Tuesday, May 21, 2013
‘I stand with the millions of struggling homeowners in Minnesota and across the country seeking justice after unfairly being kicked out of their homes,’ the 5th District congressman said.
Rep. Keith Ellison is adding his voice to those of protestors demonstrating outside the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC. The protestors—organized, in part, by Occupy Our Homes—argue that bankers haven’t been held accountable for financial misdeeds. In response to the protest, Ellison’s office released a statement Tuesday that quoted the 5th District congressman as saying: I see the devastation of the foreclosure crisis every day in towns across the Minneapolis metro area, and I stand with the millions of struggling homeowners in Minnesota and across the country seeking justice after unfairly being kicked out of their homes. Banks have paid less than half the payments they owe to homeowners since 2008, and have yet to pay a …
Monday, May 20, 2013
The proposed sales tax for transit improvements did not make it into the final transportation bill.
The presidents of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Saint Paul Area Chamber on Sunday condemned the Legislature’s inability to approve a dedicated funding source to expand Twin Cities transit. Last month, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul chambers endorsed a metrowide sales tax of up to half a cent that would have funded transit improvements. Transit tax proposals presented during the session ranged from a quarter of a cent to three-quarters of a cent. However, a sales tax for transit did not make it in to the final version of the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill. The bill did include $37 million to keep the Southwest Light Rail Transit project moving forward. But Minneapolis chamber President Todd Klingel and Saint Paul chamber …
The bill was sponsored by District 46 legislators.
The Minnesota Child Victims Act sponsored by District 46 legislators is just a signature away from becoming law. The Senate approved the conference committee report on the bill 57-0 Friday, and the House signed off on the amended bill 123-3 the same day. The act now only awaits Gov. Mark Dayton’s approval. The Minnesota State Supreme Court has interpreted existing state law to mean that the statute of limitations on civil sexual abuse lawsuits closes by the time the plaintiff turns 24 years old. The Child Victims Act would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits stemming from sexual abuse going forward. Victims would also be able to sue schools, churches or any other group that they accuse of failing to protect them. Sen. Ron …
The 5th District Congressman also wants to ban the herbicide atrazine and add a right to vote amendment to the Constitution.
Gas Prices Rep. Keith Ellison argued last week that tougher rules on oil speculation and an end to subsidies for oil companies would help curb the recent hike in gas prices. The 5th District congressman last year introduced the “End Polluter Welfare Act," which would eliminate more than $110 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every 10 years. Ellison released the following statement Friday: A week before one of the busiest car travel weekends of the year, millions of Minnesotans are suddenly having to pay more for gas than ever before. This takes money out of the pockets of working people in the middle of a slow recovery, and causes real economic pain for Minnesotans already struggling to get by. There are meaningful steps Congress can take …
A Brookings Institution study found that the number of poor in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled over the past decade.
If the stressed food banks and increasing demand for social services weren’t enough proof, Twin Cities residents now have further evidence that poverty is part of the suburban landscape. A Brookings Institution study released Monday reports that the number of poor in Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs more than doubled between 2000 and 2011. The 127.9 percent increase in the suburbs was well above the 47.7 percent increase in urban areas. Click on the PDF to the right of the article to see a summary of the Twin Cities data. This is a trend providers have been well aware of for some time. Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department is in the process of creating “social services hubs” in the suburbs specifically to create one-…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
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. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Met Council awarded the Golden Valley-based company an $8.4 million contract for the facility.
Knutson Construction is among the companies working on the push to expand transit in the Twin Cities. The Metropolitan Council awarded the Golden Valley-based company an $8.4 million contract to build a 1,000-car Metro Transit park-and-ride facility in Brooklyn Park, according to the Star Tribune. The new facility will nearly double the existing 511-car lot at the Highway 610-Noble Parkway interchange. The facility will have a 500-car ramp and a 500-car lot, and it will be built on a 9.2-acre property across Noble Parkway from the existing lot. Click here to read the full story.
45.12678
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4401 95th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN
The site of the new park and ride.
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Rep. Keith Ellison said Republicans are neglecting other problems by convening numerous votes on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
On Thursday, 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison cast his 37th vote (depending on how you count) against a proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The legislation has no chance of passing since the Senate will likely ignore it and President Barack Obama has promised to veto it on the off chance it ever reached his desk. Republicans defend the frequent votes by saying they want new legislators to be able to uphold their promise to constituents to try and repeal health care reform, but Democrats accuse Republicans of wasting time for political gain. Ellison released the following statement after Thursday’s vote: Today, for the 37th time in two years, I voted against a partisan attempt by Republicans in Congress to …
A celebrated soldier, a dairy businessman, a philanthropist and the Lone Ranger were the men being inducted into this year's Hall of Fame.
Four men who made their mark on Golden Valley and made their ways uniquely in the world were honored May 17 at the 2013 Golden Valley Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Brookview Community Center. The Golden Valley Hall of Fame honors those who have been affiliated with Golden Valley, made contributions to the community and become renown. Golden Valley’s Hall of Fame program was developed in 2011 by a group of citizens known as Bridge Builders as part of the community’s 125th Anniversary celebration. With support from the City’s Envision Connection Project Board of Directors, it recently became an annual community event. The 2013 inductees include Chester Bird, Larry Brown, Christopher Ewald and Clayton Moore. (Information provided by the …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The bill includes additional money for the Public Defense Board and Minnesota’s background check database system.
Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 46) on Thursday presented a conference committee’s version of the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill on the Senate floor, according to a news release from Latz’s office. The bill, which received yes votes from all but one senator, is the first of many conference committee budget packages. “These are the core functions of government and we have made strategic investments within this area,” said Latz, whose district includes Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. “We have funded the ongoing levels of their services so we will be safer and whenever we access the justice system, on the justice side or the criminal side, we should have an efficient system and one where we will all be treated …
Mike B.
5:12 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Rep. Ellison conveniently forgets that many of these people facing foreclosure lied on their applications, and bought half-million-dollar homes on $25,000 incomes. However.... The honest people who were duped have a case against the banks, who are indeed at fault as well. Most of these banks are headquartered in New York, a place full of deceiving scoundrels, who only idolize money and don't care… more ›