The Star Tribune reports 29 claims by highway contractors, who lost work during the shutdown, have already settled for $2 million. That amount is likely to increase significantly with contractors for 65 more projects already or potentially filing claims.

A new report expected Tuesday from the Department of Minnesota Management will analyze the amount saved from idling 22,000 state employees versus revenues lost in other areas.

At least 28 legislators collected reimbursements for expenses during the state government shutdown last summer. The St. Cloud Times reports most of those are from the state Senate.

MnDOT says crews have been working hard to make up for lost time since the three week government shutdown in July. Fortunately, warm and dry weather conditions helped them to finish up about 250 projects.

At this time last year a countdown to the shutdown was underway at the Capitol. DFL candidates are reminding folks of those days and saying the scene could repeat itself if Republicans keep control of the Legislature. A Republican leader says Minnesotans are not talking about last year and have moved on.

The Dayton administration is asking the federal government to approve changes to Minnesota's Medicaid program that could save the state $151 million over five years, the Pioneer Press reports. Some of the savings would come through a proposal that asks the federal government to pay for state costs in mental health care, which the feds may not go for, one observer says.