The Citizens League: E-Mail Digest Weblog

Policy and a Pint, Hiring and More

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:15:55 -0600

In this issue:

Register for Policy and a Pint: The Big Sort
We're Hiring - Development and Membership Manager
Drowning or Surfing in the Silver Tsunami
Nominate a Candidate for the Board

Click here to view the email

Upcoming Events

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:20:01 -0600

In this issue:

Upcoming Water Supply and Quality Presentation
Register for Policy and a Pint: The Big Sort

Click here to view the email

Policy and a Pint, Water Policy Events

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:43:00 -0600

In this issue:

Policy and a Pint: The China Tradeoff - July 10
Upcoming Water Policy Events
CitiZing: Usability Testers Needed
Nominate a Candidate for the Board
We're hiring! Development and Membership Manager

Click here to view the email

Board Nominations, Policy and a Pint

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:57:06 -0600

In this issue:

Board Nominations
Policy and a Pint: The China Tradeoff - July 10
ADDRESS CORRECTION: Immigrant Community Roundtable - tomorrow
Policy Discussions on Students Speak Out
We're hiring! Development and Membership Manager

Click here to view the entire email

CL Update: Policy and a Pint, Member and Donor Relations Manager Position

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:31:10 -0600

In this issue:

Register now for July Policy and a Pint events
We're hiring!
Improve the Email Newsletter

Click here to view the entire email

Upcoming Events, Join the Membership and Engagement Committee

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:27:41 -0600

In this issue:

Upcoming Events
Join the Membership and Engagement Committee
Congratulations to the Video Contest Winners
Help Us Decide: Improve the Citizens League Email Newsletter

Click to view the entire email

Legislative Wrap-Up, New Email Format

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:21:00 -0600

In this Issue:

Policy Advancement in the 2008 Legislative Session
Help Us Decide: Improve the Email Newsletter

Click to view the entire email

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown Tomorrow

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:19:43 -0600

Register now for Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown. It's tomorrow, May 15, 5:30 p.m. at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown. We'll see you there!

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown
Take the Citizen Involvement Survey

Policy and a Pint^®: The Mortgage Meltdown

Thursday, May 15
Main event: Doors at 5:30 p.m., program at 6:00 p.m.
After party: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Varsity Theater, 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis

$10, $5 for students with valid ID
Appetizers from the Loring Pasta Bar included

Join the Citizens League and 89.3 The Current for good food, good conversations -- and great beer!

Everyone knows the mortgage market is in crisis and that it's dragging down the rest of the economy. But what caused it? How can we get out of it? And how can homeowners and potential buyers in Minnesota protect themselves?

Richard Todd from the Federal Reserve will help explain how we got here, and personal finance writer Kara McGuire from the Star Tribune will be on hand for practical advice for owners, buyers, sellers and renters alike. Steve Seel from 89.3 The Current will moderate.

Join us for the Policy and a Pint after party! After the main event, Citizens League staff will be heading over to the Red Room at the Loring Pasta Bar (just around the corner from the Varsity) to continue the conversation. Hang out with staff and members and learn more about the mortgage crisis in Minnesota, what other organizations are doing about it - and what is going on at the Citizens League. We hope to see you there! (Can't make it to Policy and a Pint? We'd still love to see you at the after party - just come to the Loring Pasta Bar after 7:00!)

Click here for more information and to register.

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown is generously sponsored by Best Buy.

Take the Citizen Involvement Survey

The Citizens League is conducting a non-scientific survey on citizen engagement. (You might have heard about it in Lori Sturdevant's column on Sunday.) Go here to learn more and take the citizen survey. Forward the survey to your friends, family and colleagues - and stay tuned for updates on our findings.

Join us for Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown next Thursday, May 15

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:03:00 -0600

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown
"Help Us Decide": Name the new Citizens League weekly email newsletter

Policy and a Pint^®: The Mortgage Meltdown

Thursday, May 15
Main event: Doors at 5:30 p.m., program at 6:00 p.m.
After party: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Varsity Theater, 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis

$10, $5 for students with valid ID
Appetizers from the Loring Pasta Bar included

Join the Citizens League and 89.3 The Current for good food, good conversations -- and great beer!

Everyone knows the mortgage market is in crisis and that it's dragging down the rest of the economy. But what caused it? How can we get out of it? And how can homeowners and potential buyers in Minnesota protect themselves?

Richard Todd from the Federal Reserve will help explain how we got here, and personal finance writer Kara McGuire from the Star Tribune will be on hand for practical advice for owners, buyers, sellers and renters alike. Steve Seel from 89.3 The Current will moderate.

Join us for the Policy and a Pint after party! After the main event, Citizens League staff will be heading over to the Red Room at the Loring Pasta Bar (just around the corner from the Varsity) to continue the conversation. Join staff and members to learn more about the mortgage crisis in Minnesota, what other organizations are doing about it - and what is going on at the Citizens League. We hope to see you there! (Can't make it to Policy and a Pint? We'd still love to see you at the after party - just come to the Loring Pasta Bar after 7:00 on May 15!)

Click here for more information and to register.

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown is generously sponsored by Best Buy.

"Help Us Decide" -- Name the new Citizens League email newsletter

In the coming weeks, the Citizens League will launch a new and improved email newsletter - and you can name it and shape the kind of information we include. Click here to submit your ideas.

By the way: You will see "Help Us Decide" as an occasional feature of the new Citizens League newsletter as a way for us to take advantage of our members' good thinking and great ideas.

Citizens League Opposes Fiscal Disparities Exemption for Mall of America expansion

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:49:13 -0600

The Citizens League has urged the Minnesota House and Senate not to use the Fiscal Disparities pool to subsidize the Mall of America Phase II, yet it appears that legislative leadership is committed to a subsidy package that includes fiscal disparities to subsidize a large ramp with "free" parking for $200 million.

Violates the fundamental purpose of the pool

Using fiscal disparities to subsidize Mall of America is a direct violation of the purpose of the pool, which is to share regional tax base. Fiscal disparities is not a subsidy tool; it is the opposite of a subsidy tool. The purpose of fiscal disparities is to share tax base to reduce competition; subsidy tools are used by communities to compete with one another. From a regional perspective, therefore, the policy statement is that MOA Phase II does not benefit from being part of the metro region. If successful, this use of fiscal disparities will quickly lead to more perverse effects when implemented. It will increase property taxes on everyone else in the region without having to go through any process to determine whether the subsidy is needed.

Sets an extremely bad precedent

The use of fiscal disparities to subsidize one development at the expense of everyone else breaks a 35-year regional contract among communities and sets the precedent for widespread misuse of the fiscal disparities pool. Fiscal disparities would become a desired approach for subsidy, since there are no established processes to evaluate who should receive it. On what policy basis could we then deny use of the pool to others who compete with the MOA? Why should other malls and the myriad other businesses that may compete with the MOA first be required to subsidize their competitor and then not be subsidized in the same manner when they build or expand? Why should other projects of regional and statewide importance not seek a subsidy through fiscal disparities?

There is no process to determine need

Fiscal disparities has no evaluative process as a subsidy tool because it is based on a fundamentally different premise and perspective than subsidy tools, namely that each community benefits from being part of the region. In other words, we are all in this together. Without such a process that involves the entire region, the door will be open for state policymakers and developers to raid this pool whenever they want a subsidy to the detriment of the entire region.

We leave it to you as a member or supporter of the Citizens League to determine if you want to weigh in on this with your elected officials, but we want to make sure you understand how this relates to the work and priorities of the Citizens League.

For more information see our letter to member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and our past work on Fiscal Disparities.

Register now for May 5 transportation events and May 15 Policy and a Pint

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:45:50 -0600

The Citizens League is strongly opposing the use of fiscal disparities to subsidize the proposed Mall of America expansion. Look for another email from us on this topic in the next few minutes.

Upcoming Events: May Transportation events and May 15 Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown
Take the MAP 150 Citizen Involvement Survey - and forward it to your contacts
Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee - applications due at the end of the day today!
Use GoodSearch.com to help raise funds for the Citizens League
"Help Us Decide:” Name the new Citizens League weekly email newsletter

Upcoming Events

Mind Opener & Policy Forum: Transparent Funding Options for Meaningful Transportation Choices
Monday, May 5
Mind Opener Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Policy Forum: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Join the Citizens League on May 5 to advance transportation policy. Come for breakfast or stay the entire morning. Both events are free and open to the public - click here to register!

Mind-Opener Breakfast with Professor David Levinson
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Mary and David Doty board room

Dr. Levinson is a leading thinker on transportation finance and behavior and has authored the books Financing Transportation Networks, The Transportation Experience and Access to Destinations. Dr. Levinson is also the director of the Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems (NEXUS) research group.

Policy Forum with U.S. DOT Policy Undersecretary Tyler Duvall
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall

The Policy Forum will include a keynote from Tyler Duvall as well as sessions on funding meaningful transportation choices, perspectives and possible approaches to value capture and steps to take to advance a sustainable transportation system.

Featured speakers will include John Adams (University Metropolitan Consortium), Steve Elkins (Bloomington City Council), Jim Erkel (MN Center for Environmental Advocacy), Elizabeth Glidden (Minneapolis City Council), Peter McLaughlin (Hennepin County Commissioner, invited) and Jerry Zhao (Humphrey Institute).

Click here for more information and to register!

The Mind Opener and Policy Forum on Transparent Funding Options for Meaningful Transportation Choices are generously sponsored by the PFM Group.

Policy and a Pint^®: The Mortgage Meltdown
Thursday, May 15
Doors at 5:30 p.m., program at 6:00 p.m.
The Varsity Theater, 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis

$10, $5 for students with valid ID
Appetizers from the Loring Pasta Bar included

Join the Citizens League and 89.3 The Current for good food, good conversations -- and great beer!

Everyone knows the mortgage market is in crisis and that it's dragging down the rest of the economy. But what caused it? How can we get out of it? And how can homeowners and potential buyers in Minnesota protect themselves?

Richard Todd from the Federal Reserve will help explain how we got here, and personal finance writer Kara McGuire from the Star Tribune will be on hand for practical advice for owners, buyers, sellers and renters alike.

Click here for more information and to register.

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown is generously sponsored by Best Buy.

Sandra Day O'Connor: Protecting Impartial Courts in a Political Culture
Friday, May 2, 11:45 a.m.
Humphrey Institute Atrium

Transportation events on May 5, Policy and a Pint on May 15, internships and study committee application deadlines and more

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:18:00 -0600

Upcoming Events: May Transportation events and May 15 Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown
The Citizens League is hiring: Membership and Policy Internships - deadline April 25!
Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee - deadline April 30!
Have an idea for another project? Submit a study proposal to the Citizens League - deadline April 30!
Citizens League on the Road: Upcoming appearances by Sean Kershaw

Upcoming Events

Mind Opener & Policy Forum: Transparent Funding Options for Meaningful Transportation Choices
Monday, May 5
Mind Opener: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Policy Forum: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Join the Citizens League on May 5 to advance transportation policy. Come for breakfast or stay the entire morning. Both events are free and open to the public - click here to register!

Mind-Opener Breakfast with Professor David Levinson
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Mary and David Doty Board room

Dr. Levinson is a leading thinker on transportation finance and behavior and has authored the books Financing Transportation Networks, The Transportation Experience and Access to Destinations. Dr. Levinson is also the director of the Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems (NEXUS) research group.

Policy Forum with U.S. DOT Policy Undersecretary Tyler Duvall
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall

The Policy Forum will include a keynote from Tyler Duvall as well as sessions on funding meaningful transportation choices, perspectives and possible approaches to value capture and steps to take to advance a sustainable transportation system.

Featured speakers will include John Adams (University Metropolitan Consortium), Steve Elkins (Bloomington City Council), Jim Erkel (MN Center for Environmental Advocacy), Elizabeth Glidden (Minneapolis City Council), Peter McLaughlin (Hennepin County Commissioner, invited) and Jerry Zhao (Humphrey Institute).

Both the Mind Opener and the Policy Forum are free and open to the public. Click here for more information and to register!

The Mind Opener and Policy Forum on Transparent Funding Options for Meaningful Transportation Choices are generously sponsored by the PFM Group.

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown
Thursday, May 15
Doors at 5:30 p.m., program at 6:00 p.m.
The Varsity Theater, 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis

$10, $5 for students with valid ID
Appetizers from the Loring Pasta Bar included

Everyone knows the mortgage market is in crisis - and that it's dragging down the rest of the economy. But what caused it? How can we get out of it? And how can homeowners and potential buyers in Minnesota protect themselves?

Richard Todd from the Federal Reserve will help explain how we got here, and personal finance writer Kara McGuire from the Star Tribune will be on hand for practical advice for owners, buyers, sellers and renters alike.

Click here for more information and to register.

Policy and a Pint: The Mortgage Meltdown is generously sponsored by Best Buy.

Citizens League Membership and Policy Internships

The Citizens League is currently seeking three interns: a membership and engagement intern and interns for our upcoming study committees on water policy and poverty. Interns will play a vital role in the the Citizens League's ability to be successful in our work in public policy and active citizenship by providing consistent and high-caliber support. Click to view the job descriptions for the Membership and Engagement Internship, Water Policy Project Internship and the Poverty Project Internship. Applications are due on April 25.

Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee

The Citizens League is still recruiting members for the Water Policy Study Committee. Click here to apply - the deadline is April 30.

Some of the questions the committee will explore include:

What are the demands for water in Minnesota and how are they changing?
What major principles should be applied to all water policies?
What types of institutions can best address emerging water issues?
How can citizens be more meaningfully involved in water policy development and implementation?

The Water Policy Study Committee will meet approximately every other week from the end of May through November 2008. We're looking for members with a wide range of backgrounds - everyone knows something about water! - so apply online.

Submit a study proposal to the Citizens League

Have an idea for another study committee, an event or something else? Click here to submit your proposal to the Policy Advisory Committee. To be considered in the next round of reviews, proposals should be submitted by April 30.

Citizens League on the Road: Upcoming appearances by Sean Kershaw

Vital Aging Network Forum: Leadership for the Common Good
Tuesday, May 13
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Wellington Assisted Living
2235 Rockwood Ave., St. Paul

The Vital Aging Network's May Forum focuses on leadership. Sean Kershaw will lead a lively discussion designed to sharpen your skills as a leader. Topics include:

What leadership skills are needed to govern for the common good?
How can we find common ground in an increasingly diverse Minnesota and a rapidly changing world?
Is it possible to reconnect the vision, values, and voices of Minnesotans with policy-making on the issues that matter most to our future?
What is the work and purpose of the Citizens League?

Easy and Important Ways You Can Help the Citizens League

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:20:00 -0600

We need YOUR help!

Here are three very simple but important things you can do to help the Citizens League!

Survey on Citizen Involvement Processes

Through MAP 150, we have been carefully observing how citizen involvement processes work. We’ve also done an extensive literature search that seems to verify much of what we’re experiencing and observing. It also verifies that the Citizens League is at the cutting edge of understanding citizen involvement processes. We want to add to that understanding by trying to draw a realistic picture of how citizen involvement processes work today.

What you can do:

1. Take this citizen survey (it's multiple choice and it will take less than 10 minutes.)
2. Forward the link to the citizen survey to friends, family and colleagues - we want to hear from as many people as possible!

The more people who take the survey, the more accurate the results will be - so please take a few moments to think about your many contacts. Your answers will be tallied and compared with those of government officials.

I Am Minnesota's Future video contest
In celebration of Minnesota’s 150th anniversary of statehood on May 11, we have announced the “I Am Minnesota’s Future” video contest for teenagers. There are great prizes for individuals as well as group entries (such as classroom projects), including a Sony camcorder and Target gift cards. Please help spread the word. The contest will have a distinguished panel of judges and we are arranging for the winning videos to be shown in a number of venues. (If you have ideas or contacts for these, that would be fabulous too!)

3. Help publicize our Students Speak Out video contest (for example, send an email link, post a link on your website or blog, tell your children and grandchildren). Go to www.StudentsSpeakOut.org for more information.

Citizens League Update: Apply to serve on the water policy study committee, propose a new study topic,

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:13:00 -0600

Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee
Have an idea for another project?: Submit a study proposal to the Citizens League
Civic engagement opportunities for students: Students Speak Out and I Am Minnesota's Future video contest
Upcoming event: Civic Leadership: Building a Vibrant Democracy
Help us reach our membership goal!
Welcome Sean Skibbie: The Citizens League has a new office manager!

Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee

This spring, the Citizens League is preparing for a study committee on water policy - and we are starting to recruit members now.

Some of the questions the committee will explore include:

What are the demands for water in Minnesota and how are they changing?
What major principles should be applied to all water policies?
What types of institutions can best address emerging water issues?
How can citizens be more meaningfully involved in water policy development and implementation?

The Water Policy Study Committee will meet approximately every other week from the end of May through November 2008. We're looking for members with a wide range of backgrounds - everyone knows something about water! - so apply online.

Click here for more information or to apply to serve on the committee.

Submit a study proposal to the Citizens League

Have an idea for another study committee, an event or something else? Click here to submit your proposal to the Policy Advisory Committee. To be considered in the next round of reviews, proposals should be submitted by March 25.

Civic Engagement Opportunities for Students

Students Speak Out
Last summer, the Citizens League launched www.StudentsSpeakOut.org, a social networking website designed to elevate student voices in education policy conversations. Now, two student leadership groups are using the website to gather stories from other students about their experiences in schools - and, eventually, to come up with policy recommendations.

One group is focusing on bullying and harassment in schools and whether an increase in trust between students and teachers could help decrease bullying. The other group is investigating the assumptions people make about alternative school students and how those assumptions impact alternative schools and who attends them.

Students and recent graduates who share their stories on will be entered into a raffle to win a Sony camcorder - so invite your kids and their friends to check it out (the deadline is March 17). More details and full contest rules are at www.StudentsSpeakOut.org.

Video Contest -- I Am Minnesota's Future
To celebrate Minnesota's 150th birthday in May 2008, the Citizens League has launched a video contest for high-school aged students. The 3 minute video submissions (written, directed, shot, and cast by young people) will answer: What kind of state you want to live in when you're an adult? And what do you think ought to be done to make sure that happens?

Prizes include a digital video camera, a $150 Target gift card, and more. To get more information and get involved go to www.StudentsSpeakOut.org

Upcoming event: Civic Leadership: Building a Vibrant Democracy

Friday, April 4
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Inver Hills Community College
2500 East 80th Street
Theatre, Fine Arts Building
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

Presented by MN Campus Compact and co-sponsored by the Citizens League, the program will explore new ways of civic engagement in the context of the 2008 elections. Presenters will include Cyndi Lesher of the Republican National Convention host committee, Deanna Cummings of Juxtaposition Arts, former Governor Al Quie, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and representatives from the Project on Civic Reflection.

Click here for more information and to register!

Help us reach our membership goal

The Citizens League has been challenged by the Pohlad Family Foundation to increase our membership to 2,000, and we'll receive $15,000 when we reach that goal. Just 150 new members to go -- and you can help.

If you're not a member, consider joining -- dues are flexible, with suggested dues starting at just $25, and you can include two names at a single address. Members receive a subscription to the MN Journal and the opportunity to create non-partisan policy solutions by serving on policy committees.

And, if you are a member, gift memberships to family and friends are a great way to build the common ground.

Click here to find out more and join.

Welcome Sean Skibbie!

The Citizens League is pleased to welcome our new office manager and external relations assistant, Sean Skibbie. Sean maintains daily office functions, serves as assistant to Sean Kershaw, and guides current and prospective members on their involvement with the activities of the Citizens League.

Before joining the staff of the Citizens League, Sean served as co-chair of our Energy and the Environment Action Group and worked at Capella University. He lives in North Minneapolis with his wife Vang, daughter Emma and dog Millie.

We are delighted that Sean has joined our team. Be sure to say hello when you see him at an upcoming event!

Policy open house tomorrow, Students Speak Out and more

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:10:00 -0600

Get involved - and get your kids involved - with the Citizens League ongoing and upcoming policy projects.

Interested in our upcoming water policy and poverty projects? How about legislative redistricting, school funding and property taxes, or long term care? Help us frame these projects at the Policy Open House!

Have a student in the house? Send them to www.StudentsSpeakOut.org to talk about their experiences in schools - and be entered in a raffle to win a Sony camcorder!

Welcome Sean Skibbie: The Citizens League has a new office manager!
Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee
Important Provisions in the Transportation Bill
Pictures from recent Citizens League events

Welcome Sean Skibbie!

The Citizens League is pleased to welcome our new office manager and external relations assistant, Sean Skibbie. Sean maintains daily office functions, serves as assistant to Sean Kershaw, and guides current and prospective members on their involvement with the activities of the Citizens League.

Before joining the staff of the Citizens League, Sean served as co-chair of our Energy and the Environment Action Group and worked at Capella University. He lives in North Minneapolis with his wife Vang, daughter Emma and dog Millie.

We are delighted that Sean has joined our team. Be sure to say hello when you see him at an upcoming event!

Apply to serve on the Water Policy Study Committee

This spring, the Citizens League is preparing for a study committee on water policy - and we are starting to recruit members now!

Some of the questions the committee will explore include:

What are the demands for water in Minnesota and how are they changing?
What major principles should be applied to all water policies?
What types of institutions can best address emerging water issues?
How can citizens be more meaningfully involved in water policy development and implementation?

The Water Policy Study Committee will meet approximately every other week from the end of May through November 2008. We're looking for members with a wide range of backgrounds - everyone knows something about water! - so apply online.

Click here for more information or to apply to serve on the committee.
Policy Open House

We hope you'll join us for the Policy Open House - and please forward this invitation to your friends and colleagues. It will be a great introduction to the Citizens League!

Thursday, February 28, 2008 (that's tomorrow!)
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul

Join us to find out more about 2008 Citizens League policy agenda - and how you can get involved. The event will feature various policy activities scattered throughout the evening. From transportation policy to student videos, the Open House will give members an opportunity to learn from each other about key issues for the coming year. Information on our current work will be available the whole time, and other Citizens League members and staff will be on hand to talk about this year's policy priorities. The event is free and open to the public. Stop by for half an hour or stay for longer -- doors will be open all evening. Click here to read more about some of the activities and to sign up. (Online registration will close soon, but walk-ins are welcome.)

We need volunteers for the Policy Open House. Volunteers will be needed in several areas, including to help host information tables on various projects, to record summaries of the break-out sessions for posting on the Citizens League website, and just to be on hand to discuss Citizens League projects you've been part of with other attendees. Interested volunteers should contact Annie Levenson-Falk at alevensonfalk@citizensleague.org.

Students Speak Out

Last summer, the Citizens League launched www.StudentsSpeakOut.org, a social networking website designed to elevate student voices in education policy conversations. Now, two student leadership groups are using the website to gather stories from other students about their experiences in schools.

One group is focusing on bullying and harassment in schools, and whether an increase in trust between students and teachers could help decrease bullying. The other group is investigating the assumptions people make about alternative school students and how those assumptions impact alternative schools and who attends them.

Students and recent graduates who share their stories on will be entered into a raffle to win a Sony camcorder - so invite your kids and their friends to check it out. More details and full contest rules are at www.StudentsSpeakOut.org.

Important Provisions in the Transportation Bill

The veto override of the transportation finance bill (HF2800) included several provisions that advance the Citizens League policy agenda on transportation, including the Urban Partnership Agreement, and a value capture study. Click here for more information on these provisions and what they mean for Minnesota.

Connect for a Cause and Mental Health Innovations Conference photos

Attended either of these event and want to see the photos, or unable to attend and would like to see what you missed out on? Click this link to see photos from the February 11th Connect for a Cause event where local nonprofits and eager volunteers "got acquainted." Click on this link to see photos from the Mental Health Innovations Conference. This event was the culmination of a several year initiative convened by the Citizens League.