Polinaut: June 2, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-2-09

Posted at 7:14 AM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Senate case is now in the hands of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Justices peppered attorneys for Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman during yesterday's oral arguments. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, AP, Politico and Forum Communications have stories.

Coleman attended the hearing. You can listen to his postgame comments here.

Under the Dome

The House Ethics Committee will consider a complaint today regarding a lawmaker's tweets.

Planned Parenthood gets increased security from the federal government as a result of the slaying of the abortion doctor.

DFL Sen. Linda Berglin talks unallotment, the elimination of GAMC and other things with PIM.

A memo gives Senate DFLers talking points on Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment plan.

Attorney General Lori Swanson wrote an op-ed in the Pi Press warning of reverse mortgage scams but it's not on the website yet.

The state reaches a settlement with an intoxilyzer company. The Pi Press reports, however, that criminal defense attorneys are taking a dim view of the deal.

A new oil pipeline could bring thousands of jobs to Minnesota.

Genmar files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy.

D.C.

President Obama sits down with NPR.

Construction firms complain that the stimulus isn't working.

Here's a look at some Minnesota's stimulus projects.

GM dealers are expected to learn their fate today. A Paynesville dealer is headed to Washington to make his case to members of Congress.

Here's a story on GM's bankruptcy filing.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison will speak before a progressive group this week.

An audit firm is sued over Metro Gem Assurances. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and Republican Norm Coleman are mentioned.

Democrats are considering a climate floor debate before July 4th. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Missed this one the other day. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson told the New York Times "The banks run the place." It's a story on limiting credit derivatives.

The Hill says Congress struggles to pay for the transportation bill. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

2012

A blog called 'Race for 2008' ranks Pawlenty as fourth highest in the Republican field.

Pawlenty won't seek a third term

Posted at 10:58 AM on June 2, 2009 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. to talk about his future plans. People with knowledge of the governor's plans tell Minnesota Public Radio News that Pawlenty will announce he will not seek re-election next year to a third term.

Pawlenty was first elected in 2002, and narrowly won reelection in 2006.

He campaigned for Republican John McCain last year, and was mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate. There has been speculation that the governor may launch his own run for president in 2012.

The hallmark of his two terms has been his promise to not raise taxes and his often-stated goal to slow the growth in government spending.

When this year's legislative session ended without a budget agreement, Pawlenty said he would use his executive authority to cut spending to balance the budget. He has to cut spending by $2.7 billion to do that, and Democrats have accused him of being unwilling to compromise.

Some names that have been mentioned as possible GOP candidates for governor include former Rep. Jim Ramstad, former State Auditor Pat Anderson, former House Speaker Steve Sviggum, state Sen. Geoff Michel, Sen David Hann, and state Rep. Laura Brod. That list is expected to change as word of the governor's plans gets out.

More than a half dozen Democrats have also said they are either running or considering a run.

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MPR to air Pawlenty's announcement live

Posted at 11:13 AM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

MPR News will air Gov. Pawlenty's 2 pm news conference live. Multiple sources tell me Gov. Pawlenty will announce that he's not running for a third term.

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Latest list

Posted at 1:07 PM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)

AP is reporting that state Sen. David Hann, state Sen. Geoff Michel, Rep. Marty Seifert, Rep. Paul Kohls and former state legislator Charlie Weaver are interested in a run for governor. Former State Auditor Pat Anderson says she's interested in running and will announce in a month or two.

Michelle Marston, campaign manager for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, responded "I don't think so. I think she's very happy where she is," when asked if Bachmann is interested.

Others who are said to be interested are Rep. Laura Brod, national committeeman Brian Sullivan and former MN House Speaker and current Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Steve Sviggum.

This list is subject to change.

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Ethics committee clears Gardner

Posted at 3:21 PM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

Here's the release:

HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE FINDS NO PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ETHICS VIOLATION AGAINST GARDNER

This afternoon through a unanimous and bipartisan motion, the House Ethics Committee found no probable cause of an ethics violation against Rep. Paul Gardner.

Instead, pursuant to Rule 9 of the House Committee on Ethics, Rules and Procedures, the majority of the committee recommended the issue be dealt with through "informal reconciliation," which is reserved for behaviors that are considered "inadvertent, technical, or of a de minimus nature." While not finding that an ethics violation occurred, the committee did recommend that Rep. Gardner make one additional apology to those who took offense on the House floor.

Gardner released the following statement.

"I am pleased the House Ethics committee realized I have taken responsibility for my actions in an appropriate manner and found that no ethics violation occurred. Moving forward, my hope is that this incident will help focus all members of the House of Representatives on together elevating our public debate to a higher level."

UPDATE: Session Weekly reports that Gardner has to make an apology from the House floor.

-30-

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Pawlenty steps aside

Posted at 3:50 PM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty closed the door on running for a third term but left open the possibility that he could run for president in 2012. Here's the audio of his news conference:

Listen

UPDATE: You can also watch the first few minutes of his announcement here.

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Raise your hand if you're not running

Posted at 5:12 PM on June 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck

I asked that question of GOP Sen. David Senjem, GOP Rep. Marty Seifert, GOP Sen. David Hann and GOP Sen. Michelle Fischbach (not pictured) after Gov. Pawlenty announced he wouldn't run for a third term. No one raised their hand. A source close to Seifert said you should keep him on the list.

Pawlenty's announcement set off a mad scramble among GOP candidates. Former State Auditor Pat Anderson told me she's interested in running. Former state lawmaker Charlie Weaver also said he's open to a run. AP also said GOP Rep. Paul Kohls is also thinking about a run.

Several GOP sources said you should watch national committeeman Brian Sullivan, former MN House and current Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Speaker Steve Sviggum and state Rep. Laura Brod.