Minnesota Independent

Minnesota Capitol. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Rep. Buesgens stopped in possible violation of probation

By Andy Birkey | 03.18.11 | 8:37 am

Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) was stopped by a Scott County sheriff’s deputy on Wednesday night and blew a 0.008 on a breathalyzer test. Buesgens is on probation for a DWI conviction last summer that occurred on the same day he was representing the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. According to the Shakopee Valley News, Buesgens allegedly violated his probation by drinking and driving.

Bipartisan bill aims to aid economy with hemp production

By Andy Birkey | 03.02.11 | 9:03 am

A bipartisan slate of 30 legislators — from liberal Minneapolis Rep. Phyllis Kahn to conservative Rep. Mark Buesgens of Jordan — are proposing legislation to allow Minnesota farmers to grow industrial hemp. The Industrial Hemp Development Act would legalize hemp plants while maintaining strong restrictions on marijuana possession. The bill even includes the collection of fees from farmers as revenue to run the program; during time of budget deficits, it won’t cost the state anything.

Buesgens attended event as Emmer representative on day of DWI arrest

By Andy Birkey | 09.21.10 | 8:52 am

Rep. Mark Buesgens, who was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, has worked for GOP candidate Tom Emmer as past campaign manager and more recently as campaign chair. While Emmer representatives told the Star Tribune that Buesgens left the campaign on Sept. 12, the Minnesota Independent has learned that Buesgens spoke at a tea party event as a representative of the Emmer campaign the same day he was arrested.

Buesgens faces primary challenge, comparisons to Patrick Henry

By Jon Collins | 07.29.10 | 2:29 pm

Tom Rees,the Republican primary challenger to state Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, previously served in the legislature from 1979 to 1986, back when state GOPers still called themselves Independent Republicans. Since 2006, he’s challenged (and sometimes ridiculed) Buesgens, a vocal, almost-libertarian…

Supreme court rejects MN Majority case against Ritchie

By Andy Birkey | 07.24.09 | 4:27 pm

A lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie by the conservative Minnesota Majority and a handful of Republican lawmakers and activists was dismissed by the Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday.…

Maplewood follies: Plan to ban deceptive group names shot down

By Paul Demko | 02.20.09 | 8:38 am

Minnesota’s most notoriously acrimonious municipality was front and center in the Capitol on Thursday. At issue: a proposal to prohibit the use of intentionally deceptive names in political campaigns.