Minnesota State Legislature

Anti-smoking advocates to legislators: 'We will be watching'

Mar 2, 2017

To the editor: We visited the State Capitol in St. Paul on Feb. 22 with Minneostans for a Smoke-Free Generation to talk with our state legislators about efforts to create a smoke free generation. We discussed how the tobacco industry targets young people like us with colorful packaging, fruity...

Drazkowski: Health insurance 'relief and reform' bill passes house

Jan 25, 2017

If you are one of the tens of thousands of Minnesotans being wiped out by out-of-control health insurance premium costs, you’ll be pleased to learn the Minnesota House has begun to take action. On Jan. 19, we approved a health care emergency aid and access bill that’s going to allocate $300...

Drazkowski: This could be the year for Sunday liquor sales

Jan 18, 2017

Have you ever driven to the liquor store to buy a 12-pack of beer on a Sunday afternoon only to be met with a locked door and a “Closed” sign? The reason for this nonsense is an antiquated 80-year-old state law that prohibits alcohol from being sold in stores on Sundays. If you’ve ever had a...

Candidates take office; work begins

Jan 5, 2017

The Lake City School Board met at a pre-dawn organizational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 4, where two incumbents, Jack Rol and Heath Oeltjen, began new terms. Michelle Larson took the oath of office to begin her first term as a school board director. Another re-elected incumbent, Patrick Dwelle, was...

Mt. Frontenac may get a year-round ski jump

Dec 7, 2016

Florence Township will hold an open house to discus plans for a 120-meter ski jump at the former Mt. Frontenac ski area. The open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Florence Town Hall in Frontenac. Representatives from Friends of American Ski Jumping, a major player in...

Drazkowski reappointed to head property tax and local government committee

Nov 30, 2016

Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt has reappointed State Representative Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) as chairman of the Minnesota House Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division. “It’s an honor to be entrusted with the power of helping lower property tax rates for hardworking Minnesotans...

Finally: After long, contentious campaigns, voters get to make their picks

Nov 3, 2016

A week from now television will go back to selling cars and property insurance, social media again will be dominated by pictures of people’s pets and people will be free to chat with acquaintances without the dread of politics creeping into the conversation. Nov. 8 and the long awaited, for some...

Candidate forum running on TV

Oct 27, 2016

The candidate forum held Oct. 18 at City Hall will be shown on cable television several times before election day. The forum was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Woman’s Club of Lake City. Scheduled times include: Friday, Nov. 4 - 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 - 1 p.m. and 6 p.m....

Haley vs. Bayley: The campaign battle that keeps smiling

Oct 20, 2016

Barb Haley and Lisa Bayley chatted for 20 minutes outside the Lake City City Council chambers Tuesday evening waiting their turn. The conversation was private but animated. Both smiled, sometimes laughed. You could not tell they are opponents in a hotly contended election race. Haley is the...

Local, area candidates get their say