Capitol View: April 17, 2009 Archive

Report: Lawmakers should consider ending some ethanol subsidies

Posted at 8:19 AM on April 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Legislative Auditor has released a report this morning that analyzed the state's biofuels policies and suggested that the Legislature should "consider ending the producer payment program for corn-based ethanol and redirecting the funds to programs that further reduce fossil fuel energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

You can read the report here.

Badgerow resigns as state commissioner

Posted at 1:27 PM on April 17, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today that Dana Badgerow as resigned as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration, effective May 11.

A news release for the governor's office says Badgerow will join the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, as its President and Chief Executive Officer. She was appointed commissioner in October 2004. Badgerow previously served as vice president and general manager of MTS Systems Corporation. She also served as Commissioner of Administration from 1991 until 1993 while on leave from Honeywell, Inc.

"Dana has a remarkable track record of innovation in both the private and public sector." Pawlenty said in the news release. "She is a true change agent and has been a tireless reformer. Thanks to her efforts, the behind-the-scenes things that make state government work better for our citizens have been significantly improved."

Ad time! Chamber targets Walz, Alliance rips Pawlenty

Posted at 3:17 PM on April 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce started running a radio ad that targets DFL Rep. Tim Walz over the Employee Free Choice Act. The U.S. Chamber and local chambers have been ramped up their opposition to the union backed bill before last year's election. It appears that they are now increasing the lobbying again. You can listen to the ad (which ran during the governor's radio show) here:

Listen

Meanwhile, the Alliance for a Better Minnesota ran another round of ads criticizing Gov. Pawlenty's budget plan. You can listen to that ad (which also ran on Pawlenty's weekly show) here:

Listen

For your viewing pleasure

Posted at 4:41 PM on April 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Here's the list of who will be on the weekly local and national public affairs shows.

DVR Alert! Amy Klobuchar watchers will want to record CNN's State of the Union.

TPT's Almanac:

GOP Rep. John Kline and DFL Rep. Keith Ellison. The two will discuss their travel abroad (Kline visited Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ellison visited Saudi Arabia).

DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten will talk zebra mussels.

State Senator Geoff Michel will sit in with the political panel.

KSTP's At Issue:

GOP Rep. John Kline is on talking about his recent trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also talks about earmarks and his opposition to the economic stimulus package.

Melissa and Roy Koch. Roy was a mechanic at Northwest Airlines who was laid off. His daughter, Melissa, produced a documentary about his search for the person who had his outsourced job.

WCCO's Sunday Morning:

Brian Sullivan w/ Republican National Committee to talk about the recent outcome of the U.S. Senate Trial.

Mark Peterson CEO & Pres. Of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota to talk about the Grand Opening of the organizations new Center For Changing Lives on April 23.

Stan Gadek CEO of Sun Country Airlines to talk about the company's first quarter profit and the new routes that airline will be flying.

Greg Brick Local Author who this past week launched his new book Subterranean Twin Cities.

ABC's THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS - Topics: Obama administration's first 100 days, with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Republican response, with Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.

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CBS' FACE THE NATION - Topic: An interview with David Axelrod, White House Senior Advisor. Topic: A Debate on Guns and the Assault Weapons Ban. Guests: Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa.; and Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President, National Rifle Association.

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CNN's STATE OF THE UNION WITH JOHN KING - Topics: Obama's Mexican trip, border security, with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Summit of the Americas, with Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and John Ensign, R-Nev.; gay marriage, with New York Gov. David Patterson.

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NBC's MEET THE PRESS - Topics: the economy, with National Economic Council Director Larry Summers; taxes, spending, with former House Majority Leader Richard Armey, chairman, FreedomWorks, and former Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., Chairman, Democratic Leadership Council, others.

Pawlenty loves L.A.

Posted at 4:50 PM on April 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to be in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday. He'll be attending two events at the Milken National Education/Teacher Advancement Program Conference. Here are the details:

Governor Pawlenty participates in the panel discussion "Effective K-12 Education Reform - Federal, State and Local Roles" at the Milken National Education/Teacher Advancement Program Conference. Other panelists include Lowell Milken and Superintendent Paul Vallas of the Recovery School District of New Orleans.

Governor Pawlenty speaks at the Milken Educator Awards Dinner and Gala. At the event, 70 of America's most outstanding elementary educators will receive $25,000 Milken Educator Awards. Two of the teachers are from Minnesota.

Pawlenty's indecision causes him to slide

Posted at 9:02 PM on April 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty is sliding on The Fix's 10 Republicans to Watch. Pawlenty has fallen two spots on the line. Here's the synopsis:

9. Tim Pawlenty: T-Paw, the governor of Minnesota, needs to decide sooner rather than later whether he is going to seek a third term or whether he will retire in 2010 to focus full time on running for president. (We argued in a recent post that the latter option makes far more sense.) Why? Because running for reelection in a Democratic-leaning state and running for the Republican presidential nomination are two very different things with different issue sets and focuses. Until Pawlenty decides, he will rise no higher on our Line. (Previous ranking: 7)