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No To Voter ID With Silence and Cheers

February 10, 2012 by Bill Sorem Minnesota No Comments

Vote No against Voter Photo ID

Click photo to hear why people are opposing voter photo ID

More than 300 Minnesotans gathered at the State Capitol and at Wells Fargo Place in downtown Saint Paul to raise their voices in opposition to the proposed photo ID amendment.

Attendees walked in somber silence around both legislative chambers, wearing hundred-dollar-bill stickers across their mouths, symbolizing the efforts by the top 1% to silence their voices.

The silence eventually ended, as members of the 99% raised their voices against the photo ID amendment.

Superintendent Celester Webb of the Minnesota Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ said his 84 year-old mother would not be allowed to vote because she was born in Mississippi and never had a birth certificate. He said, “It would almost be like putting her back into Jim Crow South.” … Continue Reading

MN Legislative Leaders React To Dayton Veto

February 10, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota No Comments

This morning Governor Dayton announced he is vetoing a set of Republican authored bills aimed at making it harder to sue in court. Governor Dayton’s veto message on tort reform.

Legislative leaders react to the Governor’s veto. Above we hear from Republican legislative leaders House Speaker Kurt Zellers, Senate Majority Leader David Senjem and Senator Julianne Ortman. Below is DFL House Minority Leader Representative Kurt Zellers.

Read the live Minnesota legislative twitter feed and watch the news conference at the same time.
… Continue Reading

Mental Health Budget Cuts Costing MN More (CC)

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee MN House No Comments

Jerry Webb says budget cuts are preventing his mentally ill son from moving closer to home

Click photo to hear Jerry Webb's story about his mentally ill son.

Jerry Webb wants his mentally ill son to live closer to home. But cuts made last year in Minnesota’s mental health budget are preventing that. Webb’s son suffers from schizophrenia, and for the last eight years he’s lived at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter.

Webb’s son is getting better and he’s now able to move to an adult foster home.

“He was accepted for placement,” said Webb. “I was very overjoyed. I want my son closer to home and have an opportunity to begin his life in the community.”

But Webb told the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance committee that there’s a problem. The state has told corporate foster homes that anytime someone leaves a home, it cannot accept a replacement resident. The state made the change last July as part of its budget cuts to end the government shutdown.

“Decertification” leaves fewer and fewer foster home beds, costing state more money … Continue Reading

“Where Are The Jobs Bills?”

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee Economy/Jobs, Labor/Unions No Comments

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen Asks Where Are The Republican Jobs Bills?

Click photo to hear House Minority Leader Paul Thissen and a response from Majority Leader Matt Dean

“Where are the jobs bills?”, asks Minnesota House Minority Leader Paul Thissen as he criticizes a Republican backed bill focused on preventing childcare union dues for any future union from being automatically taken state payments.

Representative Thissen and other DFLers said hat the problem the bill addresses doesn’t even exist.

Representative Thissen points to a recent poll that shows the legislature’s approval rating in the teens compared to Governor Mark Dayton’s 50% approval rating.

House Majority Leader Matt Dean responds saying the union dues bill is a jobs bill as are the tort reform bills that have been sent to Governor Dayton’s desk.

The Governor is still deciding whether to sign those bills.

Obama on Landmark Housing Settlement with Banks

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee DC No Comments

Obama announces Housing Settlement with banks

Click photo to watch President Obama comment on Housing Settlement with banks

The federal government and 49 state attorneys general have reached a landmark $25 billion agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers to address mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses.

The agreement provides substantial financial relief to homeowners and establishes significant new homeowner protections for the future.

The unprecedented joint agreement is the largest federal-state civil settlement ever obtained and is the result of extensive investigations by federal agencies.

The joint federal-state group entered into the agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers: Bank of America Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Company, Citigroup Inc. and Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC).

About the agreement President Obama said “We have reached a landmark settlement with the nation’s largest banks that will speed relief to the hardest-hit homeowners, end some of the most abusive practices of the mortgage industry, and begin to turn the page on an era of recklessness that has left so much damage in its wake.”

Transcript of President Obama’s remarks on mortgage settlement … Continue Reading

Objections To MN Gun Bill Fail

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee MN Senate No Comments

Senator Barb Goodwin objects to gun bill

Click photo to hear Senator Barb Goodwin's objections to changes in gun laws.

Senator Barb Goodwin raises objections to H.F. 1467 Defense of Dwelling and Person Act.

She says it should have another hearing since a New York Times article showed that Minnesota has problems with felons easily getting back their firearms once they are released from prison.

Senator Terri Bonoff concurs saying she’s heard from law enforcement officers concerned about the proposed changes in gun restrictions.

Despite the objections, the bill was sent to the full senate for a vote.

States Get Exemptions To “No Child Left Behind” Law

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee DC, Education No Comments
President Obama announces exemptions from "No Child Left Behind" law

Click photo to watch President Obama announce exemptions from "No Child Left Behind" law

President Obama announces ten states have agreed to implement bold reforms around standards and accountability will receive flexibility from the most burdensome mandates of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.

The ten states approved for flexibility are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Transcript of President Obama’s remarks about No Child Left Behind exemptions for 10 states … Continue Reading

Northside Economic Opportunity Network Boosts Business in North Minneapolis

February 9, 2012 by Allison Herrera Economy/Jobs, Northside Project, Sustaining Solutions No Comments

Click on Photo to View Video of Northside Economic Opportunity Network

“What people have historically done in our community is create their own opportunities. That’s who we are, that’s what we do,” said Kenya McKnight, a community finance specialist at the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON). NEON works with small businesses and micro-businesses in North Minneapolis to help them achieve success.

North-side residents lack access to quality and local jobs, which is a huge problem. NEON fosters the north side’s entrepreneurial spirit to create more potential job opportunities. Take for example Shantae Holmes, owner of All Washed Up Laundromat on Penn Ave. in North Minneapolis. She recognized a need in her community which was lack of access to a clean, safe place to wash your clothes — a basic human need. That’s when she drew up a business plan and worked with NEON and its network of organizations to secure credit and loans to help her realize her goals of becoming a business owner.

Marshmallow Launch at the White House Science Fair

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee DC No Comments

Obama helps with marshmallow launch at White House Science Fair

Click photo to watch the marshmallow launch at White House Science Fair

The President meets an 8th grader named Joey from Phoenix, AZ at the White House Science Fair and the two launch a marshmallow across the state dining room with Joey’s science project – an air cannon.

Unsure, MN GOP Senator Votes To Limit Your Right To Sue

February 8, 2012 by Michael McIntee MN Senate No Comments

Senator Julianne Ortman

Click photo to watch Senator Julianne Ortman try to defend her proposal to limit time you have to sue.

Senator Julianne Ortman’s bill to shorten Minnesota’s statute of limitations passes despite her saying some of the issues in it could go back to the Judiciary committee.

DC Latest

DC

Obama announces Housing Settlement with banks

Obama on Landmark Housing Settlement with Banks

The federal government and 49 state attorneys general have reached a landmark $25 billion agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers to address mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses.

President Obama announces exemptions from "No Child Left Behind" law

States Get Exemptions To “No Child Left Behind” Law

President Obama announces ten states have agreed to implement bold reforms around standards and accountability will receive flexibility from the most burdensome mandates of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.

Obama helps with marshmallow launch at White House Science Fair

Marshmallow Launch at the White House Science Fair

The President meets an 8th grader named Joey from Phoenix, AZ at the White House Science Fair and the two launch a marshmallow across the state dining room with Joey’s science project – an air cannon.

President Obama delivers his weekly address

Obama’s Fair Fix For Responsible Homeowners

The housing crisis has been the single largest drag on America’s economic recovery. President Obama wants to fix that fairly for homeowners who have been responsible, but not the ones who took out huge mortgages or bought multiple homes.

Netflix General Counsel David Hyman testifies to a US Senate committee

Netflix Facebook App Would Be Legal In US

Netflix’s top lawyer tries to convince a US Senate committee that laws need to be changed so it can offer a video sharing app on Facebook. A University of Minnesota Law Professor says that’s not so.

Senator Al Franken

Who Should Know Which Videos You Watch?

A bill recently passed in the US House could make it easier for video companies to disclose viewer information. Who should know what you’re watching? Senator Al Franken leads a hearing.

President Obama blasts Utah Senator Mike Lee in his weekly address

Obama Blasts Utah Senator For Causing Gridlock

“One senator gumming up the works for the whole country is certainly not what our founding fathers envisioned.”— President Obama about Utah Senator Mike Lee in his weekly address

President Obama Speaks at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Replay-Obama’s Blueprint For Keeping College Affordable

President Obama unveils his proposal to keep college costs lower and provide students with enough financial aid so they can attend. He speaks at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

President Obama on his State of the union tour

Obama’s State Of The Union Tour Hits Five States

President Obama is on a five state tour promoting the economic proposals he made in his State of The Union address. He started in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Conveyer Engineering and then into Arizona to an Intel plant. Thursday he want to Las Vegas and Denver.

Click on photo to hear President Obama's speech in Arizona

Obama Praises Gabby Giffords In Arizona

Representative Giffords recently resigned from congress to focus on her recovery from an assassination attempt last year.

Latest MN

MN

Vote No against Voter Photo ID

No To Voter ID With Silence and Cheers

More than 300 Minnesotans gathered at the State Capitol and at Wells Fargo Place in downtown Saint Paul to raise their voices in opposition to the proposed photo ID amendment.

2012  MN Legislative Session

MN Legislative Leaders React To Dayton Veto

Governor Dayton announced he is vetoing a set of Republican authored bills aimed at making it harder to sue in court. Legislative leaders react to the Governor’s veto.

Joe Webb says budget cuts are preventing his mentally ill son from moving closer to home

Mental Health Budget Cuts Costing MN More (CC)

Joe Webb wants his mentally ill son to live closer to home. But cuts made last year in Minnesota’s mental health budget are preventing that.

Senator Barb Goodwin objects to gun bill

Objections To MN Gun Bill Fail

Senator Barb Goodwin raises objections to H.F. 1467 Defense of Dwelling and Person Act.
She says it should have another hearing since a New York Times article showed that Minnesota has problems with felons easily getting back their firearms once they are released from prison.

Senator Julianne Ortman

Unsure, MN GOP Senator Votes To Limit Your Right To Sue

Senator Julianne Ortman’s bill to shorten Minnesota’s statute of limitations passes despite her saying some of the issues in it could go back to the Judiciary committee

DFL SD 42 Caucus Goer

DFL Caucus Goers Want Jobs and Personal Freedom

Hear what DFL caucus goers are concerned and optimistic about.

Larry Pogemiller answers questions during confirmation hearing

Vouchers For College? MN Education Head Says Maybe

Vouchers for college? Minnesota’s Higher Education Director Larry Pogemiller says he’s open to the idea.

TakeAction Minnesota's Dan McGrath Diagrams how bank money goes to Republican legislators

Banks Backing GOP Attempt To Suppress MN Votes

TakeAction Minnesota releases a report outlining Minnesota-based financial interests behind efforts to secure a photo ID amendment on the state’s November 2012 ballot.

Pastor Grant Stevens

Religious Leaders Jam Senator’s Office On MN Voter Photo ID

It’s not often that a half dozen religious leaders come calling with a cadre of television cameras in tow to Senate Majority Leader David Senjem’s office.

Religious Leaders Opposing MN Voter Photo ID

Religious Leaders Oppose MN Voter Photo ID

Religious leaders of various faiths hold a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol voicing their opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID for the purpose of voting.

Sustaining Solutions

Sustaining Solutions

Click on Photo to View Video of Northside Economic Opportunity Network

Northside Economic Opportunity Network Boosts Business in North Minneapolis

The Northside Economic Opportunity Network works with small businesses and micro-businesses in North Minneapolis to help them achieve success.

Workers' Rights Supporter In Madison Wisconsin

2011 UpTake Stories With The Most Impact

If we didn’t cover these stories, who would have?

City Pages Cover-The Forgotten Neighborhood

The Forgotten Neighborhood

As we’ve been reporting for the past six months, many tornado victims who need help still haven’t gotten it.

Click on Photo to View Video of Occupy MN in Monique White's Home

Occupy MN Moves into Foreclosed Home in North Minneapolis

Occupy MN is occupying Monique White’s house at 3310 N. 6th St. in the city’s downtrodden North Minneapolis neighborhood. In doing so, Occupy MN instantly made itself more diverse, and more relevant.

Click on Photo to Watch Video About Campaign to Save North High School

Saving North High School, Preserving a Community Stalwart

When administrators revealed a plan last spring to shut down North High School — one of only two public schools on Minneapolis’ embattled north side — MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change and other activists answered the call.

Click on Photo to View Kindred Kitchen Video

Kindred Kitchen Empowers North Minneapolis Through Food

North Minneapolis food entrepreneurs use Kindred Kitchen to learn about starting their own business, making their food safely and legally in a commercial kitchen, and marketing it within the community.

Citizen participates in Draw The Line Minnesota session

Citizens, Not Politicians Drawing Redistricting Lines

Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around. That’s the thought behind Draw The Line Minnesota, a citizen group that is working to draw the maps for congressional and legislative districts.

FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl

FLOW Shows Bright Future For Tornado-damaged Northside

This year’s FLOW art crawl was all about recognizing thousands of volunteers that helped with the clean-up and recovery efforts after the May 22nd tornado. Leaders hope the positive can-do attitude of the cleanup can power a rebirth of the Northside.

Click to watch Stories of Need: Dennis

“We’re Treated like Bums” Despite Holding Jobs, Paying Taxes

After their home in North Minneapolis was destroyed by the May 22 tornado, Dennis and Deborah were forced to seek refuge in the local Armory and at the North Commons Recreation Center. For weeks, they and their five children slept on cots on the floor of a gymnasium.

Click on Picture to View Video of Joyce Chineth

“I’m sure I need it worse than you, because I have nothing.”

Her home destroyed and now condemned, north Minneapolis tornado victim Joyce Chineth feels abandoned by the system.

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