Capitol View: January 29, 2010 Archive

Seifert talks mandates, running mates

Posted at 11:18 AM on January 29, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

State Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, a GOP candidate for governor, says he wants state government to stop requiring cities and counties to carry out costly new rules and regulations.

Seifert invited three county commissioners to a news conference today, where he proposed a moratorium on unfunded mandates to local government and small businesses. He said the plan was modeled after one recently introduced in New Jersey. If elected governor, Seifert said he would issue an executive order on day one to stop mandates. He also plans to introduce a mandate-reduction bill in the 2010 session.

As an example, Seifert pointed to a state requirement that all counties, rural and urban, hire a weed inspector.

"I think if it is an essential thing that the state feels it has to mandate, it ought to pay for it," Seifert said. "All too often we've had the Legislature making rules and regulations like this, and we never go back and review the need for it."

Seifert also talked about the gubernatorial campaign, including his search for a running mate.

Seifert told reporters that he's asked about two dozen people if they'd want to be included on his list of potential lieutenant governors. He partially confirmed a report that state Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, recently turned him down. But he insisted she was only asked to be one of several people on the list. Seifert added that one or two others also said no.

"The reality is when you talk to two or three dozen people to find out if they're interested, you're going to have some folks for whatever reason that are going to say this is not the right time in my life, this is not something that's good for me, or whatever," Seifert said.

Seifert said he plans to announce a running mate by late March, well ahead of the state GOP convention.

Seifert also distanced himself from an effort to convince another GOP gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, to run instead for attorney general. One of his supporters recently sent out an invitation to join the "Draft Tom Emmer for Attorney General" Facebook group. But Seifert said he had nothing to do with the effort.

"I have supporters who are interested in that," Seifert said. "Some of Tom's supporters are trying to get me to run for Congress in the 7th district. This type of stuff happens."

Check back later for the video.

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Rybak reports raising $138,000 in 2009

Posted at 11:47 AM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Democrat R.T. Rybak reports raising $138,000 for his gubernatorial campaign in 2009. Rybak's campaign is the latest to report their fundraising totals before Monday's deadline.

Tina Smith, Rybak's campaign manager, says Rybak also loaned his campaign $10,000 but said those funds aren't included in these fundraising figures. She also said Rybak's gubernatorial campaign paid back his mayoral campaign $26,500 for a poll. The Campaign Finance Board ruled in November that the survey was designed to benefit a gubernatorial bid not the reelection campaign.

Here's the release from Rybak's campaign:

Rybak Raises $278,000 in 12 Weeks for Governor's Race

January 29, 2010 (Minneapolis, MN) - R.T. Rybak's campaign for governor announced today that it has raised a total of $278,000 in less than three months. This includes $138,000 raised during the last eight weeks of 2009 and $140,000 raised to date through January 2010. The Rybak for Governor Committee was created on November 5, 2009.

In addition, the Rybak for Mayor Committee, a separate committee, will report raising $389,000 from 2,457 donors in 2009. In total, Rybak has raised $667,000 in 13 months through these two separate committees.

"We are very pleased with the response to Mayor Rybak since this campaign started just 12 weeks ago," said Campaign Manager Tina Smith. These fundraising numbers show this campaign has the capacity to raise the significant dollars it will take to win in November. R.T. Rybak is raising money at an amazingly fast pace."

"Grassroots campaigns like ours are people-intensive, and the financial support we have gotten from Minnesotans has given us the capacity to put together an effective, strong team.

"We have thousands of supporters, including supporters in every county of Minnesota. Our volunteers are energized, and the people we're meeting on the campaign trail are interested, engaged and ready to change what's happening at the State Capitol."

The Rybak for Governor Committee will formally file fundraising reports with the Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board on February 1.

Other facts about the report include:

Number of donors in 2009: 488
Cash on Hand end of 2009: $25,000
Total number of donors to the Rybak for Governor Committee to date: 691

Fundraising cheat sheet for the governor's race

Posted at 12:05 PM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Here's a handy dandy updated cheat sheet of where the candidates stand in the 2009 fundraising race. Some of the candidates haven't released their full figures. Others didn't release any at all. The reports are due on February 1st.

Matt Entenza (Democrat) - raised a total of $300,000 from contributors in 2009. He also made a $10,000 contribution to the campaign and loaned the campaign $70,000. The campaign would not release his cash on hand totals.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher (Democrat) - raised a total of $254,000 from contributors in 2009. She made a direct contribution of $250 to her campaign. She has $81,000 left in the bank.

Paul Thissen (Democrat) - raised a total of $233,000 from contributors in 2009. He also loaned his campaign $20,000. He has $85,000 left in the bank.

Marty Seifert (GOP) - raised a total of $222,000 from contributors in 2009. He also loaned his campaign $20,000 and transferred $20,000 from his now defunct MN House campaign. He has $133,000 left in the bank.

Tom Bakk (Democrat) - raised a total of $208,682 in 2009 and has 137,830 cash on hand at end of '09. He did not loan his campaign any money nor contribute to his campaign.

R.T. Rybak (Democrat) - raised a total of $138,000 in 2009. He has $25,000 left in the bank. Rybak also reports loaning his campaign $10,000 which is not included in these fundraising totals.

Tom Rukavina (Democrat) - raised a total of $135,000 in 2009. He has $60,000 left in the bank.

Tom Emmer (GOP) - raised a total of roughly $105,000 from contributors in 2009. His spokesman said he loaned the campaign and gave in-kind contributions that amount to roughly $10,000. The campaign didn't release the cash on hand totals.

Brod backs Emmer

Posted at 2:06 PM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

GOP state Rep. Laura Brod sent me a statement today saying she's backing Republican Tom Emmer for governor. Brod says she thinks Emmer is best suited to restore "the economic engine" of Minnesota.

Update: Brod's announcement comes one day after news that Brod rejected Republican Marty Seifert's request to be on his list of potential running mates. Seifert, who is running for Goveror, acknowledged the request but said he didn't specifically ask Brod to be his running mate.

Here's her statement, which she says she'll post on her Facebook page later today. which she posted on Facebook.

Friends,

These are difficult and challenging times for our state and our nation.

Now, more than ever, we need strong, determined leadership that will focus on the issues that matter most to our citizens.

Today, our friends, our neighbors and our families are concerned about their jobs, about their mortgage and about the future of their children.

There are no simple solutions. No trite slogans will solve our problems.

But, fearless leadership is demanded in these most anxious of times.

From the moment Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would not seek re-election, Minnesota Republicans began an important conversation about who could best carry the banner of conservative fiscal ideals and common sense government throughout the state.

Many of you were so kind to offer encouragement to me to consider a statewide campaign for Governor. I thank you for your support. As honored as I have been about that encouragement and that possibility, I have decided this is not the year for me to run for statewide office.

Before us stand many good candidates for Governor in our party.

Each and every one of them I consider to be a friend, and each and every one of them I believe carries with them the promise of a better tomorrow for our state.

I have been honored to serve with Marty Seifert when he represented our GOP Caucus in the House and also with David Hann and Bill Haas. I believe them all to be sincere and dedicated public servants.

I have been honored to serve with Tom Emmer, as well.

And, I believe Tom best represents our hopes for continued conservative Republican leadership for our state's future as Governor of Minnesota.

Tom Emmer has the heart of a warrior, but he has the soul of a common-sense Minnesotan who stands for the best of who we are as a state.

Tom Emmer represents the fearless leadership that is demanded in these most anxious of times.

He knows that lower taxes and responsible spending is a catalyst for strong economic growth and job creation.

For Tom Emmer, government is not the enemy of the people - nor is it the solution for every problem we face.

Minnesotans need jobs. Our neighbors need hope. Our communities need the promise of a better tomorrow.

Minnesota needs a leader who can inspire, not just with words and passion, but with action and accomplishment. Tom Emmer is that kind of leader.

We need a leader who can stand with those who wish to move our state forward.

A leader who will stand up against those who want to move it backwards.

A leader who knows that every Democrat, every Republican and every Independent who wants to make Minnesota a better place to live, work and raise a family must have a voice in our state's future.

I believe our future needs Tom Emmer.

There may be many issues we cannot ever find complete agreement upon.

Yet, there is far more that brings us together than drives us apart.

I intend to campaign with all my heart for the endorsed candidate of our party.

And, my hope is that Tom Emmer is that candidate.

With Tom at the top of our ticket, we will see a strong, determined voice who will not be afraid to put forward his commitment to fiscal responsibility at every level of government and in all parts of the state.

With Tom at the top of our ticket, we will see an individual who understands that lower taxes, responsible spending, and partnerships with the public and private sector are crucial to restoring our economic vitality.

With Tom at the top of our ticket, we will see someone who can and will reach out to both the businesses owners on Main Street as well as the Houses of Labor and let the men and women who fuel our economy and build our future, know that Republicans are the party of economic growth, of prosperity and of jobs.

With Tom at the top of our ticket, small business and big business will know they are not the enemy - but they are key partners in finding solutions to the economic challenges facing our state.

Business. Labor. The public sector. The private sector. Minnesotan citizens.

Tom Emmer will have a seat at the table for every one of them as we seek to ensure our state gets back on track toward prosperity. We are all in this together.

This election and the implications of it for the next four years comes down to this basic question: Which candidate, and which party, is best equipped to restore the economic engine of our state and get job creation going again for the people of Minnesota?

When it comes to the candidate, I am confident the answer is Tom Emmer. And when it comes to the party, the answer is the Republican Party, with Tom Emmer at the top of its ticket.

I ask you to join me in supporting Tom Emmer for our next Minnesota Governor and in working hard to come together to ensure our endorsed Republican candidates win in November.

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For your viewing pleasure...

Posted at 6:00 PM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Here's a look at who will be on this weekend's public policy shows...

TPT's Almanac:
Mary Lahammer preview's the upcoming legislative session... our media panel picks the best of local online media... and we meet Elizabeth Kautz of Burnsville who is the new head of the U.S. Conference of Mayors

WCCO Sunday Morning with Esme Murphy:
Democratic gov candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher, GOP Rep. John Kline, I-P gubernatorial candidate Joe Repya and political expert Larry Jacobs.

KSTP's At Issue:
Tarryl Clark to talk about her Congressional race and the political panel.

Capitol Report:
2010 is a major election year in Minnesota, and Chair Ann Rest of State and Local Gov't Oversight Committee discusses her bill to set guidelines for Ranked Choice Voting in local elections. Republican Chris Gerlach, believes RCV is unconstitutional and explains why to moderator Julie Bartkey. Senator Mee Moua is the first Hmong American to be elected to the legislature. She gives her Inside Perspective on living the American Dream.

ABC's This Week:
Guest anchor Barbara Walters interviews Senator-elect Scott Brown, R-Mass.

CBS Face the Nation:
CBS' "Face the Nation" - Govs. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., Ed Rendell, D-Pa., and Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

CNN's State of the Union:
Topics: GOP Response to SOTU; Economy. Guest: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Minority Leader. Topic: Presidents State of the Union. Guest: Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) Michigan.

NBC's Meet the Press:
Topic: President Obama's Agenda -- the Economy and Health Care. Guest: David Axelrod, Senior White House Adviser. Topic: The Republican Party's Agenda. Guest: Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), House Republican Leader.

Fox News Sunday:
Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Evan Bayh, D-Ind.; Reps. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

Communications Workers back Rukavina

Posted at 6:10 PM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The Communications Workers of America Minnesota State Council announced today that the union is backing Democrat Tom Rukavina for governor. The group has 8,000 members. Here's the release:

St. Paul, MN (January 29, 2010) - One of Minnesota's largest and most active labor unions has endorsed DFL candidate Tom Rukavina for Governor. The Communications Workers of America Minnesota State Council gave Rukavina its unanimous support. The Council represents over 8,000 members in Minnesota's communications, manufacturing, newspaper, television and transportation industries.

"Tom has always been the unequalled champion for working families and labor," said CWA President Tim Lovaasen. "Because of his efforts on our behalf, the CWA Minnesota State Council knows he will make a great governor for all the people of Minnesota."

"Tom will bring Minnesota back to its rightful place as one of the leading states in education, transportation, communication, health care and job creation," Lovaasen said.

"I'm so excited about this endorsement, it makes me feel five and a half feet tall," said Rukavina. "I feel honored to have an organization like CWA support me. The work they do is critically important to our state and for them to recognize me as their choice for governor makes me extremely proud."

Rukavina has received strong support from other labor leaders and organizations. Last week he received the endorsement of former AFL-CIO president Dave Roe. Rukavina also has the support of five United Steelworkers locals and former Transportation Communications Union leader Tom Dwyer, among others.
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Who are the unions backing? A checklist...

Posted at 6:14 PM on January 29, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The Communications Workers announced they're backing Democrat Tom Rukavina for governor. The United Steelworkers Local 7263 also announced today that they're backing Democrat Mark Dayton for governor.

Here's a rundown of which unions are backing the candidates for governor.

Tom Bakk - Northern Central State Regional Carpenters Council, The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council

Mark Dayton - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5, Teamsters Joint Council 32, one local steelworkers union.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Greater Minnesota AFSCME Council 65, IBEW Minnesota

Tom Rukavina - Communications Workers of America Minnesota State Council, four local steelworkers unions

R.T. Rybak - Local 120, Teamsters

Paul Thissen - Minnesota Nurses Association

Education Minnesota
SEIU