Thursday, May 17, 2012
County Board Chair Mike Opat delivered the 2012 address today in Plymouth.
Hennepin County Board Chair Mike Opat gave the State of the County address today at the Plymouth Creek Center in Plymouth. The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce hosted the event. A State of the County address hasn't been given since 2009. The reason? "There have been no speeches because given the state of the economy and federal and state budgets there wasn’t much I could say that was interesting enough to warrant an event like this," Opat said. "Like the rest of public-sector America…we have been hunkered down and focused on the basics." During his speech, Opat touched on changes to several areas of the County, that were also highlighted in a county press release: Budget/Finances "The State of Hennepin County is one of flat budgets and …
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012
State Rep. Keith Downey believes a spillover effect from the problems in France seems likely to hit the U.S.
Editor's Note: The following comes from State Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina). The views expressed are solely his and do not reflect those of Patch. As the Monday morning quarterbacking begins on our 2012 legislative session, we should look at the big picture. The press of course goes for political headlines, looking at the "stories" in isolation. But the real measure of the 2012 legislature is whether its short term spending and debt will help strategically position Minnesota for success. Situation Economic uncertainty and unsustainable government fiscal imbalances are challenges being faced by states and nations across the world, and unfortunately we are all connected to it. The recent election in France that saw current President Nicolas …
Sheriff Rich Stanek is learning about homeland security and countering violent extremism that impacts both the U.S. and Israel.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek is currently overseas in Israel, attending an international counterterrorism program. Dubbed "2012 Law Enforcement Mission to Israel," the program is intended to provide attendees with a better understanding of homeland security and countering violent extremism that impacts both Israel and the U.S. The program includes discussions with Israeli government officials, military officers and leading academics, in addition to discussions regarding emergency preparedness from Israeli first responders including police, rescue and bomb disposal. "I appreciate the opportunity to build partnerships and learn best practices from first responders who are experienced in national security challenges,” Stanek said, in a…
Monday, May 14, 2012
Local Republicans readying for Paul's appearance Friday.
See updates below. Ron Paul is set to speak at the Minnesota Republican convention Friday, and party activists in the Fifth District are preparing for a possible Paul win—with one local activist saying "I get the feeling I'm witnessing history." Paul is poised to make a strong showing in Minnesota after congressional-district conventions gave him 20 of 24 available national delegates. The Texas congressman was denied a speaking slot at the 2008 state convention, but has proven a popular candidate and speaker here since—turning fans away, for example, from an over-capacity speech in Arden Hills shortly before Minnesota's 2012 caucus night. On Monday, Paul announced his campaign would stop spending money in states that haven't yet held …
Keith Downey will run for State Senate, while Bill Glahn and Terry Jacobson will compete for House seats.
Nearly two months after its annual convention, the Republican delegates of Senate District 49 have officially endorsed candidates for this fall's elections. Republicans from Edina, Bloomington, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie met Thursday, May 10, at Jefferson High School to formally endorse candidates for three local legislative races. Perhaps the least surprising of the endorsements was Keith Downey—who is wrapping up his second term in the Minnesota House of Representatives—being endorsed as the Republican candidate for State Senate District 49. He was unopposed for the nomination to fill the seat vacated by Geoff Michel's retirement. Downey will face off against DFL candidate and Target attorney Melisa Lopez Franzen for the senate seat. …
Challenger Chris Fields talks to area nonprofits and says Ellison 'isn't as well liked as people may think.'
Rep. Keith Ellison and a U.S. senator last week introduced a bill to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. On Thursday, he and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) said the legislation would "do away with tax breaks, financial assistance, royalty relief, direct federal research and development and many loopholes that benefit the fossil fuel industry," according to Ellison's U.S. House website. “Big oil companies alone make more than $300 million every day but the oil, gas, and coal industries still have their hands in the taxpayer’s pocket,” Ellison said. “We need to get off the fossil fuel bandwagon that keeps us dependent on oil and contributes to climate change. The $113 billion in taxpayer handouts that oil, gas, and coal companies receive …
Rep. Pat Mazorol is not running for re-election to House District 49B this fall.
Rep. Pat Mazorol (R-Bloomington) is one of 23 retiring members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He gave a farewell speech during Thursday's final session, thanking his fellow representatives for their collaboration, input and—at times—criticism. "I have learned so much from this place and from all of you," Mazorol said. "I've grown. My skin is much thicker than it was two years ago." Flanked by Reps. Keith Downey (R-Edina) and Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City), Mazorol joked someone must have had a sense of humor when assigning his neighbors. "It's sort of like the little angel and the little devil," he said. "These are my political mentors. I'm not commenting on which is which, by the way." Mazorol was elected to represent House …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
This week's selection includes lots of school news, including state Teacher of the Year and Robbinsdale's top educator for 2013.
City Council Lifts Edina's Happy Hour Ban The amendment removes part of the city ordinance governing prices of alcoholic beverages at Edina's restaurants. Pink Water Draws Concerns in St. Michael, Albertville The Joint Powers Water officials that oversee the area's tap water supply are aware of the situation. The colored water is harmless in normal doses. On Gay Marriage, Richfield Catholic Parishes of One Mind Three Catholic churches in Richfield recently affirmed they will be following the lead of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, urging members and others to vote yes on the anti-gay marriage amendment. Edina's Jackie Roehl Named Minnesota Teacher of the Year The 10th-grade English teacher at Edina High School is first-…
Friday, May 11, 2012
One local artist believes the Minnesota Museum of American Art should be transported to Edina's Grandview District.
When I was a young artist growing up, I would frequently take the bus over an hour from south Minneapolis to the landmark center to view the Minnesota Museum of American Art. The collection was the most important to me as a painter than any other in Minnesota. The demotion of the collection to temporal showings and storage has been the greatest loss to the arts culture in the history of Minnesota. When I discuss this loss with others they either have no idea what I am talking about or simply do not care. It is an insult to the arts community that this world class collection of art has been all but erased completely from the consciousness of the community worst of all people with great interest in the arts. During this month dedicated to …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The plan was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
With Senate approval coming on Thursday by a 36-30 vote, a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is on its way. After plenty of twists and turns throughout the legislative session, debate intensified this week, as the House and Senate both held several late-night sessions to discuss the bill. All that remains now is a signature from Gov. Mark Dayton, who has been an ardent stadium supporter. Dayton is holding a press conference at 5:45 p.m. today with stadium bill authors, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and team owner Zygi Wilf, and Dayton could sign the bill then. The new stadium will cost roughly $975 million, with the team slated to pay a little less than half. The state will pay about $348 million by expanding gambling. The city of Minneapolis …
Seth Johnson
1:13 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
We don't want social justice I.e. communism. There is no hate. Empower the people not the govt.! Let the people decide. more ›