Pat Garofalo | The UpTake

13 Arrested Protesting Pre-Emption Bill In Rep. Garofalo’s Office

By Text By Dane Smith - MN Poor People's Campaign, Video By Will Hommeyer | May 15, 2018

Arrests are made as the Poor People’s Campaign, founded 50 years ago by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., protest a bill that would prevent local governments from raising the minimum wage.

Native American Leaders: MN Public To Have No Say In Where Pipeline Goes If Energy Bill Passes

By Text by Mary Turck, Video By Bill Sorem | April 9, 2017

Opponents say the Energy and Jobs bill isn’t really a jobs bill — it’s a bad energy bill that allows Enbridge to put a pipeline wherever it wants to in Minnesota without consulting the public or the tribes.

Economy/Jobs

MN House Vote May Roll Back Low-Wage Workers’ Gains

By Cirien Saadeh | March 6, 2017

150,000 low-wage workers may lose their hard-earned sick and safe time gains after a vote taken by the MN House last week.

Minnesota

Rep. Winkler Retires, Promises Not To Be Quiet

By Michael McIntee | June 13, 2015

“This is not the last time you are going to hear me speaking on behalf of a just society that needs to change now,” said Rep. Ryan Winkler to his fellow lawmakers in the Minnesota House just after a marathon special session.

Minimum Wage

Former Waitress’s Story About Sexual Harassment Changes Bill To Lower Minimum Wage

By Michael McIntee | March 24, 2015

Rep. Erin Murphy was a waitress while going to high school and college. Her first hand story of what lower minimum wages do to encourage sexual harassment forced a change in a bill aimed at lowering Minnesota’s minimum wage for certain tipped employees.

Minimum Wage

MNGOP Minimum Wage “Tip Penalty” Advances Despite Union, Worker & DFL Opposition

By Bill Sorem | February 22, 2015

State Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul), says she is disappointed that Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) has introduced bill that would reduce minimum wage to $8 an hour for for workers who earn an average of more than $12 hourly with tips.

Education

MN GOP The Real Deadbeat On School Debt Says DFL

By Jacob Wheeler | April 3, 2012

Is taking money from the state’s reserves to pay back schools when Minnesota is facing a predicted deficit next biennium a wise move? Rep. Ryan Winkler says the K-12 “shift” repayment will weaken the state and still leave it owing schools two billion dollars.

Education

MN School Shift Debate Previews Fall Campaign Themes

By Michael McIntee | March 15, 2012

Debate over a Republican plan lower Minnesota state reserves to pay back schools brought DFL amendments to close corporate tax loopholes. The amendments never got put to a vote, but both sides got a chance to preview the rhetoric they will likely be using on the Fall campaign trail.

Economy/Jobs

Who Is Sticking It To The Middle Class? DFL or GOP?

By Michael McIntee | March 13, 2012

Representatives Tom Rukavina (DFL) and Pat Garofalo (R ) accuse each other’s party of “sticking it to the middle class” with tax increases. The heated debate which is a likely preview of the fall campaign, brought action in the House tax committee to a standstill.

Education

Skepticism Over Legacy Funds For School Arts

By Michael McIntee | February 28, 2012

Funding school arts or covering up the loss of funding for schools? A heated debate over a possible change in Minnesota’s legacy amendment funding.

MN House

MN Lawmakers Can’t Agree If Homestead Credit Worked

By Michael McIntee | February 14, 2012

DFLers say Minnesota has seen a $370 million increase in property taxes this year and the loss of the homestead credit accounts for $292 million of it.

MN House

Representative Melissa Hortman tries to get an answer from Rep. Sarah Anderson

MN Redistricted For Political Reasons? GOP Author Won’t Say.

By Michael McIntee | May 4, 2011

How many times can you ask a question and not get it answered?