Capitol View: September 13, 2010 Archive

Arne backs Horner

Posted at 6:18 AM on September 13, 2010 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson announced this morning that he's backing Tom Horner's campaign for governor. Horner, of the Independence Party, will travel the state with Carlson today. Here's the release:

Governor Carlson endorses, travels state with Horner

This morning former Minnesota Governor Arne H. Carlson endorsed Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner. Gov. Carlson gave Horner his enthusiastic support this morning on KARE-11 TV's Sunrise program before heading to press conferences in Rochester, St. Cloud and on the steps of the State Capitol. Following a press conference coinciding with a public meet and greet in Rochester, Gov. Carlson and Horner will travel by bus to the south steps of the capitol for a major press conference.

Please join us for today's public events:

Rochester Art Center, Grand Lobby -- 9 a.m. press conference
State Capitol, south steps - 12 p.m. press conference
St. Cloud Public Library, Mississippi Room - 3 p.m.

Gov. Carlson cited Minnesota's dire financial situation in his announcement. Carlson pointed out that the current record $5.8 billion deficit is the product of poor fiscal management dating back to 2003, when lawmakers began to rely on one-time money to fix long-term budget holes rather than make the tough decisions necessary to address the structural shortfall. Carlson said Horner's budget plan is a mix of "realism and redesign" and that Horner is the only candidate in the race who has the vision, plan and capabilities to restore financial integrity to the state.

"If you believe, as I do, that our problems are too large and the other candidates too extreme to be trusted with the future of the state, this election demands we take another path," said Carlson.

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Carlson predicts potential Horner landslide

Posted at 2:45 PM on September 13, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson says he's certain voters will elect Independence Party candidate Tom Honer as Minnesota's next governor by a wide margin, if they pay attention to the campaign.

Carlson announced his endorsement of Horner today in a series of public events, where he said the IP candidate is offering the best budget proposals for the state. Horner has consistently run third in preference polls. During a news conference on the steps of the State Capitol, Carlson said his role in the coming weeks is to help voters pay attention to Horner.

"I don't want to sit on the sidelines," Carlson said. "I want to be an activist. I've told Tom Horner wherever you want me to go, whenever you want me to go, let me know and I'll do my best to be there, and I mean it."

State GOP officials downplayed the endorsement, calling Carlson a former Republican who governed during what they termed as the "relatively carefree" 1990s.

DFLer Mark Dayton Dayton said the endorsement is a signal that the Republican Party is divided between Horner and Republican candidate Tom Emmer.

"I'm a Democrat running against a corporate Republican and an extreme Republican so it fits," Dayton said. "Arne was a moderate Republican."

Here's the audio of the Horner event: Listen

More ads in 1st District

Posted at 3:37 PM on September 13, 2010 by Mark Zdechlik (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD1, Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Last week DFL Rep. Tim Walz rolled out his first TV ad of the 2010 election.

Today Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, who's challenging Walz, unveiled 3 new radio spots. Two of Demmer's radio ads directly criticize Walz; one for supporting the health care overall and the other for expanding the scope and cost of government.

The Demmer campaign did not say how much its ad buy cost but says the ads will run for two weeks on radio stations throughout southern Minnesota.

The ads are audio only, but Demmer's campaign released them on You Tube.

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Dayton talks taxes

Posted at 5:18 PM on September 13, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Democrat Mark Dayton appeared at the U of M's Humphrey School today to talk about his plan to increase income taxes on Minnesota's top earners. Dayton detailed why he believes the state needs higher income taxes. He also said he's supporting a new property tax bracked on million dollar homes and would "look" a sales tax hike on luxury items as long as the taxes are progressive.

Dayton said he's unwilling to make Minnesota's income tax rate the tops in the nation. He suggested to reporters after the forum that he was looking at a "10.9% or 10.8% rate" when asked how much lower his income tax rate would be compared to Hawaii's 11% rate. Minnesota's top rate is currently 7.85%.

Dayton said the Minnesota Department of Revenue looked at "various scenarios" regarding Dayton's income tax plan. The campaign says it will release that information tomorrow.

You can listen to Dayton's speech here: Listen

You can listen to Dayton's q and a with the Humphrey School's Larry Jacobs here: Listen

Republican Tom Emmer will be at the U of M for a similar event on Wednesday. The Independence Party's Tom Horner will be at the U of M on Monday, September 20th.