Recent content from Maya Rao
Klobuchar wants 'consumer bill of rights' for Facebook users
Legislation a response to privacy breaches, election disruption revelations.
Crowded DFL field in northeastern Minnesota race to succeed Rep. Rick Nolan
Congressional seat held by Democrat Rick Nolan is a top target for Republicans.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar queries Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg on privacy
Klobuchar suggested a rule that would require Facebook to notify its users of a breach within 72 hours.
Rep. Peterson in hot seat as farm bill talks stall in Congress
As Congress prepares to return from its spring recess, Peterson questioned whether a new farm bill will even be in place before the old one expires on Sept. 30.
Busy but restless, Ellison juggles House seat with political duties
Battling President Trump both in Congress and as a national party leader, he's considered changing political jobs as well.
Minnesotans add passion, voices to D.C. march on gun control
Students from many backgrounds joined together as 800,000 rallied for stricter gun control as part of the March for Our Lives event.
Klobuchar wants answers from Facebook CEO Zuckerberg on breach
The Minnesota Democrat, in seeking Facebook CEO's testimony, says she wants assurances that user data is safe.
Feds route millions to aging Minnesota electrical lines
WASHINGTON – As electrical systems age and decline in northwestern Minnesota, Runestone Electric Association is preparing to upgrade 180 miles of line and build…
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer seeks mental health services for farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer is sponsoring legislation to expand access to mental health services for farmers. “Farmers in Minnesota and across America…
In tough election year, Paulsen gets boost from economic panel
Paulsen's January appointment to the U.S. Joint Economic Committee by House Speaker Paul Ryan raises his profile in what promises to be a tough election year.
DFL state Rep. Jason Metsa running for U.S. House from northern Minnesota
Metsa is latest DFLer to get into race to defend northeastern Minnesota swing seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan
High court hears case of Minn. banning political apparel at poll locations
Lawsuit challenges Minnesota's restriction on voters wearing political messages to polling places on First Amendment grounds.
Nolan says family concerns largely drove retirement decision
He says it's time to "give something back to my family."
Joe Radinovich leaving as Frey's chief of staff to run for Congress
A former state representative from Crosby, Radinovich had recently shifted into Minneapolis politics by working with Frey
Trump's proposal to end heating assistance called dangerous for rural Minnesotans, seniors
Trump administration pitches zeroing out federal heating assistance, used by 126,000 Minnesota households.
Candidates lining up for Nolan's seat in U.S. House
Unexpected retirement leaves a hotly contested swing district wide open.
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan won't run for re-election in 8th District
The Democratic congressman who represents northern Minnesota said it's time "to pass the baton."
Minnesota congressional delegation splits on spending bill, but not along party lines
Republicans Emmer, Lewis joined by Democrats Walz, Ellison and Peterson in voting against two-year federal budget plan
Former Sen. Norm Coleman endorses Republican Karin Housley's GOP bid for Senate
Support by Coleman, who once held seat up in November special election, suggests GOP establishment consolidating behind Housley
In DFL race to take on U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, rhetoric is getting sharper
DFLer Angie Craig wants rematch with Lewis, but challenger Jeff Erdmann suggests he'd appeal more to middle, working-class voters
Sen. Tina Smith stands behind her work with Planned Parenthood
Senator's tenure as a Planned Parenthood executive is a lightning rod for critics.
For Minnesota, a shutdown could have major implications
Smith, other lawmakers from state express frustration.
Minnesota Poll: State split on Russia meddling, Trump ties
Half of Minnesota residents are very or somewhat concerned about Russian interference in U.S. elections, but there's less certainty around the question of whether people connected to President Donald Trump engaged in improper coordination.
Minnesota farmers, food stamp users have much on line in next farm bill
Peterson is worried about GOP attempts to cut food assistance, crop insurance.
Tina Smith takes office in U.S. Senate, ready to get to work
She stood at the front of the Senate chamber alongside Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, also a Democrat, as Vice President Mike Pence administered their oaths of office.
Franken submits resignation letter; Smith ready to step in
Minnesota's ascendant senator, who will be sworn in Wednesday, also begins her campaign.
Tina Smith prepares for crash course in the U.S. Senate
She'll be learning Senate ropes even as she dives into campaign mode.
Minnesota's attorney general to sue over net neutrality
DFLer Lori Swanson says FCC's net neutrality rules repeal bad for consumers.
Push for gun permits across state lines concerns state's cops
Reciprocity bill passed the U.S. House but draws ire of some in law enforcement.
Klobuchar, Smith will put state in small group with two female senators
WASHINGTON – Members of the public, says Sen. Amy Klobuchar, would sometimes mistake her for the wife of Sen. Al Franken. For Klobuchar, the…
Tax plan would have dramatic effect in Minnesota
The state's businesses stand to get large tax cuts, while limits on deductions for state and local taxes could pinch individuals and families who itemize.
Concealed-carry reciprocity divides delegation
WASHINGTON – The stream of calls for U.S. Sen. Al Franken to resign on Wednesday drowned out some important news for Minnesotans. The U.S.…
As Sen. Al Franken prepares to leave Senate, he leaves real accomplishments, much undone
WASHINGTON – Sen. Al Franken’s decision to quit the U.S. Senate leaves Minnesota suddenly without its most high-profile politician, a feisty Democratic brawler who…
As Al Franken begins Senate exit, debate builds over his successor
Now that Sen. Al Franken has announced he will resign in the coming weeks, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is facing a high-pressure decision over appointing a replacement.
Sen. Al Franken will announce plans on Senate floor at 10:45 a.m.
The Minnesota senator, who called the latest anonymous accusation "preposterous," is set to speak about his future. It comes after Democratic leaders united Wednesday to tell him it was time to go.
Senate Ethics Committee has opened inquiry into Al Franken
Also, a new accuser, an Army veteran, told CNN that a 2003 encounter came while posing for a photo with Franken, who was on a USO tour.
Controversial measures to clear way for more Minn. mining sparks debate in U.S. House
Minnesota congressmen say mining measures not threat to Boundary Waters.
Dismay, support, confusion follow Franken apology for behavior
As some former allies call for a resignation, the woman who reported that Sen. Al Franken kissed and groped at her without permission in 2006 said he has sent her a personal apology.
Franken apologizes to accuser; President Trump weighs in
Leeann Tweeden said Franken kissed and groped her without her consent during a USO tour in 2006. Sen. Klobuchar has called for an ethics investigation of Franken.
Minn. higher education leaders raise alarms about GOP tax plan
As tax overhaul speeds through Congress, campus leaders in Minnesota say it has big downsides for student debtors, research capacity, building projects.
Sex harassment allegations are challenging State Capitol culture
Those who regularly pass through the Capitol share stories of a proverbial small world that can enable untoward behavior.
Veterans, especially in rural Minnesota, look on as lawmakers try to overhaul health care
Lawmakers working to fix much-maligned Choice Program.
Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken call for action on opioid overdose reversal drug
WASHINGTON – As President Donald Trump announced that the opioid epidemic is a public health emergency, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken called on…
Tax reform could add up to billions for Minnesota's biggest companies
Minnesota's biggest companies would see billions in relief – but what about workers?
Paulsen backs bump stock ban, angering gun control opponents
The Minnesota Republican's decision to cosponsor the measure to ban a device that allows semi-automatic rifles to fire at the rate of machine guns has drawn the ire of gun-control opponents.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar pushes for transparency in online political ads
The stronger proposed disclosure rules from Minnesota's Klobuchar and colleagues are aimed at diluting Russian interference in elections.
Klobuchar, other lawmakers dined with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Minnesota senator, others from Judiciary panel discussed criminal justice reform with Trump, Kushner
Sen. Al Franken to donate campaign contributions from Harvey Weinstein
Minnesota senator will give away contributions from Hollywood producer accused of sexually harassing women
Few signs that Vegas shooting will shake up the gun debate
Minnesota Republicans in Congress aren't interested in talking guns after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, while Democrats say some response is necessary.
GOP tax overhaul takes aim at widely used deductions
Deductions on one-third of federal returns filed from Minnesota are on the chopping block.
Lawmakers call for swift, apolitical fix in Cuba attacks
WASHINGTON – The bipartisan Cuba Working Group in the U.S. House on Friday praised the federal government’s decision to withdraw all nonessential personnel from…
Minnesota Republicans, businesses praise GOP tax plan
As Trump rolls out tax proposal, plan wins praise from GOP's Paulsen, skepticism from Democrats
Stephen Censky, a Minnesota native, set to for influential USDA slot
A Minnesota native awaits confirmation for No 2. post at the agency.
Minnesota gets $6 million from feds to fight opioids
Nearly $250,000 will go to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to combat drug overdoses.
Paulsen jumps into BWCA mining ban debate, backs moratorium
Paulsen breaks GOP ranks as House votes to lift mining ban.
FCC's decision on 'net neutrality' looms; advocates push back
Foes, including Sen. Al Franken, say looser rules could lead to blocked content and higher prices.
Minnesota's Keith Ellison, in Democratic leadership role, central in party's rebuilding effort
Personal contact is key to building party, Ellison says.
Passage of 'Forever GI' Bill is touted as a way to get things done in D.C. in polarizing times
Expanded college program zips through the U.S. House and Senate, but a health care battle awaits.
Franken introduces bill to save children trapped in hot cars
The measure would require newly manufactured cars to come with sensors that alert the driver if a child is still in the back seat after the vehicle is turned off.
Senate Democrats set their conditions for tax reform ahead of GOP's push in Congress
The Democrats' letter to Trump and GOP leaders asks for no cuts for wealthiest 1 percent.
Congressional Republicans regroup to focus on taxes
"I think it's obvious that there were some lessons learned from health care," said U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, who voted for the health care bill in the House.
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer pushes to restore mineral rights
The Sixth District Republican's move comes in response to the Obama administration's 11th-hour decision not to renew mining leases for Twin Metals in northeastern Minnesota.
House committee passes bill to trim EPA spending, but by far less than proposed by Trump
Agency faces 6.5 percent cut in bill headed to the House.
Despite Minnesota GOP support, ban on transgender medical funding fails
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House on Thursday unexpectedly defeated a GOP-sponsored prohibition on military funding for transgender medical expenses. The amendment by Rep. Vicky…
Rep. Rick Nolan touts his PolyMet land-swap bill
The congressman testified on bill to exchange forest and mining firm's acreage.
Rep. Nolan tries to balance mining support, climate change opposition
He delicately balances support for PolyMet land swap and climate change work.
Hazelden Betty Ford to hold opioid town hall in D.C.
WASHINGTON – As lawmakers wrangle over the opioid crisis, the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy is sponsoring a town hall next Wednesday…
Another DFLer announces bid to succeed Rep. Tim Walz
Daniel Feehan, an Iraq war veteran, is fifth DFLer to enter the race.
Red Lake among tribes alarmed by proposed cuts to BIA programs
Anti-suicide initiative among programs that would be cut, Red Lake leader says.
As GOP seeks looser financial rules, Emmer focuses on small banks
Emmer, saying the Dodd-Frank Act goes too far, is supporting measures that he says would ease the regulatory burden on small banks.
Rep. Rick Nolan first Minnesotan to join Climate Solutions Caucus
Nolan also recruited Rep. David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, to join him.
Opioid-linked deaths on rise, but federal response uncertain under Trump
Treatment advocates and public officials in Minnesota are looking to Washington with concern that federal spending reductions could damage efforts to stem the crisis.
Minnesota, big user of food stamps, worries over Trump's proposed cuts
Minn. advocates organize against proposed cuts.
Gov. Mark Dayton supports President Trump's paid family leave plan
Governor says state should adopt proposal for six weeks of paid leave for new parents.
Klobuchar wants Senate briefing on Russian vote hacking attempts
Minnesota senator wants briefing after new round of reports on Russian hacks into U.S. election process
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