Ortman’s changing tax tune
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Like its name suggests, the Minnesota Renters’ Tax Credit is a property tax credit for renters. It extends, in a limited fashion, property-owning based tax advantages to renters. Continue Reading
Environmental traps in legislation already set
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It’s no secret the new legislative majority has pushed a lot of environmentally unfriendly legislation this session. We’ve written about efforts to defund the DNR and the MPCA. Continue Reading
Un-Americans among us
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As budget battles roar, transportation has come into the spotlight in state and federal chambers, and modes of transportation have become needlessly politicized. A prime example of this is provided by our own State Representative Mike Beard (R-Shakopee), who chairs the House transportation committee.
Progress on our doorstep: who closed Porky’s?
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Porky’s Drive-In served its last cheeseburger over the weekend. Continue Reading
Chipping away at Sunday Blue Laws
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As you’ve probably heard, a bill is moving through the State Legislature that would allow Sunday liquor sales. It enjoys modest popular support but is adamantly opposed by liquor store owners. Why all the hoopla?
Remedial highway funding instruction
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Researching a recent story, I was watching a Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee hearing from earlier this session. I was disturbed to hear senators giving misinformed statements about transportation funding. Since the original hearing was six weeks ago, I assume the senators have received more accurate information. In case they haven’t, let’s go over some facts.
Another reason to complete our streets
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By 2025, nearly one in five Americans will be over 65 years old-a fact that carries policy implications across the board, especially transportation policy. Continue Reading
My public library’s tall order
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Six months ago, the Saint Paul Public Library published a strategic vision report, considering its role in Saint Paul’s community future. I missed this completely. But, it’s not too late to correct for oversight or cluelessness.
Green your home, but consider location, location, location
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The old “it’s all about location” mantra holds especially true when considering your impact on the environment. An interesting new study reveals technology can only go so far to reduce energy consumption.
Moving Minnesota’s Internet forward
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Several of those agencies and departments better known by their initials helped launch the country’s first nationwide broadband map last week-the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.