Polinaut: July 3, 2006 Archive

It's quiet...too quiet

Posted at 7:21 AM on July 3, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)

No, I'm not describing the news today (although how did I get stuck working July 3?). I'm talking about the relative lack of explosions in my St. Paul neighborhood last night.

Typically a couple days before July 4 the fireworks are going off non-stop. It got even worse a few years ago when Gov. Jesse Ventura legalized some fireworks--supposedly the ones that don't fly or explode. People in my neighborhood took that as an invitation to open a free-fire zone.

Anyway for some reason last night all was quiet on the East-metro front. I wonder if that can last?

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Could be worse....

Posted at 7:35 AM on July 3, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy

...There could be a special session. Does this story from New Jersey sound familiar to anybody?:

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Courts, motor vehicle offices and inspection stations are closed. Lottery ticket sales have been halted. The same could happen to betting at race tracks and casinos.

More than half the state work force was staying home Monday on the first weekday of a statewide shutdown that began after lawmakers missed a July 1 deadline to adopt a new state budget.

The furlough affects about 45,000 state employees. It exempts personnel deemed essential, including state police, prison guards,
child welfare workers and some administration staff.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine closed state government Saturday amid an impasse with fellow Democrats in the Assembly that left New Jersey with no means to spend money. He met in private with top Assembly and Senate leaders for nearly four hours Sunday but no compromise was reached.

The Senate is scheduled to meet on Monday, and Senate President Richard J. Codey has told senators to be ready to stay in session until a budget is adopted.

Just in case...

Posted at 9:49 AM on July 3, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)

...you were dying to see Peter Hutchinson and other members of "Team Minnesota" in and among your Independence Day celebrations, here's the schedule from their campaigns:

Peter Hutchinson will be in the Eagan Parade, starting at Yankee Doodle Rd. and Hwy 13, Eagan, 10 a.m. Maureen Reed and Lucy Gerold will be in the Edina Fourth of July Parade, starting at Eden Avenue and Wilson Road, behind City Hall, Edina, 10 a.m.

Maureen Reed and Lucy Gerold will be in the Chanhassen Fourth of July Parade, starting at Chan View & Great Plains, Chanhassen, 2:30 p.m.

Peter Hutchinson will be in the Blooming Prairie Parade, 2:30 p.m.

Peter Hutchinson and Lucy Gerold will attend the Taste of Minnesota, Harriet Island, St. Paul, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Maureen Reed will attend the Coon Rapids Fireworks, Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids, 7:30 - 10 p.m.

John James will be in the Eveleth Parade, 10 a.m.

I haven't seen the schedules for candidates from other parties, but you have to assume they're out there. I'll post them if I get them.

And speaking of Hutchinson and the IP did you catch David Broder's column Sunday?

Broder was in Minnesota last week to speak to the League of Minnesota Cities. Midday aired the speech Thursday.

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News from Connecticut

Posted at 12:28 PM on July 3, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)

This just came across the wire:

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, Sen. Joe Lieberman said Monday he'll collect signatures to run as an unaffiliated candidate if he loses next month's primary.

"While I believe that I will win the Aug. 8 primary, I know there are no guarantees in elections," Lieberman told reporters on the steps of Connecticut's statehouse. "No one really knows how many Democrats will come out to vote on what may be a hot day in August."

Once a Democratic stalwart and the party's 2000 vice presidential nominee, Lieberman has fallen into disfavor from some Democrats for his support of the Iraq war and his perceived closeness to President Bush.

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