Secrets of the City » economics

State budget meltdowns not just a Minnesota story

Max Sparber — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:12:36 +0000

According to the Strib, we’re not alone in our financial woes: A new report by the National Governors Association shows that state budgets nationwide are hemorrhaging red ink, with little, if any, relief anywhere in sight.

I don’t know if I find this news to be any sort of a relief.

Kiffmeyer’s bank cited for ‘unsafe banking practices’

Max Sparber — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:00:11 +0000

The Minnesota Independent reports: Riverview Community Bank in Otsego, Minn., has been cited by the FDIC in connection with “unsafe and unsound banking practices.” Former Secretary of State and current Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, is an owner and director of the bank — a bank that founders say was inspired by the hand of God.

The strangest detail about the bank: There are two paintings in the offices of Riverview Community Bank in Otsego … One that hangs in President Duane Kropuenske’s office shows two businessmen in an office; one is shaking hands with Christ, as though closing a deal.

Same Sex Marriage in Minnesota

Max Sparber — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:58:46 +0000

Tomorrow afternoon there will be a same sex marriage rally at the capitol. MinnPost reports that Sen. Scott Dibble will be presenting the issue as being linked to current economic worries: “There are all kinds of families struggling … We have people who come together in love, step up to be counted, take on responsibilities of any other family. Why does the state make things harder for them? Why all the hullabaloo?” A UCLA researcher, in the meanwhile, has made the case that gay marriage would be good for the economy. Is putting gay marriage into economic terms useful — or distracting?