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Capitol View: December 9, 2010 Archive

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The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:28 AM on December 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Democrat Mark Dayton begins the formal transition to the governor's office today. He's scheduled to meet with Governor Pawlenty today and will hold a news conference with Pawlenty today.

For Dayton, the hard part begins. He has to come up with a way to balance a $6.2 billion budget deficit and restore confidence in a public worried about the economy. An adviser and long-time friend told MPR News that he's confident Dayton has the "guts" to do it. Another, who now works for the MN Chamber, says Dayton's retailing family instincts will show he'll work to get great value out of every tax dollar.

Charlie Weaver, the head of the Minnesota Business Partnership, wrote an op-ed calling on Dayton and the Legislature to start working with the business community to start working on shared goals.

The Star Tribune says Dayton's style will be different than current Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

On Wednesday Dayton reached out to the GOP on budget issues.

Dayton says he'll start assembling his administration in the coming days. Dayton says he'll hire his Chief of Staff in the next day or so.

Here's some video of Dayton's victory speech.

The State Canvassing Board certified the election on Wednesday.

Emmer conceded the race to Dayton from his home in Delano. You can listen to Emmer's concession speech here.

Recount

Emmer decided to waive the recount so Dayton could get the election certificate signed. It means the historical record will show the Nov. 2nd night totals not the recount totals.

Under the Dome

House DFL leadership will announce some staff changes today. DFL House Minority Leader Paul Thissen is expected to announce Carrie Lucking and Zach Rodvold, who worked for Tarryl Clark's unsuccessful campaign for Congress, will join the staff. Andrew Wittenborg and Sean Rahn have been let go.

Gov. Pawlenty says more schools are joining Q-Comp, the state's merit pay program for teachers.

Congress

The House passed the DREAM Act but it appears doomed in the Senate.

Senate leaders are set to begin the debate on the tax cuts.

DFL Sen. Al Franken is unhappy with the tax deal.

Medtronic gets a U.S. subpoena on a brain stimulator.

Despite the campaign rhetoric, the GOP is hiring lobbyists as staffers.

GOP Rep. John Kline says his top priority is jobs. Kline is he incoming chair of the House Education and Labor Workforce Committee.

Party Politics

MN Progressive Project says they're hearing DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez won't seek another term. The blogger doesn't say whether he contacted Melendez on the matter.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

A poll in Minnesota shows President Obama leading all possible 2012 GOP candidates. Pawlenty's approval ratings are at 43%. Romney fares better against Obama than Pawlenty does.

Pawlenty and other 2012 hopefuls line up against a nuclear treaty that President Obama is backing.

House DFL caucus makes staff moves

Posted at 9:37 AM on December 9, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature

The DFL minority caucus in the Minnesota House has announced several changes in its senior staff.

A news release today said Mike Charboneau will continue as caucus executive director. Kate Perushek, who previously worked for the Health and Human Services Committee, will now be executive assistant to the minority leader. Joanna Dornfeld, who previously worked for the House Finance Committee, will serve as executive assistant to the caucus.

House DFL leaders also hired Zach Rodvold, who managed Tarryl Clark's congressional campaign, as director of legislative and caucus services. Another former Clark campaign staffer, Carrie Lucking, will be director of public affairs.

Poll supports gambling option for stadium

Posted at 2:32 PM on December 9, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature

A new survey from Public Policy Polling found Minnesota voters would rather lose the Vikings than pay for a new stadium through a tax increase. But voters appeared to be comfortable with an expansion of gambling in the state to build a stadium.

The poll results show 61-percent opposed to paying for a stadium with tax dollars, compared to 28-percent in favor and 11-percent unsure. When respondents were told about the consequence of losing the team, opposition dropped to 49-percent and support increased to 35-percent. There were 16-percent unsure.

On the gambling option, 62-percent supported an expansion to pay for a stadium, compared to 25-percent opposed.

No charges against Hackbarth

Posted at 5:28 PM on December 9, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature

St. Paul prosecutors have decided not to file charges against a state lawmaker who had a run-in with police last month.

Police briefly detained Republican Representative Tom Hackbarth of Cedar, after he was seen on a St. Paul parking lot surveillance camera with a holstered handgun. Investigators said there were inconsistencies in Hackbarth's claim that he was looking for a woman he was dating. But City Attorney Sara Grewing said today the case is closed.

"We're incredibly disappointed that Rep. Hackbarth was less than honest with the St. Paul police department," Grewing said. "But as far as having a charge that we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the facts just aren't there."

There have already been political consequences for Hackbarth, who last week resigned his chairmanship of the House environment, energy and natural resources committee. He issued a statement apologizing for his behavior.

Dayton and Pawlenty meet

Posted at 5:31 PM on December 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton, Tim Pawlenty

Pawlenty and Dayton newser from tommy scheck on Vimeo.

Gov. Pawlenty and Gov.-elect Mark Dayton met behind closed doors today to discuss Pawlenty's transition to power. The Republican governor and the Democrat elected to succeed him met one day after the race for governor ended. The two had a cordial meeting and refrained from the criticism they aimed at each other during the campaign.

"While we do disagree on matters" Dayton said. "We understand that's the greatness and the strength of our democracy. Countries that only have one political party or one leader to choose from, they have far worse governments than we are so privileged to have in this country."

The meeting is a pivot in power to the next governor. Pawlenty said he instructed his staff to make themselves available to Dayton and his staff.

"Whatever Gov.-elect Dayton needs, we're going to get it to him promptly and professionally and fully as we can," Pawlenty said.

Dayton made his first hire of his administration. He announced that MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel will remain in that job.

Pawlenty and Dayton take questions from tommy scheck on Vimeo.

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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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