Saturday, March 9, 2013
"I have been outspoken about my opposition of the Affordable Care Act from the beginning, and I did not vote for the bill," Rep. Andrea Kieffer said in her weekly newsletter.
Late Thursday night, the Minnesota State Senate passed the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange. Part of the Affordable Care Act, House File 1, asks each state to set up an internet portal, known as an exchange, to help individuals purchase health insurance. Small businesses with up to 100 employees or those without coverage can purchase health coverage in the exchange. In states that have decided not to organize their own exchange, the federal government will establish one for them. In her weekly newsletter, Rep. Andrea Kieffer, a Woodbury Republican, said the plan at this point is to begin enrolling consumers in October, and assistants will help citizens navigate the online options to purchase insurance. "I have been outspoken about my …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A column from Sen. Chuck Wiger of District 43.
In 2012, Governor Dayton formed a task force on the prevention of school bullying. Bullying was a problem before 2011, but the Governor’s task force shined a light toward an ongoing problem. Back in 2009, I offered anti-bullying legislation, which passed the House and Senate, but was vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty. This year, however, I’m optimistic we will pass legislation based on the task force’s recommendations from last August. Those recommendations, and the current bill, are a result of months of public testimony and deliberation. The task force recommended a complete overhaul of the limited policy against bullying by repealing current law and implementing new definitions, reporting, training and procedures on bullying. Furthermore…
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Looking back at the news of the week on Woodbury Patch.
Pizza Man Delivers Woman, Ice Twice, Scooter Scammer: Woodbury Police Blotter Selected calls to the Woodbury Public Safety Department from Feb. 12-19. Woodbury Celebrates New Merrill Community Arts Center Theater The grand opening event for the new black-box theater at East Ridge High School, "A Celebration of the HeART,” the Friday, Feb. 22. Take Heart Woodbury Reaches Goal The city on Monday announced that 7,000 people have been trained in hands-only CPR. Police Use Tracker Bracelet to Find Missing Lake Elmo Boy The Washington County Sheriff's Office is crediting the SafetyNet by LoJach program, and its tracker bracelet, for quickly locating a 7-year-old boy who wandered from his home Sunday afternoon in Lake Elmo. Million-Dollar Homes …
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The DFLer is serving her first term in the state Senate.
Above is a YouTube video of Sen. Susan Kent, who represents Woodbury and parts of Oakdale, posted Feb. 27. Here's her page on the state Senate's website. Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
The latest budget forecast for Minnesota came out this week, projecting a smaller deficit than previously anticipated.
JoAnn Ward, a first-term state House representative from Woodbury, says a revised budget forecast for Minnesota is encouraging, but more work lies ahead. The February budget forecast released this week shows a projected deficit of $627 million for fiscal years 2014-15, down from November’s projected $1.1 billion deficit. “Minnesota is making real progress towards economic recovery and I am encouraged that the state is in a better place now than a few months ago,” Ward (DFL-Woodbury) said in a statement. “We still must tackle a large deficit, but I am confident that we will close this gap in a responsible way that sets up Minnesota for future growth and prosperity.” Republicans, meanwhile, said that despite the improved projections, the DFL…
Friday, March 1, 2013
The event is set for March 9 at the Woodbury City Hall.
State Rep. Andrea Kieffer, a Woodbury Republican, is hosting a March 9 town hall meeting to discuss state and federal issues. The meeting is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 9, at City Hall. Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum, a Democrat who represents Woodbury in the 4th Congressional District, will also be on hand, according to a release from Kieffer’s office. Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens and Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik will also be present for the discussion, as will JoAnn Ward (DFL-Woodbury), according to a release from McCollum’s office. Constituents asked Kieffer to host the joint town hall meeting at her most recent library listening session in Woodbury, according to the …
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8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN
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Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Republican’s bill was recently heard in the House Public Safety Committee.
Andrea Kieffer, the House District 53B representative, says it looks as though her legislation to increase penalties for repeat sex offenders may be rolled into a larger public safety bill. “Which is very disappointing,” said Kieffer, of Woodbury, serving her second term in the state House. The bill has bipartisan support, she said, and the fear is that having it included in an omnibus bill could result in lawmakers voting along party lines, rather than supporting it on its own. Kieffer, a Republican, championed a similar bill during the last legislative session and wants to see it as a stand-alone bill in 2013. The legislation was recently heard in the House Public Safety Committee. Critics point to additional costs for keeping such …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The bill aims further economic development at Tartan Crossing and the Tanners Lake area.
Oakdale's economic development could get a boost in the coming years. Sen. Chuck Wiger and Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) recently introduced Senate File 48, which would extend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Oakdale. This would allow further economic development at Tartan Crossing and the Tanners Lake area. “These districts are really important for the entire east metro region,” said Kent, serving her first term as the District 53 senator. “When we are able to develop this area, it will provide a significant return on investment.” The bill would extend the TIF districts to 2030. They are currently set to expire in 2024. “This is designed to continue the revitalization of Oakdale. There has been a great deal of work already …
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The DFLer released a statement Wednesday shortly after the governor's address.
State Rep. JoAnn Ward, who represents the northwest part of Woodbury in House District 53A, released the following statement about Gov. Mark Dayton's 2013 State of the State address. “Governor Dayton is taking a fresh approach to our state budget and priorities. Instead of the status quo of recent years that balances the budget on the backs of middle class families and small businesses, the governor is proposing to structurally balance the budget in a way that puts Minnesota on the path to economic prosperity. I look forward to working with Governor Dayton, Republicans and Democrats on ways to improve education, create jobs, invest in veterans and move our state forward. I encourage Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale and Landfall residents to …
Gov. Mark Dayton is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the House Chamber.
Gov. Mark Dayton will give his State of the State address Wednesday from the House Chambers at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Dayton is not expected to make any new announcements on Wednesday night, but rather take the opportunity to promote his budget proposal and tax overhaul, the Pioneer Press reports. The governor says his biennial budget proposal will eliminate the state’s $1.1 billion budget deficit and balance government spending and revenue over the next two fiscal years while putting an end to the “fiscal games” and “accounting gimmicks” of the last decade. Dayton’s proposals include cutting the sales tax rate from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent, while broadening the tax to many goods and services that are currently exempt. He also …
Joyce Denn
11:44 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
HHF34, does shopping for airline tickets online, where you can compare prices and the number of stopovers, take away your rights to make your own choices regarding which airline to fly? That is the best analogy for the insurance exchange - you'll be able to compare coverage and prices online before you buy insurance, the way you can compare prices and amenities online before you buy airline … more ›