Sunday, May 19, 2013
Also in this week’s recap – A Mother's Day fire ruins things for Eagan apartment residents and Lakeville Public Schools ponder a run at a referendum.
Take a trip around Dakota County and the south metro with this week's rundown of top news. For the original story, simply click on the link in the headline. Paving Paradise? Lebanon Hills Trail Plan Worries Residents Dakota County officials have plans to develop a 6.5-mile, paved bike trail in Lebanon Hills Regional Park to increase recreational opportunities. But some residents would prefer the park stay as pristine as possible. Eagan Council Warms Up to Proposed Pilot Knob Improvements The consternation that marked a January meeting on the proposed reconstruction of a portion of Pilot Knob Road was nowhere in sight last week. What to Do with the Sperry Water Tower? The 146-foot-tall water tower in Eagan is a money-maker for the city…
Friday, May 17, 2013
With tax hikes on tap for Minnesota, what will the people do? Some are thinking of leaving, says blogger Don Lee.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Mendota Heights' Rep. Rick Hansen says a campaign finance reform bill he helped pass on Wednesday improves transparency in government.
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
A contingent of day care providers and families with children who use that care protested against Senate File 778, which would allow state unions to sign up members from in-home facilities.
More than a year after a Ramsey County Court judge threw out an executive order from Gov. Mark Dayton allowing state unions to recruit daycare providers, the Minnesota Senate is debating the Family Child Care Providers Representation Act, which would make that order state law. That's a motion meeting heavy resistence from local, in-home care providers who believe their independent day care facilities shouldn't be wrapped in with home health care workers, a group S.F. 778 is targeting. The bill, which is authored by the Democrat-Farm-Labor Party's President of the Senate, Sen. Sandy Pappas, narrowly escaped the Senate Finance Committee last week. It was deadlocked with an 11-11 vote early last week until a re-vote on May 8 passed by a 12-…
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…
Monday, May 13, 2013
The bill passed by 37-30 vote. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.
The state Senate passed a bill Monday that will make Minnesota the 12th state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry. Mendota Height's Sen. Jim Metzen voted in favor of the bill. The bill passed by 37-30 vote, and Gov. Mark Dayton announced a signing ceremony planned for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Last week, Mendota Heights representatives — Rep. Joe Atkins (D-52B) and Rep. Rick Hansen (D-52A) — both voted in favor of the bill in the lower chamber.
The Minnesota Senate takes up bill at noon Central Time on Monday, May 13, 2013. The Minnesota House approved it last week, so Senate approval sends it to the governor's desk.
A bill to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota is set for debate and a vote in the Minnesota Senate starting at noon on Monday, May 13, 2013. Watch livestream video here or at The UpTake.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Also in this week's headlines, a possible monastery in the south metro and a dribbling duo. Plus, Patch says farewell to Mr. Northfield.
Take a trip around Dakota County and the south metro with this week's rundown of top news. For the original story, simply click on the link in the headline. EHS Grads Will Dribble Across Minnesota on Awareness Mission Alex Daley and Matt Scott want to bring soccer fields, sustainability and social change to urban areas in the U.S.—and are about to embark on a trans-Minnesota journey to spread the word. On Eve of Outlet Mall, Jensen's Supper Club Seeks Reinvention Jensen's plans to invest as much as $900,000 into a series of internal and external renovations designed to expand parking and update the 17-year-old restaurant's ambiance. Neighborhood's Affordable Housing Development Fears Unfounded, Officials Say A 50-unit housing development…
Friday, May 10, 2013
The bill now moves on to the state senate as Minnesota Democrats hope to make the state the 12th in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Gov. Mark Dayton has vocally supported the legislation.
UPDATE: Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so. The vote came at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, about three hours after the bill was introduced. This is about honoring difference," bill sponsor Karen Clark said. "I respect the other point of view. But there is something about being able to marry the love of your life." Clark, a Democrat from Minneapolis, recognized her partner of 26 years in the assembly's audience. The vote came nearly six months to the day after a 2012 vote on a Republican-sponsored amendment item defining marriage as a union between man and woman. That, of course, was …
Dan Johnson
10:31 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Jimmy. Again, safety is a legitimate concern. If they refuse service to an area due to safety, that is different than refusing service to some in that area based on religious judgement, while serving others in that area. more ›