Rep. Paulsen on Weinergate: 'No Excuse'

Erik Paulsen represents Minnetonka in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Representative Erik Paulsen (R—MN) lashed out Tuesday against the behavior of fellow U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner (D—NY), who on Monday admitted to sending graphic photos of himself to women he met online. Citing continually developing information, Paulsen declined to call for Weiner's outright resignation but did say Weiner's behavior was inappropriate and unbecoming of an elected official. "Sure, he's from New York and he's brash and all that sort of thing, but that's no excuse for him to be counted any different than any one of us," Paulsen said. "He has to come clean about everything that took place." The incident involving Weiner is the latest in a recent spate of political scandals. Just this week, former presidential candidate …

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Patch Politics

Sen. Bonoff on Budget Stalemate: 'Disappointing'

The Legislature adjourned without budget compromise.

Right now, a stalemate over Minnesota's looming $5 billion deficit means the state is headed towards a possible government shutdown. Because the regular legislative session ended without a budget deal, Governor Dayton and the Legislature now have until July 1 to reach a compromise. The following piece is written by Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) in reaction to this situation and as a recap to the 2010-2011 legislative session. It was originally posted on her website.  *** The 2011 Legislative Session drew to a disappointing close on Monday [May 16], as the session was adjourned without agreement between legislative leaders and Governor Dayton on how to balance the projected $5 billion budget deficit our state faces in the next …

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Governor Vetoes Budget, Special Session Imminent

Republican legislators and Gov. Dayton could not agree on a budget deal before the end of the regular legislative session.

UPDATE (MAY 24 12:56 p.m.): Just 12 hours after the state legislature adjourned, Governor Mark Dayton vetoed the nine budget bills passed by the Republican legislature in the closing days of session, and returned the bills along with veto messages outlining areas of both agreement and concern.     In his veto letters, Governor Dayton outlined the stark differences and the need for compromise:     “Each of us started our budget proposals by making a choice.  I chose a balanced approach to our budget; one that included both significant cuts, but asked the top two percent of Minnesotans to pay more to ensure our quality of life and the services millions of Minnesotans depend on.  My approach chooses not to balance the budget on the backs of …

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Sen. Bonoff on Marriage Amendment: 'I Am Both Frustrated and Saddened'

In Sen. Bonoff's weekly update, she also discusses the budget and "shoot first" bill.

The following is a copy of Senator Terri Bonoff's (DFL-Minnetonka) weekly Capitol Update (#18, for the week ending May 13, 2011).  Budget Work Picks Up With just 10 days left in the 2011 legislative session, Republican leaders in the House and Senate continue to work to reach agreement on a comprehensive budget proposal so that it can be negotiated with Governor Dayton’s plan to solve the $5 billion budget deficit. Governor Dayton has made it clear he cannot negotiate with pieces of the budget – he requires a complete recommendation for solving the budget shortfall before he can consider its merits and areas to compromise. Conference Committees met throughout the week to work out differences between House and Senate omnibus budget bills, …

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Letters to the Editor: Budget Showdown

Reps. Benson and Stensrud share their thoughts on the budget with Minnetonka Patch.

Only 19 days remain in Minnesota's legislative session, and so far Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how to overcome the state's looming $5 billion budget deficit.  State Representatives John Benson (DFL-43B) and Kirk Stensrud (R-42A) both represent parts of Minnetonka. And both legislators have their own view on the proposed budget plans causing gridlock at the Capitol. Reps. Benson and Stensrud are sharing those thoughts here.  Letters to the Editor: Budget Debate FOCUS NEEDS TO RETURN TO THE BUDGET  Rep. John Benson (DFL-43B) We have less than three weeks before the Minnesota Legislature is set to adjourn on May 23, and we still don’t have an honest, balanced budget from the House or Senate. The 2010 election campaign focused on …

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Capitol Review: How are Minnetonka Lawmakers Faring So Far?

Minnetonka Patch looks at several bills introduced by local legislators.

Last week, Minnesota legislators returned to their home districts for their traditional Passover and Easter break. With the break over and the session set to resume today, Minnetonka Patch took a look at some of the key bills authored by your legislators—Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) and Rep. John Benson (DFL-Minnetonka).  Sen. Bonoff: Chief-Authored Legislation Bill Bill  Description Bill Status SF1271 Requiring the energy division of the Department of Commerce to research, study and report on the feasibility, costs, and potential revenue and other benefits for municipalities to harness the cooling capacity of geothermal/hydrothermal energy extracted from municipal wells. 4/26: Introduced and referred to the Energy, Utilities and …

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Sen. Bonoff: Schools Not Prepared For Sports Concussions

A local senator is supporting legislation that would educate school staff about how to deal with concussions and also establish policies on what they should do when children are hit in the head during school sports.

Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) is co-authoring legislation that would require school coaches, staff and even students to know the first signs of a concussion and also enforce strict regulations about returning to the field after a concussion has occurred.  Earlier this week, Bonoff said she has personally seen the damage that sports-related concussions can do to young people—both of her sons having suffered "severe concussions" while playing sports. She said school coaches and staff aren't educated thoroughly enough on how to deal with concussions when they happen. Bonoff detailed a time when her own son suffered a concussion playing football. She said it was a terrible blow to his head and that school officials merely told her to …

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Capitol Review: Local Legislator Wants to Add Lanes to I-494

Also this week, the budget debate will heat up in the legislature.

Editor’s Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they’re voting, the bills they’re writing and the issues they’re getting behind. Come back to Minnetonka Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review. Minnetonka’s State lawmakers: Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43), Sen. David Hann (R-District 42), Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33), Rep. John Benson (DFL-District 43B), Rep. Connie Doepke (R-District 33B), and Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A). Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43) On March 9, introduced, as a chief-author, SF 659, bill appropriating money for adding lanes to a portion of Interstate Highway 494. To read a story on that plan, click here. On March 9, introduced, …

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State Deficit Forecast Shrinks by $1.2 Billion

On Monday, the new budget forecast was released and it puts the state deficit at just over $5 billion. That's a billion dollars less than what was projected in November, 2010.

Editor’s Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they’re voting, the bills they’re writing and the issues they’re getting behind. Come back to Minnetonka Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review. Minnetonka’s State lawmakers: Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43), Sen. David Hann (R-District 42), Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33), Rep. John Benson (DFL-District 43B), Rep. Connie Doepke (R-District 33B), and Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A). Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33)  Sen. David W. Hann (R-District 42) Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43)   On Feb. 24 the Minnesota House voted 124-4 to ban synthetic marijuana. In fact, the bill that was passed (HF 57) would make it a …

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