A crowd of over 3,000 gathered on the front steps of the Capitol, Mon., Mar. 22, to show their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Photo by David J. Oakes

John Currie with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy explains to members of the Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division, Tues., Mar. 23, that his old television set is now considered hazardous waste due to its lead content. Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls.), right, presented a bill to help state residents properly dispose of old television sets and computer monitors.
Photo by David J. Oakes

Senators Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge), left, and Michael Jungbauer (R-East Bethel) exchange ideas during a recent meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Photo by David J. Oakes

Rachel Sobotka, left, pauses to wipe away a tear as she tells members of the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, Wed., Mar. 24, about the loss of a close friend to a triple homicide in Long Prairie last year. Sobotka testified in support of a bill sponsored by Sen. Mady Reiter (R-Shoreview), right, to re-establish the death penalty in Minnesota.
Photo by David J. Oakes

Caroline Rice, foreground, of Shorewood, presents samples of drugs that have been prescribed for her children to treat respiratory ailments they have suffered because of mold as the result of water damage to her home. Sen. Linda Scheid (R-Brooklyn Park), background, presented a bill in the Commerce Committee, Mon., Mar. 22, to create the Homeowners Protection Act, which was spurred by homeowners such as Rice and others who have suffered hardship due to shoddy workmanship.
Photo by David J. Oakes

Senators Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) and LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls) consult with each other during a recent Senate floor session.
Photo by David J. Oakes