Polinaut: May 15, 2008 Archive

Inching along

Posted at 12:56 AM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Talks are set to resume at 10:30 Thursday morning. They wrapped up negotiations last night at Midnight after DFLers presented their latest budget offer. It includes a property tax cap of 5.5% and has tails of $150 million for property tax relief ($75m in LGA for Senate - and $75m in direct property tax relief for the House).

The plan also takes $2.5 million from Governor Pawlenty's Achieve initiative and makes cuts of $1 million each to the University of Minnesota and MnSCU and $500k cut to Corrections. There's saving from a GI Bill, they tap the Worker's Compensation Special Fund, the Minnesota Investment Fund and the plan requires St. Paul to pay $1.5 million for the Arena loan (which the state will pick up later).

There are also fees in the offer. There is a Motor Vehicle transfer fee increase of $10 (it generates $10.2 million) and a $5 increase for professional licenses (Electronic Licensing Surchage generates $3.3 million). The plan also shifts inpatient hospital payments by one month generating $10 million.

The Health Plan Reserve Proposal ($50 million) is still on the table but would be backed up by money from the Health Care Access Fund.

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said she hoped the offer was a pathway to a deal. Governor Pawlenty's spokesman said the proposed property tax cap was too high but was optimistic since the two sides are still talking.

The Daily Digest: 5-15-08

Posted at 11:04 AM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Sorry the Digest is late but I needed the sleep. If you don' like it, take it up with Joe Kimball (thanks for the kind words).

I'm told that legislative leaders are back negotiating with Gov. Pawlenty right now. They ended last night at midnight. The Star Tribune, MPR, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and the AP have updates.

More detail than the average person would want is here and here.

Forum Communications says much of the Legislature's work is already done.

MinnPost profiles DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark.

MPCA chooses the most aggressive cleanup plan for 3M.

Vandals damage three of the official gubernatorial portraits. MPR, the Pi Press, Forum Communications, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

MinnPost says Minneapolis is thinking about targeting "idling" drivers.

Speaking about driving in Minneapolis, Mayor R.T. Rybak is allowed to drive again.

Congress
The House passed the Farm Bill with a veto proof majority. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned. The Senate votes next.

GOP Rep. John Kline and DFL Rep. Tim Walz voted for the bill. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann voted against the bill

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey writes an op-ed ripping GOP Sen. Norm Coleman for backing a bill that increases health care mandates.

Democrats in Congress want a chemical in plastic investigated. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

GOP Rep. John Kline may offer a bill that would remove the restriction on grants that require union affiliation for "green collar" jobs.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison urges Congress to take action in Darfur.

An anti-trust review is the next step for Delta's acquisition of Northwest Airlines. The two airlines said they would consolidate some airport operations. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar still maintains his concerns about the deal. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press and MPR have stories.

A merger opponent warns of higher fares.

Minnesota Monitor says former UN Ambassador John Bolton will speak in the Twin Cities tonight.

2008

The Star Tribune says local political parties are refusing recording devices at events for fear that their candidate will make a fool of themselves.

2008 Race for Senate

The GOP is a bit nervous after three straight losses. Minnesota's Senate race is mentioned.

Democrat Al Franken speaks in Marshall.

2008 Race for President

John Edwards backs Barack Obama.

Obama apologizes for calling a reporter "sweetie." He also starts wearing a flag lapel pin.

John McCain is looking four years down the road and says troops will be home from Iraq in 2013.

Time also writes about John McCain's health.

2008 RNC

The protest route is planned. Protesters don't like it. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

Other

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura will appear at a book signing tonight at the Mall of America. He will also appear on Midday at noon.

Jesse on midday

Posted at 11:24 AM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura will be on Midday at noon. You can ask him an online question here.

Maybe they're breaking to listen to Jesse

Posted at 11:46 AM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Budget negotiators are taking a break for about an hour. AP has the latest:

No deal yet on property tax relief or spending cuts
By MARTIGA LOHN and BRIAN BAKST Associated Press Writer

ST. PAUL (AP) - Budget talks between the Democrats who control the Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty resumed Thursday morning at the state Capitol.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher went into the meeting saying she is maintaining an open mind and a feeling of optimism about reaching a deal.
The legislative leaders and the governor are trying to close a $935 million budget gap and give homeowners relief from rising property taxes.
The Legislature faces a mandatory Monday deadline to finish its business.
The main sticking points are how to structure a limit on local property tax increases and how much money to put into municipal aid and homeowner property tax assistance programs.
Senate Minority Leader David Senjem says Republicans see four or five "poison pills" in the DFL's plans but everyone knows the pressure is on to reach a deal.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-15-08 1231EDT

I think they're breaking to listen to Jesse on Midday.

You can ask the former governor a question here.

Franken hires new campaign manager

Posted at 12:00 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Democrat Al Franken is bringing in a new campaign manager. Here's the release:

SAINT PAUL [5/15/08] - Al Franken for U.S. Senate is thrilled to announce that Stephanie Schriock will be joining the campaign as Campaign Manager in early June.

Schriock most recently served as Montana Senator Jon Tester's Chief of Staff after managing his successful campaign to defeat three-term incumbent Conrad Burns.

"I'm incredibly proud of the campaign we've built and incredibly excited about Stephanie coming aboard to run it," said Al Franken. "She's a good friend, a remarkable talent, and someone who knows a little something about beating Republican Senators who've forgotten what their job was supposed to be in Washington."

Stephanie Schriock said, "Al Franken's passion and dedication for delivering positive change across the board - from energy independence to health care - is what our country needs. I am honored to join Franken's campaign for change - working with all Minnesotans to send another great progressive Senator we can be proud of to Washington this November."

Schriock was born in Mankato. Her family moved to Butte, Montana, where she graduated from high school, before she returned to Mankato State University for college.

Schriock has broad political experience working for high-profile leaders around the nation. Before the Tester campaign, she served as senior advisor and finance director for Gov. Howard Dean's Presidential campaign in Vermont and managed David Walters' U.S. Senate campaign in Oklahoma. She also worked at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1999-2002, aiding campaigns across the country.

Schriock's start in politics was as Finance Director for the Mary Rieder for Congress campaign (MN-1) in 1996 and then as Campaign Manager for the Bill Luther for Congress campaign (MN-6) in 1998.
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Jesse: I could be the "None of the Above" candidate

Posted at 12:21 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Jesse Ventura said on MPR's Midday that he's "thinking about running for the U.S. Senate." He called GOP Sen. Norm Coleman a "Chickenhawk" for voting to go to war but not going to war when he could have.

He called Democrat Al Franken a "Carpetbagger" and ripped him for not paying taxes in other states.

Ventura said he may put his name on the ballot as a "None of the Above" candidate. He added later on:

"I'm not saying I will or won't."

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Farm Bill headed to White House

Posted at 1:01 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The House and Senate support it with veto proof margins. President Bush is threatening to veto the legislation.

Senate Committee grounds clean car bill into dirt

Posted at 1:06 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee defeated a bill that would require Minnesota to adopt California's emissions standards. The so-called Clean Car bill was heavily opposed by the Auto Dealers and others. The House companion bill is awaiting a floor vote. The old motto is "No bill is ever dead until the final gavel falls" but this bill could be on the ropes for the session.

Court rules bar has to stop the show (at least for time being)

Posted at 1:20 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

The Minnesota Department of Health says they have won round one in its efforts to close the curtain on "Theater Nights" across the state. The state agency took an Elko bar to court for allowing smoking even though there is a statewide indoor smoking ban on the books. The bar (and other bars) is arguing that they can allow indoor smoking because of an exemption for theatrical performances. Here's the judge's temporary injunction.

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State lost 10,000 jobs in April

Posted at 4:11 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Those who were hoping for a quick economic turnaround are going to have to hope a little bit longer. The State Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that Minnesota lost 10,100 jobs in April. The most job losses came from tje construction industry, government, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing sectors.

The state's unemployment rate of 4.8% is still below the national unemployment rate of 5%.

Support for primary seat belt buckles under in the House

Posted at 4:16 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Supporters of a measure that would allow police to stop drivers simply because they weren't failing to wear a seat belt were turned back in their efforts again today. Attempts to include the provision on a different bill were defeated on a procedural vote. The provision was also included in a large transportation policy bill which the House also voted to send back to conference committee.

Gov vetoes minimum wage bill

Posted at 5:10 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Sen. Ellen Anderson just held a news conference saying Gov. Pawlenty vetoed the minimum wage bill. This was not a surprise since the governor said he had concerns about the size of the increase and a tip credit. Anderson said the governor let people down who are trying to make ends meet.

We haven't received the veto letter yet but will update when we do.

In his veto letter, Pawlenty wrote:

"As the Legislature addressed the state minimum wage again this year, I was very clear that I would support a reasonable increase to the state minimum wage, provided that the bill included an acceptable tip credit. A tip credit allows an employer to pay a slightly lower minimum wage to employees whose jobs include the reciept of significant earnings through tips. Unfortunately, the authors of the bill chose to ignore my concerns and passed a bill that increases the minimum wage to more than 50 percent above the the 2005 rate and does not include a tip credit for tipped employees."

He added that he's willing to consider a bipartisan minimum wage bill next session if it allows for a reasonable increase, creates a tip credit and does not unduly burden Minnesota's employers.

5 pizzas, 1 vanilla skim latte, a can of coke and some jolly ranchers

Posted at 10:11 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

That's what I have to report tonight. Gov. Pawlenty and Legislative leaders are meeting off and on again. They're breaking right now. Health care reform and property taxes are still a major sticking point. DFLers are waiting for another "run" on a property tax cap number.

The Health Care experts (DFL Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL Sen. Linda Berglin and GOP Sen. Betsy Wergin were all in the governor's office) to talk about the health care reform package.

GOP Sen. Betsy Wergin and DFL Rep. Paul Thissen said they think they can agree to a health care reform package that Democrats and Pawlenty can live with.

"I think that was possible from the beginning," Wergin said.

We're told that legislative leaders and the governor are set to return at some point tonight.

Most folks say prospects for a deal tonight are low.

Running to the finish or out of steam?

Posted at 11:57 PM on May 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Legislative leaders just went back in for behind closed door meetings at midnight.

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said DFLers have met Governor Pawlenty's property tax cap of 3.9%. She also said their offer has $75 million a year in Local Government Aid and $30 million in direct property tax relief but she said Pawlenty ordered them to fix the spending for the out years ($155 million).

Kelliher said Pawlenty's demands make her feel like she's gone from running a mile to a 5k to a half marathon to a marathon. She said she didn't think the meeting would be too long since the next three days would be "very long ones."

Earlier in the night, GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said DFLers were unwilling to make any cuts to Health and Human Services programs to pay for property tax relief. He also said the Health Care Reform bill is also back on the table with GOP input.

Seifert added that he had the votes to sustain an expected veto of the Education Finance Bill. He said it would be "nuclear war" if DFLers attempted the override in the last days of session.