http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs ECM Publishers Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:11:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson today announced that he will leave the state's highest court, effective June 30, 2010, according to the Minnesota Courts. “It has been my privilege to serve as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the past two years,” Magnuson said in ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/11/minnesota-supreme-court-chief-justice-eric-magnuson-to-step-down/ Can you believe this? Three Republican Legislators voted against a Jobs Creation bill last week. The measure passed by a vote of 217-201 on a strict party line vote, as far as Minnesota is concerned. Voting in favor were Tim Walz, District 1; Betty McCollum, District 4; Keith Ellison, District 5; Collin Peterson, ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/10/vote-on-jobs-creation-bill-went-along-party-lines/ Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, has endorsed Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall for governor. Senjem picked Seifert over Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, in making his endorsement. "I think we have two great candidates on our side," said Senjem. "(But) I think he (Seifert) has the right style and the right temperament," said ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/10/senate-minority-leader-senjem-endorses-seifert/ Former state auditor Pat Anderson's brother, Ken Anderson, is competing in the Iditarod Dog Sled Race — a 1100 mile race from Anchorage to Nome lasting about ten days. "Every March, I turn into a dog sled 'groupie', religiously following the race on-line," said Anderson. "Thank goodness for Blackberry's," she said on ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/09/pat-anderson-rooting-for-musher/ Monday, 01 March 2010 by Larry Werner Thisweek Newspapers Monday’s general membership luncheon of the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce had to be moved to darn near breakfast time to accommodate the travel schedule of U.S. Rep. John Kline. Kline had to catch a plane to Washington so he could get ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/09/we-need-more-neighborliness-and-less-anger/ Rep. Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley, defended sex education legislation in the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee this morning. A number of testifiers offered sometimes graphic testimony in criticism of sex education programs in their school districts, and argued the responsible family life and sexuality education legislation devalued successful abstinence-based sex ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/09/rep-tim-faust-defends-sex-ed-legislation/ Sen. Chris Gerlach's provisional ballot legislation failed in committee today. The Apple Valley Republican was proposing that for people who come to the polls to vote without proof of residence, they be given a provisional ballot — be allowed to vote — but also required to come back with valid proof ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/08/sen-chris-gerlachs-provisional-ballot-bill-fails/ Is it possible that we the people are responsible for the gridlock in Washington and St. Paul? A commentary in the March 8 issue of Newsweek Magazine speaks  volumes. Evan Thomas writes that Washington is working just fine. It’s us that’s broken.” He says our leaders are paralyzed at the very thought of ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/08/are-we-responsible-for-gridlock-in-washington-and-st-paul/ The House voted 131-2 to pass legislation dealing with absentee voter balloting — the bill mirrors language in the Senate and supporters hope to quickly send the bill to the governor for signing. Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, former secretary of state, endorsed the legislation. "I think the bill has made significant ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/08/house-passes-absentee-voter-bill/ Absentee ballot legislation carried by Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport, advanced in the Senate today. Among things the bill does is create local ballot boards that will be responsible for absentee ballots — the boards would make the decision to accept or reject them. The bill requires absentee ballot applications to include one ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2010/03/08/absentee-ballot-bill-advances-in-senate/