This week on Almanac... legislative leaders preview the end of session... and a look at how lawmakers make decisions on tough votes.

Historic Same-Sex Marriage Vote Mary Lahammer recapped Thursday?s dramatic day in the State House as representatives passed a same-sex marriage bill. Rep. Karen Clark Karen Clark was the lead author of the same-sex marriage bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives. For three decades Clark has championed GLBT rights. Solar Energy Debate This week the Minnesota legislature passed increased mandates for solar energy in our state. Michael Noble with the group Fresh Energy debated Xcel Energy rep Laura McCarten. Hidden History: Union Depot John Diers has written a book called ?St. Paul Union Depot.? Diers sat down with Cathy Wurzer and talked about some little-known facts and photos from the Depot?s past. This Week?s Monologue Kevyn Burger has become very careful about what she wears when she is shopping at a certain major Twin Cities retail operation. Hit Play! Crew at the U. It?s our web clip of the week. High School Rocket Scientists David Gillette had a field day at Apple Valley High School checking in with students about to enter a national rocket-making contest. Canterbury Park Purses are up at Canterbury. So are racing days. And there are more horses there too. We talked with Canterbury President and CEO Randy Sampson about the upcoming Canterbury racing season. Capitol Reporters Panel We asked some wily capitol reporters about their big week under the white dome. Rachel E. Stassen-Berger from the Star Tribune, Brian Bakst from the Associated Press and Heather Carlson from the Rochester Post-Bulletin were our guests. The Index File Section What was the ?monumental? building built in the Twin Cities in the 1920s? And what famed American spoke before 5,000 Minnesotans twenty years ago this month? After our weekly history questions were dispensed with we ended the show with a tune by Jeremy Messersmith (who appeared on Almanac this week four years ago.) The Wrap Our weekly web-only segment featured Abby Sugahara. Abby took a tour of the tpt basement with producer John Kendall . They were on a quest to find long-lost TV props.

Rep. John Kline We talked sequestration, chemical weapons, comp time and other matters with Congressman John Kline. State Party Chairs Together for the first time in public, DFL State Party Chair Ken Martin debated with Republican State Party Chair Keith Downey. Constitution USA We went behind the scenes to learn more about the upcoming tpt/PBS special Constitution USA with Peter Sagal. Did You Know? Did you know that Republican House freshman Nick Zerwas is known for his desk full of candy? And that some fellow Republican pranksters had a little fun with him this week? The Week's Monologue Dr. Mark DePaolis was very excited to talk about robotic surgery. Hit Play! Ah... to play golf in Minnesota in May. Find out how in our web clip of the week. Nice Fish David Gillette paid a visit to the Guthrie Theater this week to learn about Nice Fish... a Minnesota ice fishing tale. David talked with playwright/actor Mark Rylance and Duluth poet/playwright Louis Jenkins. Author Joe Amato The retired history prof/author stopped by to chat about his latest book: "Surfaces: A History" Minimum Wage Bill Friday afternoon the Minnesota House passed a bill to raise our state's minimum wage. Mary Lahammer showed how the bill exposed some geographic differences. First Termers Panel Newbie representatives Joe Radinovich and Marion O'Neill joined forces with first-term state senators Karin Housley and Matt Schmit. Among the topics discussed: gay marriage and taxes. The Index File Section We revealed the answer to the four-letter-word question from last week... and then asked about the famed American with the big Minnesota building plans back in 1923. Then we ended the show with a fine tune by Bobby Vee who celebrated a birthday this week. Vee performed on Almanac back in the spring of 1999. The Wrap David Gillette interviewed Almanac at the Capitol intern Joe Widmer about navigating the Minnesota State Capitol.

Liquor Tax Debate House Democrats want to raise Minnesota's liquor tax. We had a debate between DFL Rep. John Lesch and August Schell Brewing head Ted Marti. Republican Hopefuls Mary Lahammer talked to declared candidate Scott Honour and a handful of GOP lawmakers who are also thinking of joining the race against Mark Dayton. Kevin Diaz on Michele Bachmann Kevin Diaz is the DC-based political reporter for the Star Tribune. He joined Cathy and Eric from Washington via webcam to talk about the ongoing investigations sparked by the failed Michele Bachmann campaign for president. Hit Play! Mark Ellis contacted us with a great candidate for our web clip of the week? some northern lights from earlier in the month. This Week's Monologue David Gillette's latest illustrated essay is about the stuff he fears he will leave behind. Supreme Court Watching Attorney Paul Hannah is a U.S. Supreme Court watcher. He especially likes to pay attention to cases that get less attention. He shared his observation of this session with Cathy and Eric. Live Music with Jon Rodine Jon Rodine is a Twin Cities singer-songwriter who visited with us in Studio B. This Week's Political Panel Republicans Brian McClung and Fritz Knaak and DFLers Mike Hatch and Ember Reichgott Junge talked about the soon-to-end legislative session. Mary Lahammer added to the discussion with a look at the strategy that DFLers will employ in the final weeks. The Index File Section What was the famed lake? And who is this mystery Minnesotan who created a notable American four-letter word? We then ended the hour with another tune by Jon Rodine. The Wrap David Gillette chatted with Cathy and Eric about what makes Almanac tick.

A Wintry Spring Paul Douglas filled us in on our historic April snows and the looming Red River flood season. Star Tribune Pulitzers It was a big week for the Star Tribune as the paper won two Pulitzer prizes. The paper also settled a new contract with reporters. David Brauer from MinnPost brought us up to speed on that and the media?s performance this week in Boston. Mayor Don Ness Duluth Mayor Don Ness drove down to talk about his city's downtown redevelopment plans, its recovery from last summer's floods, and -oh yeah- the city's 40 inch April snow total. Foundation Heads The leaders of four of our state's biggest foundations talk about how they see the challenges facing Minnesota. Carleen Rhodes, Sandra Vargas, Dr. Kathy Annette and Kate Wolford were our guests. Hit Play! Did you know that there is still a typewriter repairman in the Twin Cities? The folks at twincities.com knew. And it's our web clip of the week. The Week's Monologue Jim Ragsdale was yearning for some hope. Health and Human Services Bill Mary Lahammer went in depth to look at our state?s biggest and most complex bill: Health and Human Services. A Political Scientist Panel Immigration... guns... anti-terrorism. It was a busy week in national politics and David Schultz (Hamline), Steven Schier (Carleton), Larry Jacobs (U of M) and Stacey Hunter Hecht (Bethel) gave us their take on politics. The Index File Section What was "probably the most publicized lake in America" according to the 1939 Minnesota Official Tourist Guide Book? That was our Index File question. Then we ended the show with a tune by the Twin Cities indie band Cloud Cult. The Wrap Dozens of people recently came to the tpt open house and had a chance to try out reading the TelePrompTer. David Gillette featured many of these performers in this week's web-only bonus segment.

E-Pulltabs Electronic pulltabs were going to be the new funding source for the Vikings stadium. But they aren?t pulling in money. We got a primer on the underperforming technology from Minnesota Public Radio reporter Tim Nelson. Minimum Wage Debate Democrats in the state legislature want to hike Minnesota?s minimum wage. Rep. Ryan Winkler is for it. Rep. Pat Garofalo is against it. Justice Paul Anderson Minnesota Supreme Court justice Paul Anderson joined Cathy and Eric in studio to talk about his nearly two decades on our state?s highest court. Sex Trafficking in Ramsey County Ramsey County Attorney John Choi charged five adults this week with felony sex trafficking. He talked with us about why this area of prosecution is a priority for him. Hit Play! The wintry weather got you down? Watch this breath of summer featured in our Minnesota web clip of the week. This Week?s Monologue What?s in a name? Monologist Dominic Papatola explained. History with Hy Berman The U of M Faculty Senate turns 100 this year. Don?t worry, it?s a more interesting story that you think. Historian Hy Berman brought us the surprising highs and lows of the Faculty Senate?s life. Mayo Clinic Legislation The Mayo Clinic aid bill at the capitol got messy this week. Mary Lahammer brought us the latest twists and turns. Former Lawmakers Panel Electronic pulltabs, Mayo, minimum wage? all were on the agenda with this week?s panel of former lawmakers. Democrats Mindy Greiling and Steve Murphy sat down our couch with Republicans Laura Brod and John Tuma. The Index File Section What was Rep. Olaf Dahl?s resolution in 1929? And what Minnesota lake was being touted in the 1940 Minnesota Official Tourist Bulletin that Eric held in his hand? After we had our weekly history fun, we played a tune from the tpt archives featuring A. Wolf and Her Claws. The Wrap David Gillette and Adam Daniels promoted the tpt open house on Saturday, April 13.

This week on Almanac... a panel of first term lawmakers... Mary Pawlenty talks to Mary Lahammer... the Strib series "Young and Armed."

This week on Almanac... an update on Best Buy... the eventual arrival of spring... and live music from Chastity Brown.

This week on Almanac... our political scientist panel discusses healthcare exchanges... and we give you a sneak peek at the restored organ at the St. Paul Cathedral.