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Gay Senator: MN Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Is Hurtful

May 11, 2011 by Michael McIntee MN Senate Comments Off


Senator Scott Dibble, who is gay, talks about how hurtful a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment is to him and his husband.

MN Biz To Suffer If Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Passes

May 11, 2011 by Michael McIntee MN Senate Comments Off

Senator Ron Latz (DFL-Golden Valley/ St. Louis Park) talks about how businesses such as General Mills will have trouble attracting talent to Minnesota if the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment were to pass.

No One Has A Right To Vote On Your Marriage

May 11, 2011 by Michael McIntee Minnesota, MN Senate Comments Off

The only people who should be able to vote on a marriage are the two people in the marriage says Senator John Marty. He says his marriage was approved 2-0. Senator Marty is against a Republican proposal to “let the people vote” on the definition of marriage. That definition would forever ban gays from marrying in Minnesota.

Senator Bonoff Talks About Her Gay Brother

May 11, 2011 by Michael McIntee Minnesota, MN Senate Comments Off

Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-MInnetonka) says her brother gave her permission to talk about him on the Senate floor. He is gay and would suffer harm under the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment that Republicans would like to have Minnesota voters decide on in 2012.

“I’d Rather Go To Jail Than Die In A Nursing Home”- Handicap Protest Budget Cuts

May 11, 2011 by Michael McIntee MN Senate Comments Off

Video by Bill Sorem

Four members of ADAPT Minnesota were briefly detained and removed from the Minnesota Senate gallery around 10:50 a.m. this morning as they shouted “I’d rather go to jail than die in a nursing home!”

Galen Smith, Chris Bell, Nikki Villavicencio-Tollison, and Darrell Paulsen were told they were trespassing, and if they returned to the State Capitol today they would be arrested.

ADAPT Minnesota is a local chapter of a national group of people with disabilities who are fighting for their lives in the community.

A press release from the group says they are demonstrating today because the cuts that the Republican leaders have proposed to Health and Human Services will send us to expensive and unhealthy nursing homes and institutions, keep us from work & community life and cost the state more money

Below: the Minnesota Senate debate that was interrupted:

MN Senate Passes Anti-Gay Constitutional Amendment

May 10, 2011 by Michael McIntee Minnesota, MN Senate, MN Senate Live Comments Off


Text by Mary Turck – Twin Cities Daily Planet

The proposed anti-gay marriage amendment passed the Minnesota Senate May 11 by a vote of 38-27. If passed by the House of Representatives, the question would appear on the November 2012 ballot for decision by voters:

“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?

The bill does not need to be signed by the governor. If it is passed by both houses, then it will be on the November 2012 ballot. Approval of a constitutional amendment requires the vote of “a majority of all the electors voting at the election,” whether or not the voter casts a “yes” or “no” vote on a proposed amendment.

Below:
Senator Scott Dibble talks about his husband and how hurtful an anti-gay constitutional amendment would be.

You can comment in our anti-gay constitutional amendment live blog

Senior MN Legislators Pessimistic About Health Care Action

May 9, 2011 by Bill Sorem Health Care, MN House, MN Senate Comments Off

After former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson (moderate Republican) discussed Minnesota Health Care Issues, past and present, on Monday night, two senior DFL legislators were asked about the current legislative situation on health care and what was likely to happen. Senator Linda Berglin, (SD 61) and Representative Erin Murphy (HD 64A) expressed serious concerns about the process that is playing out in the last weeks of the legislative session. Former Governor Carlson argued for a return to civil debate about the issues. He said that until the structural financial problem was solved we were destined to lose ground. Quality of life was the major overriding consideration for many years; it is not a consideration in the current majority’s plan.

MN GOP Senator Hann Seeks Medicaid Waver in Washington

May 6, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Economy/Jobs, Health Care, MN Senate Comments Off

Watch live streaming video from theuptake2 at livestream.com

Minnesota Republican Senator David Hann addressed reporters today, following Sens. Amy Koch and Geoff Michel’s rebuttal after Governor Mark Dayton’s news conference. Sen. Hann had just returned from Washington, D.C., where he met with members of the state’s delegation to seek a waiver for Medicaid so that Minnesota would no longer have to fund it.

Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) issued the following statement today, in response to Hann’s initiative:

“Senator Hann recently arrived back in Minnesota after spending several days in Washington, D.C., meeting with members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation about his plan to eliminate Medicaid benefits for thousands of Minnesotans. It’s telling that Senator Hann never met with the President or anyone from his administration. The bottom line is that Senator Hann needs President Obama’s support to accomplish his goal, and seemingly even he understands he will never get it.

In the meantime, he wasted several days of critical legislative time that could have been spent working out some of the contentious issues in the Health and Human Services budget. Senator Hann should be focused on putting together a balanced budget rather than pursuing a Tea Party pipe dream.

Republicans want to take away Minnesotans’ Medicaid benefits and replace them with an unaffordable voucher. This is a devastating plan for families and the wrong direction for Minnesota.”

MN GOP Senate Leaders Koch, Michel Respond to Gov Dayton

May 6, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Economy/Jobs, MN Senate Comments Off

Watch live streaming video from theuptake2 at livestream.com

Minnesota Republican Senate leaders Amy Koch and Geoff Michel took the unusual step of appearing at Democratic Governor Mark Dayton’s news conference today on the state budget crisis — and standing in the press area. Afterward, Koch and Michel rebutted Dayton’s words at an impromptu press conference in the hallway outside the Governor’s Reception Room in the State Capitol.

Anti-Gay Amendment Heard In MN Senate Rules Committee

May 6, 2011 by Michael McIntee MN Senate, MN Senate Live Comments Off


Minnesota’s proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment gets what is likely its final Senate hearing before the rules committee. If passed here, it will likely be up for a vote on the Minnesota Senate floor before the end of session on May 23rd.

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Click on photo to watch Senator Al Franken's news conference on college financial aid reform

Sen. Franken Announces “True Cost Of College” Act

Senator Al Franken announces the “Understanding The True Cost Of College Act” that would require colleges to use easier to understand language in their financial aid package offers to students.

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First Somali Delegate Headed to Democratic National Convention

Hindia Ali, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator at Somali Action Alliance is a delegate the the 2012 National Democratic Convention, the first Somali-American to be a delegate.

Click photo to watch President Obama's speech

Obama Rips GOP’s “Radical Vision” For US

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, President Obama ripped into Republicans for their lack of compromising and for the first time mentioned his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, by name.

Click on Photo to View Women's Discussion About Health Care and the Affordable Care Act

“Being a Woman Shouldn’t be a Pre-existing Condition”

Minnesota women in healthcare predicaments met with with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and Governor Mark Dayton on Friday — the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Click photo to watch President Obama's weekly address

Obama:Fraud, Middle East Conflict, Driving Up Gas Prices

President Obama says many of the factors that are driving up gas prices are out of our control such as unrest in the Middle East. However, he points out there are some things that are in our control such as fraud and manipulation that can cause prices to spike even further.

Click photo to hear President Obama speak about alternative energy

Obama Makes Case For Alternative Energy

President Obama talks about an all-of-the-above American energy strategy at a Daimler manufacturing plant in North Carolina that’s making trucks that run on natural gas.

No recount this time. Click photo to watch the MN Congressional Cookoff

Another Close One For Sen. Al Franken- Ties In Hotdish Cookoff

Senator Al Franken is used to close elections. This time he didn’t beat his opponents, but had to settle for a tie with Representative Chip Cravaack in the second annual Minnesota Congressional delegation hotdish cookoff.

Click photo to watch President Obama address business roundtable in Washington, DC

Obama:Tax Reform Like “Pulling Teeth”

President Obama would like to reform taxes so we reward companies that invest in the US, not ones that send jobs overseas. But there are some barriers, such as Congress.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama

Israel-US United Against Iran Says Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his photo op with President Obama today to talk up how the US and Israel are united against Iran, which is suspected of trying to create a nuclear bomb.

President Obama speaks to the American-Israel Lobby

Obama:Military Force Against Iran Possible To Thwart Nuclear Program

President Obama warns that “loose talk” of war was only helping Iran, while pushing back against charges from GOP presidential contenders that he has been less than a loyal ally to Israel.

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“Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Members of the Welfare Rights Committee disrupt the signing of the Vikings Stadium Bill. They claim, “Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Click on this photo to see video of conference.

Minnesota Somali Women And Men Discuss Infertility Issues

Somali women and men gather to discuss the many aspects of female infertility with medical and social experts.

3M Demo

MN Activists Call on 3M to Remove Corporate Funds From Politics

3M shareholders at annual meeting were asked to stop all corporate contributions to political campaigns and to disclose corporate political lobbying efforts. As expected, the resolutions were voted down, but the activists pledged to continue efforts.

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Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Healing Minnesota’s Darkest Period: Pardoning a Dakota Indian

After the six-week US-Dakota War of 1862, 38 Dakota men were hung in one of the largest mass executions in US History. Many argue that the trials were a sham, that is was the largest injustice in the nation’s history. Today, Representative Dean Urdahl, Chair of the Legacy Committee in Minnesota and the Civil War Task Force, seeks to, “rub a little salve in the wound,” by seeking a pardon for one of those warriors who was hung on that fateful December day. His name is Chaska.

Rep. Ryan Winkler on the House Floor before 2011 Special Session

Stadium Opponent Rep. Winkler Decides To Vote For Stadium.

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL) decides to support the Vikings stadium because of the jobs it will create.

Governor Dayton and Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf

Vikings Stadium Bill Sent To Governor Dayton

The Minnesota House and Senate have each approved different versions of a Vikings stadium proposal. So now it is up to a conference committee to reconcile the differences.

Governor Mark Dayton Vetos GOP Tax Bill

Dayton Tax Veto Imperils Vikings Stadium Says GOP

Principle or politics? On Friday, Governor Mark Dayton went heavily with principle and imperiled the politics of his top legislative priority — thousands of jobs from building a new Vikings football stadium.

Joh Marty

MN Tax bill deserves ‘smoking’ hot veto pen’ says DFL

A bill that would give business owners a tax cut is hailed by Senator Geoff Michel (R-Edina) as the “best piece of legislation” to be considered his year. Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville ) counters it deserves a “smoking’ hot veto pen” because it isn’t paid for.

Click on photo of Sen Jungbauer to hear why accident prone people like himself should use fireworks.

MN Fireworks Veto Override Is A Dud

A Minnesota Senate attempt to override Governor Mark Dayton’s veto of a bill expanding the kinds of fireworks that can legally be sold in Minnesota fails to get the 2/3rds majority needed.

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Sustaining Solutions

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Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Click Photo to Hear Opinions on How the City Should Help North Minneapolis

Does North Minneapolis Need Pie in the Sky Ideas or Roofs Overhead?

Nearly a year after the tornado that ripped through North Minneapolis, opinions vary greatly on what the poverty-stricken community needs most from local and state government. Should the City introduce “pie in the sky” ideas or focus on more immediate problems?

Click photo of Rep. Bobby Jo Champion  to View Video Interview

Rep. Bobby Jo Champion Touts Legislation to Rebuild North Minneapolis

Representative Bobby Jo Champion talks about the challenges facing some of his constituents in North Minneapolis almost a year after a devastating tornado.

Click photo to watch video about how tornado damaged North Minneapolis is being rebuilt right.

Rebuild It Right in North Minneapolis: Quality Design Isn’t Just For Rich People

Rebuild It Right, an organization made up of architects and designers from Minneapolis, is helping homeowners advocate for quality design in the wake of the May 22nd Tornado.

Don Samuels Talks Jobs

New Stadium Deal Promises Jobs for North Minneapolis Residents

The Vikings stadium deal got the support of Minneapolis City Council members. Council member Don Samuels says that this is a good deal for his constituents. It will provide jobs to a part of the city that has the highest rate of unemployment.

Click photo to watch how Urban Homeworks is helping homeowners in north Minneapolis

Urban Homeworks: Fighting Foreclosures in North Minneapolis

Local, Minneapolis non-profit Urban Homeworks works with banks and other community organizations to fight foreclosures.

Monique White celebrates a delay on evicting her from her home. Click photo to watch video.

Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Seeks Jury Trial

Embattled homeowner Monique White took one more step Friday toward what could become an improbable victory that would let her stay in her North Minneapolis home. Judge Mark Labine will decide on Monday whether White will get a jury trial in District Court.

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.

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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.

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