Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Rep. Laurie Halverson is pushing for $8 million in new funding for emergency shelters, street outreach and other support services for the homeless.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, March 26
Dear Editor, We were pleased to see, in Representative Laurie Halverson’s Eagan Patch blog post on March 9, that she included a section on her bill for $8 million to fund the Homeless Youth Act (HF 698). This bill continues to gain support from legislators as it moves through committees, but will need additional support to make it to the Governor's desk. On any given night in Minnesota, 2,500 youth must search for a place to sleep. They ride buses all night to stay warm, find a likely unsafe and unpleasant place outside, or try to get placed in one of only 108 shelter beds for youth in the state. It’s time for us to support our young people in crisis, and increase funding for the Homeless Youth Act. House File 698 would provide funding for…
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) for voting against the health insurance exchange bill.
To the Editor: On behalf of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Dakota County Regional Chamber, special thanks to Rep. Laurie Halverson, (DFL-Eagan) for voting against the health insurance exchange bill (H.F. 5) on the House floor Monday night. The business community believes a state-specific exchange will best serve the needs of Minnesotans, but we oppose the bill in its existing form. It raises costs for small businesses and individuals through a 3.5 percent premium tax and restricts choice. We commend Representative Halverson for looking out for the best interests of small businesses and individuals. Sincerely, David C. Olson, president, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Ruthe Batulis, president, Dakota County Regional Chamber of …
Monday, February 18, 2013
Eagan resident Tee McClenty weighs in regarding Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL) and Rep. Laurie Halverson's (DFL) support of a health care exchange.
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Dear Editor: I was saddened to see House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and Rep. Joe Hoppe attack Representatives Halverson and Masin on February 6 for their votes on the health insurance exchange. Reps. Daudt and Hoppe did not tell the truth about the Minnesota Exchange. While they claimed their colleagues voted for an Exchange Board “all who have absolutely no health industry expertise,” it’s simply not true. All of the following can serve on the board: Reps. Daudt and Hoppe want to represent the interests of the insurance companies, the wealthy corporations who continue growing richer at the expense of Minnesotans. Those companies want to …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Eagan Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) responds to Republican criticism over her support of a health insurance exchange bill in Minnesota.
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Last week, Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and Rep. Joe Hoppe wrote a letter to the editor attacking Rep. Masin and myself for voting to move the health insurance exchange bill to its next committee stop. Partisan, misleading attacks like these are exactly what people despise about politics and were a common complaint I heard from Eagan voters. The campaign is over, and it’s time for the legislature to do the work of the people. Part of that work is for legislators to have thoughtful and thorough debate on each bill in committee. For those who may not know, a health insurance exchange is an online marketplace where individuals, …
Friday, February 8, 2013
Eagan resident Paul Hoffinger supports the efforts of Representatives Sandra Masin and Laurie Halverson to implement health care reform.
- OPINION
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Friday, February 8
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Dear Eagan Patch: In a recent letter the Minnesota House Minority Leader and the Assistant Minority Leader made some unfortunate accusations rather than give thoughtful criticism. Their emotional statements are a disappointing contrast to earlier indications by the Minority Leader he would work with folks across the aisle. Representatives Sandra Masin and Laurie Halverson of Burnsville and Eagan have begun to address a health care system that doesn't reach many of those who most need it. The needs of public health require that we take precautions that can save industries years of lost employee time, and ensure a healthy populace which …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Eagan resident Mary Jo Koplos, who served as an election judge on Tuesday, submitted this letter to the editor for publication on Eagan Patch.
- OPINION
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Friday, November 9, 2012
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter| Blog for us I think I speak for all the Eagan election judges who served at the polls on November 6 when I say a huge THANK YOU to the girl scouts who left baskets of goodies for our "long day." This unexpected show of support and appreciation did not go unnoticed. I, for one, was very moved by this simple gesture and I know my fellow judges at my polling place were as well. It was only later that I learned it was an organized effort of the Girl Scouts Eagan Service Unit. Kudos to all! Mary Jo Koplos To submit a letter to the editor for publication on Eagan Patch, email Editor David Henke at david.henke@patch.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Nancy Hall supports DFLers Sandra Masin and Jim Carlson in their campaigns for election this year.
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us To the editor: I’m tired of all these false, negative mailers we’ve gotten accusing candidates of wasteful spending in previous terms of office and other phony attempts meant to discredit. Republican incumbents promised a budget for “living within our means”; instead we got a budget that borrows billions from our schools, protects tax loopholes for big corporations, and puts the budget deficit on a credit card. They are offering more of the same if re-elected. They have shown no interest in helping middle-income people. Jim Carlson has been a champion for funding for our schools that will let all our kids develop their full potential. …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Letter writer Cheryl Grady is dissatisfied with Rep. Doug Wardlow's actions and policies.
- OPINION
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us To the Editor: In the last two years, we’ve watched incumbent State Representative, Doug Wardlow, fixate on his partisan politics rather than making decisions based on what is best for our community. Representative Wardlow voted to borrow $2.4 billion from our schools, to raise property taxes on middle class families, to cut funding for seniors and the disabled, and shut down state government. Most appalling is that Representative Wardlow was proud of the government shutdown, stating “the time for compromise is over.” It is crystal clear Representative Wardlow has made his partisan political goals his priority at the expense of Eagan …
Monday, October 8, 2012
The fundraising event raised roughly $23,000 for the Eagan & Lakeville Resource Centers and Cheerful Givers.
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Dear Editor: The first annual Zest! event held on Thursday, Sept. 20 was hands down a success! The Eagan & Lakeville Resource Centers and Cheerful Givers are fortunate to have generous sponsors in Mauer Chevrolet, Home Federal Savings Bank, Superior Service Center, Xcel Energy, Thrivent Northern and Southern Dakota Chapters, State Farm Agent Nick DeVries, Don Stevens and Dakota Electric. Many thanks to our participating restaurants for their delicious, ethnic “tastes” —Andiamo Italian Restorante, Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill, Buca di Beppo (Burnsville), Gorkha Palace, Green Mill, Leeann Chin, Lost Spur, Qdoba, Rudy’s Red Eye Grill’s (…
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Eagan resident Dee Richards criticizes House District 51B Rep. Doug Wardlow's campaign tactics.
Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us To the editor: Looks like the political mudslinging has kicked into high gear. I recently received a negative piece of mail full of lies and distortions from Rep. Wardlow and his partisan supporters attacking Laurie Halverson. These types of attacks are all Rep. Wardlow has to run on, but don't believe the lies. Though he likes to brag about turning our budget deficit into a surplus, the truth is Rep. Wardlow and the GOP have left a $4.5 billion deficit for the next legislature to deal with. Despite his anti-tax pledge, the truth is Rep. Wardlow and the GOP voted to eliminate the Homestead Credit, eliminating direct property tax relief for…
TurningPoint
9:18 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Why stop at $8 million, why not $20 million? Where does the money come from? It will either come from more taxes or printing more money like the Feds. It is a nasty spiral this "tax and spend" as the private sector does not know what to do when it comes to future business investment. Jobs do not get created, people lose their jobs and the state then has to tax some more to pay for people who are … more ›