DFLers accuse 15 Republican senators of an inappropriate use of taxpayer money. But the senators say the fliers they printed were only updating constituents on what lawmakers were doing. The Democrats will ask the Ramsey County attorney to file a complaint.

Perhaps feeling pressure from the low poll numbers, Michele Bachmann is shifting strategy a bit with a strong, direct pitch to religious conservatives.

After two short years of a Republican majority, the Minnesota Legislature is back in control of the Democrats, and GOP leaders said Wednesday they are mystified by what happened during Tuesday's general election.

Senate Republican spokesman Steve Sviggum thinks DFLers are moving slowly to prolong their ethics complaint against Republican Geoff Michel. He says Michel was ready to have a hearing on the day the complaint was filed. Democrats say Michel failed to act appropriately after learning the Senate majority leader was having an affair with a staff member.

Endorsed Duluth DFLer Erik Simonson is proceeding with his write-in campaign for a Minnesota House seat in District 7B after the State Supreme Court didn't act to remove disgraced Rep. Kerry Gauthier's name from the ballot. Gauthier withdrew from the race last month after admitting to a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy at a Duluth rest stop.

Union-weakening legislation in several Midwestern states has lost momentum since swarms of protesters mobbed Indiana's capitol after a right-to-work measure passed there. While some Minnesota Republicans still want to pursue a Constitutional amendment, others are leery of the prospect of busloads of protesters at the Capitol and an energized union vote at the polls.

Businessman and Navy Reserve veteran Brian Barns says his main goal in Congress if he won the 3rd District would be to create jobs. Another Democrat, small business owner Sharon Sund, is also running.