Capitol View: January 7, 2011 Archive

Cory Booker to speak at MLK Breakfast

Posted at 12:28 AM on January 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is scheduled to keynote this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast in Minneapolis. Booker, who is serving in his second term as Newark's mayor, will speak at the Minneapolis Convention Center on January 17th. Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is also scheduled to speak.

The breakfast typically draws crowds of 2,000 people and makes it one of the largest events honoring MLK Day. Gov. Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and others are expected to attend the event.

Dayton wants a weekly radio show

Posted at 6:46 AM on January 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton, Tim Pawlenty

Governor Mark Dayton says he wants to continue the tradition of holding a weekly radio show. Dayton told reporters last night that he would like to host a weekly radio program but said the state has to go through an open bidding process before he goes on the air. Dayton said he can't wait to host a program but said it a question of which station and ensuring every station has the right to compete for the show.

"We have to through an open, competitive bidding process. I understood it took until February for get Governor Pawlenty on the air. I wish I could be on the air somewhere tomorrow but we're going through the proper procedures through the Department of Administration."

Former Governor Jesse Ventura started the show in 1999 and it was continued by Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty. WCCO aired both of those programs but gave up full editorial control to do so.

Members of the Legislature criticized both Ventura, Pawlenty and WCCO for airing a program that they characterized an hour of unfiltered airtime. Democrats also said Pawlenty's show turned too partisan.

Dayton calls for probe of Revenue Department

Posted at 7:41 PM on January 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Gov. Mark Dayton is calling on the Legislative Auditor to review the internal controls at the Minnesota Department of Revenue after charges were filed against an employee who is allegedly responsible for more than 200 fraudulent tax refund payments, totaling approximately $1.9 million.

The U.S. Attorney's office filed charges today against an auditor with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Pamela Marie Dellis of Lindstrom was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of money laundering. Her sister, Nancy T. Sondrall and her niece Laurie R. Sondrall of Minneapolis, also were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for their roles in the scheme. The U.S. Attorneys office says the three committed the acts between January of 2005 and September of 2010.

In a news release, Dayton said he wants the Legislative Auditor to review the Revenue Department's internal controls to ensure the problem doesn't happen again.

"I am mindful of the warnings the Legislative Auditor has issued previously that the management of certain state agencies lacks the necessary oversight and controls to prevent the misuse of public money. The people of Minnesota deserve accountability and vigorous oversight of our taxpayer dollars," Dayton said in the release.

Here's Dayton's letter to Legislative Auditor James Nobles: