Capitol View: April 29, 2008 Archive

Minnesota wants to be like NYC while NYC wants to be like Minnesota

Posted at 2:23 PM on April 29, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Minnesota House passed the omnibus liquor bill last night. It includes language that extends the bar closing times until 4AM at certain bars during the Republican National Convention.

We all know about that issue. What I'm sure you didn't know was that folks in New York City are complaining about the 4AM bar closings in that town. NPR has that story.

The grass is always greener.

Pawlenty headed to Kansas next week.

Posted at 3:09 PM on April 29, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Governor Pawlenty is headed to Overland Park, Kansas to talk about Clean Energy. Here's part of the AP story:

Governors will discuss the progress and challenges facing states in clean power generation, transmission, energy efficiency and conservation.

A top executive of the Wal-Mart retail giant will unveil the states selected to take part in the NGA/Wal-Mart Greening State Capitols Initiative.

A clash of convictions

Posted at 4:11 PM on April 29, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Thursday is the Minnesota National Day of Prayer at the State Capitol. Gov. Pawlenty, state lawmakers and even a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice are scheduled to attend. Here's the governor's prayer proclamation for this year.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Atheists will be holding "A National Day of Reason" to call for the separation of Church and State. No word on whether any lawmakers or policy makers will attend the event.

Minnesota's Superdelegates

Posted at 4:21 PM on April 29, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Someone sent an e-mail asking for an update on Minnesota's superdelegates. The blog aims to please (SEE UPDATE BELOW):

Vice President Walter Mondale -- Hillary Clinton

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar -- Barack Obama

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz -- Obama

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum -- Obama

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison -- Obama

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson -- uncommitted

U.S. Rep. James Oberstar -- Obama

DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez -- Obama

DFL Party Associate Chair Donna Cassutt -- Obama

Democratic National Committee member Ken Foxworth -- Obama

DNC member Rick Stafford -- Clinton

DNC member Jackie Stevenson -- Clinton

DNC member Nancy Larson -- Obama

DNC member State Sen. Mee Moua -- Obama

UPDATE:

Two unpledged add-on delegates will be chosen at the state convention.

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Franken owes $70k in back taxes

Posted at 4:27 PM on April 29, 2008 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)

AP has the story:

Franken to pay $70K in back taxes in 17 states
By PATRICK CONDON Associated Press Writer
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Senate candidate Al Franken, dogged by accusations that he failed to file tax returns in California, said Tuesday he will pay about $70,000 in back income taxes in 17 states going back to 2003.
Most of the income at issue was from speeches and other paid appearances by the comedian-turned candidate, who said he got bad advice from his accountant but takes responsibility for the errors.
The Minnesota Democrat told The Associated Press that he and his wife, Franni, "paid taxes on every cent of income we ever had." He said that during the years in question, he followed the accountant's advice and paid his entire income tax bill to the city and state where he lived at the time. He lived in New York City from 2003-05.
"What happened is our accountant made a mistake, and all of these are repercussions of that same mistake," said Franken. "His mistake was not understanding the law, the obligation to pay these state taxes."
Franken has been preparing for a tough fight against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., but his campaign has been sidetracked in recent weeks by bookkeeping errors related to his private corporation, Alan Franken Inc. The campaign said last month it would pay a $25,000 fine to the state of New York for failure to carry workers' compensation insurance there.
The state Republican Party swiftly issued a statement in which it said Franken's "admission that he has violated laws in 17 different states since 2003 is only the beginning of the story." Party chairman Ron Carey said Franken's business activities "must have a full, and complete public airing if he is to retain any credibility as a candidate for public office."
In a conference call with reporters, Coleman called Franken's admission troubling.
"Paying taxes is an obligation that I think Minnesotans expect to be adhered to, and that Minnesotans do," Coleman said.
Franken said he's releasing the information to be transparent about his mistakes. He said he "would like to get back to talking about the lives of the people of Minnesota and the issues this campaign is about."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-04-29-08 1904EDT

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