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Open Secrets Minnesota

Open Secrets Minnesota is the blog of Rich Neumeister. On his Blogspot blog, Neumeister says: "I am an ordinary citizen who cares about open government and privacy. I have worked on these issues at the Minnesota Legislature and elsewhere for 30 years."

Support your local police, turn in your neighbor as "suspicious"

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

Since 9/11. there's been billions of $$$ spent on homeland security from the Federal Government. Millions have come to Minnesota, about $13 $7 million has been spent to set up a fusion center called MNJAC (Minnesota Joint Analysis Center).MORE »

Under the radar, Minn HF 2435 legitimizes fusion center

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

House File 2435 introduced in the Minnesota Legislature will legitimize and authorize a fusion center in Minnesota called MNJAC. Since 2005, MNJAC has been under the radar of the public and the Legislature. In other words, many people do not know about it.MORE »

Did Gov Dayton take a dive on promise of transparency?

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

As I read the AP story on the Governor Dayton's change of heart of openness and transparency, I thought of two things. First, the office has changed the man. Secondly, why did he say one thing and then change his mind.MORE »

Met Council writes one thing, does another with legislation

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

Over the years I have read many sheets of paper that describes what a legislative initiative from government agencies are. The "cover" sheet is important because it lets people know, particularly the legislators, what the agency is trying to do. It serves as the government enity arguments and rationale for the bill.MORE »

A legislative trick at the Minnesota Legislature

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

Whether it's the usual process how laws are made, or other ways such as the bait-and-switch or sleight of hand, the public has a right to know what legislators are up to in how they make law. "Magic is successful because it is nine-tenths simple distraction", it could also be said it is truer with the legislative process.MORE »

Three bills that impacts our rights and liberties at 2012 Minnesota Legislature

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

Each session I anticipate proposals that can and will have an impact on our civil liberties, privacy, and open government rights. One has been introduced as a bill already, DNA Familial.MORE »

We're "all sinners" so government needs our data?

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

I observed and testified today at the meeting of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Policy Group on whether or not Minnesota should send millions of law enforcement records on Minnesotans to the FBI.  Some of the records are incident reports that police do when they are called by 911, or when a person calls for sMORE »

Minnesota legislature: Sunshine on personnel matters

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

There has been a bit of banter and hub bub in the media and the public about the employment situations of Michael Brodkorb, Executive Assistant to the Senate Majority Caucus Rules and Administration Committee and Susan Thornton, Director of the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources.MORE »

My privacy rights negated by "blackmail"

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

As I churn through my "early" autumn tears of life, I am more apt to visit the doctor. I did that today. As I got to the check in desk I was given a single piece of paper and asked to sign. I locked on to the words, "Notice of Privacy Practices" I thought it was a form to sign to acknowledge understanding of the notice.. I felt there was no need to sign such a form. And I stated that.MORE »

Gang cops rogue again?

By Rich Neumeister, Open Secrets Minnesota

Two summers ago and through that fall it was a tumultuous time when law enforcement was under siege and under the microscope by the public and the Minnesota Legislature for what the Metro Gang Strike Force had been doing--miscues with money and property, issues of accountability and oversight, and violation of people's rights.MORE »

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Free Speech Zone

The Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, and announcements. The opinions expressed in the Free Speech Zone and Neighborhood Notes, as well as the opinions of bloggers, are their own and not necessarily the opinion of the TC Daily Planet.
FREE SPEECH ZONE | Michael Cavlan For US Senate 2012 Update
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Keith Ellison-Muslim in Congress

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