Minnesota Independent

Bachmann chides Dayton over Medicaid expansion

By Andy Birkey | 01.24.11 | 12:57 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared at a press conference at the Minnesota Capitol early Monday to chastise Gov. Mark Dayton for signing an executive order opting the state into early Medicaid expansion to help provide health care coverage for childless, low-income adults. Bachmann said that “we are on a collision course with reality” over Medicaid, adding that Dayton must withdraw his executive order or a “lawsuit may be a possibility in the future.”

Gov. Mark Dayton. Photo: Kathy Easthagen, Minnesota Independent

Dayton signs executive order expediting permitting process

By Andy Birkey | 01.24.11 | 12:31 pm

Gov. Mark Dayton signed an executive order on Monday that would speed up the environmental permitting process of the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The order is similar to a bill proposed by Republicans and was one of their top “job creation” priorities.

At Medicaid signing, Dayton lends mic to tea party

By Andy Birkey | 01.05.11 | 11:03 am

On Wednesday morning, Gov. Mark Dayton signed an executive order allowing Minnesota to accept early Medicaid funding under the Affordable Care Act amid hundreds of tea party protesters at the Capitol. As the tea party booed Dayton, he handed over the microphone and allowed opponents to have their say. Among those speaking was Jake McMillian of Bradlee Dean’s controversial hard rock ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide.

Pawlenty fundraises off ‘ObamaCare’ executive order

By Andy Birkey | 09.02.10 | 8:30 am

Freedom First, Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s political action committee, asked members for donations on Wednesday following Pawlenty’s signing of an executive order barring state agencies from applying for health care reform funds from the federal government. The solicitation is sure…

Reaction to Pawlenty executive order swift

By Andy Birkey | 09.01.10 | 9:01 am

When Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order on Tuesday directing state agencies to refrain from applying for discretionary grants through “Obamacare,” the reaction from many quarters was swift and harsh. While most see the executive order as a crushing blow to Minnesota’s health care system and budget deficit, some say the impact will be minimal financially but could cause the legislature some headaches down the road.

Klobuchar on board for Holder, not yet with Feinstein on waterboarding?

By Chris Steller | 01.28.09 | 10:17 am

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will support Eric Holder’s appointment as attorney general today. Now peace activists want to know whether she’ll also support a bill to restrict torture. Meanwhile, the House is set to vote today on its version of Klobuchar’s bill to delay the national conversion to HDTV.