Capitol View: July 13, 2010 Archive

Hahn unveils budget plan

Posted at 10:20 AM on July 13, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Rob Hahn is proposing to erase a projected state budget deficit through changes in tax policy and health care coverage.

Hahn released a budget outline today titled "The Six Billion Dollar Man: Reform, Redesign and Revenue." The plan includes a new 9 percent income tax rate for couples earning more than $250,000 a year. Hahn is also proposing to lower taxes on capital gains and corporate income, and close corporate tax loopholes.

Hahn claims he could save the state $2.6 over two years by switching to what he calls a "total cost of care" model for health care. He's also including his earlier proposals for riverboat gambling and a new fat tax on fast food among the new sources of revenue.

Hahn is running in the Aug. 10 primary against the Independence Party's endorsed candidate, Tom Horner.

Emmer wants to give tipped employees a tax break

Posted at 12:45 PM on July 13, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Republican Tom Emmer is proposing a plan that would eliminate income taxes on some tipped wages. The gubernatorial hopeful is making the proposal one week after he suggested Minnesota a so-called tip credit, which allows businesses to pay workers less than the minimum wage if they earn tips. Emmer now says he wants to exempt from taxes the first $20,000 in tips that waiters and employees collect.

The Emmer campaign says the proposal will cost the state an additional $17 million. But a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Revenue couldn't say how much Emmer's plan would cost the state since employees report both wages and tips together on the tax forms.

Bachmann shakes up staff, again

Posted at 3:21 PM on July 13, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is making key staff changes in her congressional office and her campaign team.

Politico is reporting that the shakeup claimed chief of staff Ron Carey, the former chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, and campaign finance director Zandra Walcott. Carey was Bachmann's fifth chief of staff in just four years.

Bachmann press secretary Rachel Horn issued this statement about Carey:

"Congresswoman Michele Bachman thanks Ron Carey for his service to her and to the district and wishes him the best for his future. Effective August 1st, she also welcomes Andy Parrish back as a Senior Advisor to the Congressional office and expects a smooth transition that will continue to put the needs and priorities of the 6th Congressional District first."

There was also a statement from campaign manager Gina Countryman regarding Wolcott:

"Congresswoman Bachmann thanks Zandra for all of her service and looks forward to opportunities to work with her again in the future."

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Kelliher tops $1 million fundraising mark

Posted at 9:41 PM on July 13, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Democrat Margaret Anderson Kelliher told reporters today that she's raised "more than $1 million" for her campaign for governor.

The public won't know how much Kelliher or the other candidates for governor have raised until July 26th but it's safe to say that Kelliher's campaign war chest won't be as big as two of her DFL Primary opponents. Former legislator Matt Entenza has spent $1.2 million to date on TV ads in the Twin Cities. Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton has bought roughly $750,000 in TV ads in the Twin Cities.

Both Entenza and Dayton have said they'll rely on their personal wealth to fund their campaigns. Kelliher is lagging behind Entenza and Dayton in TV ads but she said she'll ramp up the ad spending in the coming weeks.