Capitol View

Capitol View: March 5, 2010 Archive

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The Daily Digest

Posted at 7:00 AM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

A suit is filed to keep General Assistance Medical Care going or another month. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.

Democrats in the Legislature offer another proposal to save the program.

Minnesota loses out on the first round of the Race to the Top Funding. It isn't clear why the state's application was rejected but Gov. Pawlenty's spokesman Brian McClung, criticized the state's teacher union for opposing it.
MPR, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

A bill to undue the nuclear moratorium stalls in a Senate committee. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

Minnesota's Chief Justice warns a storm is coming in terms of judicial elections.

Minnesota's public defenders revolt over their new boss.

DFL Sen. Tom Bakk wants to tax clothing to pay back the deficit and schools. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

Minnesota Democrats release a revised bonding bill.

A committee approved a bill that lengthens sentences for sex offenders.

The DNR is facing concerns over land set asides.

A hearing is scheduled for today on a bill that requires gun sellers at trade shows to do background checks.

The city of Duluth averts a strike.

A KSTP-Survey USA poll says most oppose public money for a new Vikings stadium.

The House approved committee deadlines.

Congress

The U.S. Census started hiring counters.

The House oks a jobs bill.

House leaders also want a vote by Easter.

The CBO says President Obama's proposed bank fee could end up costing consumers.

President Obama signs a tourism bill. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

Klobuchar will be in Moorhead today to discuss flood protection.

DFL Sen. Al Franken wants to lift the ban on gays donating blood.

Congress is mulling a corporal punishment law. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned.

MPR says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is in demand across the nation. Democrats criticize her travel.

Bachmann wants a probe into a White House judicial appointment.

Politifact fact-checks Bachmann.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar's vote could be in play if the Stupak amendment isn't fixed in the Senate health bill.

2010 Race for Governor

Republican Tom Emmer announces more endorsements.

2010 Race for Congress
The NRCC targets DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

Newt Gingrich is headed to Iowa.

Romney and Pawlenty to appear at Minnesota event

Posted at 11:29 AM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota announced today that it will be hosting two potential 2012 GOP candidates in April. In a news release, the Freedome Foundation said Romney and Pawlenty will speak at a dinner on April 9th. He will be joined by Gov. Pawlenty.

"The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota is both honored and excited to host two of our country's most influential and important conservative leaders," Annette Meeks, CEO of the Freedom Foundation said in a news release. "Governor Romney has been and continues to be one of the most powerful voices advancing free market policy alternatives. We're planning an exciting evening where Minnesotans will hear Romney's public policy ideas first hand."

Meeks said both Romney and Pawlenty will be making remarks at the event. They may also be flying together to New Orleans since both are scheduled to speak at the Southern Republican Leadership Council that weekend.

April is 2012 month in Minnesota

Posted at 11:47 AM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Pawlenty travel, Tim Pawlenty

Everyone in Minnesota knows that Gov. Pawlenty's 2012 hopes are getting plenty of attention of Minnesota's press corps. But some of that attention will be shifting to other candidates in April. Three other Republicans who may be eyeing a run for the White House in 2012 will be visiting Minnesota in April.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is scheduled to campaign for GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and raise money for Bachmann and the MNGOP on April 7th.

The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota also announced that Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, will sign books in Minnesota and speak at a dinner on April 9th.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will also be speaking to the Minnesota Family Council dinner on April 26th.

For those wondering, here's a list of which states Pawlenty will be visiting in April. He's scheduled to speak in New Orleans, Iowa and Washington that month.

Side note:

It will also be a big month for the 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls. The DFL state party convention is scheduled to begin on April 23rd in Duluth. The MNGOP starts its state party convention on April 30th.

Harsh Pawlenty critic, you're on the air

Posted at 12:07 PM on March 5, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty opened up the phone lines during his weekly radio show today and got an earful from a concerned caller.

The caller, identified as Bruce from St. Paul, started of by describing Pawlenty as the "cruelest man that has ever been in office." Bruce went on to blast the Republican governor for hurting the poor while helping corporations. He also blamed Pawlenty for his local property taxes going up.

Pawlenty kept his cool, explaining the challenge of reducing government spending. Here's the audio of their exchange: Listen

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Berglin: GAMC deal reached

Posted at 3:25 PM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature

Governor Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders have reached a deal over funding for a health insurance for the poor. DFL Senator Linda Berglin gave few specifics but said the cost of the program will be $164 milion and nearly everyone enrolled on General Assistance Medical Care will continue to receive coverage. She said a news conference is scheduled for 4:30. Negotiators have been working on a solution for General Assistance Medical Care for roughly nine months. The plan was set to expire later this month potentially leaving thirty thousand people without health insurance.

More later....

About $116 million will come from the general fund.
Roughly $40 million will come from the Health Care Access Fund.

Democrats say hospitals and other health care providers will have to pick up more of the tab as a result of the deal.

For your viewing pleasure...

Posted at 8:57 PM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Here's a look at this weekend's public policy shows...

TPT's Almanac:
State Senators Amy Koch and Ellen Anderson debate nuclear power... Dr. John Najarian looks back at a remarkable career of surgery... and MPR's Bob Collins sits in on our media panel.

KSTP's At Issue:
A focus on our SurveyUSA poll numbers with David Strom...Javier Morillo_Alicea...Blois Olson...Sarah Janecek. Annette Meeks and Ember Reichgott Junge. Plus a special report on enforcing_the "texting and driving" ban.

WCCO's Sunday Morning:
Sen. Al Franken, DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Erik Anderson with the Single Man Book.

Capitol Report:
Minnesota's budget deficit drops to $994Million dollars. MMB Commissioner Tom Hanson and Senate Asst. Majority Leader Tarryl Clark discuss with Julie Bartkey the different perspectives on how to wipe away the debt, and set the state for long term policy changes. Several bills on gender neutral marriage make it to committees in the House and Senate. Rep. Ryan Winkler details his bill and why he chose to sign on. Sen. Warren Limmer gives the opposing viewpoint.

On the national scene (h/t The Page)

Meet the Press: Sec. Sebelius, Sen. Hatch, Harold Ford,
This Week: Sec. Sebelius, Sen. McConnell
Face the Nation: Sens. Bayh, Graham; Dan Balz, Jim VandeHei
State of the Union: Tom DeLay; Reps. Baird, Van Hollen
Fox News Sunday: Mitt Romney; Reps. Adler, Altmire

Poll: Pawlenty and Legislature get poor marks

Posted at 9:51 PM on March 5, 2010 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Pawlenty travel, Tim Pawlenty

A KSTP-TV/Survey USA poll is giving Gov. Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature are getting poor marks.

Gov. Pawlenty says 42% of those polled approve of the governor's job performance while 52% disapprove.

State lawmakers are getting worse marks. They're receiving 25% approval in the poll. 66% disapprove.

63% of those polled also say Gov. Pawlenty should not run for president. 28% say he should run.

A strong majority also supports Racino, opposes tax increases and public funding for a new Vikings stadium.

You can find the full poll here

You can find the KSTP story here.

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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated true, misleading, false or inconclusive. More

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