Minnesota Legislature Approves Education Bill, Includes All-Day Kindergarten Funds

Early education was a huge focus in the $15.7 billion bill, which received slivers of support from Republicans in both chambers of the state capitol.

A $15.7 billion education package that will "make life easier" for working parents, according to the bill's supporters, now awaits Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's signature as work begins to wrap up on the 2013 Legislative Session.  The omnibus bill, which means one version of the bill was introduced in each chamber, was approved with small support from Republicans over the weekend, picking up five GOP votes in the state house and four more in the senate.  Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope was the lone "no" vote from the DFL (Democrat) side of the aisle in the senate, creating the 41-26 margin.  The bill raises the state's method of funding local schools by $156 per pupil for a total of nearly $235 million in new money over the next two years. The …

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Jimmy

9:42 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The DFL just dug themselves a deep hole. The DFL like the GOP will find out how dividing the gay issue is. Throw in the broad reaching unionization of daycare effort. Add smoking taxes on the non-rich, wealthy don't smoke. Jacking up taxes $2,100,000,000, 2014 can't come to soon.   more ›

POLL: Should Minnesota Lawmakers Raise the Minimum Wage?

Bills asking lawmakers to raise the minimum wage by more than $3 have made their way to the floor. How much should the Legislature raise minimum wage, if at all, in one of the lowest-paid states in the country.

Minnesota lawmakers, during this period of slow, economic recovery, are taking up the debate of the amount of the state's minimum wage. Currently, both tipped workers and minimum wage workers can be paid as low as $6.15/hour, legally, in Minnesota. Most employers, though, abide by the Federal minimum wage, which is set at $7.25. Still, 6 percent of the state's workforce makes that amount, which analysts have said won't lift a worker or a family above the poverty line. Rep. Ryan Winkler of Golden Valley has introduced a bill to change that, moving Minnesota from one of the lowest minimum wage states in the nation to one of the highest. His bill hikes the state's minimum wage to $10.55/hr for high earners, or businesses that make more than $…

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Joshua

1:30 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013

Like I said; if minimum wage does not match inflation, then it should be removed since it serves no purpose.   more ›

South Metro News Roundup

Flu Kills 112 Minnesotans; Scouts Ordered to Release More 'Perversion Files'

In other big headlines from around the South Metro region this week, a $10 million mansion goes up for sale in Inver Grove Heights and the Kohl's property in Burnsville is sold.

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top stories of the past week from around the South Metro region. Here's a look at recent stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links:   UPDATED: Flu Deaths in Minnesota Now Total 112 Department of Health says there were an additional 36 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms much lower than previous week. Norovirus Bug On the Rise, New Strain Arrives in Minnesota A new, extremely contagious norovirus strain, detected last year in Australia, is making Minnesotans miserable.   UPDATE: Apple…

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Dayton's Tax Plan Stirs Readers' Debate

More than 100 reader comments have been made since governor's plan unveiled last week.

When Gov. Mark Dayton last week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent, the plan sparked a vigorous debate among Patch readers. Patch has had more than 100 reader comments on our story that asked people to take our poll, then share their thoughts on Dayton's tax and budget plan. Here's a sampling of some of the comments: George P. Burdell:  A simplistic response to this comment would then be; Democrats want to clean out our wallets and institute socialisim... which really worked well for the USSR...hmmm. Brad Koehn: I'll be curious to see if Minnesotans spend enough on clothing worth more than $100 to bring in $2B in revenue. I'm a bit …

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South Metro News Roundup

Alcohol a Factor in GOP Activist's Car Crash

In other headlines from around the region last week, South Metro school districts are losing students to open enrollment, and Shakopee makes a guest appearance on 'Saturday Night Live.'

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top recent headlines from throughout the South Metro region. Here's a look at last week's stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links.   UPDATE: Death Toll Now at 75, But Flu On The Wane Across Minnesota Department of Health says there were an additional 15 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms has fallen dramatically.   Authorities Identify Apple Valley Woman Killed in Savage Crash Authorities are still investigating an accident that left a 35-year-old south metro woman dead Wednesday …

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Gov. Dayton Proposes a Tax Overhaul: What Do You Think?

Take our poll; then click on to our Patch stories below to see what legislators and others are saying.

Gov. Mark Dayton this week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent but broaden it to cover more items such as higher-priced clothing, car repairs and other services. In his quest to avoid a projected $1.1 billion revenue shortfall, Dayton said his plan also includes raising the income on some groups of taxpayers (such as the state's 2 percent of highest-income earners). He is proposing to reduce property taxes and cut the corporate tax rate on businesses. (To see a Patch story and UpTake video of Dayton's speech, click on this link.) Bottom line: The governor said he wants to provide property tax relief, boost funding for K-12 education, …

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John

5:27 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The aspect I find especially difficult is figuring out how much money is simply redistributed. A hundred years ago, very little money was redistributed by the government. Pull out the money that the government gives right back to its citizens and I think the actual "spending" would remain pretty constant.   more ›

Men to Take a Stand Against Breast Cancer in Twin Cities

Real men not only wear pink, but have fought the fight against breast cancer. This weekend, men can join the popular women's cause against breast cancer at the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Conference in St. Paul.

Breast cancer isn’t just about pink ribbons anymore. Despite the common perception that women are only affected by breast cancer, thousands of men are also diagnosed with the disease each year. In fact, approximately 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in 2012, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, approximately 410 men will die from breast cancer this year. A Pledge invites men in the community, corporate leaders, political figures and entrepreneurs to step up and pledge to raise awareness for breast cancer by supporting the 11th Annual Twin Cities Breast Cancer Awareness Conference alongside their spouse, sister, daughter or mother. The conference is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 in St. Paul…

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VIDEO: Gov. Mark Dayton's Veterans Day Address

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton delivered the keynote address during the state's official Veterans Day ceremony in Inver Grove Heights on Friday morning.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton recalled his visits to Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan and the beaches of Normandy during his short Veterans Day speech, delivered in Inver Grove Heights on Friday morning. During his remarks, Dayton also emphasized the importance of finding jobs for veterans, and touted the proposed expansion of the state's GI Bill as a step toward securing employment for some of the roughly 400,000 veterans in Minnesota. The speech was part of the state's official Veterans Day ceremony, which included a community breakfast, and presentations from other local and state officials.

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Special Session Announced—Legislators Called to Capitol Tuesday Afternoon

Agreements on all finance bills reached.

Minnesota legislators have been called back to their seats and an end to the government shutdown appears just hours away. Gov. Mark Dayton called for a special legislative session to begin 3 p.m. today—19 days into the shutdown of Minnesota government—after approving preliminary versions of nine legislative bills totaling $35.4 billion over the 2011-2013 biennium.   Legislators have resolved some of the session’s more contentious bills—on K-12 education, state government, jobs and economic development, taxes and higher education. The public safety/judiciary, transportation and environment bills were given the nod Monday afternoon, a day after legislators agreed in principle on a $11 billion Health and Human Services bill. No mention was …

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