DFL Education Foundation

Representative Loeffler on what to do with Taxes

Rep. Diane Loeffler came to Stone Arch to talk taxes.  More specifically, throw out what you think you know about taxes and look at them differently.  Are there really dumb taxes we should cut?  Sure.  Are there taxes that we could look at raising?  Sure.  Point is, government spending evolves and it's something we should look at.  Why should my Abelour A'bunadh be immune from tax increases (by the way, wine and beer are taxed even more lightly) when when people are talking about putting a tax on my socks?  It's all here.

Check it out by clicking here.

This podcast is brought to you by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Posted by Jeremy Wieland, a constituent of Rep. Loeffler, and a big fan of Abelour A'Abunadh.

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.

Joel Kramer, Founder of Minnpost, on the future of American journalism

In October Joel Kramer, former Publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Founder of both Growth & Justice and Minnpost.com, joined the DFL Education Foundation downtown group to discuss the future of American journalism.  We often receive requests from members and attendees to talk about journalism and it's impact on political debate in our politics.

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This pod cast is brought to you by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Ranked Choice Voting in Minneapolis, what it is and how to vote

Stone Arch welcomed Sarah McKenzie and Cristof Traudes from The Downtown Journal to talk about Instant Runoff Voting, more appropriately called Ranked Choice Voting.  Citizens of Minneapolis are being asked to cast a new type of ballot and decide elections in a new way for city offices.  If you're voting for Mayor, City Council or Park and Recreation Board in Minneapolis this year, then have a listen and learn all about it.

Click play to listen to the conversation.

Download the full podcast

This pod cast is brought to you by the DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Bob Kuttner, Editor and Founder of The American Prospect, on Obama's Challenge

 
On October 4th the DFL Education Foundation, in partnership with Growth and Justice, welcomed author Bob Kuttner, founder of one of my favorite magazines, The American Prospect.  This was an extraordinary opportunity to take a fresh look at the Obama Administration eight months into what is likely to be a transformative Presidency.  

Mr. Kuttner's point was that there are many types of transformative Presidencies.  

Please click the iTunes link here to listen to Mr. Kuttner's presentation, and the conversation that followed.

You can also click play to listen to the conversation.

I also ask you, forward this podcast to friends.  The great thing about technology, and the web in particular, is that we can share it with as many people as we like.  So share the conversation.

We would like to thank Dane Smith from Growth and Justice for leading the conversation, and iDream.tv for producing this podcast.

Jeremy Wieland, President, DFL Education Foundation

Senator Linda Berglin on Minnesota Healthcare

Wow!  September brought Minnesota Senator Linda Berglin on the subject of healthcare to the Downtown Discussion Group.  The Senator is a long time expert on healthcare so this was a great opportunity for an insider's perspective.

Click play to listen to the conversation.

Or download the conversation: Download Linda Berglin

Thank you to the DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv for this podcast.

David Motzenbecker on using Wikis to expand public participation

On the steamiest day of the Summer David Motzenbecker, President of the Minneapolis Planning Commission, joined the Stone Arch Discussion Group to present his ideas about using Wikis to expand public participation in government decision making.  His idea is in practice with Afton Minnesota, Melbourne Australia and recently, San Jose California.  

Listen here to a potentially ground-breaking idea.

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Download Motzenbecker

This pod cast is brought to us by the DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Watching Wall Street with Karen Ho

The DFL Education Foundation’s Downtown Discussion group strayed from Minnesota Government to Wall Street in July.  Special guest anthropologist Karen Ho, author of Liquidated, came to address the challenges and culture of Wall Street.

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Download Karen Ho

This podcast is brought to you by iDream.tv and the DFL Education Foundation.

Sen. Larry Pogemiller and Rep. Diane Loeffler on the 2009 Legislative session

In July, the Stone Arch Discussion group moved to a special time for a special panel.  Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and Assistant House Majority Leader Diane Loeffler held a panel discussion on what transpired at the Minnesota Legislature in 2009, and the challenges meeting us in 2010.  Both were adamant that we watch the Federal health care reform debate as prices are skyrocketing and will exacerbate our budget challenges in the future.

Click play to listen to the conversation.

Download the panel discussion

This podcast is brought to you by iDream.tv and the DFL Education Foundation.