Thompson leads effort in Senate By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Republicans present a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday, that if approved by voters would ban joining a union or paying union dues as a condition of employment. Sen. Dave Thompson, Republican from Lakeville, heralded the proposed amendment — often generically referred to “Right-to-Work” — as Read more »
By Tina Snell, Staff Writer tina.snell@mcrecord.com Patty Burggraff, Royalton, loves to sew. She has always loved to sew. She learned she had the talent during home economics classes at Little Falls Schools and has turned this passion into a small, home-based business, Patty’s House of Sewing. “I am a hands-on person and need to be doing Read more »
Many entertainment venues oppose the concept By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chairman Chris Gerlach saw his event tickets legislation pass his committee on a strong 11 to 4 vote, Wednesday, Feb. 1. “I believe this bill protects the middle ground,” said Gerlach, a Republican from Apple Valley. The Read more »
Most of those testifying oppose the idea By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Senate Local Government and Elections Committee Chairman Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, took hours of sometimes emotional testimony Wednesday, Feb. 1 on the proposed Photo ID constitutional amendment. No votes were taken on the controversial provision that could require all voters to show Read more »
By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter A House natural resources committee on Wednesday, Feb. 1 heard a legislative proposal from Rep. Tom Hackbarth that could place three electronic barriers on the Mississippi River to block the spread of Asian carp. Hackbarth, a Republican from Cedar, is looking for $13 million to erect electronic fish barriers Read more »
21 House DFLers back legislation By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter House Democrats presented a perceived government reform package Tuesday, that includes economic disclosure reform for legislators, a ban on late night legislative sessions, data practices changes and other reform items. “For those of you who’ve spent the night on the (House) floor with us, Read more »
Rep. Peppin passes on final vote By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Tuesday, the Sunset Advisory Commissioner made a series of recommendations to the Legislature concerning state boards and councils. But one commission member, Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, who pushed for the creation of the Commission, passed on the final vote. Peppin, speaking after the Read more »
Republicans declined to take part in task force study By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter A health insurance exchange advisory task force handed its recommendations to DFL Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday, stressing the need to find a Minnesota solution in establishing a state insurance exchange. But the recommendations were drawn without Republican input, the Read more »
Bill dealing with veterans preference for road contracts will be refined, brought back later By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter District 52A Rep. Bob Dettmer is seeking a civil immunity provision for volunteers in the state’s Yellow Ribbon campaign associated with the Minnesota National Guard and is also looking to improve the chances for veteran-owned Read more »
Republicans deny confirmation on party line vote By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday in blistering language blasted Senate Republicans after the Senate voted to reject the confirmation of his appointee, Ellen Anderson, as chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. “A very good person, a very dedicated public servant, Read more »
Quota will held to 400 animals in first year By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has set a “conservative” quota of 400 animals for its first-year hunting and trapping season on the iconic, recently delisted gray wolf. The proposed season for this fall, Nov. 24 to Jan. 5, would Read more »
Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, will seek a fourth term in the 6th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. Bachmann is fresh off the Republican presidential trail, having recently dropped out after a poor performance in the Iowa Caucus. Her appearance last weekend at an anti-abortion rally at the State Capitol was the Read more »
April close could be possible this year By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Lawmakers return to the State Capitol this week with the freedom to pack up and go home early, and arguably with compelling reasons to do so. Unlike in many recent legislative sessions, lawmakers are under no obligation to patch a leaky state Read more »
Ending mandates can be complicated By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Government association officials and reform-minded lawmakers at the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23 called for calculated risk-taking, the removal of barriers and other actions to kindle the fires of reform in Minnesota. Not that everything should be thrown into the flames. “I think Read more »
She says her decision to not run again remains firm By T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter Out of the public eye for a number of weeks after scandal forced her to surrender her top Senate leadership post, Republican Sen. Amy Koch of Buffalo insists she can effectively serve out her term representing Senate District 19. Read more »
