Dayton responded to Republican criticism of state worker contracts saying the negotiations are well within the parameters of contracts approved by former Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty. The contracts would give over 27,000 public workers a two percent raise.

Former Roman Catholic priest Jim Smith left the church about 10 years ago. He told CNN his main concern was with the church's stance against same-sex marriage. Smith says he is still a Catholic despite actively campaigning against Minnesota's constitutional amendment that would define marriage as only between one man and one woman. He has also formed a group to persuade other Catholics to vote against the measure this fall.

Members of a hospital workers union have voted "overwhelmingly" to ratify a new three-year contract with eight Twin Cities hospitals, union officials said on Wednesday. The vote, by members of the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota, came just over a week after the union had threatened a two- to five-day strike as its contract was set to expire.

52 percent of the respondents in the Survey USA KSTP poll supported same sex marriage, while 42 percent opposed it. It's the first poll to show a majority of Minnesotans supporting it. Young people were especially likely to back same sex unions, with more than two-thirds supporting them.

The Minneapolis-based discount giant has not taken a stance on the controversial amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota, but Target stores are now selling greeting cards honoring gay couples. The cards feature phrases like "Mr. & Mr." and "Two very special women, one very special love."