What Will Legislature's Schools Bill Do for IGH?

Blogger (and IGH state representative) Joe Atkins calls for input on legislature's school funding proposal.

Top 10 Myths about What Happens at the Minnesota State Capitol

'Reality surprises a lot of people,' State Rep. Joe Atkins said.

IGH Rep. Wants Lottery Money to Fund Gambling Addiction Treatment

Want to know what south metro legislators are up to? Check out Patch's weekly legislative review to find out.

District 52B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) is backing a bill that would appropriate $225,000 in 2014 and again in 2015 from the state's lottery prize fund to help finance gambling addiction treatment. Under the proposed bill, the money would be distributed in the form of a grant to a state affiliate recognized by the National Council on Problem Gambling. That affiliate would then be responsible for increasing awareness of problem gambling, educating and training others to provide treatment for the addiction and conducting research on the issue. In other political news around the area: It's not legislative action, but lack of action, that defines Northfield's Capitol Review this week. Early in February, District 20B Rep. David Bly (DFL) authored a …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

New Law Protects Consumers From Gift Card 'Holiday Rip-Off'

In 2011, American consumers spent more than $100 billion on gift cards.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our newsletter This year, like many years past, the most popular holiday gift in the nation will likely be a 3-inch by 2-inch piece of plastic—and you don't have to sleep in the parking lot to get one. According to the TowerGroup research firm, gift cards will once again top the list of holiday gifts in 2012. In 2011, for example, American consumers spent more than $100 billion on gift cards.  But consumers who purchase gift cards with hidden fees or expiration dates could again fall victim to this year's biggest holiday rip-off. Expiration dates and fees erode the value of the cards, sometimes leaving the recipient with nothing. Minnesota's new gift card law now offers some …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

South Metro News Roundup

Walmart Opens Doors in Bunsville, Eagan Outlet Mall a Big Step Closer to Reality

In other news from around the South Metro, a construction worker is killed at Fort Snelling and two more Minnesotans contract fungal meningitis.

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the week's top stories from throughout the region. Here's a look at recent stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or have an impact on your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links:   Rosemount Man Pleads Guilty in Hit-And-Run Death of Apple Valley Woman A retrial for Eric James Hunter, 44, was scheduled to begin Monday. Rosemount, Eastview Boys Go 1-2 in Section 3AA Cross Country Meet Rosemount, Eastview teams qualify for the state cross country meet by finishing first and second in the Section 3AA meet at Valleywood on Thursday.   It's Official: Burnsville, We Have A Walmart At …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Lawmakers Reach Across the Aisle to Save a Woman's Life

This morning, Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman granted the appeal, which will enable Lisa (last name withheld) to get the treatment she needs to save her life.

A 47-year-old single woman suffering from the highly aggressive HER2NU Stage 2 breast cancer is going to get the life-saving treatment she needs after a bipartisan effort from Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Rep. Joe Hoppe (R-Chaska).  Lisa (last name withheld)—who carries a limited insurance plan through her employer—was denied outpatient insurance coverage for chemotherapy and radiation set to start today, Oct. 24. Lisa applied for additional coverage through the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) after exhausting her existing benefits following two surgeries to remove a breast tumor and 19 lymph nodes. In an Oct. 22 letter to Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, Lisa wrote:  "Please know that I feel the …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Saving Minnesota Jobs Gets Rep. Atkins Legislator of the Year Award … Twice

“Taking on the big auto manufacturers to help save Minnesota dealers, and to save all the jobs that come along with them, was definitely one of the most uphill battles I have ever been a part of,” Atkins said.

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Joe Atkins campaign. When dozens of Minnesota auto dealerships like Fury Motors and Anoka’s Main Motors were threatened with closure by manufacturers, State Rep. Joe Atkins stepped up to help them—and to save the thousands of Minnesota jobs that come along with them.  For his successful efforts to save dealerships and jobs and for passing HF 1717, a bipartisan bill to better protect them in the future, Minnesota’s auto dealers and their employees named Atkins their Legislator of the Year two years in a row.  Anoka’s Main Motors is one of the dealerships that was saved. Established in 1919, the business is owned by Lee and Karen Carlson, long-time Republicans, who have now publicly …

• Photos (1)

Council Recommends $2.3m For IGH Nature Preserve

"Receiving the recommendation of the Outdoor Heritage Council is a huge step forward in making Inver Grove's proposed nature preserve a reality," Rep. Joe Atkins said.

On Friday, Sept. 21, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) recommended full funding of the $2.3 million requested for the nature preserve in southern Inver Grove. The LSOHC was established by the legislature and tasked with providing annual funding recommendations to the legislature from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The funds come from the 0.375% sales tax approved by voters in 2008 to preserve and protect woodlands, wetlands and open space.  The IGH nature preserve was submitted as part of the overall Dakota County request for projects throughout the county. All told, Dakota County asked legislators for $4.04 million (see PDF, HA 02) for the following projects: "Protecting 730 acres of habitat along the Vermillion, Cannon and …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Jim W

2:15 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Ok, Thank You   more ›

Minnesota Firefighters Endorse Rep. Joe Atkins

“When people need help, they call firefighters,” Tom Thornberg said. “When firefighters need help, we call Joe Atkins.”

Minnesota’s professional firefighters have endorsed State Representative Joe Atkins in his bid for re-election, according to an announcement from the Atkins campaign. Atkins, who was named Legislator of the Year by Minnesota’s firefighters, said, “I am deeply honored to receive the support and endorsement of Minnesota’s firefighters.” Rep. Atkins has authored bipartisan legislation to protect firefighters and improve fire safety. Tom Thornberg, President of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters Association, praised Atkins for his efforts. “When people need help, they call firefighters,” Thornberg said. “When firefighters need help, we call Joe Atkins.” Atkins is credited with passing “the most significant advances in fire safety in the …

• Photos (1)

PHOTOS: Impromptu IGH Days Concert Draws Early Crowd

Though an unofficial IGH Days event, the impromptu concert drew 300-plus faithful IGH residents.

Business owner Tim Drkula and Minn. House Rep. Joe Atkins found themselves with an empty tent Thursday morning.  Drkula—owner of Drkula's "32" Bowl—ordered the tent to house Friday night's performance of local rockers Uncle Chunk (7:30-midnight), but it came a day early.  Fearing the old adage about idle hands and thinking the same held true for tents, Drkula and Atkins unofficially kicked off Inver Grove Heights Days with a show from 80s & 90s cover band Sunset Blue. "This isn't an official IGH Days event—Tim and I just came up with it on short notice, since the tent is up Thursday night and no other IGH Days events are scheduled," Atkins wrote on Patch.  Though the crowd had thinned out significantly when Patch showed up around 9:45 p.m…

• Photos (7)