2016 Legislative Session, the Aftermath

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, it looked like a Bonding Bill would come to pass after all, but because of an omission on the House side of spending for mass transit the senate amended the bill in the final minutes. When Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-46, St Louis Park)...

Session Set to End Let the Campaign Commence

The legislature is winding down and the end will be as we always have anticipated as an abject failure. The Republican controlled House did not provide a Bonding Bill or a Transportation package and so our crumbling infrastructure will continue its decline. There may...

Speaker Daudt a Master of Double Speak

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-31A, Crown) said, “I think may get a tax target today.” as he had just left Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk’s (DFL-03, Cook) office. Coincidentally, we witnessed the Speaker come in through a door accessible...

Nelson, First On Bonding Conference Committee, Then Off

Senator Carla Nelson (R-26, Rochester) was the sole vote in favor of the $1.5 million Bonding Bill and this generally means, when you vote for the bill you are eligible for the conference committee. This was in effect initially, the majority put Nelson on the Capital...

Governor’s Transportation Alternative Dead on Arrival

Yesterday, Governor Mark Dayton (DFL-MN) proposed a second transportation fix, calling it a compromise where the each side gives up something and the other side is scores something else. The Compromise Proposal included an increase in license tab fees to the tune of...

Union Bank & Trust Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Community banking and credit unions are the offset to the big banks and one of the pioneers Union Bank & Trust is having a birthday party. Today, at 1-300 PM, 312 Central Ave SE, Minneapolis, this institution, backed by its union customer base is commemorating a...

Legislative Session Likely to End with a Whimper

With eighteen days left in the 2016 legislative session, the endpoint looks murky at best. Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-31A, Crown) always ready with the one-liners, which are most often pure platitudes, said on Monday, “We’re going to eat our vegetables...

Tax Bill. Will There or Won’t There Be?

Last week, we contacted House Tax Committee Chairman Greg Davids (R-28B, Preston) and reached him as he was on the road headed to his endorsing convention. When we explained the reason for the call and our desire to learn more about the Republican Majority’s Tax...

US Supreme Court Takes Up, MN Implied Consent Law

Minnesota’s Implied Consent law is before the US Supreme Court along with a North Dakota Law challenging the same issue as a violation of the 4th Amendment against warrantless searches. In the case of the MN position on whether Implied Consent is violates a person...