Taxpayers fund “wet housing” for alcoholics where they’re allowed to continue drinking
Hennepin County (and government in general) spends a great deal of money on treatment programs for individuals addicted to drugs and alcohol. In my opinion, much of this money is well-spent.
I learned last week, however, of a housing program receiving Hennepin County funding that takes a unique (and I would argue ridiculous) approach to taxpayer-funded “treatment” for chronic alcoholics. The program is referred to as a “wet house” or “non-sober house” in which chronic inebriates are provided housing and other government services on a long-term basis - and are allowed to continue drinking!
Hennepin County’s wet house funding is receiving the newest Golden Fire Hydrant award. Read more…
Major Changes Underway in Dealing with Juvenile Offenders
I often focus on the negative in this blog, pointing out those things that I believe are ill-conceived or wasteful in Hennepin County. That doesn’t mean that Hennepin County isn’t providing many excellent and crucial services to the taxpayers of the county on a daily basis. Those many positive things, however, are frequently touted by the media and by the county’s active public relations staff.
One of the main purposes of this blog is to inform taxpayers of those matters that they might not otherwise know about - those things that the media has missed and the county doesn’t choose to trumpet (such as the monthly Golden Fire Hydrant). Not surprisingly, those things are usually not all that positive.
I do intend, however, to give credit where it is due on occasion, especially when county leadership and staff are willing to take difficult steps to reform or streamline the way services are provided in Hennepin County. Read more…
We should all thank Pawlenty for axing the Political Contribution Refund program
Last month, Governor Pawlenty killed the Minnesota political contribution refund (”PCR”) program as part of his budget-balancing unallotment. Although I used that program quite effectively for six years as a candidate for both the Minnesota House and Attorney General, I’m happy to see it go.
Unfortunately, there are already groups attempting to revive this program in the upcoming legislative session.
The PCR law provided that every Minnesota taxpayer could give $50 to the state office-seeker or political party of his or her choice and be fully reimbursed by the state. All you had to do was write your check, mail in a receipt from the recipient of your contribution and you would soon receive a reimbursement check from the State of Minnesota. In other words, you chose who received a $50 contribution and the rest of Minnesota’s taxpayers would ante up for that choice. Read more…
Board Gives Preference to Minneapolis and Inner-Ring Suburbs
The Star Tribune captured relatively well the discussion at Tuesday’s county board meeting about funding of youth sports facilities with ballpark tax revenue.
Below is an abridged version of the story focusing on the amendments I offered to allow every community in Hennepin County an equal opportunity to benefit from the county-wide ballpark tax.
Efforts by a suburban Hennepin County commissioner to remove financial need as a primary factor in awarding millions of dollars in grants for youth sports facilities failed on Tuesday. Read more…
A committee of the Metropolitan Airports Commission voted unanimously yesterday to approve $2.2 million for new signs directing travelers to the two airport terminals. According to a Star Tribune story, the committee approved funds for 16 signs with the words “Terminal 1″ and “Terminal 2″ to replace signs that now say “Lindbergh” and “Humphrey.” Twenty-eight other signs would list the names of airlines at each terminal.
In addition, the MAC is looking to spend $185,000 for a public relations effort to inform the public of these changes before they are made. Read more…
Board Votes Down Extension of “Card Check” in Hennepin County
One of the political issues that will soon dominate the news coming out of Washington, D.C. is “card check” (a.k.a. The Employee Free Choice Act), the proposed change to federal law which would, in essence, take away the right to a private ballot for employees in a union organizing campaign.
The Hennepin County Board yesterday had its own mini-battle over a very similar issue. Here’s the story: Read more…
