Minnesota Independent

School voucher debate riles Minnesota Senate

By Andy Birkey | 04.06.11 | 8:11 am

On Tuesday, Minnesota Senators debated whether taxpayer funds should be used to pay for private religious school tuition as part of an omnibus tax bill. Republicans hope the proposal, which is modeled after one in Arizona and has been dubbed a “backdoor voucher” system by some, will pass constitutional muster. The U.S. Supreme Court released a decision on Arizona’s system on Monday that could boost state Republicans’ hopes, but DFLers say regardless of the measure’s constitutionality it represents the GOP’s ultimate goal of “dismantling” public education altogether.

In Arizona, Pawlenty thanks tea party for ‘standing up to the ruling class’

By Andy Birkey | 02.28.11 | 8:42 am

Tim Pawlenty made a splash at the Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit on Saturday in Arizona. The former governor scored a close second in the event’s straw poll and threw plenty of red meat to tea party activists in his speech Saturday evening, including thanking the tea party for “standing up to the ruling class” which includes unions.

Pawlenty to headline tea party convention in Arizona

By Andy Birkey | 02.18.11 | 11:46 am

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to headline a tea party summit in Phoenix, Ariz., from Feb. 25 to 27. The “American Policy Summit-Pathways to Liberty” is being marketed as the official two-year anniversary of the tea party movement. Pawlenty will also be headed to Nashville to speak on a panel with Arianna Huffington and Bill Kristol in March.

Ellison: Palin’s political ride may be over

By Andy Birkey | 01.14.11 | 12:28 pm

Rep. Keith Ellison says Sarah Palin “may be looking at the end of her political ride” over remarks in which she used the term “blood libel,” a historical anti-Semitic canard that Jews sacrifice Christian children. Palin used the language in her video response to critics who have attempted to tie her rhetoric to the shootings in Arizona, drawing further criticism from Democrats and some Jewish groups. Ellison, on the Bill Press Show Thursday, said the continued controversy could hamper her political prospects.

Minnesota politicians send wishes to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

By Andy Birkey | 01.08.11 | 5:36 pm

Reps. Bachmann, McCollum and Walz have begun issuing statements and posting online updates in response to the shooting of the Arizona Democrat.

Minnesota group pushes for Arizona-style immigration bill

By Andy Birkey | 11.30.10 | 12:05 pm

Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform (MINNSIR) has begun a push for an Arizona-style immigration law for Minnesota, according to a posting on Confederate Americans for Secure Borders. The group’s leader, Ruthie Hendrycks, said she has spoken with members of the Minnesota Legislature who will be offering the bill in the upcoming session.

A rundown of the seven legal challenges to SB 1070

By Elise Foley | 09.03.10 | 1:30 pm

Arizona faces seven legal challenges to its SB immigration law — which is part of why the state needs the $3.6 million in donations it has

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Bachmann, Kline among 66 GOPers filing brief in support of Arizona immigration law

By Paul Schmelzer | 09.03.10 | 1:00 pm

Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline are among 66 Republican congressional members who signed an amicus brief urging an appeals court to uphold Arizona’s controversial immigration law, SB 1070. The brief, dated yesterday and filed by the American Center for…

Minn. students protest Arizona immigration law as it goes into effect

By Jon Collins | 07.29.10 | 1:51 pm

Echoing the 1960s Freedom Summer civil rights movement, four Minnesotans set off for Arizona this week to join hundreds of other young people working against the state’s new immigration law.

Emmer continues support for Arizona immigration bill

By Patrick Caldwell | 07.29.10 | 9:56 am

GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer released a carefully worded statement Wednesday night disagreeing with the court injunction against the controversial Arizona immigration legislation.