Monday, May 13, 2013
Minnesota appears to be on the fast track to becoming the 12th state in the nation to allow marriages between same-sex partners.
Minnetonka and Eden Prairie's representation in the Minnesota State Senate cast one vote for same sex marriage and one vote against on Monday. The Senate gave final approval on the bill with a 37-30 vote. Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign the bill into law, and the law would take affect on Aug. 1 of this year. House File 1054/Senate File 925 changes the term "marriage" in state law to "civil marriage," and expands the definition of who can get married from "a man and a woman" to "two persons." Republican Senate Minority Leader David Hann, who represents Eden Prairie and a portion of Minnetonka in Senate District 48, voted against the bill. Sen. David Hann (R-District 48) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex …
The state senator's comments came after she read an emotional letter from the mother of a gay son who said she wanted to be able to dance at her son’s wedding.
Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-District 49) sought to move her fellow legislators by reading from a letter written by a mother who learned her son was gay in 2011, just as the gay marriage debate was ramping up in Minnesota. The letter she read stated: We began traveling with our son to new territory—and with the marriage amendment, it was public territory. … It was heartbreaking. Each voter who convinced himself of zero-sum morality—that if his family was good, mine must be evil—plunged another knife into my heart. No one will convince me that I gave birth to evil, that my son chose evil or that he deserves barriers to his happiness. I want for him what I want for all four of my children: happily ever after. I want him to find someone to love …
The local legislature, whose district includes Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, said such ‘name-calling’ shuts down honest debate.
Sen. David Hann (R-District 48) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots during Monday’s Senate debate on the bill. “We’re all opposed to the idea of unfairly discriminating and being prejudicial against our fellow citizens,” said Hann, whose district includes Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. “It’s not about that. And I think, frankly, for those of us who differ on this issue to be accused of those things is deeply, deeply offensive because it is untrue.” Hann said gay marriage supporters are shutting down honest debate by calling people names and added that the issue has been divisive because it strikes at a very fundamental understanding of human nature. For his part, Hann said that same-sex …
The congressman from Minnesota's Third District ruled out running for anything other than re-election.
U.S. Sen. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) said in a statement Monday that he will not run for another office than the one he holds in 2014. With his Facebook posting, Paulsen takes him out of consideration as a Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Al Franken or Gov. Mark Dayton, both DFL Party members up for re-election that year: "After thinking carefully about how I can best help my fellow Minnesotans, I have decided to not seek election for a different office in 2014. If the people of the Third Congressional District will allow me, I hope to continue my work in the U.S. House of Representatives, where I can be most effective, in the years ahead. The warm encouragement from many people to run for U.S. senator or the governorship was deeply humbling. …
The Minnetonka state senator said she planned to vote yes on gay marriage for all the people who couldn’t vote themselves on the Senate floor.
Sen. Terri E. Bonoff (DFL-District 44) was unquestionably conscious of the historical nature of Monday’s same-sex marriage vote in the Senate—and its echoes across the country. “I am so honored to speak on the Senate floor on this issue because I know that I’m not standing up here as me, as Terri Bonoff, state senator. I’m standing here to bring a voice for all of those who are not standing on the Senate floor but feel so strongly,” Bonoff said. “I’m standing here for my family, for my friends, for constituents—but really people all over the state, all over the country and even around the world. Because this conversation we’re having today is not an isolated conversation. In chambers like ours around the country—and in places around the …
The congressman from Minnesota's Third District also spoke on the House floor about charter schools.
U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) answers consituent questions each week by way of a YouTube clip (watch at the first YouTube thumbnail or at YouTube.com): This week on Erik’s Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers questions sent in from Lindsay in Wayzata and Allen in Chaska. Lindsay joined Rep. Paulsen on his live telephone town hall on Monday, and although she didn’t get a chance to ask her question during the event, Rep. Paulsen wanted to be sure she got an answer. Her question was about the need to give control and flexibility back to families and small businesses. Also this week, Rep. Paulsen answers a question on education from Allen, a local teacher from Chaska. Charter Schools Paulsen devoted a House floor speech to …
What about your life would change if same-sex marriage became legal?
A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage is expected to head to the governor after a vote in the Senate on Monday. DFLers hold a 39-28 majority, and Senate leaders predict that the bill will successfully move forward, Reuters reported. Before then, though, several legislators on the floor—from both sides of the debate—will likely offer personal anecdotes about what passage would mean to them. That’s to be expected; the issue is, at its core, a personal one. It touches on our relationship to those we love the most, our relationship to society and our relationship to God. That’s why Patch wants to know how passage would affect you. What about your life would change if same-sex marriage became legal?
The community had 88.3 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the 2012 election.
Minnetonka had a high voter turnout in the 2012 election for a state that is itself already well above the national average. Minnesota fell to third in the country—behind only Mississippi and Wisconsin, according to data the U.S. Census Bureau made public Wednesday evening. Although it had the highest levels in the country of voter turnout in the 2008 election, the 73.2 percent of citizens who voted here in 2012 is still comfortably above the national average of 61.8. (The Census Bureau’s rates are different from those from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, which lists a 76.11 percent voter turnout rate. The Census Bureau’s rate for Minnesota is listed as having a margin of error of ± 2.1 percent.) The Census Bureau didn’t provide…
Sunday, May 12, 2013
This week's selections include a new Buddhist monastery, 100-meter dash record, Southdale Center on TV, hospital milestone and a record-breaking betting day.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Police Release Maps in Search for Mandy Matula Eden Prairie police have released maps of the areas where Mandy Matula, the missing Eden Prairie woman, might be located. The areas are in Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. 3 Years, 3 Months Behind Bars for Ex-City Staffer on Child Porn Conviction Scott Andrew Bradley of Oakdale, who once worked as communications coordinator for the City of Richfield, got the maximum sentence. MN Same-Sex Marriage…
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so.
Mike B.
6:18 am on Friday, May 17, 2013
No one is discriminated against. No one can stop homosexuals from "meeting up," unless they are making a nuisance in public parks, etc. However, marriage is by definition between a man and a woman. And most banquet hall owners sure aren't going to allow a reception for two same-sex people, I can tell you that. Most people have morals, unlike the DFLers who voted for this nonsense. more ›