Andy Birkey

Minneapolis receives $1.5 million in foreclosure relief

The Minneapolis Advantage, a program to encourage home ownership in foreclosure impacted neighborhoods, will receive an infusion of cash which will triple the program’s current budget. Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines awarded the city $1.5 million to continue the program.

‘No new taxes’: T-Paw faces record deficit with familiar mantra

As the 86th two-year session of the Minnesota legislature gets under way, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says there’s at least one option off the table to fix a state budget that faces a $4.8 billion shortfall: raising taxes.

Lesbian couple loses appeal in health club discrimination case

A Minnesota appeals court judge upheld a ruling that found it legal for the Rochester Athletic Club to deny a family membership to a lesbian couple because the couple is not married. The case spotlights an instance where Minnesota anti-discrimination laws — some of the toughest in the country — are ineffective so long as same-sex couples cannot marry.

Rep. McCollum speaks out on Gaza, Israel violence

Rep. Betty McCollum called for an end to violence in the Gaza Strip late last week, adding her voice to those of Rep. Keith Ellison, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Sen. Norm Coleman.

Wall Street Journal rushes to aid of Coleman

As his hope for re-election wanes, former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman hasn’t seen very much positive print in the last few days. But the Wall Street Journal editorial board came to the rescue on Monday with an opinion piece that attempts to paint Minnesota’s recount process as “funny business.”

Anti-abortion postcard stirs up Minnesota Catholics

Roman Catholic bishops throughout the United States are planning a massive postcard campaign days after the inauguration as part of an attempt to block the Freedom of Choice Act, known as FOCA, a reproductive health initiative supported by President-elect Barack Obama. But one Minnesota priest is breaking ranks with the national campaign, raising the ire of local and national pro-life Catholics, including some who are calling for his excommunication from the church.

Minnesota congressional delegaton mostly mum on Israel, Gaza

As the Gaza Strip conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies, few in Minnesota’s congressional delegation have commented. Protests prompted Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman to respond to the conflict, while Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison called for an end to the violence and outlined some ideas to get there.
The International Jewish Anti-Zionist [...]

Minnesotans join suit to stop religious events at inauguration

The state’s largest group dedicated to separation of church and state has joined a lawsuit to stop religious services at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The lawsuit, now joined by Minnesota Atheists, is being initiated by Michael Newdow, a separation of church and state advocate.

At issue are the scheduled events involving the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, a prominent civil-rights pastor, and the Rev. Rick Warren, whose statements about same-sex marriage and abortion have created an uproar among progressives.

Bush signs gay rights bill

Call it a Christmas present for gay and lesbian couples. President Bush signed the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA) two days before Christmas. The new law makes it mandatory for businesses to roll over retirement benefits to a same-sex partner in the event of the employee’s death.

Madoff scandal hits local nonprofits

The biggest case of investor fraud in American history, perpetrated by Bernard Madoff, may bilk investors out of some $50 billion. Locally, the pain is hitting several Twin Cities nonprofits that received funding from the New York–based JEHT Foundation, which invested heavily in Madoff-related entities. Madoff-affiliated foundations gave money to nonprofits ranging from the local Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the Wellstone Action Fund to a Fairview Foundation dedicated to assisting patients with terminal illnesses.