DFL Education Foundation

Preview (1/9): Rep. Diane Loeffler

Saturday, January 9
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

Rep. Diane Loeffler is an Assistant Majority Leader in the state House of Representatives and a health policy analyst and planner for Hennepin County. She'll be addressing the Stone Arch group in January.

See her voting history on major issues at MPR's Votetracker.

Invite anyone interested, come, buy your coffee--the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant--and join the discussion. And if you're looking for holiday gifts, Iric will have books for sale at an author's discount.

Iric Nathanson on Minneapolis in the 20th century

The Downtown Discussion Group hosted historian Iric Nathanson, appropriately speaking about his new book, Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City. 

Click here to listen to the history of Minneapolis.

This pod cast is produced by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

John Kaul, a progressive lobbyist's insight into 2010

In November the Stone Arch Discussion Group welcomed John Kaul, a prominent progressive lobbyist, to discuss the 2010 legislative session and probable tensions between the Governor and the Legislature.  Though not hopeful, feeling that the Governor, and Minnesota Republicans in general, are intransigent on their positions, his insights into the history and dynamics of Minnesota Government are exciting, and entertaining.

Click here to listen to John Kaul

This podcast is produced by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Preview (12/12): Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City

Saturday, December 12
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

"From civic corruption, anti-Semitism and racial tension to the rebirth of downtown, the riverfront and rail transit..."  

A former community organizer, congressional aide, and city development agency employee, Iric Nathanson is also a good historian and great story teller.  His new book, "Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City," was just published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.  His talk will focus on how downtown Minneapolis responded to the challenge of suburban development in the second half of the 20th century.

For more in Iric:

• See coverage of his new book in the Star Tribune here.
• See an article by Iric on the failure of the Minneapolis charter amendment at Minnpost.com

Invite anyone interested, come, buy your coffee--the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant--and join the discussion. And if you're looking for holiday gifts, Iric will have books for sale at an author's discount.

Preview (11/14): A Progressive Lobbyist's Preview of the 2010 Legislative Session

Saturday, November 14
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

John Kaul of Capital Gains, Inc. will provide a preview of the 2010 session, the last with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  A longtime student of the Minnesota legislature and progressive politics, and once Senator Nick Coleman's chief of staff, Mr Kaul is
also a filmmaker. 

As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee, learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Preview (11/12): Minneapolis in the 20th Century

Thursday, November 12
12:00-1:00 PM
Fredrikson & Byron law firm, 200 S. 6th Street
40th floor, Minnetonka Room (map)

Update 11/5: See coverage of his new book in the Star Tribune here.

Update 11/6: See an article by Iric on the failure of the Minneapolis charter amendment at Minnpost.com

Iric Nathanson, a long-time political activist and community development official, has published many articles in recent years on Minneapolis political history.  In November his new book, "Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City," will be published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.  His talk, with the first public presentation of his book, will focus on how downtown Minneapolis responded to the challenge of suburban development in the second half of the 20th century.

This event is free and open to the public. Join us with your brown bag lunch for this fascinating conversation (drinks provided).

Preview (11/8): Reclaiming Fairness in Minnesota

Did you know the poorest Minnesotans have a tax rate three times higher than the richest?  Hear Rep. Ann Lenczewski's far-reaching proposals that would restore fairness and stability to Minnesota's tax system. 

Sunday, November 8
2:30-4:00 PM
St. Louis Park City Hall, 3rd Floor - map

Followed by Q and A moderated by Dane Smith, President, Growth and Justice.

Light refreshments will be served.

BACKGROUND -- House Republican Representative Pat Garafalo accused House members voting for the 2009 legislative tax package of riding "shotgun on the Pogiemobile." He was wrong. The surprise compromise tax omnibus bill was really the brainchild of House Taxes Committee Chair Ann Lenczewski.

Preview (10/10): Minneapolis City Politics and the IRV Nov. City Election

Saturday, October 10
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

For the first time, Minneapolis will be using a new voting system called IRV--instant run-off voting--in which voters will be asked to rank their choices for mayor, council, and the park board. With no primary, and lots of issues, this should be a very interesting election. Join reporter Cristof Traudes, government reporter, and Sarah McKenzie, editor of the Downtown and Southwest Journals, for this fascinating conversation.

As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee, learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Preview (10/15): The Future of American Journalism with Joel Kramer

Thursday, October 15
12:00-1:00 PM
Fredrikson & Byron law firm, 200 S. 6th Street
40th floor, Minnetonka Room (map)

This month's downtown discussion group will examine how news is delivered in an era of Google, blogs, and tweets and newspaper bankruptcies.  Joel Kramer brings a wealth of expertise to the issue as the former publisher of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and current CEO and Editor of online news source Minnpost, and he is one of the national leaders in the search to save and enhance the journalistic enterprise at the local level.

This event is free and open to the public. Join us with your brown bag lunch for this fascinating conversation (drinks provided).

Preview (10/4): Is Obama Maximizing the Moment? With Robert Kuttner

Sunday, October 4
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Aloft Minneapolis (map)

Reception following for DFL Education Foundation supporters.*

Robert Kuttner is co-founder and co-editor of The American Prospect magazine, as well as a Demos Distinguished Senior Fellow. He was a longtime columnist for BusinessWeek, and continues to write columns in the Boston Globe.

Bob is the author of eight books, including the recent New York Times bestseller, Obama's Challenge: America's Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency, (Chelsea Green, 2008).

PREVIEW the event:

• Watch Kuttner debate William Kristol on the failure of American conservatism
• Watch Kuttner debate Sean Hannity
• Read about Kuttner on Wikipedia
• See Kuttner address Obama's challenge on the PBS show NOW
• View The American Bubble Addiction, a short film on the birth of the economic crisis

*Supporters are classified as those who donate $50 or more prior to the event.  Click here to help support this event and future DFLEF events like it.