News Center Archive
The following archived news releases
are in .PDF format and require a .PDF file reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader
is recommended for best results. You can download the free application here.
Return to the News Center.
Clicking on a news
release title below will open the document in a new browser window.
State seeks 'champions of assistive technology'
January 28, 2011 - The STAR Program and
the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council are accepting
nominations for the 2011 Excellence in Assistive Technology awards. The awards recognize individuals
and organizations as champions of assistive technology (AT) for removing
barriers to independence for people with disabilities. The deadline for nominations is 4
p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.
Assistive Technology Advisory Council seeks member
November 9, 2010 -
The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council is seeking candidates to
complete a four-year term that expires Jan. 2, 2012. The council advises the state
on the planning, implementation and evaluation of activities that help persons
with disabilities acquire assistive technology. Applications for the 15-member council,
which meets quarterly, will be accepted through Nov. 23, 2010.
Minnesota is 'Buying Smarter' - Pew Center on the States report lauds
Minnesota for comprehensive procurement reform efforts
September 30, 2010 - An extensive
report by the Pew Center on the States lauds Minnesota state
government’s comprehensive approach to procurement reform. The report, "States Buying Smarter: Lessons in
Purchasing and Contracting from Minnesota and Virginia,"
examines the strategies the two states are employing to reduce costs and
improve service quality in their procurement operations
Seven-month State
Capitol dome repair project begins
June 10, 2010 - Work is beginning on a $4 million, seven-month project to repair the State
Capitol dome. The repairs will reduce the amount of water entering the dome
from the outside, improve drainage and ventilation in the dome, and shore up
vertical steel supports in the inner dome.
MSU Moorhead
students, professors will conduct Swift County archaeological survey
May 18, 2010 - Minnesota State
University Moorhead students and staff members will conduct an
archaeological survey of Swift County in an effort to learn more about the
area's prehistoric cultures. The survey, planned for late spring and summer,
seeks to discover archaeological sites and to revisit known sites and assess
their condition. The information from the survey will benefit archaeologists
as well as local land use planners.
Olmstead County
will be focus of major archaeology project
May 18, 2010 - Olmsted County will be the focus of a major
archaeology project this summer. The Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center
(MVAC) will be working with local residents and conducting archaeological
surveys to look for new sites, assess the condition of previously recorded
sites and prepare a detailed summary of the county's archaeological sites.
The information collected by the survey will aid local land use planners and
offer residents a better understanding of how people have lived in the
county for more than 12,000 years.
Minnesotans answer the
Census in record numbers; nine larger Minnesota cities in top 20 nationally
May 3,
2010 - Eighty percent of Minnesotans returned their 2010 Census
questionnaires, an increase from 2000 when the state tied with Iowa at 77
percent. Only Wisconsin has a higher initial participation rate in 2010, at
81 percent. The nationwide participation rate stands at 72 percent.
State
surplus auction customers can now register, get bidder cards early online
April 12, 2010 - State surplus auction customers can now register
and get a bidding card online in minutes, up to 10 days before an event,
rather than having to stand in a long line at the auction. The only
requirements are a computer with an internet connection and a printer;
simple instructions are on the Surplus Services website,
www.fss.state.mn.us, then click on the 'Auctions' link.
14 Minnesota citizens, educators and organizations will be honored
as champions of assistive technology
April 5, 2010 - Fourteen Minnesota citizens, educators and organizations
will be recognized April 13 in a ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda as champions of
removing barriers to independence for people with disabilities. Recipients include pioneers
in the field of assistive technology, educators, professionals and consumers who promote
the use of assistive technology.
Governor
proclaims April 1 as 2010 Census Day in Minnesota
April 1, 2010 - Governor Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed April 1, 2010
as Census Day in the State of Minnesota. April 1 is the official day of the
United States population count, the results of which will be used to
determine the state's representation in Congress, the allocation of
approximately $400 billion in federal funding and the boundaries of state
legislative districts.
Rice is top city in state for 2010 Census
response
March 25, 2010 - The City of
Rice in central Minnesota is leading the state in responding to the 2010
Census, with 69 percent of residents returning the questionnaire within a
week of receiving it, according to the State Demographic Center. Albany,
Okabena and Ormsby are close behind with a 68 percent return rate, and all
four cities are among the top 30 in the nation.
Census 2010 help available
at hundreds of locations statewide
March 17, 2010 -
Help completing the 2010 Census or with
getting the 10-question Census form will be available at hundreds of
locations statewide beginning March 19. Trained personnel at 222 Questionnaire
Assistance Centers (QACs) will be available to help people complete the
Census form. Be Counted Centers, at 245 locations, will have replacement
forms for people who do not receive or have lost the form.
An interactive map of the centers is available online at
www.mn2010census.org/centers/.
Census 2010: College students
can help Minnesota win big
Feb. 22, 2010 –
College students -- particularly commuter students -- can help secure
Minnesota's political and economic future for years to come by participating
in the 2010 Census. In mid-March, college students
living off campus will receive a Census 2010 questionnaire at their
residence.
Altman reappointed to the State Designer Selection Board
Feb. 1, 2010 –
Commissioner of Administration Sheila Reger has reappointed Mary Altman
of Saint Paul to serve a second term on the State Designer Selection Board representing the
Minnesota Arts Board. Altman has more than 25 years of experience in visual
arts, public and community art in Minnesota.
Excellence in Assistive Technology award nominees sought
Jan. 19, 2010 -
The STAR Program and the Minnesota Assistive Technology
Advisory Council are accepting nominations for the 2010 Excellence in
Assistive Technology awards, which recognize assistive technology champions,
including consumers, advocates, employers, education innovators, service
providers, product developers and others. The deadline for nominations is
4:30 p.m., Friday, March 5, 2010. Details and nomination forms are available
online at
www.starprogram.state.mn.us.
Fleischhacker reappointed to State Designer Selection Board
Jan. 12, 2010–
Commissioner of Administration Sheila Reger has reappointed Gilbert
Fleischhacker of Maple Grove to the State Designer Selection Board.
Fleischhacker has served on the board since November 2008 as a
representative of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. He is
retired after 33 years with M.A. Mortenson Company.
Race to
keep eight Congressional seats tightens for Minnesota
Dec. 23, 2009 –
Minnesota would just barely miss keeping its eight Congressional seats, based on an analysis
of new state population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
A Congressional reapportionment forecast by State Demographer Tom Gillaspy projects
Missouri would receive the last seat apportioned, with Minnesota just missing by about
1,100 people -- a difference of less than one month's population change for Minnesota.
The difference between California, Texas, Missouri and Minnesota for the last three
seats is about 2,200 people, which is well within the potential estimating error.
Minnesota
Assistive Technology Advisory Council seeks seven citizens who want to make
a difference
Nov. 12, 2009 – The Minnesota
Assistive Technology Advisory Council is seeking seven citizens who want to
advise the state on issues that help persons with disabilities acquire the
devices they need to live, learn, work and play.
The Council especially encourages
applicants who reflect the diversity of Minnesota, including racial and
ethnic groups, geographic location and range of disabilities. At least six
members must be individuals with disabilities who use assistive technology.
Minnesota 'Snowbirds' critical to Census 2010 count
Oct. 2, 2009 –
With less than six months to go until Census Day 2010, the Minnesota
State Demographic Center is encouraging Minnesota residents who reside out
of state for the winter months ("snowbirds")
answer only the 2010 Census form they receive at their Minnesota address.
The State Demographic Center estimates that fewer than 3,000 people are
needed for Minnesota to retain its eight congressional districts.
Metro area
bears brunt of housing slump; northwest, west-central Minnesota fare better
June 25, 2009 –
The housing slump appears to be affecting the Minneapolis-St. Paul
Metropolitan Area more than other parts of Minnesota, according to a new
report from the Minnesota State Demographic Center. Both median sales price
and the number of sales dropped more within the Twin Cities area than
elsewhere in the state between the first three quarters of 2007 and 2008.
The report, “Minnesota Housing Prices, 2007-2008,” is available online at
www.demography.state.mn.us.
Commissioner Reger
appoints David Arbeit as state’s first chief geospatial information officer
June 24, 2009 –
Administration Commissioner Sheila Reger today announced the appointment of
David Arbeit as State Chief Geospatial Information Officer (CGIO). As CGIO,
Arbeit will oversee the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office, created by
the 2009 Legislature to coordinate geospatial information technology and its
use across state government.
Commissioner Reger
names Ryan Church as Deputy Commissioner
June 4, 2009 –
Commissioner of Administration Sheila Reger has appointed Ryan
Church of St. Paul as Deputy Commissioner effective June 8. As Deputy
Commissioner, Church will be primarily responsible for the department’s
business operations, including fleet and surplus services, data practices,
risk management and geographic and demographic services, and for
coordinating activities with other state agencies.
More than 250
students from St. Paul Schools will help plant State Capitol gardens May 28
May 28, 2009 –
More than 250 students from St. Paul Public Schools
will assist Department of Administration groundskeepers May 28 with
beautifying the State Capitol grounds by planting more than a dozen flower
gardens. Highlighting the annual event will be the work at the main garden
on the south lawn of the State Capitol, which begins at 9 a.m.
Commissioner of Administration Dana
Badgerow leaving State service
April 17, 2009 –
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Dana Badgerow, Commissioner of
the Minnesota Department of Administration, is leaving her post on May 11,
2009 to join the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, as
its President and Chief Executive Officer.
Census 2010 Town Hall Meetings slated for more than 20 Minnesota communities
March 17, 2009 –
The Minnesota Demographic Center’s 2010 Census Team will be visiting more
than 20 communities across the state beginning March 26 to discuss
opportunities that will help ensure a complete count in the U.S. Census on
April 1, 2010.
Communities of Color unite for Census 2010
Feb. 18, 2009 –
Members of Minnesota's Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, African,
African-American and Native American communities are set to launch their
efforts to promote Census 2010. Representatives from each community will
join members of the State Legislature for a press conference on Feb. 24 in
St. Paul to outline the details of their work. All participants will be
available for comment following the event.
Complete
Count Committees will be key to successful 2010 Census in Minnesota
Feb. 12, 2009 –
A decade ago, people from every corner of the country gathered in their town
halls, churches, schools and businesses for a single purpose: Make sure
everyone would count for the 2000 Census. With the 2010 Census a little over
a year away, Minnesotans have even more reason to ensure a complete count.
Minnesota population growth rate slows
Dec. 22, 2008 – The population
of Minnesota increased by 38,033 persons or 0.7 percent
between July 2007 and July 2008, a slightly slower growth rate than in the
preceding year. According to new estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau,
Minnesota's population on July 1, 2008, was 5,220,393. Since the 2000
Census, Minnesota has grown by 300,901 people or 6.1 percent.
Citizens can track state government's performance using new 'Accountability
Minnesota' website
Dec. 11, 2008 –
Minnesotans now have a new online resource for evaluating the
performance of Minnesota state government agencies and programs. The new
Accountability Minnesota website,
www.accountability.state.mn.us, provides
performance information on 94 specific goals from 25 Executive Branch
agencies and offices.
Eleven Minnesota employers recognized as innovators in employing people with
developmental disabilities
Oct. 1, 2008 –
Eleven Minnesota businesses and institutions were recognized Oct. 1 by the
Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) for their
innovative approaches toward employing people with developmental
disabilities.
State awards contracts to seven vendors engaging people with
developmental disabilities in digital imaging work
August 11, 2008 –
The State of Minnesota, recognizing the ability of many people with
developmental disabilities to perform effectively in document imaging
positions, has awarded contracts to several firms that regularly employ
people with such disabilities for that work.
Preparations
begin to keep Minnesota first in U.S. Census response
August 8, 2008 – The 2010 U.S.
Census is a long 20 months from now, but Minnesota is already preparing to
repeat as the nation's top-responding state. The state's new Census 2010
website,
www.mn2010census.org,
is the 'first stop' for information, ideas and news about Minnesota's
preparations for the 2010 Census.
New
website is public's 'first stop' for Minnesota state grants information
April 3, 2008
—
Minnesotans can now search for state grant opportunities and information through one website,
www.grants.state.mn.us.
"This new website is a 'first stop' for people interested in learning about
the hundreds of grant programs that are available through 23 state
agencies," said Dana Badgerow, Commissioner of the Department of
Administration. The website includes a brief overview of many of the state's
grant programs and provides direct links to the sponsoring state agency.
Commissioner
Badgerow names Jo Ann Erbes Minnesota STAR Program coordinator
Feb. 11, 2008
—
Department of Administration
Commissioner Dana Badgerow has named Jo Ann Erbes of Apple Valley as
coordinator of the Minnesota STAR (System of Technology to Achieve Results)
Program, effective March 3, 2008. Erbes is currently Executive Director of
United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, a position she has held since 1991.
Governor's Veterans
Long-Term Advisory Commission issues final report
Nov. 19, 2007
—
The Governor's Veterans Long-Term Care Advisory Commission on Nov. 19 issued its final
report to Governor Tim Pawlenty. The report addresses issues surrounding the
Minneapolis Veterans Home and recommends a new way of providing long-term
care and support to Minnesota veterans. The report is available online at
www.admin.state.mn.us/documents/commission/Final_report.pdf.
| 
