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Dayton Tax Veto Imperils Vikings Stadium Says GOP

May 4, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota No Comments

Governor Mark Dayton Vetos GOP Tax Bill

Principle at the peril of politics. Click photo to watch Gov. Dayton's Veto press conference

Principle or politics? Governor Mark Dayton has been trying to walk the fine line between the two as Minnesota’s legislative session winds down. But on Friday the Governor went heavily with principle and imperiled the politics of his top legislative priority — thousands of jobs from building a new Vikings football stadium.

Governor Mark Dayton vetoed a Republican backed tax bill because it would blow a hole in the state’s budget with tax cuts to businesses that weren’t offset someplace else. In his veto news conference the Governor chided Republicans for being fiscally irresponsible.

Republicans touted the tax relief in the bill as job creation. Democrats and the Governor pointed at the hard facts: the bill didn’t guarantee the creation of a single job. It broadly gave businesses property tax relief, including corporations such as McDonald’s restaurants, but had no incentives for the business to hire anyone. The tax relief would just go to the corporate bottom line.

Veto angers Republicans who say there will be “consequences” … Continue Reading

MNGOP Stadium Plan Dead, Vote On “Vetted” Plan Monday

May 3, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota No Comments

House Speaker Kurt Zellers

Click photo of House Speaker Zellers to hear why he doesn't support a Vikings stadium, but will allow a vote on it.

A Minnesota Republican plan to build a Vikings Stadium with general obligation bond money is dead says House Majority Leader Matt Dean. He says information he got from Minnesota’s Management and Budget office indicates the bonds could not be legally used to do the project.

House Speaker Kurt Zellers says he doesn’t support the Vikings Stadium plan that Governor Dayton wants, but he will allow a vote on the bill on Monday. Zellers says Governor Dayton has “disrespected” Republican priorities this legislative session, but he will stand by his word to have a vote and will not stand in the way of anyone voting for it.

Governor Dayton released a statement:
‘“I am very pleased that the Republican legislative leaders have agreed to my request for up-or-down votes in both bodies on a new “People’s Stadium” that would provide jobs for several thousand Minnesotans and keep the Vikings here. Now everyone will be able to hold legislators accountable for that momentous decision.

“I will continue to do all I can to convince them that this is a good deal for Minnesota, the best deal available, and much better than the alternative: losing thousands of jobs, losing the Vikings, and losing the “Can Do” spirit, which is Minnesota.

“I ask all Minnesotans, who care about the stadium, to contact their legislators and urge them to vote “Yes” next Monday.”

Watch video of the Republican leaders news conference … Continue Reading

Governor, GOP Pursuing Both Viking Stadium Plans

May 2, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota Comments Off

Click photo to hear Governor Dayton and GOP leaders talk about their stadium meeting.

Minnesota Republican legislative leaders and Governor Mark Dayton strike a more conciliatory tone after meeting about a Vikings stadium plan.

Earlier today Governor Dayton blasted Republicans for a “hare-brained” last minute stadium proposal that Dayton says could doom the project.

Republican leaders say Governor Dayton is interested in pursuing a plan that includes bonding, but the other stadium options are still on the table.

Watch the videos … Continue Reading

GOP Roofless Vikings Stadium Called A “Punt”

May 2, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota Comments Off

Click photo of Rep. Davnie to hear why he things the GOP stadium proposal is a "punt"

Grab your favorite sports analogy to describe the Vikings stadium battle at the Minnesota legislature. A just revealed Republican plan to have the state pay only for “infrastructure” in a new stadium has been described by Democrats as a “punt.” More importantly, the Vikings who would need to shoulder the rest of the costs said it was too late to start redesigning the stadium to make it roof less or “roof ready.”

The plan would not use gambling dollars, but bonding…which means it must have a super majority of the legislature for it to pass, which lessens the chances that it will have enough votes.

Click to watch videos of Republicans unveiling the plan, Democrats railing against it and the Vikings saying it won’t work. … Continue Reading

Maneuver To Un-stall “Right To Work” Fails In MN House

March 22, 2012 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, MN House Comments Off

Click photo to watch strange events on the Minnesota House Floor

There was something strange going on in the Minnesota House chamber Thursday night. Legislators were ready to get to evening committee hearings and the House floor session was winding down when suddenly Majority Leader Matt Dean called for a recess. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen objects, pointing out that taking a recess would delay the start of many important committee hearings.

Getting no explanation for the recess, Democrats call for adjournment, which fails.

After the 40 minute recess Republicans try to move the controversial “right to work” also known as “rob the workers” constitutional amendment to the friendlier Rules committee than its current assignment. The maker of the motion, Representative Doug Wardlow (R-Eagan) does not appear to speak to it. After an almost three minute wait, Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers moves on to announcements and adjournment.

Videos of the events and press release from House Minority Leader Paul Thissen … Continue Reading

Foreclosure Moratorium Not On MN GOP Agenda

March 16, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota, Occupy Movement Comments Off

Click photo to hear why DFLers Paul Thissen and Tom Bakk are upset about Republican inaction.

Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers says any state foreclosure moratorium should wait for federal legislation and lawsuits to play out. DFL leaders say foreclosures are about to increase and state action is needed.

GOP: Photo Poll books Not A Substitute For Voter Photo ID

March 9, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota Comments Off

Click photo to watch Senator David Senjem talk about voter photo ID and Vikings stadium.

Minnesota Senate Majority Leader David Senjem indicates that Republicans are willing to look at Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s proposal of electronic poll books for visual voter verification.

However, he says that will not stop the passage of a voter photo ID amendment.

Vikings stadium talk and full video of Republican and DFL legislative leaders news conferences
… Continue Reading

Vikings Stadium Deal Politically Fragile

March 2, 2012 by Michael McIntee Minnesota Comments Off

House Speaker Kurt Zellers

Click photo to hear why House Speaker Kurt Zellers isn't sure if he'll vote for the Vikings stadium bill

Republican and DFL legislative leaders indicated today just how politically fragile a proposal to build a new Vikings stadium is.

Senate Majority Leader David Senjem says without the support of the Minneapolis City Council the bill won’t pass.

House Speaker Kurt Zellers wouldn’t commit to voting for the bill without seeing the details, which Senate Deputy Minority Leader Terri Bonoff called that “dodging” because Zellers knows what will be in the bill.

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen says will have trouble with the agreement unless funds to renovate the Target Center and build a new stadium are both in the same bill. Currently they are in two separate bills.

Who Gets Credit Or Blame For MN Budget Surplus?

March 2, 2012 by Michael McIntee Economy/Jobs, Minnesota Comments Off

Representative Paul Thissen and Senator Terri Bonoff

Click photo to hear why DFL leaders are happy the GOP is taking responsibility for the budget passed last year.

Minnesota Republican legislative leaders credit their policies for a budget surplus.

DFL leaders say they’re glad GOP finally taking responsibility for a budget that borrows from schools and raises property taxes.

Gov. Dayton “On the Edge” Of Backing Teacher Layoff Bill Says GOP

March 2, 2012 by Michael McIntee Education, Labor/Unions, Minnesota Comments Off

Senate Majority Leader David Senjem and House Speaker Kurt Zellers

Click to hear why GOP leaders think Governor Dayton will back a teacher layoff bill.

Minnesota Republican legislative leaders say Governor Mark Dayton is “on the edge” of backing a bill that removes teacher seniority as barrier to laying them off.

Senate Majority Leader David Senjem who met Governor Dayton for breakfast today says the Governor has some concerns about the bill, particularly the timing of it.

House Speaker Kurt Zellers says the Governor is researching what other states are doing on the issue. If there’s another plan out there the Governor could support, that could change the teacher layoff bill which is scheduled to go to a House-Senate conference committee.

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Click Image to View Video

“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.

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

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Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Healing Minnesota’s Darkest Period: Pardoning a Dakota Indian

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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.

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

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MN Fireworks Veto Override Is A Dud

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

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

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