May 18, 2015
At the onset of the legislative session Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) established three specific priorities, which the legislature has largely ignored: Stable funding for transportation and transit, ditch buffers on agricultural lands to protect the state’s water supply...
May 18, 2015
In 2014, Jim Hagedorn (R) defeated Aaron Miller (R) to contest again Congressman Tim Walz (D-01). In a beneficial year for Republicans, Walz trounced Hagedorn by 19,315 votes or 8.52%. In 2016, a Presidential election year, Hagedorn has announced his intent to try...
May 12, 2015
Many consider politics to be the art of compromise and we agree, but often the best compromise is when each side is mutually dissatisfied rather than satisfied. With Republicans in control of the House and the DFL in control of the Senate and the Governor’s office,...
May 12, 2015
It will be important for each side to prove it stood its ground and justify the support from their respective political constituencies. The DFL (Governor and Senate) have to appear compassionate and caring for those less fortunate, in spite of the fact poorer...
May 12, 2015
The contractual agreement with the Capital restoration companies says that once the 2015 legislative session ends the contractors can begin dismantling the chambers. In order to prevent this from occurring and incurring additional costs if a Special Session is to be...
May 12, 2015
Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) is meeting significant resistance to his call for Pre-K funding and ditch buffers. These are two examples where an incremental approach might best apply. Each situation will require a time period before either can be fully implemented....
May 12, 2015
Last week, a group of protesters, some with handkerchiefs covering their mouths marched up to the House Chamber chanting, “Restore the Vote.” Some sported T-Shirts for MADDADS a group formed against gang violence. They were supported in their cause by TakeAction...
May 12, 2015
Last week’s debate on the Senate Floor on SF 0086 was an interesting exercise. It drew significant attention because of the topics which included law enforcement use of license plate readers and body cameras. Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-46, St Louis Park) Chair, Judiciary and...
Mar 19, 2015
Normally, one would think the subject in the title was a delivery vehicle, but it this case it is the entirety of the idea. It is not just a ride in a black SUV from a part-time driver participating in a new industry, and delivering a person to a specific location. No...
Mar 19, 2015
In boxing, the determining factor in a fighter’s career is figuring out if he can take a punch, meaning after taking a shot to the head if he can get up and clear his shake off the cobwebs and perform and this is the situation for freshman Rep Jon Applebaum...
