Minnesota Independent

City officials say 100 homes and countless trees were damaged by the tornado. Photo: Amanda Hankerson

Politicians, community respond to Twin Cities tornado damage

By Andy Birkey | 05.24.11 | 1:18 pm

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison toured parts of North Minneapolis and Fridley on Monday following a tornado that ripped through the area leaving two dead and two dozen injured. Minnesota’s elected officials have offered their support in the wake of the disaster, and community organizations have outlined ways that Minnesotans can help those affected.

Poll: Majority unlikely to back Klobuchar if she votes to cut Medicare, Social Security

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.24.11 | 10:21 am

Updated: Don’t mess with Medicare and Social Security: That’s the message that progressive groups are gleaning from a new poll of swing state voters. Commissioned by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), Democracy for America, MoveOn.org and Credo Action, the survey’s results show overwhelming opposition to cuts in both areas. In fact, in Minnesota, 72 percent of respondents were opposed to Social Security cuts, while a majority of Minnesotans polled said they were less likely to back Sen. Amy Klobuchar next election if she votes to reduce Social Security benefits.

Rep. Michele Bachmann chairs the House Tea Party Caucus

As caucus approaches, Bachmann looks to sell Iowans on faith, frugality

By Anja Sivertson | 05.13.11 | 10:59 am

While Michele Bachmann’s family and supporters see a good-hearted but penny-wise Christian mother who worked with disabled kids and took in bulimic and anorexic foster children, her opponents see a bare-knuckles campaigner with far-right views and a penchant for hyperbole and misstating facts in attacking opponents.

Minnesotans react to bin Laden death

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.02.11 | 9:48 am

Minnesota’s congressional delegation, as well as its likely presidential candidates, responded to last night’s news that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in an American surgical raid near Islamabad. Reactions ranged from thanks to the military and calls for continued vigilance against the terrorist threat to rare kudos for President Obama from former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Klobuchar, Peterson break with Dems to vote against EPA

By Andy Birkey | 04.11.11 | 8:32 am

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Collin Peterson are two Minnesota Democrats who broke with their party on restrictions to the Environmental Protection Agency in its monitoring and enforcement of greenhouse gases. Klobuchar’s votes were criticized by environmental groups while at least one conservative took her to task for not supporting strong enough restrictions. During the budget showdown, Peterson played an important role in a controversial measure to prevent the EPA from monitoring greenhouse gases.

T-Paw backs defunding of Planned Parenthood; Klobuchar, Franken opposed

By Andy Birkey | 04.04.11 | 1:57 pm

Again stirring controversy on Capitol Hill is a measure in the U.S. House budget bill that would prevent federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood and cut Title X family planning funds. Potential presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty told anti-abortion rights group the Susan B. Anthony List that he supports defunding Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken signed a letter opposing the provision.

Klobuchar to vote for DOMA repeal

By Andy Birkey | 03.24.11 | 11:12 am

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will support a bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) when it comes up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on which Klobuchar serves, state Sen. Scott Dibble has indicated. DOMA currently prevents same-sex couples legally married in five states, Washington, D.C., and one tribal nation from receiving the federal benefits of marriage. President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder decided in February to halt defense of DOMA citing its probable unconstitutionality.

Klobuchar, Minnesota legislators move to criminalize 2C-E

By Andy Birkey | 03.24.11 | 8:30 am

DFL legislators have introduced legislation to make 2C-E a Schedule One substance in Minnesota following the death of one teenager and the hospitalization of 10 others after ingesting the drug. The bill would list the substance along with illegal substances like heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said earlier this week she will include 2C-E in a drug banning bill she introduced last week dealing with synthetic marijuana.

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft returns from a mission in supporting the no-fly zone over Libya, Mar. 20, 2011. Photo: USAF

Minnesota’s elected officials weigh in on Libya

By Andy Birkey | 03.23.11 | 7:49 am

Rep. Betty McCollum and Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar have given measured support for the United States’ military operations in Libya as a part of an international coalition of force in the region. McCollum wants congressional oversight before more operations commence while Franken is concerned about the costs. The rest of the delegation, some of whom were critical of perceived inaction by President Obama, have largely remained silent on Libya.

Franken, Klobuchar among signers of deficit-reduction letter to Obama

By Andy Birkey | 03.22.11 | 8:26 am

Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar are among 62 U.S. Senators — 32 Republicans and 32 Democrats — who’ve signed a letter urging President Obama to do more to reduce the federal deficit. Drafted by Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Republican Mike Johanns of Nebraska, the letter left many pundits scratching their heads: If so many senators are pushing Obama to engage in deficit reduction ideas, why haven’t they done it themselves?