This week from Minnesota State News Late last month the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota launched our Capitol news bureau: Minnesota State News– a non-profit, non-partisan media entity aimed at creating a more well-informed citizenry by providing quality, real-time news to Minnesotans. Reporter Jon Miltimore has launched this web-based news site, already covering numerous stories from the Capitol. Read some of highlights from this past week:
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FFM in the news The St. Cloud Times featured an op-ed from FFM Investigative Director Tom Steward on rail projects (like the Northstar Commuter Rail) being imposed on states by federal transit officials. President Obama has proposed $53 billion over the next six years to connect more taxpayers to these one-size-fit-all rail projects. But as Steward asks: How much should taxpayers be asked to subsidize? FFM was featured in a 5 Eyewitness News investigation into potential capital projects financed through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. In 2008 Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment aimed at providing constitutionally mandated funding for the outdoors and arts. Legacy Amendment funds have become a controversial and highly sought after source of funds for environmental, land stewardship and arts groups from across the state. The fund is not meant for “bricks and mortar” projects, as one lawmaker explained. Said FFM’s Tom Steward, “It’s absolutely outrageous that all of these are on the table.” Last week, FFM CEO Annette Meeks was featured on Fox 9 News for a segment on proposed gambling expansion in the failed Block-E development in downtown Minneapolis. The discussion also featured Frank Ball from Profit Minnesota, a group that lobbies for slot machines in bars and restaurants. The entire video can be seen on our website. |
Top Obama official leaves Administration In case you missed our last Special Edition E-update, the White House announced that Cathy Zoi, President Obama’s number two official at the Department of Energy, abruptly resigned last week. Zoi was the subject of an extensive investigation by the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota that began in 2009 for a potential conflict of interest. Zoi’s resignation marks a victory for a more transparent and accountable government. Thanks to all who assisted in bringing this story, and FFM’s, investigation to light. Read more on Zoi’s resignation on John Stossel’s blog, and view ouroriginal video on Cathy Zoi. |
FFM announces semi-finalists for A Legacy of Leadership: The Ronald Reagan Essay Contest The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota (FFM) announced the semi-finalists of this year’s A Legacy of Leadership essay contest. This contest encouraged high school students to research the leadership, policies and values of America’s 40th President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. The 100 semi-finalists were chosen from 100 different schools across the state by a panel of judges and will move on to the next round of judging. Semi-finalists will be invited to the Award Banquet later this spring where the Grand Prize, and second and third place winners will be announced. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $5000 scholarship and the two runners up will receive $1000 and $500, respectively. “We are excited that so many high school students from across the state entered the contest and explored the legacy of one of our nation’s greatest leaders,” said Annette Meeks, CEO of the Freedom Foundation. “President Reagan is still considered a bold and unwavering champion of freedom and liberty. It’s great to see so many Minnesota high school students interested and passionate about the lasting effects of his presidential policies.” Below are all semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) and their respective high schools: Courtney Arnquist – Armstrong High School Luke Baker – Yellow Medicine East High School Bryant Baker – Jordan High School KaLeigh Berg – Minnesota Virtual High School Amy Berning – Springfield Public School Matthew Beutz – Albany High School Grace Brennan – Home School Ben Brogard – Pine Island High School Charles Butterworth – Saint Paul Academy and Summit School Beau Buysse – Minneota High School Kammi Casci – Stillwater Area High School Laura Crabb – Benson High School Chelsea Dale – Blake School Caitlin Daley – Rochester Mayo High School Holly Mae Drewelow – St. Michael-Albertville High School Kyle Evans – Park High School Scott Foley – Schaeffer Academy Justine Gelineau – Home School Samuel Gesko – Minnetonka Senior High School Christopher Giuffre – Proctor High School Nicholas Greatens – Brainerd High School Christopher Greenwood – Grand Meadow High School Andrea Gruver – Roseville Area High School Jordan Hanson – Lakeville North High School Angela Hasek – Fairmont Senior High School Joseph Heimerl – New Prague High School Jadelyn Hoang – Totino Grace High School Emily Hodgell – Lincoln High School Rebekah Holten – Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Thomas Holton – Mounds Park Academy Hannah Houle – Home School Renee Hubner – Pipestone Area High School Jackson Jaro – Home School Alyssa Jensen – La Crescent High School Brian Klein – United South Central High School Joel Klein – Northfield High School Hillary Kletscher – Wabasso High School Jacob Klingensmith – Irondale High School Martha Koehl – Morris Area High School Patrick Krieger – Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School Taylor Leick – Legacy Christian Academy Stacie Lewis – BlueSky Charter School Christian Lopac – Home School Catherine Lovrien – Jefferson Senior High School Carol Luedeman – Orono High School Spencer Lund – Prior Lake High School Brandon Madner – Lakeville South High School Timothy Madzey – Eveleth-Gilbert Sr. High School Conner Mars – Mahtomedi High School Nicholas McIntyre – Coon Rapids High School Karissa Meyer – Caledonia High School Grace Miner – Belle Plaine High School Elizabeth Minneman – Lakeville North High School Sarah Moechnig – East Ridge High School Brady Morgan – Pelican Rapids High School Sophie Morris – Cambridge Christian School Jack Mullaney – East View High School Mitchell Nelson – Becker High School Tri Nguyen – Cooper High School Natalia Nguyen – Eagan High School Alexander Nicol – St. Paul Central High School Kayla Nyegaard – Clearbrook Gonvick Jenna Petersen – MACCRAY High School Alisha Peterson – Chisago Lakes High School Brooke Powell – Riverway Learning Community Eric Rauvola – Hermantown High School Jessica Reagan – Apple Valley High School Kelly Reller – Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School Brian Reuland – John Marshall High School Stacey Rhyner – Grand Rapids High School Rebecca Rieland – Century High School Eva Rodriguez – Shakopee High School Trevor Rohloff – Pillager High School Matthew Runck – Red Rock Central Meghan Schaumberg – Beacon of Hope Josie Schmit – AFSA Paul Schmitt – Sebeka High School Isabella Sewart – Academy of Holy Angels Robert Sexton – Plainview Elgin Millville High School Thomas Shellum – Mayo High School Nathan Shrader – Wayzata High School Katie Sibbet – Blaine High School Jordan Slaughter – Moorhead Senior High School Nathan Stanelle – Greenbush Middle River High School Mariah Steenerson – Lincoln Senior High School Mitchell Stendal – Chanhassen High School Caitlyn Stenerson – Home School Corey Stephan – Marshall College Preparatory School Sarah Stevens – Denfeld High School Josephine Stracek – Esko High School Matthew Terhaar – Stewartville High School Emma Thofson – Medford High School Meredith Turner – Underwood High School Katya Vant Hof – Lafayette High School Nick Voight – Mankato West High School Amy Waananen – Maple Grove High School Ashley Wright – Schaeffer Academy
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