Schools = Big Gummint.Tim Pugmire at MPR writes: “A $15.7 billion funding package for public schools is under fire from Republican lawmakers, who say the measure up for a vote Tuesday in the Minnesota House would enlarge state government. ... Republicans don't like the education plan because it relies on tax increases to boost funding for public schools. They're also bothered that it adds new layers to state government and point to the long list of new offices, programs and advisory panel. State Rep. Kelby Woodard, R-Belle Plaine, said he thinks many problems can be addressed locally without growing the state bureaucracy. ... State Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, doesn't like the trend. ‘I mean you put a bunch of people in a room and create a commission, and typically you have more meetings than solutions,’ Thompson said. ‘I think frankly that's a way the Democrats are pushing their decision-making authority off to others, because frankly I think they know that all the tax and spending increases they're looking [at] are not going to be well received by Minnesotans’." If only the DFL would also take it directions from ALEC.
If you lost out in the contest to re-design downtown St. Paul, you’ve also missed the chance to take a whack at Minneapolis. In the Strib, Janet Moore writes: “Few cities of our size likely have a wide swath of undeveloped land smack dab in its center core. But we do, and it’s on the eastern side of downtown Minneapolis by the Metrodome. (Several blocks are owned by the Star Tribune.) For architects and urban planners, this is akin to a blank canvas for creative development ideas. Recently, the Urban Land Institute chose ‘Downtown East’ as the subject of its annual Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. Open to multidisciplinary teams of graduate students, the idea is to craft a long-term development plan that ‘creates value for property owners, city residents and the greater Twin Cities region.’ The competition was based on a hypothetical scenario in which two property owners evaluate the benefits and financial possibilities of enjoining their two parcels. The city provides an incentive to redevelop the site with public parking, affordable housing and a connection between ... Elliot Park and the Mill District. In the middle of it all, of course, is a billion-dollar Vikings stadium.” It looks nice, but I don’t see any e-pulltab kiosks.
Gotta love the spin ... It's only a business wire piece via The Wall Street Journal, but it says: “Capella Education Company, a provider of online post-secondary education, primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013. ‘We are pleased with our execution during the first quarter as we compete more effectively in a challenging market environment, while positioning Capella for long-term sustainable growth,’ said Kevin Gilligan, chairman and chief executive officer. ‘Our confidence in our ability to return to total enrollment growth in the first half of 2014 is increasing.’ For the three months ended March 31, 2013:
• Revenues were $105.2 million, compared to $109.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 3.8 percent.
• Capella University total active enrollment decreased 3.1 percent to 36,405 and new enrollment increased by 8.2 percent from first quarter 2012.
• Operating income was $15.2 million, compared to $17.9 million for the same period in 2012.
• Operating margin was 14.4 percent, compared to 16.4 percent for the first quarter 2012.”
Elsewhere in earnings reports ... . Beloved hometown airline Delta had a modest first quarter. The AP says:“Delta Air Lines is reporting a small first-quarter profit, as passengers paid more to fly. The world’s second-biggest airline says revenue rose even though it cut flying slightly.”
There’s been an increase in HIV cases in Minnesota. Christopher Snowbeck of the PiPress reports: “The number of HIV infections in Minnesota increased in 2012 after two years of decline, according to a report released Tuesday, April 23. There were 315 reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the state last year, an increase of 8 percent over the 292 cases during 2011, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The most recent peak — 370 cases — was in 2009. The report found that minority groups experienced higher infection rates than whites.”
Need something to do?The AP says: “Minnesota GreenCorps is now recruiting host sites and Americorp volunteers for the upcoming program year. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency launched the GreenCorps in 2009. The program works to reduce solid waste and increase recycling; reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants; reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality; and train new environmental professionals. The Minnesota GreenCorps program has placed over 100 AmeriCorps members in positions with cities, counties, school districts, universities and nonprofits in its first four years. ... The next program year begins this September. Applications to be a host site are due May 6, and applications to become an AmeriCorps member are due June 7.”
... Bring plenty of DEET. In the Duluth News Tribune, Steve Kuchera writes: “Put aside any wishful thinking that this year’s extended winter will reduce the number of bugs that bite, suck your blood or devour the leaves on trees. ‘I don’t think the late season and snow cover is going to kill any of them,” said retired teacher and area naturalist Larry Weber while talking about mosquitoes, ticks and blackflies. “I think they will all make it; it’s just that they will be coming a little bit later.’ The story is the same for forest pests such as army worms. ‘Most of the stuff we have is pretty well adapted’ to winter, said Mike Albers, a forest health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry. ‘I don’t think going late like this will have any significant impact’ in reducing pest numbers.”
The latest on the Senate version of the tax bill ...Bill Salisbury of the PiPress says: “More Minnesotans would pay a new, higher income tax rate under a bill DFL senators are proposing. But unlike plans released by Gov. Mark Dayton and House DFLers, the Senate measure would not create a new, fourth income tax bracket for the wealthiest Minnesotans. The Senate bill would raise the top income tax rate to 9.4 percent from the current 7.85 percent. That would mean tax increases for singles with taxable incomes of more than $80,000 and couples earning $141,000 or more. It would increase taxes on about 6 percent of Minnesota taxpayers, Senate Taxes Committee Chair Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, said in unveiling the bill Tuesday, April 23. It would raise $1.1 billion more for the state over the next two years.”
Authorities see serious premeditation in the March death of an Apple Valley woman.Marino Eccher of the PiPress writes: “A 36-year-old Apple Valley man accused of killing his wife and her unborn child is now charged with planning the crime in advance. A Dakota County grand jury returned first-degree murder charges against Roger Holland in the deaths of his wife, Margorie, and their 15-week-old fetus, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said Tuesday, April 23. He was originally charged with second-degree murder in both deaths. Those charges remain. The first-degree charges means the grand jury found evidence the March 7 deaths were premeditated. The day before Margorie Holland died, Roger Holland made Internet searches asking: ‘if you pass out and fall down a flight of stairs, can you break your neck,’ according to the criminal complaint against him. He made similar searches multiple times before that, Backstrom said.” Even on a bad TV drama, the guy would have used a public computer.