Wednesday, May 22, 2013
What's your take on Minnesota's higher cigarette and income taxes, same-sex marriage law, all-day kindergarten funding, gun control measures, minimum wage and more?
What do you like—or dislike—in what the Minnesota Legislature did or didn't do? Leave a comment below. The Star Tribune posted a handy list of issues the Minnesota Legislature did and didn't tackle in the session that ended Monday at midnight. Love 'em? Hate 'em? Leave a comment below. DID: DIDN'T DO: See the full post at startribune.com. Which actions the Minnesota Legislature took do you support or oppose? Leave a comment below.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
‘I stand with the millions of struggling homeowners in Minnesota and across the country seeking justice after unfairly being kicked out of their homes,’ the 5th District congressman said.
Rep. Keith Ellison is adding his voice to those of protestors demonstrating outside the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC. The protestors—organized, in part, by Occupy Our Homes—argue that bankers haven’t been held accountable for financial misdeeds. In response to the protest, Ellison’s office released a statement Tuesday that quoted the 5th District congressman as saying: I see the devastation of the foreclosure crisis every day in towns across the Minneapolis metro area, and I stand with the millions of struggling homeowners in Minnesota and across the country seeking justice after unfairly being kicked out of their homes. Banks have paid less than half the payments they owe to homeowners since 2008, and have yet to pay a …
After six weeks of construction, the Richfield Liquor Store at 6444 Lyndale Ave. S. is now open. The revamped store opened Monday, May 13. If you haven't made it in, take a look at the video above for a peek at the renovations. Related articles:
Monday, May 20, 2013
Richfield already funds all-day kindergarten, however, the extra funds are welcome.
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 …
The 5th District Congressman also wants to ban the herbicide atrazine and add a right to vote amendment to the Constitution.
Gas Prices Rep. Keith Ellison argued last week that tougher rules on oil speculation and an end to subsidies for oil companies would help curb the recent hike in gas prices. The 5th District congressman last year introduced the “End Polluter Welfare Act," which would eliminate more than $110 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every 10 years. Ellison released the following statement Friday: A week before one of the busiest car travel weekends of the year, millions of Minnesotans are suddenly having to pay more for gas than ever before. This takes money out of the pockets of working people in the middle of a slow recovery, and causes real economic pain for Minnesotans already struggling to get by. There are meaningful steps Congress can take …
A Brookings Institution study found that the number of poor in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled over the past decade.
If the stressed food banks and increasing demand for social services weren’t enough proof, Twin Cities residents now have further evidence that poverty is part of the suburban landscape. A Brookings Institution study released Monday reports that the number of poor in Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled between 2000 and 2011. The 127.9 percent increase in the suburbs was well above the 47.7 percent increase in urban areas. Click on the PDF to the right of the article to see a summary of the Twin Cities data. This is a trend providers have been well aware of for some time. Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department is in the process of creating “social services hubs” in the suburbs specifically to create one-…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Rep. Keith Ellison said Republicans are neglecting other problems by convening numerous votes on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Friday, May 17, 2013
The 5th District congressman, who voted for the proposal, thinks now is the time to resurrect it.
Rep. Keith Ellison said Republicans are neglecting other problems by convening numerous votes on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
On Thursday, 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison cast his 37th vote (depending on how you count) against a proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The legislation has no chance of passing since the Senate will likely ignore it and President Barack Obama has promised to veto it on the off chance it ever reached his desk. Republicans defend the frequent votes by saying they want new legislators to be able to uphold their promise to constituents to try and repeal health care reform, but Democrats accuse Republicans of wasting time for political gain. Ellison released the following statement after Thursday’s vote: Today, for the 37th time in two years, I voted against a partisan attempt by Republicans in Congress to …
Kitzer
11:45 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Mikey, Mikey -- I'm glad YOU like paying taxes to see YOUR GOPS get paid to sit on their a$$es doing nothing. I DON'T!! more ›