Capitol View: May 13, 2009 Archive

Audit: The people's house needs additional security measures

Posted at 11:30 AM on May 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Legislaitve Auditor released a report saying security at the Minnesota State Capitol is inadequate.

Here's the report.

The report also said Attorney General Lori Swanson's decision to install security doors in her office. Here's the letter Auditor James Nobles sent to Swanson't office. Here's a statement from Swanson spokesman Ben Wogsland:

The Legislative Auditor's report regarding the security vulnerability assessment of Attorney General Swanson, and the installation of security doors at points of access to the Office, is attached. The report concludes (p.2) that: "We established that the doors were ordered and installed in response to a security assessment, and we found that assessment consistent with OLA's conclusion that there are significant security vulnerabilities throughout the Capitol Complex."

Report: Paulsen paid wife with campaign funds

Posted at 11:32 AM on May 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

A report by the DFL leaning blog, MN Progressive Project, is reporting that GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen paid his wife $10,000 in campaign contributions:

Representative Erik Paulsen from Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District used campaign funds to pay his wife nearly $10,000 according to FEC filings. According to the reports, Carolyn "Kelly" Paulsen received payments starting in late August 2008. The payments continued until early December 2008, well after the campaign had ended. The payments were made as payroll disbursements and one travel reimbursement of $728.37, indicating that Congressman Paulsen appears to have hired his wife to serve as a staff member on his campaign in addition to providing for travel expenses.

What the Congressman's wife did for approximately three months to earn nearly $10,000 in payments is unknown.

Paulsen's staff did not comment to the blog.

It should be noted that there's nothing illegal about paying a spouse with campaign contributions. Efforts to fobid the practice have failed. The Campaign for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has more here on spousal pay.

Update: Here's a vaguely worded statement from Paulsen's campaign:

Kelly Paulsen, spouse of Erik Paulsen, was employed as office manager with the campaign from approximately 8/15 until 12/15. During the transition period from 11/11 to 12/11, Kelly worked with additional campaign staff members to wind down remaining campaign operations. - Reid LeBeau, Committee Treasurer

The campaign did not respond to a request for an interview.

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Audit: Capitol Security is inadequate

Posted at 11:19 AM on May 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Legislative Auditor released a report saying security at the Minnesota State Capitol is inadequate.

Here's the report.

The report also said Attorney General Lori Swanson's decision to install security doors in her office. Here's a statement from Swanson spokesman Ben Wogsland:

The Legislative Auditor's report regarding the security vulnerability assessment of Attorney General Swanson, and the installation of security doors at points of access to the Office, is attached. The report concludes (p.2) that: "We established that the doors were ordered and installed in response to a security assessment, and we found that assessment consistent with OLA's conclusion that there are significant security vulnerabilities throughout the Capitol Complex."

House passes measure to keep government lights on

Posted at 12:58 PM on May 13, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

The Minnesota House has passed legislation that would keep state government running if a agreement isn't reached on a new two-year budget.

There are five days left in the legislative session, and the current budget expires July 1. Under the "Lights On" bill passed today on a vote of 88 to 46, funding for state agencies would continue at current base levels.

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, said the bill is a safety measure that he hopes is never used.

"Members, I bring this before you as an option of very last resort, if necessary," Sertich said. "But I think it's good to have all our bases covered as we're heading into our last week of session. We have no guarantee that there will be an agreement. And if we get to Monday, and the session adjourns, we have no guarantee that the governor will call us back before July 1 when our state budget needs to be put together."

Republicans argued that Democrats are throwing in the towel on budget negotiations by passing the bill. Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, said there's no urgency for a backup.

"Each and every year we get to this point, and people start saying oh we can't get it done, we can't get it done," Kohls said. "Hogwash. We absolutely can get it done."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Democrats remain at odds over proposed tax increases and spending cuts, as they try to erase a $4.6 billion budget deficit.

Pawlenty sends another letter

Posted at 2:42 PM on May 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty sent a letter to DFL legislative leaders telling them he was disappointed that they were passing budget bills "without a viable proposal to pay for them." He also told them he's available to negotiate an overall budget deal.

Here's the letter.

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