Mike Opat

Sep 29, 2015

North Loop group not giving up on soccer stadium

A group of North Loop business and community leaders isn’t ready to give up on bringing a pro soccer stadium to Minneapolis despite more solid plans in St. Paul. The group, known as 2020 Partners, is a collection of dozens of North Loop players looking for ways to generate investment in the neighborhood. At a ...

Jul 10, 2013

Hennepin County wheelage is tax gaining support

The majority of Hennepin County commissioners appear to support a proposal to tack on an extra $10 to vehicle registration tab renewals to better maintain the county’s road system.

Apr 18, 2012

Vikings Stadium: The long goodbye

Barring some unlikely resurrection as part of a close-of-session grand bargain, the long-troubled Vikings stadium bill has apparently drawn its last breath of 2012.

Jan 18, 2012

Will 2012 session bring action on the long-avoided issue of a Vikings stadium?

Heading into the 2012 session, a now-familiar litany of questions surrounds the politics of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium. But while the legislative prognosis is far from clear, one thing is certain: Gov. Mark Dayton wants action on stadium legislation to get under way soon after the session is gaveled in next Tuesday.

Nov 16, 2011

Hennepin County and Minneapolis still largely on sidelines in stadium push

With a host of issues like light rail ridership and civic pride on the line, Hennepin County officials are keeping their powder dry in the event that they can find an opening to advance a Minnesota Vikings stadium plan.

Oct 14, 2011

Stadium wars: Here comes Minneapolis

Since Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration unveiled its analysis of the risks associated with the proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium site in Arden Hills on Wednesday, opinion has varied as to whether it dealt a fatal blow to the Ramsey County/Vikings plan.

Jul 1, 2011

Scheid’s death opens a legislative seat in Senate District 46 for the first time in a decade

It’s been a long time since Senate District 46 has seen an open legislative seat. State Reps. Mike Nelson and Debra Hilstrom have each been in their current positions for roughly a decade. Sen. Linda Scheid, who died of ovarian cancer last month at the age of 68, had held her seat since 1996. Before that, she represented the area for seven terms in the House.

Apr 23, 2010

Hennepin County Medical Center says no to retooled GAMC

Hennepin County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday rejecting a proposed state contract that would have cleared the way for Hennepin County Medical Center to participate in a revamped General Assistance Medical Care program. Commissioners expressed concerns that the hospital would become a statewide safety net for indigent patients and that the economic stability of the facility[...]

Jan 11, 2010

MnSCU seeks trustee applicants

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) board of trustees is seeking applicants to fill three open positions on the board.

Dec 14, 2009

Legislators seek solutions to abolition of health-insurance program

Can some form of General Assistance Medical Care be saved? That was the question debated this afternoon at a joint session of two House committees dealing with health care.