Monday, May 20, 2013
The proposed sales tax for transit improvements did not make it into the final transportation bill.
The presidents of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Saint Paul Area Chamber on Sunday condemned the Legislature’s inability to approve a dedicated funding source to expand Twin Cities transit. Last month, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul chambers endorsed a metrowide sales tax of up to half a cent that would have funded transit improvements. Transit tax proposals presented during the session ranged from a quarter of a cent to three-quarters of a cent. However, a sales tax for transit did not make it in to the final version of the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill. The bill did include $37 million to keep the Southwest Light Rail Transit project moving forward. But Minneapolis chamber President Todd Klingel and Saint Paul chamber …
The bill was sponsored by District 46 legislators.
The Minnesota Child Victims Act sponsored by District 46 legislators is just a signature away from becoming law. The Senate approved the conference committee report on the bill 57-0 Friday, and the House signed off on the amended bill 123-3 the same day. The act now only awaits Gov. Mark Dayton’s approval. The Minnesota State Supreme Court has interpreted existing state law to mean that the statute of limitations on civil sexual abuse lawsuits closes by the time the plaintiff turns 24 years old. The Child Victims Act would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits stemming from sexual abuse going forward. Victims would also be able to sue schools, churches or any other group that they accuse of failing to protect them. Sen. Ron …
Early education was a huge focus in the $15.7 billion bill, which received slivers of support from Republicans in both chambers of the state capitol.
A $15.7 billion education package that will "make life easier" for working parents, according to the bill's supporters, now awaits Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's signature as work begins to wrap up on the 2013 Legislative Session. The omnibus bill, which means one version of the bill was introduced in each chamber, was approved with small support from Republicans over the weekend, picking up five GOP votes in the state house and four more in the senate. Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope was the lone "no" vote from the DFL (Democrat) side of the aisle in the senate, creating the 41-26 margin. The bill raises the state's method of funding local schools by $156 per pupil for a total of nearly $235 million in new money over the next two years. The …
The 5th District Congressman also wants to ban the herbicide atrazine and add a right to vote amendment to the Constitution.
Gas Prices Rep. Keith Ellison argued last week that tougher rules on oil speculation and an end to subsidies for oil companies would help curb the recent hike in gas prices. The 5th District congressman last year introduced the “End Polluter Welfare Act," which would eliminate more than $110 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every 10 years. Ellison released the following statement Friday: A week before one of the busiest car travel weekends of the year, millions of Minnesotans are suddenly having to pay more for gas than ever before. This takes money out of the pockets of working people in the middle of a slow recovery, and causes real economic pain for Minnesotans already struggling to get by. There are meaningful steps Congress can take …
A Brookings Institution study found that the number of poor in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled over the past decade.
If the stressed food banks and increasing demand for social services weren’t enough proof, Twin Cities residents now have further evidence that poverty is part of the suburban landscape. A Brookings Institution study released Monday reports that the number of poor in Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled between 2000 and 2011. The 127.9 percent increase in the suburbs was well above the 47.7 percent increase in urban areas. Click on the PDF to the right of the article to see a summary of the Twin Cities data. This is a trend providers have been well aware of for some time. Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department is in the process of creating “social services hubs” in the suburbs specifically to create one-…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Follow these rules to avoid warnings and fines.
The warmer weather means it’s time again to pay attention to the city’s watering rules. City ordinances spell out the following watering rules: Residents who need to water sod or seeded areas can obtain free permits from the Public Works Department. Warning tickets will be issued to those who don’t follow the rules, followed by fines for repeat offenders. The restrictions do not prevent residents from hand-watering flowerbeds, washing cars or other similar uses. They do not apply to people using water sources other than the city water system.
Wonderland Asian Massage and one of its masseuses are accused of hiring unlicensed masseuses.
Hopkins officials want to revoke two more massage licenses because of alleged business violations, according to the packet for Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The action arises because of allegations that Wonderland Asian Massage had more than the lone masseuse allowed under that business’ massage therapy establishment license. Staff are asking the City Council to revoke the license of Julio Alaniz, who was doing business as Wonderland Asian Massage at 7 Seventh Ave. N., because of accusations that he failed to properly supervise an employee or independent contractor. They also want to revoke the license of Yang Yu, who is accused of hiring unlicensed masseuses. Police investigated the massage parlor after noticing customer activity that …
Rep. Keith Ellison said Republicans are neglecting other problems by convening numerous votes on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
On Thursday, 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison cast his 37th vote (depending on how you count) against a proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The legislation has no chance of passing since the Senate will likely ignore it and President Barack Obama has promised to veto it on the off chance it ever reached his desk. Republicans defend the frequent votes by saying they want new legislators to be able to uphold their promise to constituents to try and repeal health care reform, but Democrats accuse Republicans of wasting time for political gain. Ellison released the following statement after Thursday’s vote: Today, for the 37th time in two years, I voted against a partisan attempt by Republicans in Congress to …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The bill includes additional money for the Public Defense Board and Minnesota’s background check database system.
Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 46) on Thursday presented a conference committee’s version of the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill on the Senate floor, according to a news release from Latz’s office. The bill, which received yes votes from all but one senator, is the first of many conference committee budget packages. “These are the core functions of government and we have made strategic investments within this area,” said Latz, whose district includes Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. “We have funded the ongoing levels of their services so we will be safer and whenever we access the justice system, on the justice side or the criminal side, we should have an efficient system and one where we will all be treated …
Al Anderson
1:29 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013
Dayton isn't a leader in any sense of the word. He asks much of others while doing a terrible job being in the top political position in the state. Incompetency with regard to the Vikings stadium fiasco, tax reform and keeping businesses to stay or grow in the state (without taxpayers subsidy). In military vernacular -- Dayton is a "lead from the rear" general. more ›