Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate. Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton, in his first appearance since having back surgery late last year, will outline his proposed budget for the next two years.
Laying out financial plans for the next two years, and with a Democratic controlled Legislature out in front of him, Gov. Mark Dayton will address both the public and public servants at the Minnesota State Capitol this morning. You can watch streaming video, live, courtesy of the UpTake right here as Dayton will lay out a series of tax hikes, line-item increases and an expected payment shift for Minnesota schools in his address. It's the first public appearance for Dayton since he had back surgery in Rochester, MN last month. Media outlets such as Minnesota Public Radio are saying the budget could have a big impact on Dayton's political future. The first-term governor has not hinted whether or not he will run again for the state's top seat…
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Patch will pause to remember the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Patch websites in Minnesota will go dark for a moment Friday morning to honor the memory of those killed one week ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. The brief Patch blackout is set for 8:30 a.m. CST on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Gov. Mark Dayton has called for a moment of silence in Minnesota one hour later, at 9:30 a.m. CST. In his statement (click on PDF thumbnail), Dayton also asked places of worship and government buildings that have bells to ring them 26 times "in honor of each life that was taken far too soon at Sandy Hook Elementary School." Twenty children and six adults died in the mass shooting. Newtown Patch's news hub has extensive coverage of the events of Dec. 14 and since, including the names of those who died…
Friday, April 6, 2012
A Ramsey County judge said Gov. Mark Dayton exceeded his power when he made an executive order calling for a union vote.
A Ramsey County judge ruled Friday that Gov. Mark Dayton exceeded his power when he made an executive order last year that called for some home childcare providers to vote on whether to unionize, according to a press release from Minnesota Majority. Judge Dale Lindman made the ruling after 11 childcare providers filed a lawsuit claiming the possibility they might be required to pay “fair share” fees violated their rights, the release says. RELATED: Oakdale Child Care Providers Respond to Governor’s Call for Union Vote The judge said the executive order was unconstitutional because it was used to circumvent the state legislature, the Star Tribune reports. Lindman’s order awarded the childcare providers court costs and attorney fees, the …
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Gov. Mark Dayton's supplemental budget includes a tax credit for jobs, an expansion of a job training program and increased benefits for veterans.
More good news has been released on the state of our economy. The Federal Reserve recently upgraded its outlook on the economy by saying it expects the economy to grow moderately this year. Of course we would like to see even better news, but positive economic growth is something to celebrate after years of downturn. The news from the Federal Reserve is released on the heels the good news we had in Minnesota only weeks ago. The Department of Employment and Economic Development’s most recent report showed that employers added 15,500 jobs reducing our unemployment rate to 5.6 percent. With only a few weeks left in the 2012 legislative session, the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton have a small window to collaborate on legislation to improve …
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Gov. Mark Dayton's jobs plan includes a tax credit for hiring veterans, unemployed people or recent graduates as well as funds for grants and training.
The 2012 Legislative Session convenes on Jan. 24. After tackling Minnesota’s budget deficit in 2011, our focus this year will be 1) retaining and creating jobs and 2) passing a bonding bill targeted to assist higher education opportunities, community and economic development and natural resource protection. There will be a variety of other issues, too, ranging from proposals to empower homeless persons and families, the Vikings' future home, and attacking Asian carp. Priority one is improving our jobs climate. I strongly support Gov. Mark Dayton's recently announced jobs' plan. Initiatives include: I will also continue sponsoring the Minnesota Creative Freedom Act, which empowers inventors to market their ideas if not used by their …
Friday, January 20, 2012
Bonding, property tax reform and a new Vikings stadium will also get attention in the upcoming legislative session.
With the holidays behind us, we’re rapidly approaching the start of the 2012 Minnesota Legislative Session—scheduled to begin on Jan. 24. After last year’s difficult, contentious session that resulted in a government shutdown and an eventual agreement that included the irresponsible expansion of the K-12 shift, and borrowing through the sale of tobacco bonds—and the huge interest due on those bonds—I’m hoping for a renewed sense of bipartisanship, cooperation and collaboration. If the November forecast of an $876 million surplus—the result of the 2009 budget, increased tax collections from improved job growth and wages and savings from health care reforms—holds up through the February forecast, the Legislature can focus on policy reforms …
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Home daycare providers that receive government subsidies will have the right to vote to join a union under an executive order issued this week by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Oakdale home daycare provider Danielle Dick said she doesn’t feel she needs union representation, but she supports giving fellow child care providers the option to take part. Dick said she’s never had trouble taking time off and she’s happy with her working conditions, but she hears other home daycare providers complain that they’re not so lucky. Licensed Minnesota home child care providers who receive government subsidies will get ballots by mail asking whether they support establishing union representation under an executive order issued Tuesday by Gov. Mark Dayton. Even if the union is established, membership will be optional, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Minnesota Senate Republicans are opposing the vote, …
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Woodbury family who fought to pass the law regarding carbon monoxide safety was on hand at the Capitol on Tuesday.
For a story on the ceremony, click here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The 2012 budget comes after Washington County has experienced reductions of more than $7.2 million in state aid over the past three years.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners got its first glance at the 2012 budget outlook during a workshop Tuesday morning. The 2012 budget will come on the heels of more than $7.2 million in reductions to state aid over the past three years, while at the same time, more residents are turning to the county for services in hard economic times. The county potentially faces more state aid reductions in 2012. Washington County receives about $23.7 million from the State of Minnesota that could potentially be at risk over the next couple of years as the Legislature addresses the state budget deficit, Deputy County Administrator Molly O’Rourke said. State aid has already been reduced in the overall county program aid, as well as in block …
Mike Hindin
9:37 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Try anything with John Wane in it. I don't care about Hollywood past or present. more ›