Charter Lessons, Seat Belts, Summer Work, Dollar Homes, and Shifting Wind
June 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm By Chris ShieldsHere’s what’s making news in Minnesota today:
Star Tribune: A tough lesson in school fraud case
Minnesota 2020′s recent report influences opinion and policymakers.
“Local think tank Minnesota 2020 issued a report questioning the finances of many charter programs. It concludes that the state should reconsider whether charter schools are worthy of public funding at all. And a St. Paul legislator said he plans to introduce even tougher reform next year, including a two-year moratorium on new charters.”
Willmar WCT: Minnesota’s new seat belt law goes into effect Tues.; fine to be $25
Seat belts save lives. Accidents cost taxpayer money. Don’t buy into the straw man arguments both on the left and right.
Mankato Free Press: Summer work dries up
“Kaylie Erickson says she’s one of the lucky ones.
The 21-year-old college student spends her summer days watering flowers and trimming bushes as a city of Mankato seasonal worker. In other words, she’s employed. Which is more than she can say for some of her friends.”
Pioneer Press: St. Paul offering Dayton’s Bluff homes for as little as $1 to willing rehabbers
Great neighborhood development idea.
“For as little as $1, the city of St. Paul will sell you a Dayton’s Bluff home on the cheap. But in exchange for an unbelievably good deal, the city is requiring prospective homebuyers to put in the time and money to restore the houses to their former glory.”
AP: Pipestone wind turbine plant laying off up to 160 (via MPR)
Not good…
“According to a letter sent to city officials, Suzlon will make the first round of layoffs at the Pipestone turbine blade plant by Aug. 2. Another 90 job losses will likely be added to that tally.
Pipestone Mayor Laurie Ness says the news is “crushing blow” to the city.”
MPR: Willmar finishes construction of wind turbines
I thought it was good to leave you with some good wind turbine news.
“The city of Willmar is finishing construction of two wind turbines. This is the first step the west-central Minnesota city is taking to help meet a state mandate that 25 percent of Minnesota’s energy, including fuel, comes from renewable resources by 2025.”
LikeTags: Charter Schools, Housing, Jobs, Seat Belts, Wind Power
