Senator Coleman will hold a Town Hall Forum the afternoon of Monday, November 19, to address the mortgage crisis affecting distressed homeowners across the state. The purpose of the forum is to address federal and state efforts to assist these homeowners, and identify the situation's root causes so similar crises can be avoided in the future.

WHAT: Housing Town Hall Forum

 

WHERE: Greater Twin Cities United Way

404 South Eight Street

Minneapolis, MN 55404-1084

 

WHEN: Monday, November 19, 2007

2:30 - 4:45 p.m.: Official event

2:15 p.m.: Media availability

Today, Governor Pawlenty and nine leaders representing Midwest states and the Canadian Province of Manitoba signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

"This accord represents a regional approach to examining solutions that will allow Minnesota and the region to attain a cleaner and more secure energy future. In addition, the accord addresses provisions in the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 that required, among other items, examining regional approaches to secure greenhouse gas reductions and mechanisms to implement reductions. This legislation was passed overwhelmingly by the legislature and signed by the Governor in May 2007." (Go here for details on the provisions of the legislation.)

"Importantly, a regional accord on these issues will assure having every state involved in policy approaches addressing renewable energy standards and greenhouse gas reduction. Such a regional approach - which has already been moving forward in other areas of the country - reduces the possibility of one state having a competitive economic advantage over a neighbor because they may choose to follow different policies. Regional approaches on these issues make the most economic sense for Minnesota and our neighbors by assuring consistency and positioning our region as national leaders on these important issues, technologies, and research."

Members of the Minnesota House Early Childhood Learning Finance Committee and the Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Early Childhood met on Tuesday morning at the Winnetka Learning Center in Robbinsdale. Their agenda centered on a discussion of early childhood education programs for 3- to 4-year-olds. Presentations were delivered by: the Robbinsdale Family Literacy program; the Robbinsdale School Readiness Program; the Parent-Child Home Program - Jewish Family & Children's Service; the MN Early Learning Foundation; the "Caring for Kids Child Care Initiative"; and the MN Child Care Association.

TwinWest representatives also took part in the program. Bob Wittman, Robbinsdale Area Schools, and David Lenzen, Liberty Diversified Industries, highlighted their pilot program designed to provide education and resources to LDI employees to help them prepare their children (and grandchildren) for success in school. Barbara Yates from the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation also singled out LDI in her testimony as a strong example of the positive impacts that the business community can have on early childhood education efforts.

For more information about TwinWest's involvement in early childhood education policy and programs, contact Jason Flohrs, director of government affairs, at 763.450.2225 or jasonf@twinwest.com.

Hennepin County businesses are joining school districts and residential curbside programs to collect organics for recycling. Through organics recycling, businesses are reducing their trash disposal, increasing their recycling and saving money. Organics include: all food scraps, such as meat, bones and dairy products; food-soiled paper, such as paper towels, napkins, plates, milk and juice cartons; and boxes from frozen and refrigerated foods. 

The county has turned its attention to businesses because of the potential to divert vast amounts of waste from landfills and incinerators. About half of the county's waste - a half million tons every year - comes from businesses. Typically 80 percent or more of the trash produced in commercial kitchens and cafeterias is compostable. About 10 tons of organics are picked up from Hennepin County businesses each week by Randy's Sanitation and delivered to Resource Recovery Technologies in Empire Township in Dakota County for composting. The finished compost is used in professional landscaping and road construction projects.

• The recommendations of Brooklyn Park's Budget Advisory Council (BAC) were not what some members of the Brooklyn Park City Council expected. At the November 5 council meeting, BAC Chairperson Randi Roller suggested a 2008 budget that represents a 7.5 percent tax impact increase from this year. In August, the city manager proposed a $34.5 million budget that represented a 10.2 percent tax impact increase from 2007. The BAC's proposal means the city's portion of property taxes for a median value home, one that costs $248,200, would increase by about 10 percent. Read more about the city's budget in the Sun Newspapers article and on the city's Web site.

Crystal:

• On November 7, the Metropolitan Airports Commission Finance, Development and Environment Committee refrained from deciding whether to close or reduce runways at the Crystal airport. Committee members said they wanted more time to review a staff recommendation to close two of the airport's four runways. A MAC staff report presented at the meeting indicated there's not enough air traffic to justify four runways at the airport. But, the report advised also that closing the airport would harm the metropolitan airports system. Read the Sun Newspapers article, and read more on the city's response here.

Hopkins:

• Curious about what's happening to the North Annex site (Excelsior Crossings), or interested in finding out more about the proposed developments on the east end of Mainstreet? Look for information about these projects and others on the New Developments page of the city's Web site.

Minnetonka:

• The city of Minnetonka will host its annual budget hearing Monday, December 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Minnetonka City Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka. For more information, see City of Minnetonka's 2008 budget.
• If you have questions about construction projects in the city - from roads, to sewer and water utilities, to drainage and storm sewers - visit Minnetonka's City Projects page.
• Ridgedale Shopping Center has recently completed its interior renovation. Italian tile has been installed on the lower level of the center, with comfortable carpet on the upper level. Additional elements include: new light fixtures, fresh paint, and two completely remodeled sets of restrooms. Check out these renovations as you do your holiday shopping!

New Hope:

• This week, the New Hope City Council is expected to name Acting City Manager Kirk McDonald to the permanent position. McDonald also serves as the city's community development director. Read the Sun Newspapers article. Congratulations, Kirk!

Plymouth:

• If you're interested in playing a critical role in Plymouth's emergency preparedness efforts, consider applying to be part of a new Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) the Plymouth Police Department is forming. The Plymouth Police Department is seeking volunteers to provide critical support to firefighters, police officers, and paramedics at emergency scenes and disaster sites. Members of the 35-member CERT will be trained to assist in the response and recovery phases of natural and human disasters. Get more information here (PDF).
• Plymouth reworked its vision for its city center and found that a conventional walkable downtown won't work in this setting. It has lifted the moratorium on new development that was enacted six months ago. Read the Star Tribune article.