Each year, TwinWest partners with the communities we serve to present State of the City events. You'll hear about your city's accomplishments and plans for the upcoming year, including local economic development projects, services, and programs.

• Minnetonka State of the City
  Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• New Hope State of the City
  Tuesday, February 12, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• Golden Valley State of the City
  Thursday, February 21, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• Plymouth State of the City
  Thursday, February 28, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• St. Louis Park State of the City
  Thursday, March 6, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• Brooklyn Park State of the City
  Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• Hopkins State of the City
  Tuesday, March 18, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

• Representative Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) introduced legislation to amend Minnesota's constitution to allow the legislature to call for a special session without waiting for the governor. Under existing law, only the governor can call a special session, although legislatures in 33 other states do have that power. Carlson said this legislation would allow the legislature to respond more rapidly in emergency, and allow the Legislature more decision-making authority during the months it is not in session. If enacted during the upcoming session, voters would see it on the November 2008 ballot.

• Scaled-back plans for the Crossroads Corporate Center at the intersection of Hopkins Crossroad and I-394 were approved by the Minnetonka City Council on Monday night, several weeks after the project was stalled by citizen concerns. One floor (30,000 sq. ft.) was eliminated from the north office building to alleviate traffic and address height concerns. 120 parking spots in the attached ramp were eliminated, with height restrictions put in place on the ramp. A buffer also will be provided to neighborhood residents through extensive landscaping.

St. Louis Park:

• For the third time, St. Louis Park has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance. Criteria for the award includes academic attainment, rate of healthy behavior, rate of youth in foster care and in the criminal justice system, and history of community collaborations and partnerships, among others. Other Minnesota cities earning the award include Northfield, Mankato/North Mankato, St. Paul and Landfall.

Wayzata Public Schools:

• At a special meeting on Monday, January 28, Wayzata Public Schools' school board approved a contract between the district and recently-appointed Superintendent Dr. Chace Anderson. Anderson is currently the assistant superintendent for Edina Public Schools. The contract is for a three-year term, beginning on July 1, 2008, and ending on June 30, 2001. The contract includes language on the process for extending the contract beyond the original three-year term.

• The 12th annual Parenting Those Wonderful Kids free community forum will be held at Central Middle School on February 2. For more information about the event, call 763.449.9612 prior to the event, or 612.269.8631 on the day of the forum. The forum is sponsored by Wayzata Public Schools PTA and PTSO, Wayzata Liaison Committee, Wayzata Communities in Collaboration Council and Wayzata Public Schools.

Central Corridor Funding:

• The Central Corridor transitway between Minneapolis and St. Paul must reduce its overall projected cost by February 27 in order to qualify for federal funding. Read more from the Star Tribune here.

3rd Congressional Race:

• On Sunday, State Representative Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) officially announced his candidacy to replace Congressman Jim Ramstad in Minnesota's 3rd District.  Paulsen is the only Republican seeking his party's endorsement. Three candidates have expressed their interest on the DFL side: State Senator Terri Bonoff, Edina Mayor Jim Hovland, and Iraq war veteran Ashwin Madia.