Capitol View: April 30, 2009 Archive

Ad targets Pawlenty on election certificate

Posted at 11:31 AM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Americans United for Change, a DFL leaning group, is buying cable television ad time in the Twin Cities and Rochester to deliver its message. The ad asks the Republican governor to do his legal duty if the court declares Democrat Al Franken the winner. That declaration isn't expected any earlier than June. But the group's spokesman, Donald McFarland, says it's not too early to start running the ad.

"It's time now to make sure that the governor knows that when and if the supreme court does rule that Al Franken is our next senator, that no time be wasted for him to sign the election certificate," McFarland said. "Minnesotans want that signed immediately. And we want to start making sure the governor knows that now, and we'll keep reminding the governor of that through the next several weeks."

McFarland say the ad buy is in the five figures and will run through next week. Governor Pawlenty says he will follow the law with respect to the litigation and when and how an election certificate gets issued.

Here's the ad:

Gaertner to raise money in Minneapolis

Posted at 11:41 AM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner is holding a fundraiser for her campaign for governor tonight. Here's the fundraiser letter:

Beth Brill · Aram Desteian · Shelly Enright · Sara Fenlason · Lynn Moran Meyer · Jerry Miranowski · Milo Pinkerton & Virgil Taus · Janet Pollish & Doug Forsberg · David Potter & Darwin Lookingbill · Robert Reinhart · Sandi Wallace & Chris Napolitano

Invites you to meet and support

Susan Gaertner
Ramsey County Attorney and DFL Candidate for Governor
Thursday, April 30 5:30-7:30 PM Home of David Potter & Darwin Lookingbill
(Note: I deleted address)
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Suggested Donation Platinum $500 Gold $250 Silver $100 Bronze $50

Gaertner is one of many DFLers who is running for governor in 2010. You can see the entire list of candidates here. Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty has not announced whether he plans to seek a third term.

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Pawlenty to raise money for new GOP group

Posted at 12:26 PM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty will attend a fundraiser tonight for a group called the Republican Metropolitan Committee. The group, which just filed paperwork with the Campaign Finance Board, describes itself this way on its google groups page:

The Republican Metropolitan Committee (RMC) is a political committee which provides organizational support, within the general boundaries of the existing Metropolitan Council, to any candidate nominated by the Republican Party for public office. The Committee develops organizational strategies and administrative structures keyed primarily to election success, not specific ideologies.

The members of the group include the 5th District GOP chair, the former director of the MN Lottery and chair to Gov. Pawlenty's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission, a member of the Minnesota Young Republicans, Arne Carlson's former Chief of Staff and a volunteer for McCain for president.

Here's the fundraising letter:

Republican Metropolitan Committee Opening Night Reception Featuring Governor Pawlenty

Join the Republican Metropolitan Committee for an Evening with Governor Tim Pawlenty and Representative Marty Seifert.

Date: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: The Minneapolis Club (729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis)
Cost: $25/couple or $15/individual

Space is limited---Reserve your spot today!

Coleman files appeal...

Posted at 2:47 PM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Republican Norm Coleman is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to order the counting of at least 1,350 more ballots in the U.S. Senate race. Coleman's attorneys have argued that local counties didn't follow the same standards when it came to accepting and counting ballots. Here's the appeal. Coleman's team also sent a key provisions document to reporters.

Democrat Al Franken currently holds a 312 vote lead over Coleman. If he is declared the winner, he will be the crucial 60th Democratic vote in the Senate, enough to overcome any filibusters.

The MN Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for June 1st.

Ellison helps Entenza raise money for Gov run...

Posted at 3:03 PM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)

DFL Congressman Keith Ellison is helping his former MN House member, Matt Entenza, with his run for Governor. Ellison is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Entenza (along with state Sen. Dick Cohen and several other DFL state representatives) tonight.

Entenza formally announced his run for governor last week.

You can find info on the fundraiser here.

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Budget negotiators thought they saw the light at the end of the tunnel...

Posted at 4:48 PM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

...But they realized it was just GOP Sen. Paul Koering's sportcoat. Ba da bing..

Senator Koering, Yucca Mountain called and wants its coat back... Bu dum chuh!

While Minnesota House members were debating nuclear energy this afternoon, members of the Minnesota Senate got to see radioactivity in full display. Hi Yoooo!

By the way, the House defeated the amendment that would have removed the prohibition on new nuclear power consumption in the state 72 to 60.

House and Senate hope to reach agreement on four budget bills by Monday.

Posted at 6:38 PM on April 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller say they want four budget related conference committees to finish their work by Saturday night. The Ag and Vets Conference Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee, the Economic Development Conference Committee and the Transportation Conference Committee are targeted to be finished this weekend.

Pogemiller also said he hopes the full Senate can vote on the bills on Monday and warned members that he expects them to work this weekend.

"If you are one of those conferees on the budget conference committees and you cannot attend this weekend, you need to let me know and we will replace you," Pogemiller said.

The House and Senate have set a Thursday night deadline for conference committees to finish their work. The constitutional deadline for lawmakers to adjourn is May 18th.