Minnesota Independent

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.

Minnesota Capitol. Photo: Paul Weimer, Flickr

In wake of Citizens United, Dems seek constitutional amendment to define ‘natural person’

By Andy Birkey | 03.16.11 | 1:57 pm

Following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United, Minnesota Democrats are proposing a constitutional amendment to define an individual as a “natural person.” The 2010 ruling gave corporations certain rights as “persons” and allowed them to engage in new levels of political activity. Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis said the DFL bill is aimed at curtailing the idea that corporate entities have the same rights as human beings.

New bill aims to curb rising HIV rates

By Andy Birkey | 03.01.11 | 3:40 pm

Minnesota legislators have introduced a bill that would create Minnesota’s first public education campaign about HIV/AIDS. New HIV infections have spiked in Minnesota over the past two years, leading public health organizations to look for ways to curb the epidemic here. SF 466 would direct the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a statewide campaign that provides information both to the general public and distinct communities.

Anti-bullying bill dropped from special session

By Andy Birkey | 10.19.10 | 8:58 am

Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Jim Davnie announced Monday they won’t introduce the Safe Schools for All bill during the special session. Gov. Tim Pawlenty had rejected the call for tougher anti-bullying efforts, and DFL leadership was not prepared to back the measure. The duo offered the bills because of what they called a crisis of suicides by LGBT students in Minnesota this year. They will push for the legislation in 2011.

Pawlenty vetoes ‘death rights’ bill for same-sex couples

By Andy Birkey | 05.17.10 | 12:00 am

Citing his support for “traditional marriage,” Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill on Saturday that would allow a surviving same-sex partner to sue to recover damages in the case of wrongful death and to execute a deceased partner’s funeral wishes. Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, called the veto “partisan extremism,” and Project 515 said Pawlenty got his “facts wrong.”

Minnesotans react to gay marriage lawsuit

By Andy Birkey | 05.12.10 | 4:45 pm

Several politicians and groups have offered their reactions to a lawsuit filed yesterday to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Openly gay state Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, said the lawsuit is understandable but not the right route to go…

Dibble tapped for transportation post

By Paul Demko | 08.03.09 | 11:25 am

State Sen. Scott Dibble has been named chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures” Transportation Committee. The Minneapolis Democrat currently oversees the state Senate’s Transit Subdivision.

State Sen. Dibble spends Stonewall anniversary at LGBT event with Obama

By Andy Birkey | 07.01.09 | 12:49 pm

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, was one of 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders invited to a reception with President Obama on Monday. The reception, largely seen as an attempt to…

Anti-bullying bill passes in state Senate

By Andy Birkey | 04.17.09 | 7:15 am

Carl Walker-Hoover, an 11-year old charter school student from Massachusetts, took his own life last week after incessant taunting by fellow students. His story served as an example of the eminent danger some students face as the Minnesota Senate debated — and passed on Thursday — a measure to guide school districts in addressing bullying. It’s a measure that Senate Republicans vociferously opposed.

Sen. Koering explains his opposition to gay marriage bill

By Andy Birkey | 03.10.09 | 7:47 am

State Sen. Paul Koering took a lot of flack from marriage equality advocates and progressive bloggers in recent weeks because he says he won’t vote for a bill to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. In…