editorials

This week has been a busy one filled with committee hearings, floor session, constituent meetings, planning town hall meetings and the Governor’s State of the State Address. Governor's State of...

This past week the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) bill continued to be heard in a variety of Senate Committees. It was passed out of the Commerce Committee after two hearings...

At the end of January over the past 20 plus years, I have attended the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention. There have been many changes over the years, not only...

It’s been an eventful few weeks at the Legislature. I got sworn in on Jan. 8and work started right away. I’m serving on the Agriculture Policy, Capital Investment, and Judiciary...

Governor Mark Dayton released his budget proposal this week which calls for $37.9 billion in state spending for FY 2014-15. Compared to the $35.2 billion budget in FY 2012-13, this...

There is one thing that's a given when Gov. Dayton's budget proposal hits the table; it will include a tax increase. But if Gov.

During these challenging times, Minnesotans worry about how they can finance the basics, let alone the cost of college. Rising tuition threatens to place higher education beyond the reach of...

Rural Minnesota is losing its influence, reports a new study by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. Echoing the concerns of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who a few...

Stevens Forward is a local volunteer civic organization with a mission to create a brighter future for all residents of the Stevens County community. Stevens Forward consists of local citizens...

Vote no on Minnesota marriage, voter ID amendments; wrong way to legislate Constitutions are all about the structuring of government; they offer overall guiding principles and framework to help make...

This year's State Fair experience was similar to past years at the "Great Minnesota Get Together." It was a mix of just wandering the fairgrounds and the usual list of...

What drives MPCA violations? In an announcement last week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency levied penalties against the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Northstar Materials Inc., a Bemidji-based contractor, for...

Plan has noble goals Next Monday, students return to Bemidji State University for fall classes. Over the past several years, students have shoulder the burden of higher tuition, a discouraging...