen. Al Franken's yearly event.
Tom Emmer, Erik Paulsen, Jason Lewis praise House GOP health care plan
Minn. Republicans in Congress stand by the measure, calling it an improvement.
Franken hands over $41K in contributions from Boston law firm under investigation
Democrats have returned more than $1 million since FEC began investigating firm accused of reimbursement scheme
Ilhan Omar dominated among students, rival's analysis shows
Maneuvering in a white suit and red bow tie, Brian Rice pointed to the board drawn over with an election analysis in the second-floor conference…
Relentlessness helped Ilhan Omar to seal historic win
Her state House campaign to unseat Rep. Phyllis Kahn knocked on thousands of doors and spread its reach wide.
Fierce battle in Minnesota's 2nd District GOP primary
Voters are weighing four candidates in the Republican primary on Tuesday, in the nationally watched race to replace retiring Rep. John Kline.
With Capitol renovation in final stretch, state's crown jewel gleams again
Capitol's first restoration in more than 100 years is nearing completion.
Money flows into competitive Minnesota legislative races
The fight for funds is fierce, with all 201 seats and no governor up for election.
True believers bond over Trump at St. Louis Park tavern
Emilie Maua cried as she watched Donald Trump accept the Republican nomination for president. It was not that her hero had said much of anything…
Hillary Clinton stops in Mpls., pledging strong support for teachers
The presumptive presidential nominee tells nation's No. 2 union that it will have ally in the White House.
Stung by defeats, Democrats shift strategy on gun control
The party is bringing its case to the people, with leaders urging members to conduct sit-ins around the country as they try to sustain the flash of activism on the gun issue.
Minnesota gun enthusiasts hold fast to AR-15
In the world of competition shooting, one of the country's most-feared weapons is favored
Rifle used in Orlando popular among Minn. gun enthusiasts
The AR-15 is a top choice among hunters and hobbyists. It has also been used in some of the worst mass shootings in recent years, including Sandy Hook.
Minnesota pension changes get pushed off to next year
Legislators put off the issue when a deal fell through this session.
State's new rail director will tackle oil-train safety, other issues
The map above Alene Tchourumoff’s desk shows lines that appear, at first, to denote rivers — they sprawl and branch off, weaving and curving across…
Minnesota will spend $35 million to advance racial equity
Amid the partisan rancor over a $260 million tax-break bill, Gov. Mark Dayton last week approved many racial equity measures that won broad support.…
The pre-midnight special: Bill runner a key player in last-minute frenzy
The man hand-delivering legislation from chamber to chamber had to race across street due to construction.
Tin Cup caucus convenes at St. Paul watering hole
“I dare you to go talk to that dude in the hat,” the school bus lobbyist is telling me. We are sitting at Tin Cup’s…
In first crack in stalemate, Minn. legislators agree on $259M tax bill
Outstate Minnesota wins big in tax bill; St. Paul soccer stadium included.
Feb. 1: Minnesota leaders' full-page ad decries bigotry toward Muslims
From across a broad spectrum, hate messages declared "un-Minnesotan."
GOP's $800 million public-works bill fails to pass
Legislative leaders are still negotiating over final budget priorities.
Law enforcement is flexing its muscle at Minnesota Capitol
Police groups' influence over legislative process on display with key bills.
Sunday liquor store sales remain illegal after loss at Legislature
For lawmakers, it was a frenzied day on smaller issues, but no progress on the big ones.
Outstate cities press for legislative action in Minnesota
Armed with ice cream, city officials from around the state lobby for more spending in rural areas.
Body-cam bill with restrictions on public access advances in Minnesota House
Over the protests of its chairwoman, the House data practices committee approved legislation that would give law enforcement more control over recordings they make during interactions with citizens.
Legislators struggle to strike balance with body cameras
State lawmakers are struggling to balance privacy rights, transparency, policing needs.
Dayton and DFLers press GOP for details of bonding proposal
House Republicans have offered to spend $600M on statewide projects.
Minnesota Poll: Most favor Supreme Court nominee, Senate vote
A strong majority of Minnesotans say the U.S. Senate should immediately hold confirmation hearings and vote on Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination.
State's cosmetologists brace for regulatory overhaul
Clearer rules and a focus on cleanliness should help streamline the process.
Minneapolis Council Member Warsame backs Mohamud Noor in race vs. Rep. Kahn
Minneapolis official supported longtime legislator 2 years ago.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appoints state rail director
The newly created position comes amid growing concern about oil train safety
State considers expanding list of jobs that will require license
These proposals are unfolding amid a national debate about the increasing appearance of licensure requirements in jobs that once required none.
Minnesota edging closer to Real ID compliance
State leaders are looking to approve changes to comply with federal law this session.
Rep. Phyllis Kahn fights to stay relevant as DFL pushes for new blood
Longtime state Rep. Phyllis Kahn has been one of the most reliably liberal voices at the State Capitol, blazing the way on everything from anti-smoking…
Rybak, Dibble endorse Ilhan Omar over Rep. Kahn in DFL battle
Omar is trying to defeat Rep. Phyllis Kahn, the Legislature's longest-serving member
Rep. Kahn, rivals head to primary without DFL endorsement
Ilhan Omar came within a few votes of securing the party's endorsement, but the day ended without a nod to anyone.
Minn. legislators want railroads to open books on emergency response
Local officials want to be better prepared for oil train derailments
Minnesota cities rush to restrict where sex offenders live
The issue is politically perilous for leaders of both parties, who must weigh the constitutional questions vs. the political blowback from releasing potentially dangerous offenders into the community.
Minnesotans with student loan debt speak out to legislators
Legislators heard testimony Wednesday from people saddled with college debt as they considered several proposals to ease the burden for many of the 882,000 current or former student borrowers in the state.
DFL legislators want pension fund investments in fossil fuel firms to end
DFL legislators want state pension fund managers to dump fossil fuel stocks.
Minnesota GOP leader breaks with Trump, Cruz on Muslims
Minnesota GOP Chairman Keith Downey is breaking from leading Republican presidential candidates after controversial remarks about Muslims by Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.…
DFL takes battle over paid family leave to Capitol
Minnesota DFLers are intensifying efforts to adopt one of the most sweeping paid family leave policies in the country, an effort gaining wide support from labor unions and low-income groups.
Dayton signs Iron Range jobless benefits extension after House OK
After frantic and uncertain day, House has agreed to pass measure to extend benefits for 26 weeks.
Dayton wants $4M set aside for PolyMet legal costs
Minnesota is now spending $60,000 a month on a Washington, D.C., firm hired to protect the state against future lawsuits related to PolyMet Mining Corp.
Minnesota unemployment fund reaches solvency as politicians weigh refunds
The Minnesota House passed a measure Thursday to extend benefits for laid-off steel workers on the Iron Range but also return millions of dollars in unemployment insurance to employers.
Doctor-assisted suicide proposal tabled after emotional hearing
Sen. Chris Eaton abruptly withdrew the measure in a hearing that drew hundreds of people and hours of wrenching testimony.
DFL, GOP still split on Iron Range benefits
Republicans push for business tax cuts as part of the relief legislation.
Why Donald Trump? A look at some of his Minnesota supporters
His own party fears and distrusts him. His critics call him a phony or a fascist. His backers see him as the sole choice.
Minnesota pensions struggle to divest from Iran
State law says they must divest from firms doing business there — as more aim to do.
Tensions erupt over jobless benefits, setting tone at Capitol
As the session opens next week, fur is already flying over help for Iron Range.
Caucus lines, waits bring calls for Minnesota to move to primary
Gov. Dayton is the latest official urging the change, which would allow for all-day voting.
Minnesota has $900M budget surplus; lower than expected
Officials had been counting on a projected surplus of $1.2 billion for the upcoming legislative session, which begins next month.
Dayton and legislative leaders predict tough session
Big disagreements loom on both education and transportation issues.
High stakes fuel flames in races to succeed GOP Rep. Kline
The contest to replace retiring U.S. Rep. John Kline is intensifying as Republican candidates struggle to break out from the crowded field.
Democrats' battle for black voters hits Minnesota
The state's relatively small black population is not likely to swing the vote in the upcoming caucuses between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, but the fight reflects a larger, national battle for black voters.
More from Star Tribune
StarTribune.com welcomes and encourages readers to comment and engage in substantive, mutually respectful exchanges over news topics. Commenters must follow our Terms of Use.
Comments will be reviewed before being published.