Sunday, May 19, 2013
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Friday, May 17, 2013
The law's chief author, who represents Southwest Minneapolis, said many senators who wanted to be at the ceremony on the Minnesota Capitol steps could not.
Minnesota state Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) told the Minnesota Senate Wednesday of his disappointment that "the doors of this chamber were locked" Tuesday—preventing senators from attending the large crowd assembled on the Capitol steps for Gov. Mark Dayton's ceremonial signing of the bill Dibble introduced legalizing same-sex marriages in Minnesota. According to The UpTake, "Republican Senators used a rarely invoked rule to lock the doors of the Senate chamber to keep members inside as they debated the bill to allow unionization among certain workers." Related: Day Care Providers Rally as Minnesota Senate Approves Unionization Bill Excerpts from Dibble's remarks Wednesday night: "I want to thank everyone on all sides of the issue …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
State Rep. Karen Clark told the Associated Press about recruiting Dibble to work for her. Together they shepherded their marriage-equality bill through the Minnesota Legislature.
The Associated Press describes the backgrounds of two south Minneapolis legislators—state Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) and state Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Minneapolis)—to make gay marriage legal in Minnesota: Dibble, 47, graduated from high school in the Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley and came out in college. He cut his teeth politically in the late 1980s as a member of the Minnesota chapter of ACT UP—a gay civil rights group that engaged in civil disobedience out of anger toward government neglect of AIDS and HIV sufferers. He got an early chance to join the establishment from Clark, who tapped him to run one of her re-election campaigns. "I pulled him from street politics," she said. Dibble was elected to the House in 2000, and in…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The new law's supporters and opponents traded claims and denials of bigotry.
When—if ever—is it fair to call another person a bigot? Leave your comment below. A flashpoint in the debate over Minnesota's new marriage-equality law was the use of the words "bigot," "bigoted," or "bigotry" in reference to opponents of making same-sex marriages legal. After the state Legislature approved the bill, the group Minnesota for Marriage said in a statement: Over one million Minnesotans will be forced to either affirm what they believe to be false or subject themselves to prosecution and insult as “bigots” ... under our law with the passage of this bill. 'You're a Bigot' On Monday at the state Senate, Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots. Sen. Dan…
Minneapolis City Hall will open at 12:01 a.m. the morning of Aug. 1.
On the first day that all Minnesotans are able to get married, Minneapolis City Hall will open at 12:01 a.m. for couples wishing to tie the knot. The House passed same-sex marriage legislation last Thursday and the Senate also approved it Monday afternoon. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law Tuesday night on the steps of the St. Paul Capitol. The law will go into effect Aug. 1 and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will be on hand to officiate weddings that day. Rybak tweeted Tuesday: On the first day that ALL Minnesotans can legally marry I will be at City Hall at 12:01am to officiate weddings http://tinyurl.com/csh7w3s A city press release talked glowingly of the historic city hall in Downtown Minneapolis: What better place to celebrate …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
‘Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home,’ the 5th District congressman said.
Fifth district Rep. Keith Ellison applauded Minnesota for becoming the 12th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. The Democratic congressman released the following statement Tuesday shortly after Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law: Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home. Last fall, the people of Minnesota stood against discrimination for loving, same-sex couples. Our representatives in the state responded. Today is a great day for those who know love makes a marriage. Once again, equality has found a home in Minnesota. The law will take affect Aug. 1.
Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate. Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis works for marriage equality, but it's her efforts in suicide prevention that have made her a local hero. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. When the news of the passage of the marriage equity bill by the Minnesota House of Representatives reached Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis, the first person she wanted to share it with was her wife of nearly eight years, Kathy Luebbe. Provis and Luebbe were married in Toronto, Canada, and for years she says they have played a game on road trips of “Now we’re legally married. Whoops, now we’re not.” The long road to marriage equity mirrors the journey Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis has taken professional and personally to arrive …
The Senate approved the bill in a 37-30 vote Monday afternoon. The governor is scheduled to sign it into law at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
On the heels of the Minnesota House's approval last Thursday, the Senate also approved a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry Monday. Watch the debate in the video window above or at The UpTake. Related at Southwest Minneapolis Patch:
Mike Hindin
10:40 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Welcome. I hope to see courses open to the public. A hospice is a wonderful service to our community. more ›