John Lesch | The UpTake

Health Care

MN GOP Redefines “Public Testimony” To Advance Health Insurance Bill

By Michael McIntee | January 12, 2017

In the haste to pass a more complicated fix to rising health insurance premiums than what Governor Dayton has proposed, MN Republicans are bending if not breaking rules intended to provide public input on the process. The latest: redefining “public testimony” as just one government official speaking at a hearing.

Economy/Jobs

Minneapolis Workers Win Paid Sick Leave in Momentous Vote

By Text by Cirien Saadeh, Video By Bill Sorem | May 27, 2016

Workers in Minneapolis had a momentous win Friday as the city became the first in the midwest to pass a paid sick leave ordinance.

Minnesota

Why The NAACP Opposes MN Police Body Cam Bill

By Michael McIntee | May 11, 2016

Trust of the police and the justice system when it comes to people of color is low. So it may be surprising that the Minneapolis NAACP is against a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would pave the way for more cities to equip their police with “body cams” that could show conclusively if an officer took inappropriate action.

Minnesota

Schools Allowing Apple To Spy On Your Kids — These Lawmakers Want It To Stop

By Video by Bill Sorem, Text by Michael McIntee | January 20, 2016

Apple’s iPad lease agreement with schools allows it to gather students names and birth date as well as track how the iPad is used. Privacy advocates say “It’s essentially the government using their power to coerce individual students into data sharing arrangements with private companies.”

Minnesota

Police Keeping Data On Where You Drive “Unconstitutional” Says Rep Lesch

By Video by Bill Sorem, Text by Michael McIntee | January 28, 2015

Keeping data that tracks where you drive your car is “un-American” and “unconstitutional” says Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) He says the retention of License Plate Reader (LPR) records should be zero if they’re “non-hit.”

LGBT Issues

Catholics Oppose Church’s Stance On MN Marriage Restriction Amendment

By Allison Herrera | October 17, 2012

A group of Minnesota Catholics are taking Issue with the Church’s stance on the proposed Minnesota Marriage Restriction Constitutional Amendment.

Economy/Jobs

GOP Squeezing Poor To Aid Businesses Says DFL

By Michael McIntee | February 14, 2012

“When we take it from the poor, when we take it from senior citizens, when we take it from people who are disabled. I mean there’s something about our priorities here that are really getting screwed up.”—Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL)