Minnesota Independent

Minnesota bills traced to controversial corporate group ALEC

By Jon Collins | 08.03.11 | 1:36 pm

A conservative national nonprofit that’s drawn criticism for allowing corporations to write legislation directly with state lawmakers can be traced to bills introduced in Minnesota last session. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been involved in the developing language here that would shield large corporations from consumer lawsuits and undermine greenhouse gas reduction goals.

A notice at state web pages dubbed "non-essential" during the shutdown

Campaign finance system threatened by extended state shutdown

By Jon Collins | 07.05.11 | 2:55 pm

As Minnesota heads into a contentious campaign season where the state is expected to be flooded with outside donations, the state agency responsible for documenting campaign contributions and lobbying disclosures is shuttered along with the rest of state government.

At shareholder meeting, Target stays neutral on gay marriage ban

By Andy Birkey | 06.09.11 | 8:18 am

Minneapolis-based retailer Target told investors on Wednesday that the company will not be taking sides on the anti–gay marriage amendment slated for the 2012 ballot. The shareholders meeting in Pittsburgh, the first held since a nationwide boycott targeted the stores last fall over its corporate contributions to Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, drew protesters critical of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and members of the LGBT community. Target’s announcement comes as Twin Cities LGBT Pride festivities get under way — an event for which Target is a major sponsor.

NOM founder Maggie Gallagher. Photo: Ed Kennedy, Flickr

NOM, Family Council register to begin fundraising for marriage battle

By Andy Birkey | 06.01.11 | 8:30 am

The National Organization for Marriage and the Minnesota Family Council have registered with the state campaign finance board to actively encourage voters to support an anti–gay marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot. The organizations are the target of an investigation by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board following a complaint that both groups failed to disclose lobbying efforts in the 2010 election.

RGA donated another $400K to Minnesota’s Future, according to federal filing

By Luke Johnson | 10.18.10 | 1:19 pm

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) donated another $400,000 to Minnesota’s Future LLC on September 21, bringing the total amount of RGA contributions to the group this election cycle at $830,000, according to an IRS quarterly report released Friday.

Complaint alleges GOP fund illegally funneled campaign money

By Andy Birkey | 09.30.10 | 2:09 pm

A government watchdog group said in a complaint filed with the campaign finance board Thursday that a trio of Republican groups conspired to conceal important campaign finance information. Common Cause Minnesota said the “scheme” was developed to avoid aspects of Minnesota’s campaign finance disclosure laws.

Target CEO apologizes, Common Cause pushes Target towards clean elections

By Jon Collins | 08.05.10 | 2:42 pm

After weeks of controversy, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel sent employees a letter apologizing for the company’s $150,000 donation to MN Forward, a group backing Republican candidate Tom Emmer, which drew fire from gay rights supporters due to anti-gay stances.

Pelowski pushes for government data reforms

By Jon Collins | 03.09.10 | 11:14 am

When a stubborn government official refuses to release public information as required under Minnesota law, a costly and lengthy lawsuit is often a citizen’s only recourse. But state Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, has authored a bill that will simplify, cheapen and shorten the process used by citizens and the media to gain access to public government information.

Pawlenty OK to unallot donor refunds, says judge; foes vow new suit

By Chris Steller | 01.12.10 | 4:56 pm

Common Cause Minnesota is “looking at bringing forward a case to reinstate the Political Contribution Refund program” after a judge ruled the program wasn’t immune to unallotment by Gov. Pawlenty. A new suit would advance the separation-of-powers argument that…

State Sen. Day to step down to lobby for racino, stadium

By Paul Schmelzer | 12.08.09 | 12:23 pm

State Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna) announced he’ll be stepping down to become the head of Racino Now, a group lobbying legislators to get slot and video games approved at Canterbury Park and Running Aces racetracks. (The URL RacinoNow.com is…