Andy Birkey

Communities brace for unallotment’s effects

Communities around the state are struggling to deal with the budget cuts imposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unallotment authority. Pawlenty signed into law $2.7 billion in cuts to local government aid, human services grants, higher education and medical assistance for the poor. Many parts of the state are bracing for the impact.

Peterson, Oberstar to bail on abortion-inclusive health care plan

Reps. Jim Oberstar and Collin Peterson joined 17 other Democrats in threatening to vote against health care reform if a government plan covers abortion. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late last week, the coalition said, “[W]e cannot support any health care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of [...]

Abortions declined in Minnesota last year

The number of abortions performed in Minnesota declined in 2008 for the second straight year and marked the lowest number in more than 30 years. Reproductive health advocates said the decline is due to access to birth control and education, while the state’s largest anti-abortion group says programs to persuade pregnant woman from having an [...]

State Sen. Dibble spends Stonewall anniversary at LGBT event with Obama

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, was one of 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders invited to a reception with President Obama on Monday. The reception, largely seen as an attempt to quell growing LGBT criticism of the Obama administration, marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
Dibble brought with him several letters to give to [...]

Franken: ‘I can’t wait to get started’

In his statement, Senator-elect Al Franken wished Norm Coleman well, expressed eagerness to get to work, and downplayed his role in cementing the Democrats’ supermajority in the Senate.

Pawlenty will sign Franken’s election certificate

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will sign the election certificate declaring Al Franken the winner of the 2008 race for the U.S. Senate. “I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law,” said Pawlenty.

Walz: Pawlenty should issue certificate

Rep. Tim Walz reacted to the decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court in favor of Al Franken praising Minnesota’s election process and urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty to issue and sign an election certificate naming Franken the winner. Here is Walz’ full statement:

Cultures collide: Somali youth harass gay man at Pride

Cultures collided Sunday when a gay man was harassed by more than a dozen Somali youths while heading home after the Twin Cities GLBT Pride Festival. Shouting “I hate gay people,” “Fuck gay people,” and “Gay is not the way,” the youths followed the man for several blocks. The entire incident was caught on video.

Bachmann Census flap creates stir

Recent statements by Rep. Michele Bachmann about ACORN and the U.S. Census have the media and watchdog groups piling on. Bachmann has said several times in the last week that her family will leave most of the census blank because ACORN has signed on to be a partner organization.
Politifact, a Pulitzer prize-winning website, fact-checked Rep. [...]

Former Minnesotan to run Christian Coalition reboot

The Christian Coalition is making a comeback thanks to former Minnesota campaign strategist, Jack St. Martin. St. Martin and former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed have launched the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a new group that’s been described as the “Christian Coalition 2.0.”
The new organization will feature Reed as the group’s head, and St. Martin [...]