Thursday, January 17, 2013
As a parent, do you support state funding for all-day kindergarten? Why or why not?
Among the first bills of the 2013 Minnesota Legislative session included one that would provide state funding for school districts to offer all-day kindergarten. Sen. Chuck Wiger, a co-author of a bill, said the funding would provide “an important step toward enhancing Minnesota’s commitment to quality education for all children.” Some school districts in the Twin Cities are already providing all-day kindergarten at an extra or no cost. The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board reallocated funding - $1.5 million - to fund a free, all-day kindergarten program for the 2012-13 school year. Although, some questioned the sustainability. In the Osseo School District, some Maple Grove and Plymouth parents have the option to pay to have their …
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Be sure you're aware of Minnesota's new laws.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The following are some of the new laws that take effect Aug. 1, 2011. The asterisk following the bill number denotes the language that became law. Summaries of all laws passed by the 2011 Legislature during its regular session are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services at www.house.mn/hinfo/Newlaws2011-0.asp. Business Employers can organize tip sharing Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth) worked her way through college as a restaurant server. A new law she sponsors with Sen. Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville) makes it easier for restaurant workers to pool their tips or for a restaurant owner to safeguard them for employees. The law allows employers, at their employees’ request, to safeguard and disburse tips according …
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP Legislative leaders met four times Wednesday but were unable to reach a budget deal.
The political arena in Minnesota on Wednesday was filled with potential, plans and posturing but ostensibly little progress closing the $1.8 billion gap that separates Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP lawmakers from a budget deal. At around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday the parties concluded what, by all accounts, was their final round of budget negotiations without an agreement. According to Michael Brodkorb, executive assistant to the majority caucus, the governor left the Capitol and there were no more meetings between the parties scheduled for the night. This with just more than 27 hours to go before a government shutdown. According to tweets from Star Tribune political reporter Rachel Stassen-Berger, House Majority Leader Matt Dean (R, District …
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
In court on Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton outlined the programs and services that he says need to remain in place in the event of a government shutdown.
In Ramsey County Court on Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton outlined the state services and programs he says need to continue in the event of a government shutdown. In Dayton's response to a petition filed by the attorney general Monday, the governor said he believes "as the Minnesota Constitution declares, that Minnesota's government was 'instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people.'" He went on to say a "government shutdown would threaten lives and safety of the people of Minnesota." All told, thousands of employees would be kept at work despite the fact the state would lack the authority to spend money because of the budget impasse. But the governor also proposed closing more than 50 boards and agencies, while keeping …
Monday, June 13, 2011
During regular session House members may accept up to $77 a day, while senators can receive a payment up to $96.
District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) will be working without pay during the legislature's special session this summer. Metzen announced last week that he would refuse to take his $96 per diem—Latin for "per day"—payment for the length of the special session, which will likely begin later this summer. During regular session House members may accept up to $77 a day, while senators can receive a payment up to $96. Legislators receive a salary of $31,140. “I think personally, if we didn’t get our work done, we don’t get paid,” said Metzen. “I want my constituents to know that if its one day back or 12 days back, I won’t take any of the per diem.” The regular session ended on May 23 without an agreement to resolve the $5 billion budget shortfall…
Monday, May 16, 2011
Under the proposed legislation, cell phone providers would be prohibited from using wireless devices to track users.
Consumer privacy is at the heart of a new bill introduced last week by District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL). Under the proposed legislation, cell phone providers would be prohibited from tracking users through their mobile phone or wireless device — unless the owner grants the provider written permission. The bill, HF 1700, has already garnered support from both sides of the political aisle; several Republican representatives, including District 52B Rep. Matt Dean and District 39A Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, have signed on as co-authors of the bill. “Wireless consumers deserve to know that their privacy is not being compromised by cell phone providers or applications downloaded to their phones,” Atkins wrote in a press release. “This bill will …
Monday, May 9, 2011
At least one local legislator criticized the redistricting plan, which could split Inver Grove Heights into two separate districts.
A redistricting plan that would split Inver Grove Heights into two separate communities drew criticism from at least one local legislator. Last Monday, District 43A Rep. Sarah Anderson (R) of Plymouth, released her plan, HF1425, to redraw the state's legislative boundaries, an exercise that occurs every decade after each Census. On Friday, Anderson introduced an update to the proposal, which passed in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Friday by a 69-59 vote. Since 1982, the boundaries of Senate District 39 and House District 39B have encompassed the city limits of Inver Grove Heights, according to historic legislative maps. Anderson's updated plan, however, would divide the community into two legislative districts by splitting the …
Monday, April 18, 2011
The bill helps focus discussion on a new stadium, Rep. Joe Atkins said, but the tax provisions need reworking, he believes.
A bill that would use a variety of new taxes to help fund the construction of a new Vikings stadium drew a mixed review from District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL). Introduced in the Minnesota House earlier this month by Rep. Morrie Lanning, the Vikings stadium bill would provide as much as $300 million for the construction of the facility through a 10 percent tax on sports memorabilia, an income tax on sports organization employees and players and a sales tax on luxury boxes at the stadium. Revenue for the stadium would also be raised through a new sports-themed lottery game and by selling the naming rights for the building. Under the plan, a five-member Minnesota Stadium Authority would be given the responsibility of selecting a site for the…
Monday, April 4, 2011
A roundup of the region's major developments for April 4.
Here are the top stories from Patch sites in your area: Education Bills Pave Strange Path for Lakeville, Minnesota School Districts Alleged Armed Burglar Formally Charged Nine Northfield Businesses Burglarized; $900 Taken Visitation School's Robettes Win North Star Regional Robotics Competition Photo Gallery: Pinewood Derby at Apple Valley's Falcon Ridge Middle School
A Republican proposal would've canceled promised grant funding that is instrumental to the development of the park.
The Rock Island Swing Bridge project in Inver Grove Heights nearly fell victim to the state budget cutting process late in March, until a handful of local legislators and city officials rose up in defense of the park. As part of a bill proposed on March 21 by District 4 Rep. Larry Howes (R), the bridge reconstruction, part of an 80-acre park slated for development along Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights, would’ve lost roughly $1 million in state bond money that was promised to park planners in the form of grants. The bill, District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) said, targeted unexpended funding for development projects that had been delayed. Because the Rock Island Swing Bridge project has suffered from setbacks — in part related to …
Shannon
1:16 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
TUSHAY Mark! Good info more ›