Thursday, May 16, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
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…
Friday, May 10, 2013
The bill now moves on to the state senate as Minnesota Democrats hope to make the state the 12th in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Gov. Mark Dayton has vocally supported the legislation.
UPDATE: Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so. The vote came at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, about three hours after the bill was introduced. This is about honoring difference," bill sponsor Karen Clark said. "I respect the other point of view. But there is something about being able to marry the love of your life." Clark, a Democrat from Minneapolis, recognized her partner of 26 years in the assembly's audience. The vote came nearly six months to the day after a 2012 vote on a Republican-sponsored amendment item defining marriage as a union between man and woman. That, of course, was …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Proposed legislation would ban school boards from dropping coaches' contracts 'solely' because of parent gripes.
Do high school coaches need a law to shield their jobs from parent complaints? Leave your comment below. A Minnesota Legislature conference committee is weighing whether to include this sentence in its omnibus policy and finance bill: "The existence of parent complaints must not be the sole reason for a board to not renew a coaching contract." The legislation is in response to increasing non-renewals of coaches' contracts, with as many as 35 percent in one sport (boys' hockey) involving parent complaints, according to a Star Tribune report: “This just came out from athletics directors and coaches who thought something more needed to be done,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl, a Grove City Republican who co-authored the bill. “The problem is … parents…
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
'Fair compromise' on same-sex marriage issue, says Kieffer, a Republican from Woodbury.
State Rep. Andrea Kieffer (R-Woodbury) is a co-author on a new bill at the Minnesota House of Representatives that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples. She appeared with three other Republicans at a press conference Wednesday afternoon to tout the legislation as an alternative to legalizing marriage between two people of the same gender. Here is a statement from Kieffer about the bill, included in a press release from her office Wednesday: “Last year’s discussion on marriage in Minnesota was the beginning of a conversation on the issue of equal protections and equal legal rights for all Minnesotans. I do not support changing the definition of ‘marriage’ in our state. I have always said that regardless of the outcome of the …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton, in his first appearance since having back surgery late last year, will outline his proposed budget for the next two years.
Laying out financial plans for the next two years, and with a Democratic controlled Legislature out in front of him, Gov. Mark Dayton will address both the public and public servants at the Minnesota State Capitol this morning. You can watch streaming video, live, courtesy of the UpTake right here as Dayton will lay out a series of tax hikes, line-item increases and an expected payment shift for Minnesota schools in his address. It's the first public appearance for Dayton since he had back surgery in Rochester, MN last month. Media outlets such as Minnesota Public Radio are saying the budget could have a big impact on Dayton's political future. The first-term governor has not hinted whether or not he will run again for the state's top seat…
Friday, January 4, 2013
With so many challenges on the table, Patch wants to know what issues you think are most important.
With another legislative session just around the corner, senators and representatives have no shortage of challenges ahead of them. Lawmakers plan to convene hearings on gun control in the wake of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. They’ll review a recommendation from a governor-appointed task force to increase gas taxes and tab fees in response to a projected $50 billion shortfall in transportation funding. The DFL majority and defeat of the marriage amendment in the 2012 election could even prompt the Legislature to take up the issue of gay marriage. And looming over everything is a projected $1.1 billion deficit that legislators will have to close before adjourning for the year. With so many issues on the …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The state Legislature’s 2013 session begins next Tuesday.
Woodbury voters returned state Rep. Andrea Kieffer to office last fall. But as the DFL took control of both chambers at the Minnesota Legislature, the Woodbury Republican will have to change offices at the Capitol before her second term starts next week. “That’s just how it works,” Kieffer said. Still, following talks with local DFL lawmakers—Sen.-elect Susan Kent and Rep.-elect JoAnn Ward—she doesn’t expect to see drastic changes this session, and hopes legislators work across the aisle. “At least we’ll have an honest discussion and make sure we’re doing the right things,” Kieffer told Patch on Thursday. “We can’t keep turning the ship 180 degrees every time there’s a legislative change.” The 2013 legislative session begins Tuesday, Jan. …
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The basics about the DFL candidate for state Senate.
- ELECTIONS
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Saturday, September 1, 2012
Name: Ms. Susan Kent Place of residence: Woodbury, MN Attended college: Yes College: University of Texas at Austin Degree: B.S., Communications Job titles held: Media Planner, Media Director, Marketing Consultant, Small Business Owner Employers: Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample, GSD&M, Self Party affiliation: Democrat Running for a: State office Running for position: State Senate Chamber/district: Senate District 53 Incumbent: No Previous elective offices: None Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: None Address 255 E. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN, 55107 Name : Allison Olson Title : Campaign Manager Website : www.susankentforsenate.com Facebook : www.facebook.com/SusanKentMN Married to Chris; 11 year old son, Andrew. Currently, an at-home parent and…
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services provides a rundown of new Minnesota state laws that will go into effect on Aug. 1.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, July 30, 2012
The following is a list of selected new laws passed during the 2012 legislative session that take effect Aug. 1, 2012. The asterisk following the bill number denotes the language that became law. Summaries of all laws passed by the 2012 Legislature are available from nonpartisan House Public Information Services Going after gas drive-offs Small businesses that sell gas will see the process streamlined for collecting money owed from motor vehicle drive-offs. The law will allow a trade association acting on behalf of member organizations and retailers to serve notice and collect payments within current civil liability statutes. It also creates a permissive inference of theft if a person drives off without paying. For a fee, the association …
Mike Hindin
12:34 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Hey we agree on something! Heterosexual males or homosexual males (or females) must not be allowed to prey on teenagers or anyone else. Remember that that representative was forced to resign by his own caucus. Illegal activity should not be tolerated by the outliers of either group. more ›