Learn more about what a health insurance exchange will mean for Minnesota

from Minnesota Budget Bites by Christina Wessel

Minnesota is in the midst of implementing another key element of successful health reform - a state health insurance exchange. The exchange will be an online competitive marketplace for individuals and small businesses to shop for health insurance, allowing them to compare cost and quality.

Americans deserve a presidential science debate

from Neorenaissance by Shawn Lawrence Otto

Every major policy challenge the nation is facing is either wholly or partly driven by science, and yet this year in particular we have seen every mainstream candidate for president in 2012 adopt one or more positions that run contrary to the best available evidence science has to offer.

Some Vikings stadium subsidy thoughts for the Minneapolis city council to ponder

from The Deets by Ed Kohler

While the Vikings already use the Metrodome rent-free, it would be far cheaper to renegotiate other terms in Wilf’s favor without going through the wasteful process of tearing down a 30 year old stadium so we can build a new one (with a 30 year lease). Every year squeezed out of the current Metrodome is a win for the public.

I.D.'ing the Problem II — The street where you live

from Mr. Dilettante's Neighborhood by Mark Heuring

 I think we need to taking voting more seriously. Let's be clear -- I understand why people bristle when you argue that voting is a privilege, rather than a right. If you are a naturalized American citizen over the age of 18, yes, you have a right to vote. But I will always believe that you need to treat your vote as precious and understand that when someone says it's a privilege to vote, they are saying something important about the meaning of voting.

John Cowles, Jr. — A continuing legacy

from Governor Arne Carlson Blog by Governor Arne Carlson

Legacies are largely defined by contribution to the well-being of others and have duration based on quality and value.  If that is true, John Cowles, Jr. will have left a meaningful and enduring legacy.  There can be little doubt about the lead role he played in defining our quality of life.

Animal art

from Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

COLORS, VIBRANT AND BOLD, first draw you toward Julie Fakler’s art in a current exhibit. But move closer and it is the expressive eyes that connect you to the subjects of her portraits, adoptive animals from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society in Faribault.

Sudden spring

from Barataria by Erik Hare

There is nothing to write about in old St Paul right now except the Surprise Spring of 2012.  It’s been 80F for days now, smashing old high temperature records by 10 degrees or more.  We’re all giddy from the June that fell onto us in March.

Summertime???

from Old and In the Way by Gary Sankary

Saturday was just surreal, 80 degrees on the shore of scenic Blake Lake, 100 yards out on the lake, where in the Summer boats would ply my neighbor was out standing on the ice fishing.

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