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.

GOP introduces ban on drug that killed Blaine teen

By Andy Birkey | 04.05.11 | 11:13 am

Four bills have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to ban a substance known as 2C-E, a “designer drug” that is being blamed for the death of a Blaine teen and the hospitalization of 10 more. Republicans in the House and Senate introduced a bill on Monday that would make possession and sales of the drug a crime. The move follows a similar pair of DFL bills introduced two weeks ago.

GOP rejects anti-bullying measure

By Andy Birkey | 04.01.11 | 1:06 pm

As the Minnesota Senate debated a K-12 education budget bill on Thursday, Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) offered an amendment that would strengthen the state’s anti-bullying laws. The proposal would instruct school districts to set up trainings for staff — from teachers to bus drivers — on how to handle bullying. The bill was defeated on a party line vote, with Republicans voting against it.

Republicans introduce bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy

By Andy Birkey | 03.07.11 | 2:55 pm

Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature introduced a bill Monday that would ban abortion in Minnesota after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act states that fetuses can feel pain after the first 20 weeks and creates a revenue stream for the state to defend the measure against lawsuits if it passes. It’s the fifth bill to restrict abortions in Minnesota offered by Republicans this legislative session, which began in early January. If the bill becomes law it would be one of the most restrictive in the nation.

Family Council to spend $4.71 million to ‘ignite’ gay marriage battle

By Andy Birkey | 01.27.11 | 9:00 am

The Minnesota Family Council has launched its “Ignite” campaign to “achieve cultural transformation” over the next two years. According to a brochure put out by the group, MFC plans to spend $4.71 million with the main aim of getting a constitutional amendment banning relationship rights for same-sex couples onto the ballot and passed by Minnesota voters.

GOP offers major overhaul to Minnesota’s voting system

By Andy Birkey | 01.26.11 | 1:00 pm

Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake and Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove unveiled the Republican plan to overhaul the state’s voting system at a press conference on Wednesday. Among the proposed changes are the elimination of vouching, implementation of a photo identification system, a ban on health care workers assisting voters in the booth, and massive changes to the recount process. Most of the changes reflect complaints by the conservative group Minnesota Majority, which Kiffmeyer ran several years ago.

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.