other opinions

Finally, Minnesota has two votes in the U.S. Senate, and Al Franken has a new career. Minnesota's junior senator took the oath of office Tuesday, with evident resolve to earn...

If the lineup of Republican presidential hopefuls for 2012 includes soon-to-be former Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Sarah Palin of Alaska, Pawlenty will have an ace up his sleeve...

The chances of health care reform that includes a significant government component get better every day the economy is in recession. Economic uncertainty generates fear, which tends to turn Americans...

One of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed unallotments is creating a frenzy of activity ... He is calling for the elimination of the Political Contribution Refund. The program allows individuals to...

For one member of Minnesota's congressional delegation, the Constitution is more important than the laws Congress has made. Michele Bachmann, who represents the 6th District, has said she will not...

While many are upset over Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent unallotment of state funding to balance the budget, DFL leaders should look in the mirror before issuing complaints. Considering Pawlenty's commitment...

Local Government Aid was established as a way for the state to use its statewide taxing powers -- income taxes -- to help cities with poor property taxes to provide...

Regulation of tobacco soon will be where it belongs: with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The fiction that nicotine is not a drug that should be regulated has been...

The tragic shooting Wednesday in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum warns us that the United States is no longer safe from terrorism -- foreign and domestic. Wednesday...

Despite the constant tug of war over funding, Minnesotans remain proud of the state's public education system. But how do the state's students stack up against those in other comparable...

Closing automobile dealerships as a way for auto companies to save money doesn't compute, unless the companies believe further irritating their customers translates into higher profits. The Forum talked with...

A new law will take effect June 9 that will save lives but at the same time cause some grumbles and complaints. It's Minnesota's new seat belt law. It makes...

It's nowhere near the time for celebrating in the streets, but there are signs the economy might be beginning a painfully slow recovery. At the very least, most economists and...

"Daniel Hauser is a child in need of protection." The simplicity of that statement from a county judge belies the complexity of the issues at hand. Without treatment, cancer will...

Grow Minnesota! was launched six years ago on the premise that no one was thanking Minnesota businesses for investing in our state. Today, this Minnesota Chamber of Commerce program is...