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Short takes

Another grand SMSU graduation

THUMBS UP:

Southwest Minnesota State University celebrated its 49th commencement Saturday with 469 graduates walking up to President Dr. Connie Gores and accepting diplomas. It was another grand ceremony by the university to honor a major achievement for students. It represents a new beginning. “For some of you graduates, the path forward is already clear,” Gores told the graduates. “For others, it’s a work in progress and you’re still working on what lies ahead. Whatever the case, please know that you are all very well prepared.”

Standoff continues over state budget

THUMBS SIDEWAYS:

State Rep. Chris Swedzinski on Wednesday touted the House’s approval of a tax bill providing $1.15 billion in relief over the next two years, including a $218 million reduction on the state tax on Social Security income. “We should remember that hard work by people in our area and throughout the state is what generated the $1.65 billion budget surplus our state is experiencing,” said Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent. “The House is committed to putting money back in the pockets of those overtaxed Minnesotans and this bill helps us do that, with reductions for families who use child care, farmers, Main Street businesses, college students and others.” A provision Swedzinski authored is featured in the bill, providing $39 million to reduce construction costs for cities and counties through a sales-tax exemption for contractors doing projects for them. Meanwhile, the standoff between Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature continues. The governor threatens to use his veto pen often. He already used it Wednesday to reject two Republican-backed abortion bills. One bill would have cut off state money for abortions and another required that abortion clinics be licensed.

Standoff continues over state budget

THUMBS UP:

The Prairieland Genealogical Society offers an important resource to Lyon County residents. According to a Independent article Wednesday, the 35-plus member nonprofit group puts in many hours over the course of a year to collect, collate and maintain historical records for the surrounding area. The valuable information includes file cabinets containing obituaries, microfilm from six area newspapers and bookshelves with family and area history.

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