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The redistricting map approved by Olmsted County is a textbook example how to ensure cities, minorities, and urban poor are not given fair representation.  It is a shameful act of disenfranchisement that relies on fictitious principles of redistricting while ignoring real redistricting considerations.  As a result of the redistricting, Rochester is not likely to achieve the representation that the deserve.

The justification for the selection of “Option 15″ basically came about by weighing arbitrary or meaningless metrics while ignoring more important metrics.  Basic principles such and compactness, respect for political subdivisions, and respect for communities of interest (neighborhoods) were ignored needlessly. Read the rest of this entry »

There will be a meeting on November 17 from 5 to 7 PM at the Rochester Public Library to discuss our community bicycle masterplan.  If you want to say your piece, here is your chance.

http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/planning/trnsprtnplng/bpac/bikemasterplan2011/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/planning/trnsprtnplng/bpac/bikemasterplan2011/Pages/default.aspx

Here is a piece that I submitted to the Rochester Post Bulletin.  I reference data posted on this site.  Here is a direct link to LGA data.  Here is a link to the efficiency of our local government.  When I first became interested in studying the numbers I looked at a decade lookback.  However for some of the tax items it makes more sense to look post 2003 when some new tax structures began.

The real size of Rochester city government has shrunk 17 percent since 2003. Over that period, Rochester property taxes have increased 28 percent because of state Local Government Aid cuts.  Unlike some other figures that have been thrown out in the media, these are true and not misleading.
Read the rest of this entry »

I have been getting this question often and the answer is always evolving.  Here is the latest.

Question: What in Rochester is affected by a state shutdown?

Answer:

• July LGA biannual payment may not be made on time. LMC.org
• Here is a pretty complete list courtesy of the League of Minnesota Cities.
• Per Library Staff: Workforce development functions at the Public Library will cease.
• Per Public Works: Zumbro River Dredging project that we had intended to start in mid to late July, is a victim of the State Shutdown.   Corey Hanson, Mn DNR, called and told us we cannot work in the “Public Waters” during the shutdown.

I’ll update these as I hear more.

Attached you will find a great letter from and response to Councilmember Sandra Means.  The letter is well written and hits the nail on the head.  If the reporting is too burdensome, lets address that, but don’t ignore that fact that women continue to earn less then men. Read the rest of this entry »

The school district is looking for input on the next superintendent.  They created a survey that you can take here. Might I be so bold as to suggest that the next superintendent have thick skin and not read online comments…

The League of Women Voters will be hosting an event: Voter IDs? What’s it all about?  These events are always informative and well done.  I will be attending if I can get out of another meeting early enough. Read the rest of this entry »

Goal: Address Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau

Grade: B

Comments: To quote Tom Petty, “You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won’t back down.” Read the rest of this entry »

I found this article on the Star Tribune’s website. This is very similar to what has been happening in Minnesota, but Texas started with much less state support for programs. Texas is transferring costs from state government to local governments, just as Minnesota is doing by way of unfunded mandates, LGA cuts, and accounting gimmicks that take money away from schools.

Some interesting Quotes: Read the rest of this entry »

Fact Check: Did Throndson Oil’s property taxes go up 1400+% and then another 300%?

OK, so file this under 100 day old news that doesn’t matter.

It’s not just that this is wrong, but rather that it is so absurd that I can’t understand what he was thinking or how he got away with it. After fact checking this, I remain disappointed that it was never fact checked by the reporter covering the event even after I suggested he check that fact. Read the rest of this entry »