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Will Minnesota finally invest in rural internet?
This week, State Sen. Matt Schmit (DFL-Red Wing) will introduce a bill investing $100 million in state dollars into rural internet infrastructure in Minnesota. The Star Tribune published a story by Jenna Ross about the broadband expansion bill and the poor conditions facing internet workers in rural Minnesota. I am one of the rural internet…
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Joe Radinovich heating aid bill first to pass 2014 legislature
The 2014 legislature got off to a mostly useful and bipartisan start with emergency legislation to fund home heating assistance programs. The bill, carried by Rep. Joe Radinovich (DFL-Crosby), comes amid what has become a crisis of short fuel supplies, rising costs and enormous heating demand amid one of the coldest winters in recent memory.…
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The charred earth of the 2014 MN legislative session
The 2014 MN legislative session opens today in St. Paul amid the distinct sense that lawmakers in both parties would like to avoid having things get out of hand before this fall’s elections. That said, both Republicans and Democratic-Farmer-Laborites have distinct goals in this session. The most agreed-upon goal is a bonding bill. Even years…
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MN DNR OKs controversial deer feed amid harsh winter
For the first time in 17 years, the Minnesota DNR is making widespread plans to feed starving deer as this harsh winter enters its long conclusion. John Myers has a story in today’s Duluth News Tribune. The issue is controversial. DNR wildlife managers don’t believe it’s wise or necessary to feed wild deer, as the…
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Internet access for all Minnesotans? Live coverage now
The Uptake is providing live coverage of the Border to Border Broadband conference presentation “The Future of Rural Minnesota Broadband.” I’m happy to share the coverage here on my blog at the bottom of this post. Coverage begins at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. I’ll post archive footage afterward when its available. The huge…
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Dayton selects Tina Flint Smith for Lt. Gov.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will announce his Chief of Staff Tina Flint Smith as his 2014 running mate this morning. Smith will join the ticket as the DFL Lt. Gov. candidate for Dayton’s upcoming re-election bid having been probably the most influential member of his first term administration. Here’s Blois Olson’s write-up from today’s Morning…
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Stewart Mills reports fundraising haul in MN-8
Stewart Mills, the Republican challenger in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, announced yesterday he raised $205,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013, bringing his totals from last year to about $450,000. That’s a respectable haul for a first time candidate, indicating that Mills will at least be able to afford a competitive challenge if circumstances allow.…
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Minnesota Super Bowl bid seeks big game in 2018
This morning Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced his state’s bid to lure the 2018 Super Bowl to Minneapolis, after the inaugural season of the Vikings new yet-to-be-unnamed stadium. You can read all about the Minnesota Super Bowl bid at the bottom of this post. MPR’s Tim Nelson also has a story. I’m not the first…
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Prettner Solon steps aside; Dayton’s DFL crossroads
Moments ago, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon (D-MN) announced she would not be joining Gov. Mark Dayton’s ticket for re-election this year. The announcement leaves Dayton with a decision about who should replace her to run with him at the top of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party ballot. As I’ve written before, and two names continue to…
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Duluth organizer Gary Anderson joins DFL 7A field
Gary Anderson, a Duluth community organizer well known in DFL circles, will today announce his plans to run for State Representative in District 7A, the eastern Duluth seat being vacated by the retiring Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth). The Duluth News Tribune reported on Gary Anderson’s candidacy a couple days ago, highlighting an event he planned…
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Duluth firefighter Pete Johnson to join DFL 7A race
Pete Johnson will soon join the list of announced candidates for the Minnesota House District 7A seat in eastern Duluth. Johnson, a DFLer, is a Duluth firefighter and president of the firefighters’ union. UPDATE: Pete Johnson will declare his candidacy in a press event at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 in front of Duluth city hall.…
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USMC officer Donna Bergstrom seeks GOP nod in 7A
As of Friday, Dec. 20, three candidates have announced their intention to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in east Duluth’s District 7A after the announcement earlier this week that Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) would not seek re-election in 2014. Among the candidates are DFLers Jennifer Schultz and Linda Krug and Republican Donna Bergstrom. DFLer Pete Johnson is also strongly considering a run, but…
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Duluth city councilor Linda Krug enters 7A DFL race
As of Friday, Dec. 20, three candidates have announced their intention to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in east Duluth’s District 7A after the announcement earlier this week that Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) would not seek re-election in 2014. Among the candidates are DFLers Jennifer Schultz and Linda Krug and Republican Donna Bergstrom. DFLer Pete Johnson is also strongly considering a run, but…
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Health care expert Jennifer Schultz makes 7A DFL bid
As of Friday, Dec. 20, three candidates have announced their intention to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in east Duluth’s District 7A after the announcement earlier this week that Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) would not seek re-election in 2014. Among the candidates are DFLers Jennifer Schultz and Linda Krug and Republican Donna Bergstrom.…
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Huntley retires; open House seat in east Duluth
State Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) announced today he would not seek re-election in 2014. From his press release: Saint Paul, Minnesota — State Representative Tom Huntley (DFL – Duluth) announced today that he will not be seeking re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Huntley is the chair of the House Health and Human Services…