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Mental Health Budget Cuts Costing MN More (CC)

February 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee MN House No Comments

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

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

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. 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

Replay-MN Legislative Leaders Face The Press

February 3, 2012 by Michael McIntee Live Coverage, Minnesota, MN House, MN Senate No Comments

Above: Senate Majority Leader David Senjem answers questions from the press about constitutional amendments, a possible lawsuit from former Republican Senate employee Michael Brodkorb, the Republican Senate’s rejection of Governor Dayton’s Public Utilities Commissioner, and his read on Tuesday’s precinct caucuses.

Below: The press asks many of the same questions of House Minority Leader Paul Thissen and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Terri Bonoff

Bill Allows More Guns In MN Courtrooms

January 26, 2012 by Michael McIntee MN House Comments Off

Rep. Tony Cornish argues for his gun bill

Click photo to watch Representative Tony Cornish make his case for more guns in Minnesota courtrooms

Text provided by Mike Cook, Minnesota House Information Services

Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell is accustomed to prosecuting criminals. Six weeks ago he became a victim of one while doing his job at the county courthouse.

On Dec. 15, Scannell was shot by Daniel Schlienz after the latter was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Scannell was rushed to a Duluth hospital with three gunshot wounds, but survived.

He was in the audience when the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee approved HF1829 that would allow a county attorney or assistant county attorney to carry a firearm on duty provided they have a state-issued permit to carry. State statute prohibits local government employees, other than licensed peace officers, from carrying firearms. The bill awaits action by the full House. It has no Senate companion. … Continue Reading

Seminal Moments In The Anti-Gay Marriage Debate

May 23, 2011 by Cirien LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off

The Minnesota House of Representatives took a momentous vote Saturday night, as it approved a measure allowing Minnesotans to vote on a gay marriage ban next November. The historic vote was preceded by more than five hours of debate and emotional speeches from DFL and Republican legislators. We have compiled some of the best speeches from Saturday. Above is the much talked about speech from Representative John Kriesel, one of the few Republicans who decided to buck the party line and vote against the constitutional amendment.

More videos from the anti-gay marriage debate.
… Continue Reading

War On Gays Not Why We Fight Wars, Says GOP Iraq Vet

May 22, 2011 by Michael McIntee LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House, War/Peace Comments Off

Representative John Kriesel is one of four Republicans who voted their conscience instead of voting their party line and opposed a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Minnesota. The state already forbids the practice in statute.

Representative Kriesel lost his legs in the Iraq war. He says what kept him going was thinking of his wife and kids. Kriesel says he did not fight for our country so other people could be denied happiness.

Despite Kriesel’s opposition, the constitutional amendment passed the House and will be on the November 2012 ballot. Democrats immediately launched a campaign urging people to vote no.

The entire powerful speech- MN Republican Rep. Kriesel on supporting gay marriage and bucking the party line. … Continue Reading

Rep. Huntley: We’ve Come A Long Way Baby and I Don’t Want To Go Back

May 22, 2011 by Cirien LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off


A controversial prayer on the eve of a House vote on an anti-gay marriage bill may not have changed a lot of minds, but it did open a lot of mouths. Representative Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) gave a surprise speech Saturday night in opposition to the gay marriage amendment. 48 years ago when Representative Huntley was married, many people frowned upon him for marrying a woman in another religion. And they certainly did not accept the mixed-race that produced President Obama, Representative Huntley said. However, times have changed. And in the past 48 years, mixed-religious or mixed-race weddings have become things that are no longer frowned upon or, even, illegal. He says that the gay marriage amendment would take Minnesota back 48 years and that is not something that he wants.

Divisive Amendment Needs More Thought Says Rep Murphy

May 22, 2011 by Cirien LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off


The vote on the gay marriage amendment came to the House floor today in Minnesota. In her first speech of the night, Representative Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) recommended that the bill be referred back to Judiciary Policy and Finance. In her speech, Representative Murphy said that the stakes of the debate on the amendment were just too high. She said that the constitutional amendment, though still on the Floor, was dividing Minnesotans. She pointed out that in her many years at the Capitol she has never seen Minnesotans crying like they have, anti-gay prayers heard in session, or such a high police presence protecting legislators and citizens.

“We Have Just Begun To Fight” -Anti Gay Vote Sparks “Gentle Anger”

May 22, 2011 by Michael McIntee LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off


On a mostly party line vote, Minnesota’s House approved putting a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot. 70 -62 was the final vote. Four Republicans voted against the measure. Two Democrats voted for it.

DFL House members were greeted with tears and hugs as they exited the House chamber’s main door. Republicans were greeted with shouts of “shame” as they exited through a side door.

Controversial “Prayer” Not On The Record

May 21, 2011 by Michael McIntee LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off

House Journal for Friday May 20, 2011

It never happened- House Journal for Friday May 20, 2011

A legislative event reported by nearly every newspaper, radio and TV station in the state will not be reported in the official record of the Minnesota House. Rev. Bradlee Dean’s “prayer” on Friday that inferred President Obama was not a Christian is not included in the Minnesota House Journal as approved by the House this morning. House Speaker Kurt Zellers says he decided not to include the event because a quorum of House members were not present when the prayer happened.

Obama Not Christian Implies MN House Prayer-Speaker Denounces “Prayer”

May 20, 2011 by Michael McIntee LGBT Issues, Minnesota, MN House Comments Off

Controversial Reverend Bradlee Dean is called to make the opening prayer for the Minnesota House. In it, he says every president “until 2008″ has recognized Jesus– apparently referring to long disproven rumors that President Obama is not a Christian. A few minutes later the regular House Chaplain is called upon to deliver a more “traditional ” prayer. Dean’s speech comes hours before the Minnesota House is to consider a controversial constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Minnesota.

“I know this is a non-denominational prayer in this Chamber and it’s not about the Baptists and it’s not about the Catholics alone or the Lutherans or the Wesleyans. Or the Presbyterians the evangelicals or any other denomination but rather the head of the denomination and his name is Jesus. As every President up until 2008 has acknowledged. And we pray it. In Jesus’ name.”

House Speaker apologizes for “prayer”, Reaction and full transcript of the “prayer” … Continue Reading

DC Latest

DC

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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

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.
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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

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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

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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.

Newt Gingrich's strange take on the "death tax"

Gingrich: Hard Working Dead People Should Keep Their Money

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

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

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Click on Photo to View Kindred Kitchen Video

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Citizen participates in Draw The Line Minnesota session

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Click on Picture to View Video of Joyce Chineth

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