The measure, which passed along an 8-4 party-line vote, contains a production tax that would cover repair costs for roads.

A state Senate committee on Tuesday approved a statewide moratorium on new frac sand mining, despite warnings from industry officials that the legislation would stifle job growth and put Minnesota at a competitive disadvantage with its neighbor, Wisconsin.

“If there’s a long-term demand for this sand like the industry says there is, there will be plenty of opportunities for jobs in the future,” said Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, the bill’s sponsor. “We have an opportunity to get this right.” (MPR News)

MPR News hosted a chat examining the state of frac sand mining with journalists from Wisconsin and Texas.

Minnesota legislators who may face a vote on legalizing gay marriage have a new consideration on the issue.

In addition to listening to their consciences and constituents, they now have word from the National Organization for Marriage that the national group will spend $500,000 to defeat any Republican legislator who votes for gay marriage.

And the group will support any DFL legislators who vote against it.

via Minn Post.