Opinions

Yes, there are hungry people in Minnesota

Last week Minnesota State Senator Steve Drazkowski (R-District 20) raised eyebrows when he declared on the Senate floor that he had “yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry.” He made the comment during debate prior to the vote on a bill to provide free lunches to all school students...

I Was Thinking... Taken for Granted

At the end of February, “60 Minutes” featured a story about life in the city of Kherson in Ukraine. While once under Russian occupation, they had driven the Russian army out but they had only retreated across the river. From this position, the Russians regularly bombarded the city with tanks and...

Infrastructure, tax relief bills on legislative agenda

It was another busy week at the Capitol, and I heard on the radio this week that Minnesota has had 100 consecutive days of snow on the ground and counting. As much as I’ve enjoyed building snowmen, making snow angels and drinking hot chocolate, I am ready for spring. Bring on the green grass,...

PUC approves Byron Solar project

Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission was in the news locally last week as the members unanimously approved a request by EDF Renewables North America to approve their application for the Byron Solar Project. The project can now move ahead although there are still a few issues to be worked out...

I Was Thinking... A Fabulous Body

You may wonder if my column has taken a radical twist. If you are wondering if I’m going to list the best-looking swimsuit models of 2023 or the best body builders of the decade, you will be disappointed. I want us to consider our bodies. Most of us probably would never rank our bodies in the “...

Midway point of Legislative Session is here

The half-way point of the 2023 Legislative Session is upon us with the first deadline looming on March 10th. A bill must be heard in a House OR Senate Committee by first deadline in order to progress in 2023 under normal conditions. Look for many lengthy hearings into the late evening hours during...

Township Day coming up March 14

To the Editor: Mark your calendar for Township Day on March 14. Every resident of Minnesota’s 1,777 townships has the unique opportunity to participate Township Day on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The annual meeting on Township Day is what really sets townships apart from other forms of localgovernment...

E-tab battle affects charities, communities

To understand the scope and impact of charitable gambling in Minnesota, consider the small town of Claremont, population 584, as an example. Claremont Chamber of Commerce shares its gambling profits with groups in Dodge and Steele counties. Last year, that amounted to $186,097. It’s no wonder...

I Was Thinking... For the Birds

Many of us in Minnesota feed birds in the winter. With our harsh winters, it seems like the right thing to do. But for the most part, we do it for the entertainment the wide variety of our feathered friends provide during the long days of winter. Our feeder is located on the corner of the deck, so...

Are you ready for ‘March Madness’

Are you ready for “March Madness?” I am talking about the penitential season of Lent. The journey through Lent that some denominations recognize and travel. For those who hold the season of Lent close in their hearts, it began on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and runs through April 6, 2023. In...