Tag: Elections

2022 Local Election Recap

by Andy Wilke, posted in Advocacy

Elections don’t only impact capitol cities, they also impact every local board, council, and commission in our communities. This year was no different. There will be changes in leadership in a number of important local offices, including a new Mayor of North Mankato. These local leaders touch our lives every day as they manage critical infrastructure, teach our kids, and keep our communities safe.

Below is a breakdown of the results of local races.

City of North Mankato

Mayor

Scott Carlson – 50.65% (3,065)

Ben Kaus – 37.21% (2,245)

Kenneth J. DeWitte – 7.87% (475)

Warren Lee Anderson – 3.83% (231)

Mayor-Elect Scott Carlson replaces Mayor Mark Dehen who has served since 2011.

City of Mankato

Continue reading “2022 Local Election Recap” →

2022 Legislature Election Recap

by Andy Wilke, posted in Advocacy

The results of the election in Minnesota were not what was widely expected. The conventional wisdom suggested Republicans would have a big night. In a midterm election with a lackluster Presidential approval rating, rising inflation, and prolonged economic uncertainty, it would seem that history would once again repeat itself. That didn’t happen. Instead, Democrats (DFL) carried voters focused on issues such as reproductive rights, election integrity/democracy, and public safety, especially in and around the Twin Cities suburbs. The graphic below shows this exactly (Graphic 1).

Polls showed a very tight race for Governor and Republican candidates for other statewide offices leading slightly. In the end, Governor Walz won by more than eight points, enough to “carry” the other statewide offices to victory for a clean Democratic sweep of all constitutional offices – Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor.

Graphic 1: DFL candidates continue to increase their share of the suburbs while also driving up votes in Hennepin County that has outpaced Republican gains in greater Minnesota.

But that’s not all.

Continue reading “2022 Legislature Election Recap” →

2021 (Special) Legislative Session Recap

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Public Affairs

Minnesota’s 92nd legislative session ended their 2021 regular session on May 17th without a budget. The Governor and Legislative leaders instead released a budget framework with a target of $52 billion for the next biennium. Lawmakers worked for four weeks on final details largely outside of the public eye until they convened a special session on June 14th. All spending bills were passed and signed into law by June 31st.

The need for a special session was largely due to a late infusion of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. Roughly $8.5 billion was allocated in the bill to the State of Minnesota for various programs.

Budget

A final budget of $52 billion was signed into law on June 31, 2021. This biennial budget is an increase of approximately $1.3 billion over the previous budget – much of that one-time funding from ARPA. Included in the bill are direct tax cuts of $644 million to people who lost jobs and employers who kept people working during the pandemic.

Paycheck Protection Program

The final tax bill included full conformity to federal tax law with regards to the Paycheck Protection Program at a cost of roughly $375 million in fiscal year 2022. Businesses and organizations that received PPP loans will not be subject to either federal or state income tax on the amount of the loan received.

Continue reading “2021 (Special) Legislative Session Recap” →

Your Election Toolkit

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

vote buttonGreater Mankato Growth is your one-stop-shop for all the information you’ll need to exercise your right to vote in the 2018 election. On our Election Toolkit website, you’ll find online candidate profiles, candidate forum videos and details on how and where to vote on November 6. Our online candidate portal features information provided directly by the candidates themselves including biographical information and their response to a questionnaire. Elections are one of the most important and effective ways citizens can make their voices heard. By providing our members, as well as the broader community, access to the information presented in our Election Toolkit we hope to enable them to make informed voting decisions.  Continue reading “Your Election Toolkit” →

Watch Now: District 19B Forum

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

19b forumVoters in Minnesota District 19B will be asked to select a state representative this November 6. To help voters cast an informed ballot, Greater Mankato Growth in partnership with KTV, Mankato’s public access television station, held a forum with the candidates running for the seat: Representative Jack Considine (DFL) and Joe Steck (R).

You can view a recording of the forum below.

Watch Now: Mankato City Council Forum

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

council forumMankato voters will be asked to select City Council members in Wards 1, 3 and 5 this November 6. To help voters cast an informed ballot, Greater Mankato Growth in partnership with KTV, Mankato’s public access television station, held a forum with the candidates running for City Council: Mark Frost & Fardosa Jama (Ward 3), and Jessica Hatanpa & Tyler Meihak-True (Ward 5). Karen Foreman (Ward 1) was unable to attend. You can view a recording of the forum below.

Watch Now: 1st Congressional District Forum

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

cd1 forumVoters in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District will be asked to select a new U.S. Representative this November 6. To help voters cast an informed ballot, Greater Mankato Growth in partnership with the Mankato Free Press, South Central College, KSMQ and KTV held a forum with the candidates running for the seat: Dan Feehan (DFL) and Jim Hagedorn (R).

You can view a recording of the forum below.

Watch Now: District 19A Forum

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

19a forumVoters in Minnesota District 19A will be asked to select a new state representative this November 6. To help voters cast an informed ballot, Greater Mankato Growth in partnership with KTV, Mankato’s public access television station, held a forum with the candidates running for the seat: Jeff Brand (DFL) and Kim Spears (R).

You can view a recording of the forum below.

Watch Now: Blue Earth County Commissioner Forum

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

bec forumBlue Earth County voters will be asked to select County Commissioners in Districts 1 & 2 this November 6. To help voters cast an informed ballot, Greater Mankato Growth in partnership with KTV, Mankato’s public access television station, held a forum with the candidates running for County Commissioner in District 1: Colleen Landkamer and Katie Boone and District 2: Vance Stuehrenberg.

You can view a recording of the forum below.