UPDATE: Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Governor Will Sign

Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.  Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate.   Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…

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Mike Hindin

9:37 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013

Try anything with John Wane in it. I don't care about Hollywood past or present.   more ›

Northfield State Sen. Dave Thompson Mulling Run for Governor

Thompson says he's "seriously considering" a run to challenge Gov. Mark Dayton in 2014.

Northfield State Senator Dave Thompson hasn't been shy about taking on leadership roles since he was first elected to state politics in 2010. And now the popular Republican is muling a run for governor. “I am giving it consideration,” Thompson, from Lakeville, told Sun Thisweek in a story published March 19. He told the newspaper that he will make a final decision over the next few weeks about whether or not to mount a campaign for the state's top office. Currently the Senate minority leader, Thompson said he's been encouraged by many  constituents and business leaders to run in 2014 to challenge DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, Sun Thisweek reports. The report quoted Thompson saying: “I have talked to my family about it. I am serious, but I’m not …

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From Your Legislators

Sen. Thompson Discusses His Reaction to Gov. Dayton's Budget

Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 58), who represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield, gives a legislative update.

The following is a column from Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville. Dear Neighbors,  In this legislative update, see my reaction towards Governor Dayton's budget outlined in his State of the State speech as well as updates on the Health Insurance Exchange Bill and a bill to expand Medical Assistance coverage.  A reminder to sign up for a time for the In-District Office Hours next weekend, Saturday, February 16th. I will be at the Farmington Library from 10:30 to noon and at Lakeville South from 2:30-4:00. Please email my legislative assistant Amy Strenge, amy.strenge@senate.mn to reserve a time. Sincerely, Dave   Senator Dave Thompson Senate District 58 131 State Office Building 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296…

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Sit-Down with the Superintendent

Superintendent Talks About Inequity in Education Funding

In this video, Superintendent Chris Richardson talks about Schools for Equity in Education, an organization made up of 62 school districts, including Northfield.

In this video, Superintendent Chris Richardson talks about Schools for Equity in Education, an organization made up of 62 school districts, including Northfield, which has a goal of helping all Minnesota school districts provide "high-quality education to students" and help with "property tax fairness for all the taxpayers of the districts." School district funding and property tax reform were highlighted in Governor Mark Dayton's proposed budget this week, which focuses on a tax overhaul to balance the state's projected $1.1 billion budget shortfall. Richardson said a video created by SEE does a great job showing the disparity between districts by comparing evaluations of property taxes from district to district and how that affects the …

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From Your Legislators

Sen. Dahle Pleased with Governor Dayton’s Emphasis on Education and Property Taxes

Gov. Mark Dayton, in his unveiling of his budget on Tuesday, proposed reducing property taxes and increasing education funding.

January 22nd was budget unveiling day at the Capitol, as Governor Mark Dayton released his proposed budget for the 2014-15 biennium. The Governor’s budget seeks to erase the projected $1.1 billion deficit, as well as pay back the $1.1 billion still owed to the schools.  “The Governor’s proposal is a starting point for the Senate’s budget discussions. We are long overdue for an honest discussion of how we should pay for the necessities of state government,” said Senator Kevin Dahle. “I look forward to having public hearings, town hall meetings, and working with my fellow Senators to amend and improve the Governor’s budget.”  Governor Dayton’s proposal includes direct property tax relief for Minnesotans, with a state tax rebate up to $500 …

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REPLAY: Gov. Mark Dayton Reveals Plans for Minnesota Budget in Speech

Gov. Mark Dayton, in his first appearance since having back surgery late last year, will outline his proposed budget for the next two years.

Laying out financial plans for the next two years, and with a Democratic controlled Legislature out in front of him, Gov. Mark Dayton will address both the public and public servants at the Minnesota State Capitol this morning. You can watch streaming video, live, courtesy of the UpTake right here as Dayton will lay out a series of tax hikes, line-item increases and an expected payment shift for Minnesota schools in his address. It's the first public appearance for Dayton since he had back surgery in Rochester, MN last month. Media outlets such as Minnesota Public Radio are saying the budget could have a big impact on Dayton's political future. The first-term governor has not hinted whether or not he will run again for the state's top seat…

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yomammy

3:04 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

yep--- salt, fat, soda, alochol, sunlight, etc, etc, etc, etc, it will be labeled "for the children or keeping the children safe" and one by one...gone.   more ›

Gov. Mark Dayton to Present Carleton College’s Opening Convocation Address

Opening Convocation will be held on Monday, September 10 at 3 p.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel.

Editor's note: Submitted by Carleton College Carleton College is pleased to announce that Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will be the featured speaker at its annual all-college assembly celebrating the beginning of the 2012-13 academic year. Opening Convocation will be held on Monday, September 10 at 3 p.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel; this event is free and open to the public. It will also be streamed online. Minnesota’s 40th governor, Mark Dayton assumed office in January 2011. He previously served as Minnesota’s United States Senator from 2001-07, and the Minnesota State Auditor from 1991-95. Dayton also currently serves on the executive committee of the National Governor’s Association. Dayton was born in Minneapolis and raised in a …

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From Your Legislators

Rice County Part of Flood-Relief Package; Woodard Comments

Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine) shares his thoughts on the recently passed storm-relief package.

Editor's note: The following comes from the office of Rep. Kelby Woodard. Minnesotans have once again come together to help our neighbors in distress. The Minnesota House on Friday approved a $167.5 million package to fund recovery efforts after high winds and flooding caused serious damage throughout Minnesota in June and July. Rice County is included among those set to receive aid. The bill received wide bipartisan support on its way to approval.  Rep. Kelby Woodard, R-Belle Plaine, said a set of much-needed disaster relief reforms are included in the legislation to ensure the funding is used as intended. “We want to maximize the effectiveness of the money we are appropriating while protecting taxpayers as good stewards of their hard-…

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Sit-Down with the Superintendent

Superintendent: School Funding 'Difficult Issue for State'

In this week's video, Superintendent Chris Richardson talks about the funding challenges Northfield Public Schools has been facing and continues to face.

In this week's video, Superintendent Chris Richardson talks about the funding challenges Northfield Public Schools has been facing and continues to face. Richardson said the district is preparing to share concerns about school funding and the "situation that we face in Minnesota" with legislative candidates and Gov. Mark Dayton's office. "That situation is one where we are concerned with both the adequacy of funding that is provided for education and equity in terms of how that funding is paid for by local taxpayers," he said. In November 2011, voters approved to rescind the then-$1,270 per-pupil operating levy and approved a new 10-year levy, raising the per-pupil levy to $1,604. An operating levy is used to pay for day-to-day expenses of…

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Sit-Down with the Superintendent

Superintendent Richardson Talks Gov. Dayton's Anti-Bullying Task Force

In April, the Northfield School Board revised its Bullying Prohibition Policy "to more clearly articulate the key components that must be in place for an act of bullying to occur."

In this week's video, Superintendent Chris Richardson talks about the push out of Gov. Mark Dayton's office to strengthen state statute concerning anti-bullying. The current statute is 37 words long. On Wednesday, Dayton said he wants an administrator in every school district to oversee anti-bullying programs and work to ensure students feel safe, according to the Pioneer Press. "There has to be somebody, some agency and, ultimately, some person, that is responsible," the newspaper quotes Dayton. "We have to show schools we are serious about this." In April, the Northfield School Board revised its Bullying Prohibition Policy "to more clearly articulate the key components that must be in place for an act of bullying to occur," according to …

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