Sandy Pappas

MNGOP Rep. Mary Franson, through tears, says: "Democrats are just destroying this state"

You wouldn't expect anything else, but Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, is no fan of the job the DFL-controlled legislature is doing so far this session.SEE ALSO:-- Mary Franson spouts bogus autism theories at House hearing, gets shut down [VIDEO]-- Gov. Dayton's deputy chief of staff wants Mary Fra ... More >>

Geoff Michel avoids Senate ethics investigation for handling of Brodkorb-Koch scandal

​Divided along partisan lines, there isn't enough support among Senate Ethics Committee members to launch an ethics investigation into how Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, handled the Amy Koch-Michael Brodkorb scandal.During a hearing last Friday, the four member committee discussed an ethics complaint ... More >>

Geoff Michel lied about Brodkorb's affair with Koch, complaint says

​DFL Sen. Sandra Pappas filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Geoff Michel today for his handling of the Amy Koch affair. Michel "brought the Minnesota Senate into dishonor and disrepute" by failing to appropriately address former Senator Majority Leader Amy Koch's affair with Michael Brodkorb, ... More >>

Countdown to government shutdown: Who's to blame?

Minnesota lawmakers have until July 1 to get it together.​As of today, the Minnesota Legislature is two-and-a-half weeks tardy in solving the state's $5 billion budget deficit. Unfortunately for everyone, there doesn't appear to be a budget deal in sight. If no agreement is made by July 1st, ... More >>

Mayor R.T. Rybak calls for changing beer law

R.T. Rybak is slinging guns so Surly can sling suds.​In his state of the city speech, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak made his strongest endorsement yet of a change to local liquor laws proposed by Surly Brewing Co. "Beer is a part of our history, beer is a part of our future," he said. "We need ... More >>

Rena Moran beats DFL-Endorsed Jeremiah Ellis in 65A

Rena Moran, St. Paul's first African-American legislator?​Rena Moran's path from homelessness to a seat in the statehouse was all but assured last night with her victory over Jeremiah Ellis in the DFL primary for St. Paul's 65A legislative district.Moran beat Ellis by 1436 to 1231 votes, becoming ... More >>

U of M Regents spike stadium booze bill compromise

A booze-free zone​TCF Bank Stadium will remain a booze-free football field for the time being. Rather than adopt a compromise approved in the Minnesota Legislature that would have allowed alcohol sales in the most expensive seating areas at TCF Bank Stadium, along with some of the general adm ... More >>

TCF Stadium booze bill dries up in House

Dry as a bone for the time being​As far as the Minnesota House is concerned, it's booze for all or booze for none at TCF Bank Stadium. No special privileges for the well-heeled. Minneapolis DFL Rep. Phyllis Khan's amendment to allow the University of Minnesota to serve alcohol in whatever way ... More >>

U of M booze ban repeal passes Minnesota Senate

​A bill that would allow the University of Minnesota to decide where and when people can buy booze at TCF Bank Stadium has cleared the state Senate. Next stop: the House, where its future is less certain. SF3180, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Pappas, calls for allowing the university to serve alcoh ... More >>

Senate reconsiders TCF Stadium booze ban

​Good news for Gophers fans and stadium-goers looking to get their booze on in TCF Stadium: a bill that would allow stadium vendors to sell alcohol passed through the Senate Finance Committee yesterday and is heading toward the full chamber.University regents originally wanted beer and liquor to b ... More >>

Domestic abuse pet protection bill passes Minn. Senate

Sen. Sandy Pappas of St. Paul proposed the legislation. She says many abused women will stay in dangerous situations because of their companion animals.

Sandy Pappas says it's OK for U of M to keep booze out of TCF stadium cheap seats

The University of Minnesota may get another shot at serving alcohol to preferred patrons at TCF Bank Stadium

Sandra Pappas guides bill giving the U of M another shot at TCF stadium booze

The bill would allow the university to serve alcohol at the stadium as long as it agrees to fund a scholarship account with the proceeds.

Minnesota lobbyists rank Twin Cities legislators

The brightest stars and dimmest hacks in the Capitol

War Torn

As a young radical, Norm Coleman protested the Vietnam War. Now his support for the Iraq quagmire may swallow his political career.

Unelected Sex

After squawking about sex ed for years, DFLers turned prude once they took power

Welcome to the Nanny State

Pawlenty to immigrants: You're dreaming

Indecent Proposals

Pawlenty's gambling push might be a budget quick fix, but it will cost in the long run

Pappas: Dude, I Totally Just Blew Up Your First Amendment Rights

The Deal Goes Down

Pawlenty and the legislature go for "shared sacrifice" --with a vengeance

Off Beat

Predators, Inc.

If the state won't stop shady lenders, maybe cities will

Junk Mail

Advocates fight against predatory lenders and for regulatory relief

Here We Go A-Caucusing

A few days at the races with St. Paul mayoral candidate Jay Benanav

They Shoot, They Score!

The Minnesota Wild hockey hoo-ha is a high-stakes political power game featuring a lineup of heavy hitters--and you can't tell the players without this City Pages program.

Thin Ice

"The troubling part comes when you look at your market: It's too small to support two major facilities plus the Metrodome and all your other smaller venues."

STAR Gazing

Critics say St. Paul's STAR program is being mismanaged

Norm's Conquest

Some people compare Norm Coleman to Ronald Reagan. They have a point.

Saint Bore

In Ward 3, home to one of St. Paul's two hotly contested City Council campaigns, the race parallels the mayoral contest. Incumbent Mike Harris has been drawing fire from his challenger, DFL endorsee Randy Schubring, for defending "the special interests of

Four More Years in Saint Paul?

Norm Coleman's glitzy deals have charmed business and the press. But guess who's left holding the bag.

Whistling Past the Graveyard

The St. Paul City Council's agreement to spend $101 million to bring Lawson Software downtown isn't as waterproof as Mayor Norm Coleman has promised.

Come to Pappas

Stacked up against Bobbi Megard (left), state Sen. Sandy Pappas (right) appeared feisty and ambitious

Puck Off

St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman hopes to land a new hockey arena before this year's elections.

End Notes