Thursday, February 28, 2013
"The economy shows signs of recovery, but we must continue to work to create jobs and make Minnesota economically competitive."
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, February 28
Dear Neighbors, We are in the middle of a crucial legislative session. As I hear from members of our community, a repeating message is that legislators need to work together and focus on the important issues of jobs and the economy, education, and our Minnesota quality of life. I am listening and taking action. To further the recovery of our economy, I have co-authored legislation to reduce employer tax rates, bring the Southwest Light Rail to our area, increase funding available for business investment, and expand overseas trade opportunities for our Minnesota businesses. The economy shows signs of recovery, but we must continue to work to create jobs and make Minnesota economically competitive. Much attention has been focused on the …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
State Senator Terri Bonoff gives us a glimpse into what lawmakers in Minnesota are up to.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 22
According to Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, here's what happened recently in the MN State Legislature: Committee Work Begins This week’s legislative action in the Senate primarily took place in committees, where members reviewed high level summaries that will inform their discussions as each committee prepares to make decisions about various appropriations in their respective budget area. With the state facing another billion dollar deficit, it is clear even in the most early budget discussions that we will need to take a balanced approach--including reforms to both sides of the spending and revenue equation--to resolve our budget problems. Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee Update Our first meeting was held this …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The idea of using the new DFL majority to push for legal rights for same-sex couples is, so far, getting a cautious reception from some politicians.
With a resounding victory Tuesday night and the DFL now primed to assume control of the 2013 legislative session, a prominent state senator is suggesting incoming lawmakers could try to repeal a Minnesota law banning same-sex marriage. A Southwest Minneapolis legislator, though, said it was too early to discuss legalization. Roseville state Sen. John Marty said he sees Tuesday night's election results as a changing of the guard. After just two years at the helm of the Minnesota Legislature, Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate on Tuesday night—a defeat at least some Democrats are attributing in part to the marriage and Voter ID amendments. Voters rejected both amendments by votes of 53 percent to 47 percent. During the…
Friday, May 18, 2012
A weekly update to help you keep up with the news updates and conversation on Minnetonka Patch's Facebook page and what Patch users are saying in the comments section.
Your Minnetonka Patch Facebook page needs fans! Thanks for telling your friends to like Minnetonka Patch and keep spreading the word to the uninformed. You're invited to chime in on these topics and more on Minnetonka Patch by commenting on the articles and on Facebook. A letter to the editor this week addressed unhappiness with the past MN Legislative session. "This session they passed 17 license plate bills and designated an official state dirt," wrote Norbert Gernes of Eden Prairie. "They have proposed costly constitutional amendments to solve problems that don’t even exist." Gernes concluded the letter with "It is time to elect legislators who will represent the people." Kitzer – "Awesome letter!! I don't think I would have been as …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Rep. John Benson: "The legislature missed several opportunities to reduce the deficit, pay back the billions of dollars it still owes our schools, or to significantly lower residential property taxes."
- OPINION
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Thursday, May 10, 2012
To the editor: The 2012 Legislative Session has adjourned. Our state leaves the biennium with a continuing fiscal deficit; we still owe our public schools over two billion dollars, while property taxes have increased by $370 million. Much of the property tax increase was caused by the elimination of the Homestead Credit last year. I opposed the elimination of this credit that benefited 95 percent of homeowners. I co-authored a Homestead Credit restoration bill, but was unable to convince the majority party to restore the credit. I voted for the state infrastructure bonding bill in spite of the fact that the state’s portion of the funding of the Southwest Light Rail Line was not included. The Twin West Chamber of Commerce, all the city …
Jeff Simon
9:23 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Mom, apple pie, and "create jobs". Everyone is for it. To create jobs in the private sector, I agree that Minnesota must be made more competitive. I have heard two trains of thought about what makes Minnesota more competitive. One train of thought says that in order to make Minnesota more competitive and attractive to the job creators, that we need to expand government, have more programs, give … more ›