Hotel Minnesota
With tax hikes on tap for Minnesota, what will the people do? Some are thinking of leaving, says blogger Don Lee.
Government
Friday, May 17, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Elections Bill Improves Oversight, Increases Public Scrutiny of Elected Officials
Mendota Heights' Rep. Rick Hansen says a campaign finance reform bill he helped pass on Wednesday improves transparency in government.
Patch Readers Respond to Passage of Gay Marriage Bill
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 …
In this Article:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Day Care Providers Rally as Minnesota Senate Debates Unionization Bill
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-…
Donald Lee
3:01 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Elections have consequences. We elected the legislature and governor we have today. more ›
UPDATE: Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Governor Will Sign
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…
In this Article:
Mike Hindin
11:35 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013
Kelly, We have had a wedding invitation for quite a while. The wedding was scheduled in June probably before marriage equality was a dream. It is only a minor inconvenience to have to legalize it in August. Have a great celebration. more ›
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sen. Metzen Votes 'Yes' on Same-Sex Marriage Bill
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.
In this Article:
Dave Boyum
4:41 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
I do not support your vote on the marriage proposal. Marriage is between a male and a female. I also do not support you proposal for new taxes on everyone. Do you live within your budget? I hope you do, but the people of Minnesota do not need more taxes, including what you call the wealthy. Shame on you. more ›
WATCH: Livestream Video of Same-Sex Marriage Debate, Vote at MN Senate
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
South Metro News Roundup
Legislators React to Historical Vote, Tragic Crash in Northfield: South Metro News Roundup
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…
In this Article:
Friday, May 10, 2013
Minnesota House Approves Bill Allowing Same-Sex Marriages
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 …
In this Article:
Donald Lee
12:18 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
This thread reminds me of another angle of this issue I had no considered. With "marriage" redefined to be any couple of people, "sexual orientation" one of the protected classes, and advocates yelling EQUALITY NOW, we will soon have judges compelled to give adoptive and foster children to homosexual couples, regardless of the views the judge might have of the merits of the case and the welfare … more ›
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Reps. Hansen, Atkins Vote 'Yes' on Same-Sex Marriage Bill
Both Mendota Heights representatives said yes to the same-sex marriage bill on Thursday afternoon.
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation that would extend marriage to same-sex couples in a 75-59 vote Thursday afternoon. Mendota Heights Reps. Joe Atkins (D-52B) and Rick Hansen (D-52A) both voted in favor of the measure. The bill will go to the Senate floor Monday. If passed, Gov. Mark Dayton will be the last step to sign the bill into law. Neither Hansen nor Atkins spoke during the debate. Atkins, though posted this item on his campaign's Facebook page on Thursday's vote: In many places around the world, a disagreement over an emotional issue like this would boil into a battle settled with rocks or guns or bombs. Here, it is settled with speeches and political pressure and voting. I'm proud of the process and of the …
In this Article:
Donald Lee
3:35 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013
For those of you who object to what's going on in St. Paul, send flowers in a silent, civil protest. Details: http://mendotaheights.patch.com/blog_posts/please-send-flowers more ›
Mike B.
10:19 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013
To this very day, most scholars agree that the 1964 so-called Civil Rights Law was a bogus federal intrusion on states' rights. more ›