PHOTOS: Hayes Kids Go Bananas as Teachers Do Flash Mob Dance

You have to see the video of the Hayes Elementary School staff flash mob too.

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Capitol Review

Wolf's Bill Draws Media Attention, Teacher-union Fire

The state senator said she's open to either opt-in or opt-out for union-member contributions at issue.

The 24 words state Sen. Pam Wolf proposed adding to state lawbooks last week drew a small flurry of media attention and teachers-union fury before the state Legislator took off for a weeklong holiday recess.  Those 24 words, amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 179A.06, subdivision 6: A dues check off under this subdivision for contributions to foundations, political action committees, or publications must be requested by the employee in writing. "What I believe she's trying to do is bury the union in a blizzard of bureaucracy," Tom Dooher, president of Education Minnesota, told Minnesota Public Radio. In a tweet, WCCO's Pat Kessler elaborated on an Associated Press story by quoting Wolf's remark about her bill that "it's not anti-…

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Fire Chief Opposes Bill to Ban Fire-Sprinkler Requirements for Single-family Homes

Fridley's Fire Chief isn't in favor of legislation that passed the House over two Fridley reps' 'No' votes.

A bill banning state and local codes from requiring fire sprinklers in single-family homes has passed the Minnesota House of Representatives and a state Senate committee, but it doesn't get a passing grade from Fridley Fire Chief John Berg. The bill, H.F. 460, "flies in the face of the building code process that was established for debating and amending building codes that protect people," Berg said in an email. The bill passed out of the state Senate's Judiciary and Public Safety Committee (over Sen. Barb Goodwin's "no" vote) and got its second reading in the state Senate last week. State Reps. Tom Tillberry (DFL-51BA) and Kate Knuth (DFL-51A) cast votes against the bill. (Fridley's other representative, DFLer Carolyn Laine of House …

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