The Obama Administration today announced a shorter, simpler, and more user friendly Free Application for Federal Student Aid that will make it easier to apply for college financial aid. The changes — some of which are already in place while others will be phased in over the next few months — are designed to increase postsecondary enrollment, particularly among low- and middle-income students.

By Robin Richardson
Litchfield

For 30 years, the Republican congressman from Texas, Ron Paul, has preached his idea of strict fiscal responsibility and warned that every economic downturn in the past century has been due to the Federal Reserve’s inflationary policies.

Betty Hansen and Robyn Richardson,
Litchfield

Marcy Kaptur, congresswoman from Ohio, advised those in foreclosure: “Stay put and when the sheriff comes, tell him to show you the paper.” Why? Many of the mortgages (loans) have been sold, re-sold and repackaged so many times that in many cases it’s not clear who actually owns the loan.

A loan is a contract. Well, Wall Street forgot about contract law. Oops.

The IRS announced it has unclaimed refunds totaling $17,085,000 for approximately 19,700 Minnesota residents who did not file a federal income tax return for 2005. Nationally approximately $1.3 billion is unclaimed. However, to collect the money, a return for 2005 must be filed with the IRS no later than Tuesday, April 15.

Sen. Barack Obama will be the next U.S. President come Jan. 20 after securing 349 electoral votes and about 53 percent of the popular vote. Two states - Missouri and North Carolina - are still processing results.

Obama won Minnesota handily with a winning percentage of 54 percent. Sen. John McCain had 43.8 percent of the vote.

Meeker County bucked the national trend, selecting the Republican McCain over Obama 6,737 to 5,380. That's a winning percentage of 53.7 percent to 42.9 percent.

People vote for different reasons. Some are dissatisfied and want change while others prefer the status quo. Many people consider voting their civic duty. Others just want to have a voice.

When the polls open at 7 a.m. Nov. 4, Minnesota voters might be heading to the polls in record numbers.

Erik Haapala is a self-described “political junkie.”

While some people follow their favorite sports teams with a religious fervor, Haapala loves the political arena and the issues that drive our daily lives.

So, for him, the upcoming Republican National Convention is the Super Bowl of politics.

“I’m excited, but it’s going to be a very different experience,” Haapala, 36, said about attending his first national convention.

Nancy Larson admits waking up some mornings, and asking herself, “Where am I?”

The busy 66-year-old Dassel woman has had a hectic summer since the end of the 2008 legislative session with conferences, work and visits to see family.

And with a trip to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, her summer political schedule is only set to get busier. But she doesn’t seem to mind at all.

One's Minnesota last uncommitted Democratic superdelegates will back Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Nancy Larson of Dassel announced over the weekend she intends to support Obama by casting her ballot for him at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Larson, a Democratic National Committee member, joins nine other Minnesota superdelegates supporting Obama. Three are backing Sen. Hilary Clinton.

The Internal Revenue Service announced last week that it will begin sending more than 130 million economic stimulus payments starting May 2. The initial round of weekly payments will be completed by early July.

Stimulus payments will be made by direct deposit to people who choose to receive their 2007 income tax refunds through direct deposit. All others will receive their economic stimulus payments in the form of a paper check.