Capitol View: March 10, 2009 Archive

Twin Cities mayors talk race for governor

Posted at 11:21 AM on March 10, 2009 by Tom Scheck

On MPR's Midmorning, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman discussed the race for governor and the potential that the two DFLers may have to run against each other in 2010. It was an interesting segment and you can listen to the give and take here.

Listen

MPR's News Cut also live-blogged the entire show.

Medical marijuana still rolling

Posted at 12:00 PM on March 10, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (8 Comments)

A bill to allow the medical use of marijuana in Minnesota cleared another committee in the state Senate today.

The Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division advanced the measure on a divided voice vote. Under the bill, doctors could prescribe marijuana to qualified patients for the treatment of a debilitating medical condition. Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, the bill's chief author, explained that patients could buy marijuana from registered suppliers, or they could grow their own. But Murphy said the state would not test the strength of those plants.

"I don't know how you answer the question of content, THC content, of the product without testing every plant that's grown," Murphy said. "Now, I don't think that that is a responsible thing for us to do. One, the cost would be astronomical. Two, you don't need to because once again this is not one of those heavy narcotics that kills people."

The same bill is also advancing in the Minnesota House. But Governor Tim Pawlenty has said he remains firmly opposed to the measure.

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Franken in D.C. telling colleagues he'll join them soon.

Posted at 1:03 PM on March 10, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Democrat Al Franken is in Washington D.C. again today. Politico is reporting that he's meeting with Senate leadership:

"I believe we are going to win the election contest, and after that, Sen. Coleman can choose to do what he wants," Franken said.

If Franken wins and Coleman appeals, it would land in the state Supreme Court.

If the state's high court rules "in our favor, then I imagine I'll be certified and it won't be very controversial that I'll be seated." He added: "We're not attempting to be seated before that."

Side note: A recent Supreme Court order said Franken won't be getting an election certificate until an expected appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court is finished.

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