Monthly Archives: February 2016
UPDATE: Superintendent Proposes Delaying Elementary School Closure Vote
Stillwater School District Superintendent Denise Pontrelli is recommending the board delay the vote to close three elementary schools until March 3, 2016. The opposition groups oppose the delay; request the board to reject the delay and Vote NO on the plan at the Feb. 11, 2016 meeting.
So. Washington County Referendum Fight May Not Be Over
The battle against the 96 million dollar South Washington County building bond referendum may not be over as the speculation over the votes continues to grow...
Close Three Elementary Schools? Not So Fast: Legal Action Possible Against MN School District
A Minnesota school district faces possible legal action by citizens opposed to the proposed closure of three elementary schools. Stating that the district has lost the "fundamental trust of the citizens," the group claims that a lawsuit would be "designed to protect everyone in the district from arbitrary, rushed and capricious overreach by the board and district leadership."
Minnesota’s Lack of Transparency and Legislator Per Diem Pay
The State Legislature received a "D-" in transparency, with a large portion of the poor grade being contributed to a lack of transparency in per diem pay.
MN Republican House Speaker Sees $1 Billion Borrowing Bill as “Not Unimaginable.” Democrats Want...
Minnesota Republican Speaker of the House, Kurt Daudt (R-31A), doesn't see $1 billion dollar biennium borrowing bill for Minnesota as "incredible" or "unimaginable." Minnesota's Democrats want even more.
High Legislative Turnover in 2016: What are the Causes?
Why are so many lawmakers choosing not to seek reelection?
Do UMN Students Want Their Professors to Unionize?
Do students at the University of Minnesota want their professors to unionize if it means they may have to pay more in tuition? Alpha News asks students what they think of the push to unionize
State Senate Race Heats Up – Coleman, Jensen Set Selves Apart
The race for retiring State Senator Julianne Ortman's seat in District 47 is heating up as Jake Coleman (son of US Senator Norm Coleman) and Dr. Scott Jensen continue to fight for votes
Do U of M Professors Need a Union?
According to the University of Minnesota Academics United website (an affiliate of SEIU Local 284), faculty are seeking unionization to “restore a strong faculty voice in University governance and give us more power to oppose the erosion of research funding, community connections, teaching resources, and tenure lines.” In addition, the website points out that the union is working for “decent pay” and “job security” for faculty.
Minnesota Leaders Post “Un-Minnesotan” Ad, Condemn Intolerance
Several prominent Minnesota lawmakers and community leaders signed on to an ad featured in Monday's Star Tribune. The ad calls on Minnesotans to speak out against any "bigotry shown towards Muslims."