Thursday, May 16, 2013
Written comments accepted through June 12, 2013.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 16
Information provided by Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to review an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) regarding future four-lane divided county road between County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 and Highway 610 in Maple Grove and the future interchange at Highway 610 and I-94 in Maple Grove. Copies of the EAW, which document the purpose and need for the project, along with the anticipated social, economic and environmental impacts, are available for public viewing beginning May 13, 2013 during regular business hours at the following locations: Written comments will be accepted May 13 through June 12, 2013. Comments should be submitted to Rick Dalton, Environmental …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The new law's supporters and opponents traded claims and denials of bigotry.
When—if ever—is it fair to call another person a bigot? Leave your comment below. A flashpoint in the debate over Minnesota's new marriage-equality law was the use of the words "bigot," "bigoted," or "bigotry" in reference to opponents of making same-sex marriages legal. After the state Legislature approved the bill, the group Minnesota for Marriage said in a statement: Over one million Minnesotans will be forced to either affirm what they believe to be false or subject themselves to prosecution and insult as “bigots” ... under our law with the passage of this bill. 'You're a Bigot' On Monday at the state Senate, Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots. Sen. Dan…
The Osseo School District 279 School Board voted to request an operating and technology levy from voters in a special election Nov. 5.
After a narrow defeat in the 2012 election, the Osseo School District School Board has decided to ask voters again for approval of an operating and technology levy. The Osseo School District School Board approved, by a vote of 5-1 at its May 7 meeting, to place two school funding questions on the November 2013 election ballot. The questions will ask, according to the Osseo School District website. In the upcoming months, community members will receive “much more detailed information about these request to our community members” through a “comprehensive education campaign,” District 279 Superintendent Kate Maguire told the school board. If the levy(s) are passed, it would be effective for the 2014-15 school year. Without additional …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate. Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…
Monday, May 13, 2013
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. …
Sen. Warren Limmer, who represents Maple Grove, listed types of organizations and individuals who would not be 'protected' by the gay-marriage bill before the Minnesota Senate.
Updated below. Minnesota state Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) took the lead in speaking against the same-sex marriage bill early in the debate on the floor of the Minnesota Senate Monday afternoon. "The legislation before us ... does not protect religious institutions and nonprofits. It only protects [individual clergy and churches]. ... What about the YMCAs and the YWCAs ... Northwestern College, St. Thomas? "This is essentially a partial protection for people of faith," Limmer said. He questioned whether the term "civil marriage" had received full consideration in the Minnesota House of Representatives. "I know they considered it for maybe half an hour," he said. "The question to this body is, do we offer protection for all or only a…
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 Minnesota Senate takes up bill at noon Central Time on Monday, May 13, 2013. The Minnesota House approved it last week, so Senate approval sends it to conference committee and the governor's desk.
A bill to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota is set for debate and a vote in the Minnesota Senate starting at noon on Monday, May 13, 2013. Watch livestream video here or at The UpTake. Related at Maple Grove Patch:
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…
Dan Johnson
5:58 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Removing it from the law (which I believe is impossible), denies that recognition for those who don't belong to any religion. It would require them to travel to a different country to get married. more ›