Editorials

Discuss policy, not politics, of voter ID amendment

The voter ID amendment an extremely important issue, one deserving of a thoughtful and fair public discussion over both the costs and benefits of these new voting requirements. Unfortunately, the debate over this issue at the Capitol amounted to nothing more than a political food fight.

By Randy Maluchnik, President, Association of Minnesota Counties , April 14, 2012

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Legislative Update: Rep. Torrey Westrom

The Voter ID bill was heard in the House Government Operations Committee this week. It will let citizens vote on whether or not they want voter ID passed into a law in the state of Minnesota.

By Rep. Torrey Westrom , March 12, 2012

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Democracy in our health exchange

While big-money insurance corporations amass premiums and fees to add to their already excessive "reserves" and administrative costs, the lack of access to affordable health care is a serious problem for rural Minnesotans.

By Paul Sobocinski , March 03, 2012

Amy Klobuchar: What I want to see in the next Farm Bil

During the past year I've visited dozens of Minnesota's businesses and farms. All over our state you see that "Made in America" isn't just a timeworn cliche — it's happening here and it's happening now.

By Amy Kolbuchar, U.S. Senator , February 25, 2012

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Why the change of heart?

Last summer, with each passing day of the government shutdown, lawmakers faced increasing pressure to fill the state’s multi-billion dollar budget gap with additional tax revenues. Now, just seven months later, state lawmakers find themselves with a projected billion dollar budget surplus.

By Phil Krinkie, Taxpayers League of Minnesota , February 18, 2012

Supporting manufacturing in Minnesota

I’ve been traveling around the state on a manufacturing tour to visit schools, manufacturers and small businesses to learn more about the workforce needs of manufacturing and how we can prepare our students and workforce to fill these jobs and improve the state’s economy.

By Al Franken, U.S. Senator , February 11, 2012

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Highlighting Technical Schools at the State of the Union

I’m working right now to develop federal legislation that would, among other things, build on the success in Alexandria by providing incentives for small and mid-sized manufacturers to work with their local technical and community colleges.

By Amy Kolbuchar, U.S. Senator , January 21, 2012

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Moving Minnesota forward in 2012

As we turn the calendar from the holiday season, we can see that the 2012 Legislative Session is right around the corner. This year’s activity at the capitol is scheduled to be shorter; we are set to convene on January 24th and wrap up near the end of April.

By Bill Ingebrigtsen , January 14, 2012

Chain-smoking TV characters represent progress in smoking cessation efforts

It’s hard for most of us to imagine working in an office while someone next to us chain-smokes like Mad Men’s Don Draper. As much as I dislike seeing people smoke on TV, these period shows remind us how far we’ve come.

By Pat McCone, American Lung Association , December 03, 2011

The lessons of the governor’s jobs summit

During my five minutes in the spotlight at a jam-packed breakout panel during the governor’s Job Summit last week, I got a little carried away in urging Gov. Mark Dayton to pull out all the stops in securing our reputation, once and for all, as the Brainpower State.

By Dane Smith, President of Growth & Justice , November 12, 2011

Preserving the integrity of the Legacy Amendment

The Legacy Amendment is something special for all Minnesotans. Dedicated funds were constantly being raided to solve deficits within the state budget.

By Bill Ingebrigtsen , November 05, 2011

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Social Security remains vital for rural seniors

Three-quarters of all counties across Minnesota (66 of 87) are federally designated as “rural.” In these areas, with their older and poorer populations, Social Security accounts for nearly double the percentage of total personal income as urban counties, and lifts more than half of all seniors out of poverty.

By Cynthia Moothart, League of Rural Voters , October 22, 2011

Fixing No Child Left Behind

If we want a stronger economy tomorrow we need to give our kids a good education today. That was the idea behind No Child Left Behind. But No Child Left Behind has failed.

By Al Franken, U.S. Senator , October 17, 2011

Call it like it is: Property taxes are going up because of state cuts

It has been a hard pill to swallow, but Greater Minnesota cities have come to terms with the budgetary decision to cut over $600 million in property tax relief. The real insult is not the devastating cuts themselves, rather the rhetoric from certain state lawmakers who deny that deep cuts to programs like Local Government Aid, County Program Aid and the Market Value Homestead Credit will increase property taxes.

By Alan Oberloh and Bruce Ahlgren, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities , October 08, 2011

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Making Market Value Homestead Credit issues clearer

By replacing the HVC homeowners will see property tax relief and local governments will have more certainty in their budgets. The Market Value Exclusion eliminates the state as a middle-man, applying property tax relief up front.

By Torrey Westrom, Minnesota House of Representatives , October 08, 2011

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