Recent content from Ricardo Lopez
Dayton follows through on threat, vetoes 5 budget bills
Calling the proposals harmful and inadequate, he urged Republicans to reconsider.
Gov. Dayton vetoes two bills that sought limits on abortions in Minn.
They would have ended state funds for abortions and enacted restrictions.
For Minnesota Legislature's young parents, life's a juggle
Long hours, late nights at Capitol mean less time at home with spouses, kids.
Protests online and outside Paulsen, Lewis offices follow health care vote
Group shows anger over votes for GOP measure repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Senate passes measure limiting abortions, but Dayton promises veto
Dayton vows to veto the GOP measure to end state funds, enact restrictions.
Minnesotans favor Syria strikes, oppose wall, deporting
Minnesota Poll: A large majority of Minnesotans support President Donald Trump's decision to order missile strikes against Syria but oppose other top priorities he has on national security.
Minnesota House backs ban on state dollars for abortion
The measure bans state dollars from covering the cost of abortions for low-income women on public medical programs. If it passes the Senate, it will face a veto by Dayton.
![The Minnesota State Capitol sits quiet in the early morning hours, a few days before legislators return from Easter Passover break. ] GLEN STUBBE ](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/KU3NW2C6ODVFYEH7VPQ5LMDSOM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
At Minn. Capitol, the focus is on deadlines and a timely finish
Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are eager to avoid last-minute legislating and hours of budget negotiations behind closed doors.
Marijuana rally at Capitol calls for decriminalizing pot
Cannabis supporters took a light-hearted approach to a serious message on drug laws.
Perpich Center for Arts Education waits, watches as legislators decide its future
Struggling high school and middle school operated by the center are in limbo.
Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman announces bid for governor
The Republican kicked off his candidacy on Wednesday.
Bureau of Mediation Services commissioner dies from sudden illness
Josh Tilsen, a member of Gov. Mark Dayton's cabinet, died Tuesday after a sudden illness. according to a family member.
Republican attorney Harry Niska joins race for AG
Attorney from Ramsey says he would focus on consumer protection, public safety.
Minnesota abortion foes renew effort to ban using state money for procedure
MCCL renews bid to overturn ruling allowing state to fund abortions for poor women.
![Governor Mark Dayton announced here that he had prostate cancer a day after fainting while delivering his State of the State address. ] GLEN STUBBE &#](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4MNGA73YOAZURBOGJEV5RAQMHI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
After two terms of Dayton, DFL losing grip on outstate voters
His social agenda, farm policies don't mesh with many rural and small-town voters.
Gov. Mark Dayton urges Legislature to OK federal funding for 28 road, bridge projects
Dayton said further delay risks losing summer construction season, federal funding.
Minn. Senate controller fired after felony forgery charges from past job
Nonpartisan finance officer in Minn. Senate let go after officials learn of felony forgery charges tied to earlier employment.
Minnesota Senate GOP transportation plan calls for diverting general fund money
Republicans want to divert $400 million to pay for roads and bridges.
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will not run for Minnesota governor in 2018
Her surprise decision clears way for fellow DFLers.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal swells to north of $46 billion
The governor wants $147 million more in new spending; $100 million would go toward expanding voluntary preschool.
House Speaker Kurt Daudt moves to block legislative pay increases
One of the state's top Republicans said the Minnesota House would not fund recently recommended pay increases to legislative salaries.
Black leaders lobby at the Capitol for 'United Black Legislative Agenda'
Black community leaders and activists are lobbying legislators on a range of bills related to education, jobs and urban agriculture.
Dayton's NCAA bracket predicts Minnesota wins, Wisconsin loses
Gov. Mark Dayton joined other prominent Minnesotans in filling out a March Madness basketball bracket.
Dayton criticizes GOP health-care plan after CBO estimates
Dayton warns rural Minnesota would be among the worst off under GOP health-care plan introduced in Congress.
Bipartisan bill calls for statewide strategy to end HIV/AIDS epidemic
Stubborn rate of new infections prompts call for strategy to knock down numbers.
Budget officials report better-than-expected tax collections in February
The state collected more than $1 billion in taxes last month, about 3 percent more than budget officials had projected.
Taunts, scuffles as Trump backers and detractors meet at Capitol rally
Scuffles broke out Saturday in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol at a pro-Trump rally that drew several hundred supporters of the president and a smaller group of counterprotesters. Six people were arrested.
U regents vote has some asking: What happened to diversity?
DFL Rep. Jennifer Schultz is leading the charge to reform the way regents are chosen after her fellow legislators elected four white men last month.
Hoping to avoid political gridlock, Gov. Dayton steps up outreach to legislators
Governor hopes private meetings set a better tone.
Owners of small Minnesota liquor stores gird for Sunday hours
With the Legislature's repeal of the ban all but clinched, some owners fear higher overhead.
Trump appears to accept invitation to visit Minnesota mine
As part of a listening session, Trump met with manufacturing executives on Thursday and appears to have accepted an invitation to tour U.S. Steel's
![Alison Yocom, left, and her 13-year-old son, George, who is transgender, pose for a photo in their Minneapolis home ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navi](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JCOZIZQ25UOKQ7QIX5CDSLWWDE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Parents of Minn. transgender children find some hope in reassurance from Dayton, school officials
Gov. Mark Dayton forcefully denounced Trump's withdrawal of a federal directive that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity.
Senate Republicans, new to majority, unveil 'Advancing Minnesota' agenda
Senate Republicans mount push for tax cuts, reduced government spending and transportation funding.
Dayton: Transgender students 'deserve our compassion'
Gov. Mark Dayton forcefully denounced Trump's withdrawal of a federal directive that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity.
Feb. 22: Bills to crack down on Minnesota protesters advance in House, Senate
Two bills that would crack down on protesters who block highways, public transit or airport roads passed, 10-6, along party lines.
Omar navigates rising political celebrity as she adjusts to life in Minn. Legislature
First Somali-American state legislator finding her way at the Capitol.
![Dave MacLennan, new Cargill CEO who takes the reigns of the company Dec. 1. Wednesday, November 13, 2013. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZPE7YXHM3DRDHHHMDV3T7FBPLE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Trump's trade talk rattles Minnesota corporate leaders
Cargill boss, others say globalization has helped Minnesota companies.
Dayton to have surgery to remove prostate, aiming to excise cancer
Mayo Clinic procedure for governor on March 2 to remove prostate, says cancer has not spread further
DFLer wants ban on 'preferential' tickets for elected officials at public stadiums
State Rep. John Lesch says state law should explicitly prohibit public officials from getting any preferential admission to games at publicly funded stadiums.
Gov. Dayton welcomes birth of second grandson
Dayton's daughter-in-law, Cory, and son, Eric, welcomed their second son.
Dayton criticizes Trump travel ban, pledges to defend affected Minnesotans
Gov. Mark Dayton joins a chorus of state officials who are resisting President Trump's travel ban.
For Gov. Dayton, cancer diagnosis is just another challenge in the job
"I've had other difficult life situations. I'm accustomed to them," he said of diagnosis.
Former President Clinton, Minnesota Republicans offer Dayton well wishes, flowers
Gov. Mark Dayton keeps up busy schedule a day after disclosing prostate cancer diagnosis and explaining why he fainted during his State of the State speech.
Dayton expects to finish term after prostate cancer diagnosis
Gov. Mark Dayton said he would undergo more testing after he collapsed Monday night while delivering his State of the State address.
If Ellison wins DNC post, state Sen. Dibble will run for Congress after all
If U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison vacates his congressional seat for top DNC job, state Sen. Scott Dibble will run, reversing a previous decision to stay out of the race to replace him.
Gov. Dayton's address cut short by collapse
Legislators immediately adjourned the gathering, and Dayton appeared to be seated upright and aware shortly after the incident occurred, and he was escorted out of the room.
'Protect Life' sign in Minnesota Senate Building office window stirs controversy
A DFL state Senator has asked that a sign hung in the window of a Republican colleague be taken down because it might violate a zoning ordinance.
Minnesota women for Trump are hoping for change
With women divided over Trump, many in Minnesota who backed him — and some who didn't — say he deserves chance.
42 broadband projects in rural Minnesota to receive $34 million in state grants
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith on Wednesday announced the recipients of state grants that are intended to expand access to high-speed Internet across the state.
Kaler asks Legislature for 12 percent boost in U funding
He says taxpayer dollars won't go to coach buyouts.
In letter to U.S. House leader, Dayton urges caution amid health-care law repeal
Gov. Mark Dayton in a letter to U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, says "it is the moral responsibility of Congress to preserve the progress Minnesota has made under the ACA."
Dayton proclaims 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day'
Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed Monday "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day," and the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis will be lit blue.
Dayton unveils $300M tax plan; GOP unveils health care bills
Combined, the proposals by the DFL governor and Republicans who control the Legislature would cost the state $600 million.
![Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton photographed during an interview at the Minnesota Governor's Residence. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - D](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FBA5GZRQYEV4BN7M4RZL7VUS2E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Dayton unveils $1.5B public works bill, says it would create 23,000 jobs
Dayton issued his second salvo of the session, urging lawmakers to pass a major public works bill this year after failing to pass one last year.
Dayton to Chamber of Commerce: State needs call for new spending
Governor sees more uncertainty but urges added spending.
'I'm not going to go quietly into the night,' Gov. Dayton says
As GOP-led legislative session opens today, the governor prepares for his final budget showdown.
Minnesota Supreme Court returns to historic chamber
Justices will hear two cases, the first at the Capitol since renovations began in 2014.
Michelle MacDonald, former Supreme Court candidate, fined for violating campaign-finance law
MacDonald was accused of citing an endorsement that she did not have.
New state Senate leader fervent in faith, measured in approach
Soft-spoken, with a ministerial air that befits the title of the book he wrote before entering politics, Gazelka is described by colleagues from both parties as thoughtful, polite and measured.
Complaint sheds new details on D.C. cab incident involving Omar
D.C. authorities are investigating an incident involving an incoming Minnesota legislator and a D.C. cabdriver.
Two state legislators firm up plans for possible congressional run
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's DNC bid -- and offer to resign his congressional seat -- has opened to door for potential candidates to replace him should he become chair of the national Democratic Party.
Two state legislators firm up plans for possible congressional run
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's DNC bid -- and offer to resign his congressional seat -- has opened to door for potential candidates to replace him should he become chair of the national Democratic Party.
Omar's campaign says she reported cabbie incident to D.C. authorities
She filed reports of threats, bigotry with two Washington, D.C., agencies.
Two recounts confirm wins for Republicans elected to Minnesota Senate
After recount in St. Cloud-area Senate seat, Republican Jerry Relph will join fellow Republicans in Minnesota Senate next year.
State Sen. Scott Dibble would run if Ellison steps down to serve as DNC chair
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who is vying to be the next DNC chairman, said he would step down from his congressional seat if he's elected to the post, leaving an opening.
