Republicans Turning Up the Heat on Entenza

We had heard previously that the House Republicans were considering not seating the incoming class of freshman DFL legislators until the issue of House Minority Leader Rep. Matt Entenza’s (DFL-64A, St. Paul) $300,000 contribution to the 21st Century Democrats...

The Results of the Johnson Press Conference

We attended the press conference held by incoming Civil Law Chair Rep. Jeff Johnson (R-43A, Plymouth) and have included the press release from the event.  During it, he called on House Minority Leader Matt Entenza (DFL-64A, St. Paul) to disclose the records for the...

Checks & Balances is Back

We at Checks & Balances apologize for the recent disruption of web services. Checks & Balances website suffered a hostile attack from a hacker who we have come to find out is a resident of Germany. Our file server became to collection point for Nazi...

Boogie Island Bash II

The DFL is having another big party. On Friday, January 31st, 8:00 PM at the Nicollet Island Pavilion the DFL is holding its second annual Boogie Island Bash. The entertainment provided by Island Soul and the theme is a Beach Party.  … This content is for...

I’m Not a Moderate

Republican legislative candidate Mike Amery in District 32B, Maple Grove contacted us for a clarification.  He disagreed with our assertion of he being more moderate than the district.  He is the former Senate District Chair and called attention to his conservative...

What Does the Largest County Seek?

We receive regular notices on the actions of the Hennepin County Board. In the last communication they highlighted some of their legislative priorities. We thought people would be interested.Provide adequate state funding to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) to...

Buesgens Taking on Local Lobbying

One thing that irritates many legislators especially Republicans is local government either hiring a lobbyist or contracting with a lobbying firm. The reason is frequently a community is spending state money to try to get more state money. Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-35B,...

Grocer Opposed to Wine in Grocery Stores

Advocates for wine sales in grocery stores have asked Rep. Bob Gunther (R-24A, Fairmont) if he would carry the bill and he declined. As one of two grocers in the State House, new Rep. Dean Simpson (R-10B, New York Mills) being the other, many of Gunther’s colleagues...

Stanek’s Last Vote

Rep. Rich Stanek’s (R-32B, Maple Grove) last vote on the House Floor will be on the Visa expiration legislation. As he moves on to the Department of Public Safety his last act will be passage of House File 1.  … This content is for Monthly General...

Rapidly Replacing the Profiles

It is an ambitious approach Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke are undertaking to reform the Profile of Learning into a new academic standard. They are setting up a panel to recommend a set of standards and the deadline for...