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Luke Ferguson

Minneapolis, MN
Commenter for
4 years 6 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 12/05/11 at 09:39 am in response to Polite but unhappy Hennepin County residents vent about property tax increases

Steve,

You raise some valid points. Property taxes are inherently unfair and need reformation. Our whole state, county, and city tax, budgeting, and spending structure needs adjustment so that each party can't just continue to blame the others for constant shortfalls.

That being said, I don't know how many fiscal cues we want to take from California right now...

Posted on 11/29/11 at 11:00 am in response to Minnesota's transportation system needs more money

Right now, consumers and businesses don't pay anywhere near what it costs to travel over roads. Gas and vehicle taxes and licensing don't cover what it costs to maintain a roadway, so other tax dollars go into roads.

This essentially subsidizes what it costs to move goods around the country, keeping prices on those goods artificially low. Especially considering the extra strain commercial trucking places on public roads.

Our current system is outdated and is not going to work...

Posted on 11/17/11 at 10:44 am in response to The day-care brawl is on

Rosalind,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe daycare providers have much, if any, lobbying presence at the state capitol. So I'm not sure why you think a union would provide "something they already have". Unions are great lobbying organizations, both in terms of pooling money to hire professional lobbyists and organizing members to contact legislators and make their voices heard.

Daycare providers get money from the state in the form of subsidies paid to low income...

Posted on 11/14/11 at 02:16 pm in response to New poll has Gingrich in lead

You have GOT to be kidding me.

Posted on 11/08/11 at 09:52 am in response to Tom Emmer talks about his campaign, the media and running again

Good Lord, Emmer, please don't burden the state of Minnesota or the Republican party with another bumbling attempt to run for office.

No one wants to watch that.

Posted on 11/09/11 at 09:54 am in response to Tom Emmer talks about his campaign, the media and running again

Ron,

Quoting Michelle Bachmann and fact-checking her assertions does not constitute an "attack article".

Your umbrage at honest journalism being directed at Bachmann just goes to further show the classic GOP allergy to facts and truth.

Had Brucato done any actual journalism on this piece, maybe we would have a better insight as to the methods of implementation and implications of Emmer's policy positions, rather than a few fluffy quotes and a nice plug for his radio show...

Posted on 11/08/11 at 10:52 am in response to State, Met Council want 'billions' from 3M for clean-up

Neal, you're awesome.

I hope Phyllis has luck. A publicly owned team would mean that the Vikings could actually bring profits to the state and its citizens from our significant public investment, rather than to the Wilf Consortium. NFL rules be damned.

Posted on 11/04/11 at 09:55 am in response to An aging breakthrough at Mayo?

James,

I think yours are both important points that are often overlooked.

The stadium the Wilfs want costs 1.1 billion. It is very high cost, and will be very low use, especially if it is in Arden Hills, far from the bars, restaurants, hotels, and transportation infrastructure that currently exists.

Posted on 11/03/11 at 01:24 pm in response to Vikings stadium in 'limbo'

James,

College costs have far outpaced the rise in salaries as well as the pace of inflation.

A college degree objectively costs more now than it did in the 1970s in inflation adjusted dollars.

I do appreciate your in-depth automotive analysis, however....

Slightly outdated, but still relevant source: http://money....

Posted on 10/11/11 at 10:00 am in response to Where is our Ferdinand Pecora? And other unexpected signs of the occupation

Eric,

I almost died laughing at the part talking to the guy with the "tribute to the best sign in the world" sign.

I am guessing you probably missed the influential (for 20-somethings, anyway) debut album release of comedian Jack Black's band Tenacious D in 2001. One of the hits was called "Tribute", and was not the best song in the world, merely a tribute to it.

In case you'd like to know what you're missing:...