"By the end of the session, we'll have a change in gambling," Ruud said during a town hall meeting in Breezy Point. Ruud toured the district with State Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) on Saturday.

Two proposals being toyed with at the Capitol include a joint venture between Northern Minnesota tribes and the state to open a Twin Cities-area casino. Part of the revenues from the casino would go into the state's general fund. There is also talk of asking American Indian tribes to donate more of their profits from casinos to the state in return for a continuing monopoly on casino gambling in the state.

"As long as we keep the dialogue open, we can come to an agreement that's equitable to everyone," Ruud said.

Howes working to raise boat registration fees

State Rep. Larry Howes is working on a bill that would raise the boat registration fee in Minnesota by $2. Howes said the additional funds would help the Department of Natural Resources clean and maintain public boat landings throughout the state.

Legislators paying attention to methamphetamine

While its toll has been well publicized in rural Minnesota, the Twin Cities has yet to feel the sting of heavy methamphetamine use in their communities.

However, legislators at the Capitol are starting to take notice. Last week, they received emotional testimony from Jim and Lenae Clark, former meth addicts and manufacturers. New bills regarding meth use were also introduced last week, including one in the house that would grant civil immunity to anyone reporting suspicious buying activities of methamphetamine precurser drugs used in its manufacture.

Among the statistics entered as evidence at the Capitol were: