Capitol View: August 24, 2009 Archive

Mini State Capitol on display

Posted at 10:09 AM on August 24, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

A Lego model of the Minnesota State Capitol is on public display inside the Capitol building through today.

The model was built by Roy Cook, a University of Minnesota professor who also holds the title of Lego Ambassador. Cook used 70,000 miniature bricks to build the model, which is 6 feet long and 3 feet tall. He estimates 50 hours of planning and 100 hours of building.

The two Lego figures represent architect Cass Gilbert and Gov. John Johnson (1905-1909), who was the first to serve a term of office in the new Capitol.

Walz will speak at national American Legion event

Posted at 11:17 AM on August 24, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Congressman Tim Walz will travel to Kentucky this week to deliver a speech at the American Legion's annual convention. Walz' office announced details of the speech today with the following news release:

On Wednesday, August 26th Congressman Tim Walz will give a keynote address at the annual convention of the American Legion in Louisville, Kentucky. Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, is a retired Command Sgt. Major who served 24 years in the Army National Guard. A member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Walz has championed veterans issues during his two and a half years in office.

Walz's speech will focus on the need to do right by all of our veterans, including returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, older veterans and female veterans by implementing policies like seamless transition.

The speech, which is scheduled for 9:55am central on Wednesday, August 26th will be available for download on the Legion's website. Legion representatives have said that CSPAN also plans to broadcast the convention.

DFLers accuse Pawlenty of softening his environmental views

Posted at 1:09 PM on August 24, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Democrats claim that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has abandoned his climate change concerns while seeking conservative support for a potential presidential run. The New York Times looks into the issue.

GOP state convention in Minneapolis next year

Posted at 2:21 PM on August 24, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

The Republican Party of Minnesota announced today that its 2010 state convention will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

GOP delegates will endorse a candidate for governor during the event. Party officials had earlier announced the convention dates would be April 29-May 1. The location was finalized this week during a meeting of the party's State Executive Committee, according to a news release from Chairman Tony Sutton.

"With Republicans from around the state energized like never before, 2010 will be a great year, Sutton said. "Next year's state convention is just the beginning."

An off-year GOP convention is also planned this fall in St. Paul. Delegates at that event will rate the candidates for governor in a straw poll on Oct. 3.