Primary election illustrates need for major reforms 
Fewer than one in 10 registered Minnesotans bothered to vote in the Aug. 14 primary, despite spirited contests in two congressional districts.
For the Budgeteer News, 09/03/2012
University of Minnesota reform needs work
VIRGIL SWING: It’s good to see signs of financial realism continue at the University of Minnesota, the latest being the university regents’ vote to limit the huge rewards that have gone to some folks leaving administrative posts.for the Budgeteer, 07/21/2012
There are signs of hope in higher education finance
The University of Minnesota is studying administrative costs, with an eye to reducing them to hold down tuition. Unfortunately, wording of the May 15 announcement suggests cuts are more likely to aid students now in sixth grade, rather than those heading to college this fall.
For the Budgeteer News, 06/11/2012
Column: Duluth should find a way to limit rooming houses in single-family areas
The battle over crowded rooming houses in areas of Duluth set aside for single-family homes has gone on for too many years, and it’s uncertain how the latest fight will end.
Duluth Budgeteer News, 05/26/2012
Column: Woes of higher education grow
Public higher education in America is in deep trouble, yet top University of Minnesota officials are doing the academic version of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Duluth News Tribune, 05/14/2012
Taxpayer group’s figures show size of government pensions
I had intended to refrain from commenting on the unaffordable retirement benefits for public employees for a few weeks, but a taxpayer group has dug up information about retiree pensions in Minnesota (including Duluth and St. Louis County) and it’s a good time to revisit this topic.
For the Budgeteer News, 04/30/2012
It's time to seriously consider cuts in school retiree benefits
VIRGIL SWING: Some Duluth School Board members are finally talking about something that should have been on their agenda a long time ago: scaling back employees’ unaffordable fringe benefits.
for the Budgeteer, 04/01/2012
Some mining opponents simply don't want to disturb nature
VIRGIL SWING: There’s no question that the word “natural” has great appeal for many folks. Almost every product that can claim with a straight face to be natural proudly says so on its label.for the Budgeteer, 03/17/2012
Set ranked-choice voting ballot, then educate residents on it
A local task force that looked into the issue has urged Duluth City Councilors to ask residents on the 2013 ballot whether they want to use ranked-choice voting in city elections.for the Duluth Budgeteer News, 03/05/2012
BIZ Blog: Dairy Queen opens, spring to follow
The Dairy Queen on Central Entrance is already open for business.Duluth News Tribune, 02/23/2012
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