Latest News

Check back often for the latest news.
  • School district reaffirms decision not to allow charter students to play sports
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    But that means attending charter school eliminates students from Bemidji School District extracurricular programs. "We're different entities, completely," Bemidji schools Superintendent Jim Hess told Rep. The district borrowed $9 million to cover Gov.
  • St. Charles looks for state aid for business park
    Mar 13, 2010 — Post-Bulletin
    PAUL -- In an effort to rebuild St. Charles City Administrator Nick Koverman said when the meatpacking plant was destroyed, the city lost more than just jobs. But Koverman said that infrastructure could now be used for the new business park.
  • District targets critics' voices
    Mar 12, 2010 — Lake County News-Chronicle
    Minkkinen said the district has saved a lot of money because of a much more energy-efficient building. A "no" vote would lead to a follow-up question asking for $300 per pupil unit, which would increase property taxes by $49.37 on a $100,000 home for 10 years. A third levy option has also been brought forth.
  • EDC board seeks stable funding for 2011
    Mar 12, 2010 — West Central Tribune
    In June, the Economic Development Commission will hold a retreat to develop a five-year strategic plan.
  • EDITORIAL: Pawlenty candid, revealing, political in exclusive interview
    Mar 12, 2010 — Duluth News-Tribune
    But in terms of competitiveness for Minnesota, for Northeastern Minnesota, for the city of Duluth, there are competitive measures that are undeniable. The DFLers must be the ones calling it a jobs bill." PAWLENTY: "Yeah." DNT: "OK. Or what are your feelings about our airport project?" PAWLENTY: "No, I don't consider the Duluth airport a too-local, or too much of a local, project.
  • County approves first-ever EDA board
    Mar 11, 2010 — The Pine Journal
    Oman said the EDA's bylaws state that at least two of the board's members must be county commissioners. Appointed to the first slate of board members were: Marv Bodie and Ted Pihlman, Carlton County commissioners; Rick Pomeroy, plant manger for Jarden Home Brands; Nancy Graham, Cromwell city councilor and business owner; Brian Fritsinger, Cloquet city administrator; Bernadine Reed, city clerk of Kettle River and Barnum; Ted Shaw, mayor of Moose Lake; Doug Juntunen, business owner and...
  • Residents could get more time to withdraw from Green Acres program
    Mar 11, 2010 — St. Cloud Times
    Mark Sommerhauser Mar. 11, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- ST. Lisa Fobbe, DFL-Princeton, who represents most of Sherburne County. "The outcry, especially in my district … is just amazing," Fobbe said. Fobbe and Rep.
  • EDITORIAL
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    Several counties, including Beltrami, have been embroiled for years on getting the DNR to pay its share of work in ditches that border state-managed public lands. In 2009. the state paid $21.9 million in PILT under two primarily PILT laws. The report notes that the purpose of the state's PILT payments has not been clearly established.
  • Lehmann makes case for LGA
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    Paul for Bemidji Day at the Capitol. "He understands our plight as far as LGA is concerned.
  • Star Tribune, Minneapolis, John Ewoldt column
    Mar 10, 2010 — Star Tribune
    The price is $25 annually. A rare sale on cosmetics and fragrances Herberger's annual Goodwill Sale event is one of its best. It's also a rare time to find sale prices on Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele vacuum cleaners, Dacor, Viking and Liebherr refrigerators. For example, some European-made dishwashers aren't compatible with an American-made model in a previous installation. John Ewoldt --612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com.
  • New economic development department passes St. Cloud Council
    Mar 9, 2010 — St. Cloud Times
    Kari Petrie Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The city of St. Cloud took the next step toward overseeing economic development Monday. City Council members voted 5-2 to create a new economic development department. The city will transfer those powers from St.
  • Lawmakers tout importance of biofules to ag industry
    Mar 8, 2010 — West Central Tribune
    Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and state Rep.
  • Minnesota clothes tax? DFLer says it's time
    Mar 8, 2010 — Pioneer Press
    Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, a gubernatorial candidate who chairs the Senate's Tax Committee, would move Minnesota out of the small minority of states that do not tax apparel. Gov. They are gearing up for the DFL Party state convention next month in Duluth. "There's a lot of risk in this for me.
  • Lehmann to seek 4A seat as Republican
    Mar 7, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    But I still believe that is going to spur a lot of economic development in the city of Bemidji as a result of it. Government needs to be brought back to the people. "The people need to say this is what we really want," Lehmann added. "Government has gotten too big. Government is to provide public safety, education and good roads, he said. That means cutting back on education spending to provide the basics.
  • Report: DNR lacks money to manage land
    Mar 7, 2010 — Duluth News-Tribune
    That's where I think the report falls a little short." Sen. A lot of money sportsmen have paid into the DNR is being misspent. It's professional auditors." Joe Duggan of Pheasants Forever, an upland conservation group based in St.
  • Bakk plan would tax clothing to ease deficit, pay back schools
    Mar 5, 2010 — Star Tribune
    Bakk's plan would further reduce the overall sales tax rate. Bakk said he'd have preferred to increase the income tax, which could pump a lot more money into state coffers, but said he knew the governor would never approve it. "I needed to find something (the governor) would consider," Bakk said. Like the governor, Republican lawmakers did not embrace the idea. "Minnesota families are currently overburdened with excessive taxes and Senator Bakk's call for new tax...
  • Bakk proposes sales tax expansion to clothing
    Mar 5, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    Pawlenty's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission, he said. His proposal calls for a straight sales tax on all clothing, regardless of family income.
  • DNR faces concern over new set-asides
    Mar 5, 2010 — Star Tribune
    In 2008, $8.1 million was spent to set aside 54,496 acres. "There is no oversight," said Rep. Among the unmonitored easements: four bat habitats located in the St.
  • Experts say Great Recession is over
    Mar 5, 2010 — St. Cloud Times
    Paul; state economist Tom Stinson; Steve Hine of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; and King Banaian, chairman of the St. The state did not. "Most sectors have participated in the recession," Banaian said. Banaian said St. Cloud should be experiencing recovery right about now.
  • Is it time to tax clothing sales?
    Mar 5, 2010 — Star Tribune
    He sent Pawlenty a letter asking for a one-on-one meeting to discuss it. That money would be used solely to help ease the state's $994 million budget deficit for the remainder of this budget cycle. Businesses now pay about 45 percent of all state sales taxes, mainly through purchases of business supplies, office equipment and construction materials. "To that extent, Sen.
  • Sherburne County seeks sales tax OK for Northstar costs
    Mar 5, 2010 — St. Cloud Times
    Its operating costs are estimated to be $16.8 million this year. Those costs are shared by Sherburne, Anoka and Hennepin counties, the state and Metropolitan Council.
  • Sherburne seeks OK to raise sales tax for Northstar
    Mar 5, 2010 — St. Cloud Times
    Its operating costs are estimated to be $16.8 million this year. Those costs are shared by Sherburne, Anoka and Hennepin counties, the state and Metropolitan Council.
  • District may offer third levy option
    Mar 4, 2010 — Lake County News-Chronicle
    It might only be for next year. Resident Jennifer Havlick said many people already think a decision has been made going from five to four days a week. One of the other possible levy questions would ask for $425 per pupil unit, which means property taxes would go up $69.94 a year on a $100,000 home for 10 years. Silver Bay area residents will get a chance at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the school cafeteria.
  • Bright spots of recovery popping up around Minnesota
    Mar 3, 2010 — Star Tribune
    Employment and industrial production dropped, but housing starts rose modestly, giving the metro-area cities an adversity index of 103, the lowest of the five metro areas in the state. St. Cloud's was only slightly better, at 104.
  • Jobs up, deficit down -- worries remain: Jobs
    Mar 3, 2010 — Star Tribune
    Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., drew 2,000 job seekers who had been laid off across the metro area. Leisure and hospitality added 1,500 jobs, while "other services" added 900, government added 800 and information services added 500. But building construction remained weak. The MMB report predicted that Minnesota will lose another 3,100 construction jobs in 2010.
  • West St. Paul City Council approves study to determine demand for ice arena
    Mar 3, 2010 — Pioneer Press
    Nick Ferraro Mar. 3, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- West St. But we have to be smart about them, and we have to get a lot of other people involved." Built in 1971 and paid for with city-issued bonds, West St. Paul leaders the Vadnais Heights project would be paid for through tax-exempt revenue bonds.
  • Budget squeeze hits public health
    Mar 2, 2010 — Star Tribune
    But these, too, have been slipping in recent years. Local public health officials said funding for public health has been eroding for years, and they are feeling the pain. The county also has stopped health screenings for new refugees, relying instead on another community agency to do the work. The Minnesota Department of Health also receives millions in federal funding from other agencies in addition to the CDC.
  • Council responds to LGA cuts
    Mar 2, 2010 — Worthington Daily Globe
    The levy increased 1.9 percent for 2009.
  • Lawsuit possible after city opposes signing grant document for the Westwind project
    Mar 2, 2010 — West Central Tribune
    Voting in favor were Bruce DeBlieck and Denis Anderson. Goodemann and his people have to decide how they want to handle,'' said Ronning. Heitke said council members and many citizens either support or oppose the Westwind project. He said justification for Westwind was a housing study done in April 2006.
  • 'Tattoo tax' proposed to save city funding
    Mar 1, 2010 — Post-Bulletin
    Rod Skoe of Clearbrook and in the House by Rep. Dave Olin of Thief River Falls, will get a hearing, said Rochester state Sen.
  • Blue Ribbon Panel seeks funding for Red Wing economic development
    Mar 1, 2010 — Post-Bulletin
    I believe they need our support." While Schultz and the city council affirmed their support of the panel and its goal with words, nothing tangible has been provided. Funding of up to $10,000 was discussed but was ultimately shot down Monday night. If you want to do this right, it has to be funded.
  • Neighbors concerned about impact of wind proposal
    Mar 1, 2010 — Post-Bulletin
    A 75-megawatt wind development has been proposed in the area that includes 52 wind turbines. He has joined Goodhue Wind Truth, a group of concerned neighbors who worry about the impact of wind developments proposed in the county. That is guaranteed money where there isn't much in agriculture that is guaranteed," Gadient said. State law does not spell out specific setbacks for wind turbine projects.
  • Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn., Political Notebook column
    Mar 1, 2010 — Post-Bulletin
    Tim Walz, a Democrat, has also announced his support for nuclear power. Gary Smith, with Rochester Area Economic Development Inc., and John Eckerman, the chamber's vice president of government affairs, will moderate the discussion. Her Political Notebook column runs every Monday with items concerning political issues affecting southeastern Minnesota.
  • Beltrami County Board
    Feb 28, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    ...tax, and allow counties a home rule charter. According to Murphy's memo, the AMC Board approved "a radical shift" in its Minnesota Redesign plan on Feb. 19. AMC distributed the new 10-point plan to counties on Feb. 22 and then went public with it on Feb. 23. On Wednesday, AMC testified before the House Property Tax Division on the plan. Among those at the St. Paul Capitol news briefing Tuesday was Beltrami County Commissioner Joe Vene. Commissioners have set 3...
  • Cities group proposes sales tax expansion
    Feb 28, 2010 — West Central Tribune
    The advocacy group for rural cities also wants the Legislature to prevent Gov. Tim Pawlenty from making more unallotments to Local Government Aid this year. Coalition Executive Director Tim Flaherty said LGA for cities makes up 2.9 percent of the state budget.
  • Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities seeks new tax to spare LGA cuts
    Feb 27, 2010 — The Bemidji Pioneer
    Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, in the Senate and Rep.
  • Legislators team up for small business
    Feb 26, 2010 — Pioneer Press
    ...rebounds, the recently formed state House Small Business Caucus next week will present a package of eight bills designed to spur commercial development. "The economy is going to rebound, and we want to do what we can to put Minnesota in a position of strength to compete when that occurs," Rep. Denise Dittrich, a caucus co-chair and Champlin DFLer, said Thursday. After a recession in the 1980s, small businesses created 78 percent of the new jobs in Minnesota, Dittrich said, and...
Take Action Get involved in the issues that affect our companies and quickly contact your elected officials. When there is a legislative alert, we will post it here.
Take Action Now!
Voter Resources