DFLer Vows to Fight MNGOP Minimum Wage “Tip Penalty”

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State Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul), says she is disappointed that Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) has introduced bill that would reduce minimum wage to $8 an hour for for workers who earn an average of more than $12 hourly with tips. The bill will have its first hearing Monday in the House Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee. You can watch a live stream of the hearing starting at 12:45 p.m. on The UpTake. Murphy says she hopes the bill will be defeated in committee and not reach the House floor, but realizes that Republicans will probably pass the bill. She says she hopes the Senate or Governor Dayton will prevent the “tip penalty” from being signed into law. Continue Reading

Clergy: “The Few” Still Suppressing Voting Without Help Of Voter ID

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Minnesota’s battle over voter photo ID may be over, but it’s not forgotten. In 2012 Republicans put a constitutional amendment on Minnesota’s general election ballot barring citizens without a photo ID from voting. It was defeated. Reverend Paul Slack says voter photo ID is just one of many ways those who control the reins of power are trying to prevent more people from voting.  

“I think (voter photo ID) is about power, in people wanting to maintain power. Continue Reading

158 lives gone, homeless, but remembered

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The 30th Annual Minnesota Homeless March and Memorial began with a solemn ceremony in the frigid Minnesota winter at Hennepin County Government Plaza, continued with a march down Nicollet Mall, ending at Simpson United Methodist Church at 28th Street and First Avenue in south Minneapolis. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges participated in the Government Center ceremony surrounded by several hundred gathered to honor the 158 homeless who died this past year, many of them alone.

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VIDEO: “Dear unborn black son, don’t jaywalk, don’t eat sandwiches…”

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Minneapolis Southwest High School student Laye Kwamina reads his poem “Letter To My Unborn Black Child” at the Human Rights Day Rally on December 6, 2014. His poem, laden with references to violence against blacks such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, held the crowd spellbound. In it, he contrasted the stark realities of life for blacks in America with the unending love parents have for their children. He read, “Dear unborn black child, Don’t jaywalk. Don’t eat sandwiches. Continue Reading

VIDEO – Ferguson reaction in Minneapolis: Intense, peaceful, diverse crowd protests

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More than 300 solemn demonstrators rallied in front of a Minneapolis Police station on Tuesday to protest the refusal of a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the the killing of Michael Brown, a black teen. “Michael Brown! Michael Brown! Michael Brown!” chanted the crowd in unison. “Grand Jury — Phony Way To Clear Killer Cop” read one of the handmade signs. Continue Reading

DFL wins all statewide races, Franken holds onto Senate seat

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Statewide races went Democrats’ way in Minnesota with Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton easily beating their Republican opponents. Democrats also won the only statewide race without an incumbent as Steve Simon was elected Secretary of State. All statewide races – Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State – were won by Democrats.In Congressional races Rep. Rick Nolan turned back a strong challenge from Republican Stewart Mills to win Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Republican Tom Emmer will take retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann’s seat in congress as he easily defeated Democrat Joe Perske. Republicans were hoping they could finally defeat Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s 7th district, but Peterson won easily again.Republicans took control of Minnesota’s House winning key races in suburban and rural areas. Continue Reading