Political Archives - Page 56 of 63

Wisconsin Transportation Budget Picture Improves

May 30, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – Wisconsin’s transportation budget picture has improved by $93 million. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau on Tuesday told lawmakers that the roads fun will end the two-year budget cycle with nearly $102 million due to higher gas tax collections and lower debt service costs. The fund was originally projected to be just $8.4 million. The positive re-estimate comes…

Trump Still on the Hunt to Replace Comey

May 30, 2017

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is still on the hunt for a new FBI director after firing James Comey, and is conducing more meetings to address the vacancy. White House press secretary Sean Spicer says trump is scheduled to meet Tuesday with John Pistole, the former head of the Transportation Security Administration. Trump also is meeting about the FBI…

Counties Can Now Hire Private Financial Firms for Audits

Will Save Counties Money

May 30, 2017

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota’s Court of Appeals has upheld a state law allowing counties to hire private firms for financial audits. It’s the second such court ruling involving the Legislature’s 2015 law that ignited controversy. State Auditor Rebecca Otto challenged the law, arguing it was an unconstitutional breech of her duties that puts taxpayers at risk. Republicans who spearheaded the change…

White House Communications Director Resigns

May 30, 2017

Site Staff,

WASHINGTON (FOX NEWS) – Veteran GOP strategist Michael Dubke resigned as White House communications director on Tuesday, Dubke confirmed to Fox News. Asked about reports announcing his exit, Dubke told Fox News, “It is true.” He added: “It has been a privilege to serve this president.” Dubke said in a message to friends and associates that his reason for leaving…

Dayton’s Verdict Looms on Legislature’s Budget Bill

May 30, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – It’s time for Gov. Mark Dayton to decide: Should he sign the Legislature’s budget bills or veto them? The Democratic governor set himself a Tuesday deadline to act on budget bills. The Republican-controlled Legislature sent Dayton the remainder of a $46 billion budget last week during a three-day special session. Dayton has expressed some reservations…

Committee OKs Bills Sending More Kids to Troubled Prison

May 30, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Assembly Corrections Committee has approved two Republican bills that could send more kids to Wisconsin’s troubled youth prison for longer stints. Currently judges can sentence children 14 and older to the prison for up to three years for certain serious crimes. One bill would expand the list of crimes to include all felonies. The other…

Duluth Lawmakers’ Hard Work Helps Local Projects Make State Bonding Bill

The bonding bill includes more than $80 million in funding for many big Duluth projects

May 26, 2017

Matt Van Winkle,

DULUTH, Minn. – State lawmakers wrapped up a special legislative session by passing a state budget and a nearly billion dollar bonding bill. With the bill awaiting Governor Dayton’s signature, local lawmakers are calling this session a success for projects in Duluth and northeast Minnesota. “There was a lot of uncertainty, so we worked really hard the last few days…

Trump Budget Dismays Families Hit by Opioid Crisis

May 26, 2017

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) – President Donald Trump’s budget proposal weakens insurance coverage for drug addiction treatment and cuts back funding for research and prevention programs. Some see that as a betrayal of those who trusted his campaign pledge to make the opioid epidemic a top priority. Those most frustrated include parents of those lost to the epidemic who shared their…

Minnesota Legislature passes $46B budget in special session

May 26, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s Legislature has finished passing a $46 billion budget in a special session. It took three extra days and some horse-trading to win crucial Democratic votes. But the Republican-controlled Legislature passed its final budget bills early Friday morning. The overtime began Tuesday morning after lawmakers passed the constitutionally mandated deadline to finish a budget by…

Trump Travel Ban Blocked; Fight Headed for Supreme Court

May 25, 2017

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban “speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination,” a federal appeals court said Thursday in ruling against the executive order targeting six Muslim-majority countries. Trump’s administration vowed to take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 10-13 vote, the 4th…

Minnesota Budget Discussion Continues

Transportation Infrastructure Money Comes Forward

May 25, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Legislative leaders have released a bill to borrow more than $1 billion for public construction projects that includes more than $250 million for transportation infrastructure. The bonding bill is expected to the final piece of legislation that lawmakers take up during the special session, which was envisioned as a one-day event for Tuesday but entered its third day…

Finance Committee Approves UW Tuition Freeze

May 25, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee has ditched Gov. Scott Walker’s call to cut University of Wisconsin tuition by 5-percent. The Joint Finance Committee instead voted 12-4 Thursday to continue a tuition freeze for two more years. It’s been in place for four years. Walker said earlier Thursday that continuing the freeze would be a “huge victory”…

Wisconsin Budget Hits Snag

Budget Still Likely to Pass

May 25, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis.-A Republican state senator plans to vote against the state budget as it currently stands, complicating passage of the spending plan. A spokesman for Sen. Steve Nass said Thursday that as the budget stands now, Nass would vote against it. Nass spokesman Mike Mikalsen says elimination of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 5 percent University of Wisconsin tuition cut and…

Walker Signs Bill Allowing Minors at Music Festivals

May 24, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that makes clear that unaccompanied minors can attend music festivals where alcohol is being served. Walker signed the bill Wednesday. he says it makes sense to allow the exemption, which also exists for hotels, grocery stores, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and sports stadiums. Supporters in the Legislature introduced the…

Minnesota Lawmaker Aims to Make it Harder to Avoid Vaccines

May 24, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota health officials say there are almost 70 confirmed cases of measles in the state so far this year, and a state lawmaker is hoping to make it harder for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children. Minnesota Public Radio reports that nearly 2,000 kindergartners weren’t immunized against measles this year because their parents…

Legislature Misses Self-Imposed Deadline to Pass Budget

May 24, 2017

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Lawmakers at the Minnesota State Capitol have missed another deadline after working through the night to try to pass the two-year state budget. Gov. Mark Dayton called a special session immediately after the regular session ended on Monday at midnight to pass the unfinished bills, but lawmakers missed their self-imposed 7:01 a.m. deadline Wednesday morning….

Carlton Voters to Decide School Future

Referendum Up for Vote August 8th

May 23, 2017

Greg Chandler,

CARLTON, Minn. – The future of Carlton High school is up for a vote August 8th. That’s when voters in the school district cast ballots on a two question referendum. The first, to approve more than $23.5 million to renovate South Terrace Elementary and build a new high school on the site. The second would approve another $3.3 million for…

Multiple Bills Being Looked at by Wisconsin Legislature

Budget Talks Continue in Wisconsin

May 23, 2017

Site Staff,

MADISON, Wis. – College students would be eligible for more financial aid under a plan the Wisconsin Legislature’s budget committee has approved. Gov. Scott Walker’s budget calls for increasing state grants by $5.6 million for University of Wisconsin System students; $2.6 for private college students; and $1.8 million for technical college students over the next two years. The new money…

Trump Budget: More for the Military, Less for the Poor

The government hasn't seen a surplus since 2001

May 23, 2017

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Tuesday sent Congress a $4.1 trillion federal spending plan that promises faster economic growth and steep cuts to programs for the poor in a bid to balance the government’s books over the next decade. The proposed 2018 budget immediately came under attack by Democrats, and even some GOP allies deemed it…

Walker Threatens to Veto Entire State Budget

May 23, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Governor Scott Walker is threatening to take the unprecedented step of vetoing the entire Wisconsin state budget if it raises property taxes on homeowners. Walker tweeted the treat on Monday, repeating a warning he first made via Twitter last week. No governor has ever vetoed the entire state budget since 1931. That is the year the…

Minnesota Lawmakers Head into Special Session

May 23, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – State lawmakers are due back at the Capitol to wrap up work on the next state budget after a tense finish to the regular legislative session. Legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayotn struck a deal as time ran down toward a required midnight adjournment Monday. It included coming back in an immediate special session needed…

Minnesota Lawmakers Push to Finalize Budget Deal

Lawmakers Doubtful Deal will Pass; Look Toward Special Session

May 22, 2017

Brett Scott,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – One-hundred twenty days have passed since the Minnesota Legislature first started work on the state’s budget bill. Monday evening the clock is ticking before the state constitution calls for a deal to be reached or the session will end without an agreement in place, resulting in a special session. “It’s compromise and it’s democracy and it’s…

Minnesota lawmakers enter final day to wrap up budget

May 22, 2017

Natalie Froistad,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers are down to their last day to wrap up several major budget bills to avoid needing extra time to finish the work of the legislative session. The House and Senate reached deals late Sunday on water buffers to pass an environment bill and agreed on funding for colleges and universities over objections from…

Retired Denfeld Teacher Announces Run For Duluth School Board

May 21, 2017

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. (Press Release) – A retired teacher of the Duluth School District, Jill Lofald, has announced she is running for the School Board Dist. 4 seat and will run against current board member Art Johnston. Below is a press release from Lofald: *Retired Denfeld Teacher – English-Speech-Theater. * Speech and Debate Coach for Denfeld and East students. We have…

GOP Lawmakers Crafting Budget Bills to Send Dayton

Republicans, Governor Face Monday Deadline for Budget Deal

May 20, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota’s Republican lawmakers started working over the weekend on several budget bills to send to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. But the governor hasn’t indicated he is willing sign any of the bills that come out of Saturday’s committees. He said he was blindsided by the GOP’s second attempt to push forward legislation without an agreement. The…

Hakes Considers Congressional Run

Former Cook Co. Commissioner May Run for the 8th District Seat

May 20, 2017

Greg Chandler,

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – Former Cook County Commissioner Sue Hakes announced she formed a Congressional Exploratory Committee to look into running for Minnesota’s 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. “When I think about Minnesota’s 8th District, I think people first” Hakes said in a press release. “I want to fight the current administration’s budgetary goals which chip…

Jan Swanson Commits To Council Run

Jan Swanson Kicked Off Her Campaign Tonight

May 19, 2017

Joey Norton,

Duluth, Minn. An at large candidate has put her name on the ballot to possibly become part of the Duluth City Council. Jan Swanson kicked off her campaign tonight at the Incline Station. There she met with residents and shared what would be her platform. She plans to focus on three things. Lowering taxes to drive more businesses to the…

Supreme Court Review Sought in Sex Offender Program Case

May 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Attorneys for more than 700 residents of Minnesota’s sex offender treatment program are taking their case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The attorneys filed a petition Friday asking the nation’s highest court to review their case. They claim the Minnesota Sex Offender Program is unconstitutional because only a handful of offenders have ever been granted provisional release….

Budget Battle Continues in Minnesota Legislature

Still $1 Billion Apart on Spending Between Democrats and Republicans

May 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton have resumed negotiations aimed at settling the state budget. The two sides were back in talks Friday behind closed doors, with a Monday deadline for the Legislature to adjourn. They traded offers earlier in the week but progress froze Thursday. They are roughly $1 billion apart…

REAL ID: What You Need to Know

May 19, 2017

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesotans will be able to get a REAL ID compliant driver’s license and ID card next year, under a law signed by Governor Dayton, Thursday. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS- DVS) will begin the process of meeting federal requirements set by the REAL ID Act, which was enacted in 2005….

Minnesota Bill Against Genital Mutilation Raises Concern

May 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some members of Minnesota’s immigrant and refugee communities are opposing legislation that would impose stiff penalties for parents involved in female genital mutilation, slowing the bill’s momentum in the Legislature. The Star Tribune reports that nonprofit group Isuroon, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage and other groups say the legislation carries overly harsh punishment…

Local Projects Rely on Yet-to-Be-Passed State Bonding Bill

Projects Like Duluth Steam Plant and St. Louis River Clean-Up Need State Funding

May 18, 2017

Andrew Kirov,

DULUTH, Minn. – The deadline is Monday for this year’s Minnesota legislative session to adjourn, and with no budget agreement in place yet, elected officials from all over Minnesota have been in St. Paul calling attention to the needs of cities across the state. Projects like the Duluth International Airport runway reconstruction and the St. Louis River clean up need…

Dayton Vetoes Bill for Teacher Licensing Overhaul

May 18, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton has vetoed a bill that would have overhauled the way Minnesota licenses teachers. The proposal, which passed both chambers with bipartisan support, would have created a new licensing board and a four-tiered licensing system, making it easier to license teachers who are trained out of state or have unconventional backgrounds. Supporters say…

REAL ID Finally a Done Deal in Minnesota

Tim Blotz - Fox 9 KMSP

May 18, 2017

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota lawmakers have reached a deal to get the state in compliance with the federal REAL ID law. The compromise bill passed the House on a 120-11 vote late Wednesday afternoon, then passed the Senate on a 57-8 vote. Thursday morning, Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill, making Minnesota the last state in the nation…

First On FOX: Former Superior Councilor’s Ex-Fiance Vying For His Seat

'It's In No Way Revenge Or Anything Like That'

May 17, 2017

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The ex-fiancé of former Superior city councilor Graham Garfield broke her silence first to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Wednesday. Kara Schmidt talked about the incident that lead to four domestic abuse charges against Garfield, as well as her jump into the race to replace Garfield’s former council seat. “It’s heart shattering. I didn’t expect my whole life…

Wisconsin Democrats Push for Statewide Use-of-Force Policies

May 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic lawmakers from Madison and Milwaukee want to set statewide standards for when and how law enforcement officers should use deadly force. Representatives Chris Taylor, Evan Goyke, and David Bowen and Senator LaTonya Johnson held a news conference Tuesday to introduce a package of bills. The proposals would require law enforcement agencies across the state to…

Minnesota Lawmakers Set to Vote on Federal ID Standards

May 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota legislators finally appear to have a deal on Real ID, the enhanced identification that’ll eventually be required to pass airport security. Minnesota Public Radio reports the deal to bring the state’s driver’s licenses and identification cards up to federal security standards was delayed by a dispute over giving driver’s licenses for immigrants without proper…

Superior Common Council to Hold Special Election for 6th District Seat

May 17, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

SUPERIOR, Wis – The City of Superior Common Council has announced it will be holding a Special Election on April 3, 2018 to fill the vacant 6th District Aldermanic position, formerly held by Graham Garfield who stepped down earlier this month. Until the Special Election, the Council is seeking applicants to fill the position for a one-year term. Qualified applicants…

Superior Councilors Approves Application Process For Vacant Council Seat

City Council Will Chose New Councilor During June 6th Meeting

May 16, 2017

Joey Norton,

Superior, Wis. – Superior city councilors convened Tuesday to move forward with the resignation of councilor Graham Garfield who is facing four charges of domestic abuse. Councilors officially accepted Garfield’s resignation Tuesday night. They also made a decision on what to do with the vacant council seat. In a vote across the board councilors chose to appoint someone to Garfield’s…

With 6 Days to go, Legislative Leaders Resume Budget Talks

May 16, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s legislative leaders are back to the negotiating table in search of a budget deal. The Legislature has less than a week to finalize a new, two-year budget. But first Gov. Mark Dayton and Republicans who control the Legislature have to resolve the mountain of differences in their budget plans. The two sides resumed meeting…

White House: Cyberattack has not Affected US Government

May 15, 2017

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser says that so far, no U.S. federal systems have been affected by the global cyberattack. Tom Bossert says the U.S. government has been closely monitoring the attack, which has affected an estimated 300,000 machines in 150 countries. He said a few U.S. businesses, including FedEx were affected. Computers across the world…

Johnson Calls Possible Trump Recording “Troubling”

Wisconsin Senator Not Calling for Special Investigator

May 13, 2017

Greg Chandler,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says it “would be troubling” if President Donald Trump recorded conversations with former FBI Director James Comey. Trump tweeted Friday that Comey “better hope that there are no `tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press.” Johnson told reporters Saturday he interpreted that to mean Comey may have…

Gov. Dayton Reels One In at Opener

The Governor Caught a Smallmouth Bass

May 13, 2017

Greg Chandler,

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) Gov. Mark Dayton caught a 3-pound, 17-and-a-half-inch bass during the annual Governor’s Fishing Opener. The Democratic governor shared a pontoon boat with Republican legislative leaders on Saturday. They went out on the Mississippi River in St. Cloud. Dayton told reporters that no one discussed the budget, after talks stalled last week. He says budget talks will…

Walker to Tell Republicans He’s ‘Ready’ for Run

May 12, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Governor Scott Walker plans to tell Republicans that he’s ready to run for re-election next year. Walker has been indicating for months he’ll seek a third term in 2018. Excerpts released Friday of his Wisconsin Republican Party convention speech show he’s going to tell party insiders on Saturday that he sees no reason not to. Walker…

Blame Game Heats Up at Minnesota Capitol as Budget Work Hits a Standstill

May 11, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Legislature’s budget work is at a standstill. Lawmakers have until May 22 to wrap up a new, two-year budget, but Republicans in the Senate couldn’t pass any budget bills Thursday for a second day. A GOP senator’s absence left them without the necessary votes, and Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders weren’t negotiating….

City Council Approves More Waterfront Re-Zoning

Agreement Also Includes Possibility of Expanding Lakewalk

May 10, 2017

Greg Chandler,

DULUTH, Minn. – Soon, a walk along the Lakewalk may entirely be along the lake. On Monday, Duluth’s city council unanimously approved re–zoning for the 2200 block of Water Street. As part of the re–zoning, the city hopes for an easement with the property owner, Duluth-based Titanium Partners, to extend the Lakewalk through Beacon Point and the Ledges townhomes. Duluth…

Dayton Vetoes 2 GOP-Backed Abortion Bills

May 10, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton has vetoed two GOP-backed bills that sought to limit abortions in Minnesota. The bills would have restricted public health programs from covering the procedure and created a permitting system for facilities that perform abortions. Republicans who control the Legislature argued greater protections were necessary both for the safety of women and for…

Jeff Johnson to Make Second Run for Minnesota Governor

May 10, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republicans’ candidate for governor from 2014 is running again in 2018. Jeff Johnson announced a bid for the open seat Wednesday. The Hennepin County Commission lost to Governor Mark Dayton by roughly 5 percentage points in 2014. But Dayton isn’t running for a third term, setting off a scramble to replace him in what is…

Wisconsin Assembly Approves Stiffer Ignition Interlock Rule

May 10, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The state Assembly has approved a bill that would create stiffer ignition interlock rules for drunken drivers. The bipartisan-supported measure passed Wednesday would prohibit all repeat offenders as well as first-time offenders with a blood alcohol percentage of 0.15 or greater from drivinga ny vehicle without an ignition interlock. State law already requires all offenders to…

Planning Commission OKs Land Change For Possible Kwik Trip

May 9, 2017

Joey Norton,

Duluth, Minn. — The Duluth Planning Commission voted Tuesday night to change a portion of land near the Proctor border from residential used to mixed-use. This come as Kwik Trip wants to move into the area. The location is on Boundary Avenue and U.S. Hwy 2. It was one week ago when residents from Proctor packed a Kwik Trip open…