Habitat Day set for April 13

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Published on Monday, 25 March 2013 16:13

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hold Habitat Day Saturday, April 13

The Litchfield Wetland Management District (District) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will host “Habitat Day 2013” from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in Litchfield. The event has a variety of offerings to those of all ages interested in wildlife and habitat of our area. The event is free-of-charge.

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City of Kingston votes to remain a city

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Published on Saturday, 23 March 2013 16:10

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On March 12, 2013, residents of the City of Kingston voted on whether to dissolve the city and become part of Kingston Township. The exact question was: “Shall the City of Kingston dissolve and the territory thereof become the jurisdiction of Kingston Township.”

With just 100 registered voters in the city, the question failed with a vote of 36 against and 23 for dissolution.

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Week in Review, March 15

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Published on Friday, 22 March 2013 11:03

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This week at the Capitol there was significant movement on a number of fronts. Governor Mark Dayton released his revised budget proposal in response to the state’s most recent budget forecast. That forecast, which showed the state’s economy growing at a modest rate, showed an improved budget picture for the state going forward.

The governor’s revised budget proposal mirrors much of his original proposal with a few prominent differences, most strikingly the removal of the expansion of the sales tax on to services and clothing. The new plan also drops the governor’s original proposal to provide a property tax rebate of $500 to each homeowner. As was the case in his first budget proposal, the governor increases income taxes on the state’s top income bracket as well as proposes a $.94 per pack increase in the cigarette tax.

The governor’s proposal continues to call for an increase in state spending of approximately 8 percent for the next biennium. This would increase the overall General Fund budget for the state to just under $38 billion for a two-year budget cycle.

Other Happenings: The Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Economies Committee passed two bills that would both increase the minimum wage. One proposal would simply increase Minnesota’s minimum wage to match that of the federal rate of $7.50 per hour. Under current law, most Minnesota workers already make this amount, but it would provide an increase for some employees in the state. The other proposal, SF 3 (Eaton) would apply only to large employers and would increase the overall wage to $7.75 over a three-year span. Both bills were sent to the Senate Floor for possible action there. The Conference Committee on H.F.5, the Minnesota Health Care Exchange met and passed a final compromise. Some provisions were stripped out, including a provision to require Legislators to receive their health insurance through the exchange as well as a prohibition on providing abortion coverage in plans that are sold as a part of the exchange. The House passed the amended conference committee report early Friday morning. Final consideration in the Senate is scheduled for next week.

I was honored to have two bills heard in the Senate Environment Committee this week which were aimed at helping homeowners and others impacted by the CapX 2020 energy project. Both the proposals, S.F.455 and S.F.674 were passed on to the Senate Floor where they await final action. This week in the Senate Higher Education Committee, University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler presented a report which looked in great detail at administrative costs within the University. The report showed a few areas of concerns with staffing ratios in certain departments and the president committed to further study on those identified areas. Also this week, I had the privilege of presenting S.F.940, which would create a veterans preference for admissions into graduate programs. The requirement would apply to institutions with in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Because of the University of Minnesota’s Constitutional autonomy, the bill requests that the University also institute the preference for admission into their programs.

Senator Michelle Fischbach encourages and appreciates constituent input and can be reached by phone at (651) 296-2084, by mail to G 15 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Old Glory Run in Cold Spring May 18

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Published on Thursday, 21 March 2013 16:44

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The 18,000-member Minnesota Disabled American Veteran (DAV) organization is once again announcing plans for the sixth annual Old Glory Run in Cold Spring, scheduled for May 18.

This event was first organized by local Cold Spring/St. Cloud area volunteers Curt and Pam Karls in 2007. They have continued organizing and coordinating the event and have played a significant role in providing funds raised through this event to the Minnesota Disabled American Veterans organization. Minnesota State DAV Commander Bob Erickson recently stated “Curt and Pam Karls have become heroes to the veterans we serve in this Central Minnesota community.

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