The Minnesota Independent

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Clark picks up another labor endorsement for congressional bid

By Paul Schmelzer | 08.21.09 | 2:20 pm

State Sen. Tarryl Clark has picked up another endorsement from organized labor for her congressional bid. Yesterday, Teamsters Joint Council 32 officially gave the St. Cloud Democrat the nod in her challenge to 6th district incumbent Rep. Michele…

‘Reckless’ and ‘unconscionable’: Reactions to Pawlenty’s unallotment plan

By Paul Schmelzer | 06.16.09 | 4:56 pm

Reaction to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Tuesday press conference announcing his unallotment of nearly $2.7 billion from the state budget has been swift and, at times, scathing.

Rybak gets face time on cover of Governing magazine

By Chris Steller | 02.04.09 | 12:22 pm

I learned about this, appropriately, on Facebook: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s face appears on the front of this month’s Governing magazine. Stifle that yawn — for public officials, it’s the equivalent of getting your picture on the cover of Rolling Stone.

After Losing Strike, U Workers Plan to ‘Bite Back’

By Abdi Aynte | 09.27.07 | 4:58 pm

Jesse Gamble and Andy Carhert on strike at the UWhen University of Minnesota workers ended their strike last week, the school came out victorious. Even so, union officials and state legislators are looking at ways to make the U more accountable to its lower-income workers.…

Taking a Stand: U Strike Enters Week Three

By Abdi Aynte | 09.17.07 | 5:18 pm

Jesse Gamble and Andy Carhert on strike at the UEven though it hurts them financially, University of Minnesota workers Jesse Gamble and Andy Carhert said Monday the strike against their employer is a matter of principle.

“Financially, I’m not doing well. I’m borrowing money from friends,”…

Passion, Rebellion, Rock & Roll: Dispatch from the U of M Strike

By Paul Schmelzer | 09.15.07 | 9:59 am

Tom Elko, a member of AFSCME 3800 and author of Sky Blue Waters, offers a unique videoblog view from the picket line at the University of Minnesota, where clerical, technical and health care workers have…

Time for Swanson to Come Clean or Quit

By Jeff Fecke | 05.07.07 | 2:31 pm

Jeff FeckeI voted for Lori Swanson in last year’s primary for attorney general, and later in the general election.  I thought she represented new blood, something the DFL perennially lacks.  More than that, I was impressed by her…