DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has denied that popped "15 to 16" pills in a private meeting with GOP state Sen. Mike Parry, who is in a heated primary fight for a chance to take on U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. Parry made the allegation Monday. Parry on Tuesday acknowledged that number might not be accurate. But he stood by his remark that Dayton is a "scary" liberal. Dayton acknowledges taking medication but called the pills remark "gutter politics."

A group of child care providers opposed to an effort to unionize the business are suing. They claim Gov. Dayton overstepped his authority in signing an executive order authorizing child-care workers to vote on whether to form a union.

Those who disagree with a move to unionize the state's child care workers will ask a federal judge to rule on Gov. Dayton's executive order authorizing a union vote. Opponents say Dayton's order may violate their First Amendment

A judge has ruled that the governor overstepped his authority when he issued an order allowing some at-home child care providers to vote on whether to form a union.

The Republican-controlled Senate Rules Committee voted 6-1 in support of a lawsuit which suggests Gov. Mark Dayton overstepped his bounds when he ordered a union election for childcare providers in the state.

The Ramsey County judge who blocked a unionization vote by child care workers ruled that Governor Dayton had exceeded his authority by ordering the vote without involving the Legislature. Dayton says he disagrees with the ruling but has decided against an appeal.

State Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca says he thinks the governor does not have the authority to sign an executive order authorizing a union vote because the state's day care workers are independent contractors.

The National Education Association just lauded Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton an “America’s Greatest Education Governor" award, in part for increasing school funding and focusing on early learning. But critics say he represents teachers unions more than students.