Capitol View: April 23, 2009 Archive

Midmorning looks at high speed rail

Posted at 8:32 AM on April 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

MPR's Midmorning will focus on high speed rail during the 9AM hour. Here are the guests:

GUEST (9-9:15): Linda Slocum (DFL-Richfield), state representative and vice chair of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission. She joins us by phone from the state capitol.

GUEST: Andrew Selden, Minneapolis attorney and vice president of law and policy for the United Rail Passenger Alliance. (in studio)

GUEST (9:30-10) Adrian Moore, vice president of research at the Reason Foundation. By phone from Bakersfield, CA.

Tax chairs on Midday

Posted at 9:01 AM on April 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Ann Lenczewski and DFL Sen. Tom Bakk will be on MPR's Midday at 11 AM to discuss their respective tax bills and state tax policy. The House tax plan increases income taxes on wealthy Minnesotans and increases alcohol and cigarette taxes. The Senate plan increases income taxes on every Minnesotan.

Entenza announcement

Posted at 10:53 AM on April 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza officially announced his candidacy for governor this morning in Worthington. He made the announcement at his old high school and was flanked by family and friends.

Here's his speech:

Listen

MPR's Mark Steil asked Entenza a few questions after the announcement. Entenza said:

1. He would abide by the party's endorsement "provided that all of the other major candidates abide."
2. He didn't rule out using his own money on the race but "my intention is to raise money."
3. He doesn't plan on hiring any researchers to look into the other DFL candidates but "I'll be doing lots of research on Governor Pawlenty's record."

Here's the q and a:

Listen

Thanks to Mark Steil for sending along the photos and audio.

Comment on this post

Pawlenty presser

Posted at 6:10 PM on April 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Governor Pawlenty had an informal sitdown with reporters today to talk about the tentative settlement with the state employee unions, tax policy, the budget and his new twitter page (BTW, he started following boatloads of people today).

You can listen to Pawlenty's comments here:

Listen

The DFL House and Senate Tax Chairs were on MPR's Midday today to give their side on the issue.

Ellison and Walz get an invite

Posted at 9:36 PM on April 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

President Obama invited DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and DFL Rep. Tim Walz to the White House Reception for the Obamas and the Bidens.