http://mn.gov/ en-us http://mn.gov/ Wed, 15 May 2013 11:07:31 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59800 Yesterday, thousands of Minnesotans joined the Governor Dayton at the State Capitol as he signed the Freedom to Marry bill. We gathered some of our favorite tweets from the day to share on our blog. Thank you to everyone who joined the Governor and legislators yesterday at the Capitol and on Twitter on this historic day! Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59573 Today, Governor Mark Dayton, joined by Representative Karen Clark, Senator Scott Dibble, Senator Tom Bakk, Representative Paul Thissen, and thousands of supporters, signed HF 1054/SF 925 into law, granting all Minnesotans the freedom to marry. Tue, 14 May 2013 11:41:21 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59547 Today, May 14, 2013, marks the thirty-eighth anniversary of the fall of Long Cheng, a United Hmong air base in Laos during the Laotian Civil War. Many Hmong refugees and their families immigrated to the United States after the civil war, and today over 60,000 Hmong Americans are residents of Minnesota. Thu, 09 May 2013 14:43:14 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59295 This week, the New York Times published an article that declared Minnesota one of the top ten best educated states in the nation. Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:00 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59253 The 66th annual Governor’s Fishing Opener will kick off this weekend in the Park Rapids Lakes Area, a popular destination for outdoor recreation. This extended weekend in northwest Minnesota will be full of fun activities for the whole family, leading up to opening day across Minnesota on Saturday, May 11, 2013. To celebrate the kick off of the fishing season across Minnesota, Governor Dayton has launched a “Best Minnesota Fishing Opener Photo” contest for his new Facebook Cover photo. Fri, 03 May 2013 12:53:56 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59123 No one should ever have to choose to go hungry, but it is a sad reality for so many across the country and across the state. Fortunately, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program or SNAP exists; providing access to food for countless economically disadvantaged Minnesotans. Thu, 02 May 2013 10:30:00 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59041 Continuing its mission to promote Minnesota small business, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched a new blog today aimed at providing practical guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners in Minnesota. Wed, 01 May 2013 12:55:21 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-59044 The Minnesota Office of Higher Education recently released a new application to help Minnesota high school students prepare for college. The MN College Planner is a web application that can be downloaded for free, providing students access to the information they need to start planning for college in a platform that is personal and familiar. It provides students with their own personal toolkit to explore college options and manage the tasks associated with preparing for and applying to college. Students can use the mobile app to answer many financial aid questions as they are searching for schools, a task that was previously more challenging than a few quick swipes on a phone. This is an important step toward helping more Minnesota students prepare for college in a quickly growing technological society. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58980 Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of a seven-member board responsible for managing and operating MNsure – a new health insurance marketplace where Minnesotans can choose quality, affordable health insurance. The board, which was established by law earlier this legislative session, was chosen through the state’s open appointments process from a pool of 112 candidates. Board members will serve staggered four-year terms. With the exception of the Commissioner of Human Services, all members are limited to two terms of service. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:40:47 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58925 The first light rail vehicle made its inaugural appearance on the Green Line (Central Corridor LRT) this past weekend, albeit not under its own power. A railcar mover that resembles a semitrailer cab towed a new Green Line LRV at walking speed on the tracks from Minneapolis to the new operations and maintenance facility in St. Paul to verify clearance for the LRVs. Towing the LRV is necessary because crews are still installing the wires and the rest of the systems to electrify the line. The LRV was accompanied by several Metro Transit police and employees. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:33:51 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58843 Governor Dayton has proclaimed today to be Arbor Day in Minnesota. Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of each April to celebrate the importance of trees worldwide. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:11:15 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58835 On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon and Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman met with seniors in Duluth to talk about senior fraud prevention. Governor Dayton has proclaimed April Financial Literacy Month, with agencies and organizations across the state meeting with Minnesotans to promote strong personal finance education. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:09:40 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58780 ST. PAUL, MN – Over the last several weeks, more than 1,000 Minnesotans gathered at town hall meetings hosted by Governor Mark Dayton in Duluth, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, and Virginia. The Governor’s ‘Meetings with Mark’ are an effort to engage Minnesotans in personal conversations about his proposed investments in education, job creation, and improving the lives of middle-class families. Another Meeting with Mark has been scheduled for next week in Shakopee. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:53:02 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58682 On Monday, Education Commissioner Cassellius held the latest in a series of roundtables across Minnesota on the state of early education. The Commissioner joined Brainerd Superintendent Steve Razidlo, teachers and administrators to talk about the importance of supporting investments in young learners as a critical way to close achievement gaps and improve student outcomes. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:23 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58606 This weekend, Governor Dayton joined House Speaker Paul Thissen, House Majority Leader Erin Murphy and education advocates to rally for Minnesota’s future. The cafeteria at St. Paul Central High Schools was filled with Minnesotans who came out to show their support for investing in education at all levels. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:58:31 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58561 While the MPCA stresses “Every day is Earth Day”, April 22 is the one time a year that everyone should take notice of our environment. For those hoping to celebrate proactively, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has 5 ways you can go a little greener this year. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:21:00 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58552 Today, the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley and Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Bob Persiacepe joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to announce the second annual U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees. Three Minnesota schools and one Minnesota district are among the 64 schools and 14 districts from across the nation to be honored for their efforts to cut utility costs, implement smart conservation strategies and cultivate healthy and productive classrooms. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:18:25 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58478 Join Governor Dayton, Speaker Paul Thissen, House Majority Leader Erin Murphy and education advocates this Sunday at a Pep Rally for Minnesota's Future! Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:06:17 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58472 Over the last three weeks, more than 1,100 Minnesotans gathered at town hall meetings hosted by Governor Mark Dayton in Duluth, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, and Virginia. The Governor’s ‘Meetings with Mark’ are an effort to engage Minnesotans in personal conversations about his proposed investments in education, job creation, and improving the lives of middle-class families. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:30:28 -0500 Minnesota Governor's Office /governor/blog/the-office-of-the-governor-blog-entry-detail.jsp?id=102-58470 Last Wednesday, hundreds of job seekers in Northern Minnesota attended a job fair sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The event was designed to connect job seekers with potential employers, and help job seekers get feedback on their resumes. 71 employers attended, and Minnesota veterans were invited to preview the fair before it opened to the public. Job seekers who didn’t have the chance to attend the fair can still receive advice and job search assistance from any Minnesota Workforce Center across the state.