Fact Check: Seifert criticizes a fee he voted for

Posted at 11:31 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Minnesota Governor

Republican Marty Seifert has been saying for months that Minnesota has a "jobs problem" and that he's set to release a jobs package to spur economic growth. At forums and on his website, the candidate for governor discusses how fees and permits are hindering business creation and expansion in Minnesota. One example he uses is the license fee that the state charges liquor distilleries:

"We had a guy in Windom who wanted to open up a distillery business. The distillery license fee in Minnesota is $30,000. Thirty thousand dollars to open up a distillery. In 42 minutes to the south of Windom is the state of Iowa, it costs $350. Where do you think he took his business? Where do you think he took his jobs? He went to Iowa. We now know that there are three businesses like his in Iowa and one in Wisconsin. Those are jobs that we should have here." Listen

Seifert voted to double the distillery fee in 2005 in both the House version of the public safety finance bill and the final conference committee report. It increased the distillery fee from $15,000 to $30,000.

It can be sometimes difficult to gauge a candidate's voting record on large budget bills because there are plenty of issues and moving parts in them. But Seifert, who was the GOP Majority Whip at the time, never proposed an amendment to reduce or eliminate the fee. In fact, no one proposed an amendment to reduce the size of the fees.

For the record, Seifert wasn't the only candidate for governor to vote for the bill. Republican Tom Emmer and Democrats Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Matt Entenza and Paul Thissen voted for it in the House.

Republican David Hann and DFLer John Marty voted for it in the Senate.

DFL Sen. Tom Bakk and DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina voted against the bill.

Comment on this post

Walz and Paulsen want nuke ban lifted

Posted at 6:58 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Minnesota Governor, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Tim Walz and GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen will hold a news conference in St. Paul this morning to call on Minnesota to end its moratorium on the production of nuclear power plants. They will be joined by members of the Building and Trades Council Union and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Minnesota has banned the expansion of nuclear power plants in 1994 but an effort to repeal the moratorium has been gaining steam in recent years. The Minnesota Senate passed the effort last year and it was narrowly defeated in the Minnesota House. Critics of the moratorium say nuclear energy should be considered "clean power" and would help provide power to an energy hungry nation. The Washington Post reports this morning that nuclear power is gaining support from the Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress.

But opponents of nuclear power who support of the moratorium in Minnesota argue that nuclear power is too expensive and is too dangerous.

There are two nuclear power plants in Minnesota - in Red Wing (GOP Rep. John Kline's district) and in Monticello (GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's district).

Today's key question: Will Paulsen or Walz support a nuclear power plant in their district?

Comment on this post

Obama nears decision on Afghanistan

Posted at 6:26 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, President, U.S. House

Several news outlets, including Politico, are reporting that President Obama will lay out his strategy regarding Afghanistan during a primetime address to the nation on Tuesday, December 1st.

The Washington Post says Obama's top military commander and the U.S. Ambassador in Afghanistan have been told to get ready to testify before Congress.

Comment on this post

Pawlenty on Obama: "I'd give him a bad grade."

Posted at 6:22 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

It would be news if Gov. Pawlenty said he'd give Obama "good grades" wouldn't it?

Gov. Pawlenty appeared on Sean Hannity's show last night on Fox News. Hannity, a constant critic of President Obama, chucked plenty of softballs Pawlenty's way.

During the show, Pawlenty criticized President Obama's health care plan, his strategy regarding the war in Afghanistan and the deficit. Hannity also repeatedly asked Pawlenty to "grade Obama" (ball on tee). Pawlenty said "it was one of the biggest bait and switch schemes in modern American history." Pawlenty also gave his standard response when asked about his presidential aspirations. Watch the video here:

Pawlenty is also scheduled to hold a December fundraiser in Chicago for this PAC according to the Chicago Young Republicans twitter feed (h/t Rachel Stassen-Berger)

Comment on this post

Chaudhary to attend White House dinner

Posted at 5:33 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, President

DFL state Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, Fridley, will attend a White House dinner tonight that honors India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Chaudhary, whose parents emigrated to the U.S. from India in the 1960s, became the first Asian-Indian senator in American history.

"I'm honored to be invited to attend this noteworthy event," said Sen. Chaudhary in a news release. "The event highlights the strong and growing economic and political partnership between India and the United States, as well as the friendship between the two countries."

You can read more about the White House state dinner (the first under an Obama Administration) here.

Comment on this post

Bachmann gets standing ovations at conservative conference

Posted at 4:51 AM on November 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann attended the Restoration Weekend conference in Palm Beach, Florida over the weekend. The event appeared to be a who's who of conservative activists and conservative leaders. Newt Gingrich, Phyllis Schlafly and Ann Coulter are just some of the names in attendance. But it appeared that Bachmann got the biggest ovation for saying Al Franken stole the election and she's the "left's number one target."

Conservative blogger Steven Rosenblum had this snapshot from Bachmann's appearance:

The best and most well received speech was given by the fantastic Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. She made no secret of the fact she believes Al Franken stole the US Senate election from Norm Coleman. She spoke of being the left's number one target (maybe number 2 after Sarah Palin), speaking as a victim, but pointing to the fact that the left knows it's ideas are failing and that their arguments fall short, so they attack the messenger. Bachmann got 3 standing ovations from a receptive audience that obviously would like to see her lead the conservatives back into the leadership of the House GOP. After her rousing speech Rep. Bachmann was inundated by the crowd, looking for photo-ops and the chance to shake her hand and thank her for her efforts.

Comment on this post

A penny for your thoughts

Posted at 6:01 PM on November 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty

MPR News has found that more than a third of the state's school districts have been forced to borrow nearly $300 million as a result of Governor Pawlenty's school payment shift. He used the shift in July as a budget balancing tool.

Interested in which districts were forced to borrow? Check the story with the nifty graphic.

(h/t Than Tibbetts for being a graphics guru)

Comment on this post

McCollum supports war surtax

Posted at 4:34 PM on November 23, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum, D-Minn., has signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation to establish a temporary surtax to pay for the war in Afghanistan.

The chairman of the House appropriations committee, Rep. David Obey, D-Wisc., introduced the measure. McCollum explained her support of the proposed surtax today in a news release.

"Achieving stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a national security priority that directly impacts the safety of our citizens," McCollum said. "All additional funding necessary to achieve stability in this region should not be put on America's credit card, but paid for today. In a time of economic crisis, borrowing billions of dollars from China to pay for war in Afghanistan actually undermines our national security. Shared sacrifice means not only committing to fight a war but also committing to pay for it."

Comment on this post

Pawlenty wants Vikings and Metrodome operators to get along

Posted at 11:16 AM on November 23, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the Minnesota Vikings and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission need to maintain a good relationship.

Vikings officials got upset with the commission last week for proposing to extend their Metrodome lease by two more years, when the team wants a new stadium. Pawlenty told reporters today that the dustup resulted in some unfortunate comments.

"They are tenant and landlord so to speak," Pawlenty said. "But pretty soon the sports facilities commission is going to be transcended because the Vikings are going to need to make other arrangements. And so we need to make sure the relationship is positive."

Pawlenty offered no prediction about the chances of a Vikings stadium bill advancing in the 2010 Legislative session. With the economy still struggling, he said state budget matters will have to come first.

Comment on this post

The wet cement is drying quickly

Posted at 9:17 AM on November 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Minnesota Governor

Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, announced this morning that he won't run for governor. In an interview, Weaver joked that it's Thanksgiving week and he's "thankful he's not running for governor." Weaver ran for Attorney General in 1998 and said he knows how difficult it is to run a statewide campaign.

"Mostly, it was an unwillingness to make the sacrifice, "Weaver said. "The personal commitment is just too much."

Weaver said he isn't ready to back a candidate right now but will back a candidate at some point. He also suggested that there are other Republicans who can enter the race like former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman or state Rep. Laura Brod.

Despite Weaver's assessment, the timing of the precinct caucuses could make it difficult for a newcomer to make a splash at this point. We'll see if any other candidates get in or if those sitting on the sidelines start backing the candidates currently in the race.

Here's Weaver's news release with a special Top 10 list:

Charlie Weaver today announced that he will not be a candidate for Governor in 2010.

Weaver, a former Republican state legislator, Chief of Staff to Governor Tim Pawlenty, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety for Governor Jesse Ventura and criminal prosecutor for Anoka County, said he made the decision based on personal considerations.

"Running for Governor is a full time job and I know well the sacrifices that go along with the decision to seek statewide office," said Weaver, who ran for Attorney General in 1998. "The toll that a year-long political campaign takes on your family is just something that I am not willing to accept. Life is short, and the thought of quitting my job and basically not seeing much of my wife and four children for the next year was just something that I couldn't justify."

Weaver and his wife, Julie, live in Anoka with their four school-age children.

"Recently, Julie and I were discussing the pros and cons of my getting in the race. That same night, we had one son at bowling practice, one son in both a football game and at hockey practice after football, our daughter at dance and our other son in a band concert. Life is hectic, but I also really enjoy attending our kid's activities. I love public service, but time with my kids - particularly at this point in their lives - is more important to me."

Weaver is currently the Executive Director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization comprised of the CEOs of Minnesota's 100 largest companies. The mission of the Partnership is to grow Minnesota's economy and improve Minnesota's quality of life through keeping Minnesota globally competitive.

"While the Governor of Minnesota is a pretty good job, I am blessed to have a great job right now", said Weaver. "I am able to work with some of the brightest business leaders in the world on issues that matter to our state and we've made a difference in protecting Minnesota's remarkable quality of life."
"There are many ways to serve this great state," said Weaver. "Continuing to lead the Partnership in this challenging economic and political environment with a focus on growing jobs in Minnesota and being the best Dad I can be is the best way to contribute right now."

"When I initially indicated that I was exploring getting into the Governor's race, the reaction at that time of my ten-year-old son was "Don't do it, Dad - you'll get crushed!" While I still don't agree with his assessment of my chances, I would dearly miss being around him for the next year and hearing more of his good advice."

Weaver offered 10 additional reasons why he won't be running for Governor in 2010:
1. The Governor's Residence is nice, but it ain't Anoka;
2. Old streaking " incident" makes endorsement unlikely;
3. Has only raised $25.13 so far;
4. Discovered that he has to pay for personal parties at the Residence;
5. Thinks unallotment is a board game;
6. Troopers told him he couldn't wander the Residence in his underwear;
7. Friends are too "busy" to attend convention;
8. Gift ban makes it harder to get free stuff;
9. Not interested in all those boring budget meetings; and
10. Recent polling reveals he would lose to the intoxicated motorized LazyBoy guy.

Comment on this post