http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs ECM Publishers Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:20:44 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Several area lawmakers have returned from a trip to Israel. The idea of the trip was to foster better ties to the country. According to the House DFL Caucus, the group, which consisted of some nine lawmakers, had some 40 meetings/tours during the visit. Local lawmakers on the trip were Rep. Sandra ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/19/area-lawmakers-back-from-trip-to-israel/ Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials indicated today (Nov. 18) that retail store Santas will have to wait like everybody else to get vaccinated for H1N1 until people at greater risk get theirs. "We have heard about Santa's request," said MDH Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Kristen Ehresmann. Media reports have ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/18/santa-is-just-going-to-have-to-wait-say-state-health-department-officials/ Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, is carrying Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed state spending limit constitutional amendment and will take the bill before the Senate Tax Committee on Dec. 7. Democrats in general have expressed a willingness to listen to the proposal, an attitude Koch won't second guess. "I'm going to take them at ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/17/shell-take-them-at-their-word-said-sen-amy-koch/ Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten today (Nov. 16) told a House/Senate natural resources committee his agency had no intentions of relinquishing $20 million in bonding lawmakers approved for a proposed state park. Gov. Tim Pawlenty many months ago proposed the creation of Lake Vermilion State Park on land currently ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/16/dnr-unwilling-to-relinquish-bonding-dollars-for-proposed-state-park/ Minnesota Twins General Manager Bill Smith began what hopefully will be a series of move to strengthen the Twins last week by trading outfielder Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Gomez did provide fans with a bundle of great catches, often climbing the outfield fences to snatch away potential ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/16/%e2%80%9cgo-go%e2%80%9d-gomez-gone/ Some lawmakers — Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, for instance — look to the expansion of gaming as a means for the state to capture extra dollars in tough economic times. But Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview, believes the easiest ways of bringing in state revenue aren't always the best. "Personally my issue with ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/16/gaming-money-is-too-easy-says-rep-paul-gardner/ The House Rules Committee today (Nov. 16) approved a resolution that will have House attorneys filing a "friend of the court" brief in support of legal actions against recent Pawlenty Administration state budget unallotments. "Members of the Minnesota House feel strongly that we need to address the important issues raised by ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/16/house-rules-committee-backs-legal-actions-against-pawlenty-unallotment/ Gov. Tim Pawlenty today said the buck he shot at Saturday (Nov. 7) morning at the 7th Annual Governor's Deer Opener has not been found. Six to eight people — "including me," he said — looked for the better part of two days for the deer but the blood trail dried ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/11/the-buck-apparently-didnt-stop-anywhere/ Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, snagged a handful of endorsements from local Republican lawmakers in his quest for governor. The lawmakers are: Representatives Bruce Anderson, Buffalo Township, Mark Buesgens, of Jordan, Tom Hackbarth, of Cedar, Mary Liz Holberg, of Lakeville, Tim Sanders, of Blaine, and Peggy Scott, of Andover. Emmer also picked up ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/10/rep-tom-emmer-snags-local-endorsements-for-governor/ Sen. Tarryl Clark, the St. Cloud DFLer wanting to take on Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann next year, announced her campaign team today. Serving as campaign manager is Zach Rodvold, who comes from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office where he served as state director. Former finance director for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's ... http://www.hometownsource.com/blogs/index.php/2009/11/10/sen-tarryl-clark-announces-campaign-team/