Boy Scouts, charities collateral damage in sequestration

By   /  May 17, 2013  /  Minnesota, National, News  /  No Comments

Blue Angels give Boy Scouts and charities the blues by pulling out of air shows that financially support them. US Navy Photo.

By Tom Steward | Watchdog Minnesota
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — When the Department of Defense recently grounded the Navy‘s Blue Angels and Air Force‘s Thunderbird aerial acrobat squadron because of sequestration, dozens of air shows across the country were caught in the crossfire.
While the Pentagon estimated the maneuver could save about $30 million, it’s proving to be costly [...]

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MN can’t kick the habit, raises tobacco tax

By   /  May 13, 2013  /  Featured, Minnesota, News  /  7 Comments

MN cig tax & pack

A deal in the Legislature jacks up taxes at least $2 billion while ushering in a tax and spend, tax and smoke era that increases Minnesota’s dependence on cigarette and tobacco taxes and fees.

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Earmark ban leaves MN water project high and dry

By   /  May 9, 2013  /  City Government, County Government, economic development, Featured, Minnesota, News  /  1 Comment

Earmark Ban: Water pipeline left high and dry with cutoff of federal funding.

WORTHINGTON, Minn. — When Congress banned earmarks, few anticipated the $560 million Lewis and Clark Regional Water System would become a national poster child for the unintended consequences of the politically popular measure.

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MN local governments spend $1.1 million on lobbying Washington

By   /  May 6, 2013  /  City Government, County Government, Federal Government, Lobbying, Local Government, Minnesota, State Government  /  No Comments

Loophole lets more than $1.1 million in local government spending on lobbyists go under the radar.

By Tom Steward | Watchdog Minnesota
ST. PAUL — Minnesota governments and other entities spent at least $1.1 million on taxpayer-funded lobbying in Washington, D.C., in 2012, according to a Watchdog Minnesota analysis of federal disclosure information.
The findings, in combination with the State Auditor’s annual report on local government lobbying in St. Paul, put the total cost of [...]

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MN counties brace for ‘not so Affordable Care Act’

By   /  May 1, 2013  /  County Government, Health Care, Minnesota, News, Obamacare  /  6 Comments

Anoka County Board chair man says health care mandate "not so affordable for local property taxpayers".

ANOKA, Minn. — After years of rhetoric and rulings out of Washington, D.C., reality is hitting home as Minnesota counties scramble to implement and pay for what one frustrated county board leader calls the “not so Affordable Care Act” for local property taxpayers.

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