Sunday, April 28, 2013
This week's compilation includes a visit from the governor, a bill to slash the state contribution to the Vikings stadium, and a new wine bar and bistro.
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. Two Escape from House Fire Caused By Tree Falling on Power Line One person had to be rescued from a back bedroom during the 4:30 a.m. incident while snow was falling. Fire Destroys Maple Grove Home Wednesday Evening No one was injured in the fire on the 7700 block of Chesshire Lane North Lake Minnetonka Woman Was Caught in 'Grey Area' Near Boston Marathon Finish Line Elaine DeVries: “People were saying there could be a terrorist there or more bombs. I did see people…
Sunday, April 14, 2013
This week's compilation includes the death of a grocery chain's namesake, Chelsea Clinton presents top prize to student and a manufactured home fire.
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. (UPDATED) Washburn HS under Code Yellow as Students Protest AD Firing Students taking part will be suspended, school administration said. The Star Tribune reported that Athletic Director Dan Pratt was or will be fired in connection with the purchase of a new playing-field scoreboard. UPDATED: SW Journal Reports Principal Carol Markham-Cousins Out at Washburn HS Robert McCauley is now substitute principal at Washburn, a Minneapolis school district spokesman told the …
Monday, January 28, 2013
More than 100 reader comments have been made since governor's plan unveiled last week.
When Gov. Mark Dayton last week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent, the plan sparked a vigorous debate among Patch readers. Patch has had more than 100 reader comments on our story that asked people to take our poll, then share their thoughts on Dayton's tax and budget plan. Here's a sampling of some of the comments: George P. Burdell: A simplistic response to this comment would then be; Democrats want to clean out our wallets and institute socialisim... which really worked well for the USSR...hmmm. Brad Koehn: I'll be curious to see if Minnesotans spend enough on clothing worth more than $100 to bring in $2B in revenue. I'm a bit …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Take our poll; then click on to our Patch stories below to see what legislators and others are saying.
Gov. Mark Dayton this week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent but broaden it to cover more items such as higher-priced clothing, car repairs and other services. In his quest to avoid a projected $1.1 billion revenue shortfall, Dayton said his plan also includes raising the income on some groups of taxpayers (such as the state's 2 percent of highest-income earners). He is proposing to reduce property taxes and cut the corporate tax rate on businesses. (To see a Patch story and UpTake video of Dayton's speech, click on this link.) Bottom line: The governor said he wants to provide property tax relief, boost funding for K-12 education, …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
In a statement released yesterday, Rep. Ryan Winkler said that without revenue, we can't fix Minnesota's budget issues.
In light of Gov. Mark Dayton's statement on November's 2012 budget forecast, Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-District 44B), said that the only cure to Minnesota's budget issues is to find more revenue and invest in students and school. “With a $1.1 billion deficit, $1.1 billion owed to schools, class sizes at 47th in the nation, kids of color graduating at half the rate of white students, college and university funding at 1998 levels and student debt piling up, Minnesota’s budget is in tatters and we’re not investing in future prosperity," Winkler said in a press release. "We can’t fix these problems without more revenue." Winkler said the budget forecast shows that Minnesota will spend less on government in 2015 than it did in 1991. "We need to …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Real men not only wear pink, but have fought the fight against breast cancer. This weekend, men can join the popular women's cause against breast cancer at the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Conference in St. Paul.
Breast cancer isn’t just about pink ribbons anymore. Despite the common perception that women are only affected by breast cancer, thousands of men are also diagnosed with the disease each year. In fact, approximately 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in 2012, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, approximately 410 men will die from breast cancer this year. A Pledge invites men in the community, corporate leaders, political figures and entrepreneurs to step up and pledge to raise awareness for breast cancer by supporting the 11th Annual Twin Cities Breast Cancer Awareness Conference alongside their spouse, sister, daughter or mother. The conference is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 in St. Paul…
Thursday, September 13, 2012
In a statement Wednesday, Rep. Ryan Winkler said that modern transportation is a necessary component of 'economic competitiveness.'
Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-District 44B), announced that he supports Gov. Mark Dayton's decision to delegate $2 million to the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Transit project. According to statement released Thursday, Dayton announced which projects would receive part of the $47.5 million in DEED bonding funding. In a press release, Winkler said: “I would like to thank Governor Dayton for recognizing that this region's economic competitiveness requires a modern, efficient transportation grid that includes mass transit. I would also like to thank the Twin West Chamber of Commerce, Greater Minneapolis Chamber and Greater St. Paul Chamber for supporting Southwest Corridor, and for making the clear statement that rail transit is good for business. …
Friday, February 10, 2012
The President announced Thursday Minnesota’s proposed reforms to its standards and accountability measures would meet requirements to replace the federal act passed nearly a decade ago.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday that Minnesota would be one of 10 states to receive a reprieve from the federal education law No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In exchange, Minnesota would have to outline new, “bold” reforms to improve teacher effectiveness, grade school accountability and close the achievement gap in social and ethnic categories. “My administration is giving states the opportunity to set higher, more honest standards in exchange for more flexibility,” Obama stated through a White House issued press release Thursday. “If we’re serious about helping our children reach their potential, the best ideas aren’t going to come from Washington alone.” Minnesota requested a waiver from NCLB last year, laying out a plan in its …
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Governor Dayton is wasting no time applying for recently announced waivers, but local administrators want to see the fine print.
The No Child Left Behind Act—a 2001 education bill setting high performance standards assessed through tests—once enjoyed broad and enthusiastic bipartisan support. Yet now the initiative is barreling toward a brick wall of seemingly unachievable expectations. As calls to reform NCLB go unanswered by Congress, the Obama Administration recently announced relief from key provisions in the law. It was an offer enthusiastically accepted by Gov. Mark Dayton who, while U.S. Senator, voted against the legislation. “Such a waiver would allow Minnesota educators to focus on what is working in their schools,” Dayton said in a statement issued shortly after the announcement. “It would provide school boards, administrators, teachers and parents with …
Monday, February 28, 2011
Local lawmakers respond and address concerns over increasing energy costs.
Most Minnesota legislators have been addressing the $6.2 billion deficit over the last few months, and now they're addressing a new number—one that's much smaller at just more than $5 billion. “Seems like the first time we’ve had any good news on this front since 2007,” says Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-District 44B), who represents Golden Valley and St. Louis Park. “At some point, the economy has to turn into a recovery, and I think these numbers reflect that.” The more-optimistic forecast still leaves a huge hole for the state to climb out of, but Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44), who represents Hopkins and Golden Valley, noted that the projection is a 20 percent improvement. “It is pretty significant,” he says. The Minnesota Management and …
Daryl Fryxell
6:12 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Hey, Mr. Dayton, remember during the so-called "shut down" you declared essential and non-essential functions and employees? Just cancel all non-essential services today. You told us they were non-essential. It wasn't my call. Since you deem them non-essential, just cut them all. You'd be a hero because you could cut everyone's taxes, too. Oh, but you're too stupid and beholden to the government … more ›