Capitol View: June 11, 2009 Archive

Haas: We're going to set the pace

Posted at 7:07 AM on June 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Former state Rep. Bill Haas is the first Republican to officially enter the race for governor since Gov. Pawlenty announced his decision to not run for a third term. I talked with him about his priorities, the state budget and how he will try to stand out in a crowded field. You can listen to the interview here:

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Minnesota Supreme Court upholds IRV

Posted at 10:42 AM on June 11, 2009 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)

The court today ruled that the instant runoff voting system Minneapolis plans to use this fall is constitutional.

Here's more courtesy of MPR's Curtis Gilbert:

A group called the Minnesota Voters Alliance had challenged the system as unconstitutional, but the state Supreme Court ruled that the group's challenge lacks merit. Instant Runoff Voting allows voters to rank the candidates for a given office in order of preference.

In its opinion released today, the court said the system does not violate the constitutional principal of one-person, one-vote.

Minneapolis voters approved instant runoff voting by an overwhelming margin in 2006. It will affect only municipal offices like mayor, city council and park board.

In 1915, the Minnesota Supreme Court struck down another alternative voting system used in Duluth, but the court ruled today that the Minneapolis system does not present the same constitutional problems.

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Ritchie rules out gubernatorial run

Posted at 11:47 AM on June 11, 2009 by Tim Nelson

Asked this morning if he'd been urged to run for governor, Minnesota's Secretary of State gave an emphatic "Oh, yeah," at a State Office Building press scrum.

But despite the incumbent governor's stated intention to leave the office open, Ritchie said he isn't giving in to temptation to upgrade his constitutional post in next year's election cycle. "I'm running for Secretary of State, but that'll be announced next year," Ritchie said.

Here's the very brief exchange with Jay Weiner.

Sullivan not running for Gov

Posted at 4:34 PM on June 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Republican businessman Brian Sullivan says he's not running for governor. Sullivan tried for the party endorsement for governor in 2002 but lost to Governor Pawlenty. He said he made the decision not to run next year because he's trying to start up a new business and he has young children.

"To run for governor is a full-time occupation and it just wasn't possible for me step out of my business and dedicate the time necessary to be successful in a run. There's nothing worse than pursuing something in a way that you know won't lead to a good outcome."

Sullivan said right now he's not going to back any of the other Republican candidates currently in the field. He said it's possible that more candidates could enter. There are about a dozen Republicans and nearly a dozen Democrats who say they are either running or are considering a run for governor now that Tim Pawlenty has decided not to seek a third term. You can read the list here.

Gov. Pawlenty sits down with Capitol Report

Posted at 11:13 PM on June 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty talked about his plans for unallotment, his political future and the legislative session on this week's edition of Capitol Report. Also, Senator Sandy Rummel, DFL - White Bear Lake, discusses the new "sippy cup" law, and Senator Scott Dibble, DFL-Mpls., expresses his displeasure over the governor's veto of the "anti-bullying" bill.

You can watch the program here (Real Player required. You can access Windows Media here).