The Fiscal Times ranks Minnesota No. 6 of the "12 Most Expensive States to Raise Children." According to the report, Minnesotans spend an average of $9,700 in full-time childcare per year, which is almost as expensive as the cost of tuition at a public university, nearly $10,400 on average.

Presidential and Congressional elections and the Constitutional amendments garner most of the attention in this political season. But control of the Minnesota Capitol may have a more immediate impact on your taxes, schools, and health insurance. The DFL hopes to pick up four Senate seats and six in the House to gain majorities.

When legislators return to the Capitol Monday, they'll have one thing on their minds: tax relief. House Republicans are looking to cut business taxes while Senate Republicans are hoping to get rid of the so-called "marriage penalty." Governor Dayton says he likes cutting taxes as much as anyone, but, isn't clear on where the money will come from.

For the first time in eight years, Minnesota's Independence Party has no candidate running in the Sixth Congressional District race. Democrat Jim Graves says the lack of a third party candidate will help him with moderate voters. But Graves is clearly an underdog in his challenge of incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann.

The DFLer from New Hope filed for re-election on Tuesday but changed her mind on Wednesday, citing health concerns. Peterson served in the House for eight years. She specialized in educational issues and reminds her colleagues that Minnesota still owes its schools $2.4 billion.

When they convene in St. Paul, lawmakers will work on issues including a future budget shortfall, how to create jobs, a Vikings stadium, and whether to require an ID to vote. Sound familiar?