It's been a big day at the State Capitol, with a transportation bill up for debate on both the House and Senate floors, and significant changes and compromises being proposed throughout the day. Read below for an update on today's action at the Capitol, along with other news and events that may affect your business.

Upcoming events:

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

• A $3 million street and utility construction project in Brooklyn Center moved forward as the City Council approved a feasibility report for Xerxes Avenue and Northway Drive. The proposed project, near Brookdale Shopping Center, includes approximately 1.3 miles of public streets, most of which were constructed between 1967 and 1982. Read the full Brooklyn Center Sun-Post article.

City of Brooklyn Park:

• Brooklyn Park Police Chief Michael Davis was sworn in February 11. He said he plans to use the four principles of modern policing - collaboration, empowerment, creativity and effective leadership - in the department. Read the Brooklyn Park Sun-Post article.
• Brooklyn Park has selected six candidates to advance in its city manager search. Semi-finalists include Waconia City Administrator Susan Arntz; former New Hope City Manager Dan Donahue; former village manager of Homer Glen, Ill. Dwight Johnson; Faribault City Administrator Timothy Madigan; former city manager of Largo, Fla. Susan Stanton; and Rosemount City Administrator James Verbrugge. Read the Brooklyn Park Sun-Post article.

• Organizers of the Home Remodeling Fair hope to give the environment a boost this year. The 16th Annual Home Remodeling Fair will be held 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, February 24, at Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7 in Hopkins. The fair, which is free, will feature a line-up of seminars and demonstrations for the do-it-yourselfer, with an added focus this year on environmentally-friendly - "green" - remodeling. Read the Hopkins Sun-Sailor article.

City of New Hope:

• Discussions have been held on a scaled-back proposal for a Holiday Station Store and Car Wash at 7180 42nd Ave. N., New Hope. According to the developers, the development would provide 27 jobs and feature 16 gas pumps, a 4,500-square-foot convenience store and a tunnel-design car wash. Read the full New Hope-Golden Valley Sun-Post article.
• Universal Color Lab will receive the first New Hope Outstanding Business Award in 2008. Read the New Hope-Golden Valley Sun-Post article.
   

City of Plymouth:

• The Park and Ride lot in northeast Plymouth will change locations. It will move from the Four Season Mall to the west and north sides of the Cub Foods store at 45th Avenue and Nathan Lane. Read the Plymouth Sun-Sailor article.

School Districts - General News:

• Is a raise appropriate when budgets continue to fall for school districts? The Sun-Post asked officials in four school districts how they made decisions regarding raises for employees in light of looming budget constraints. Read the full Sun Newspapers article.

Robbinsdale Area Schools:

• When teachers in Robbinsdale District 281 approved a new two-year contract in October 2007, the agreement specified that the district and union would reconsider Q Comp, the state's alternative compensation plan. The District 281 School Board on Feb. 11 heard a presentation on Q Comp, known formally as Alternate Teacher Performance Pay System. Signing on to Q Comp would mean the district would receive as much as $260 per pupil in funding, or about $3.3 million per year. Read the Sun Newspapers article.