Capitol View: February 1, 2011 Archive
The Daily Digest
Posted at 6:56 AM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
(1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest
AP says the state's labor unions gave more than $600,000 to Gov. Dayton's recount and transition fund. Dayton raised a total of $1.9 million since the election.
You can read the full report here.
More campaign finance reports will be released later today.
Under the Dome
Gov. Dayton released his bonding plan as a jobs package. Republicans in the Legislature say they're not interested.
Here's a list of the major projects in the bill.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will join Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor today to push for a renovation to the Target Center. Rybak is one of several metro mayors to applaud the bonding bill.
A bill to expand gambling for bingo and electronic pull tabs has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate.
The Star Tribune says the freshman legislators are already making their mark in St. Paul.
The Minnesota Health Department listed nine toxic chemicals in children's products.
Some GOP lawmakers push for "English Only."
GOP State Sen. Dave Thompson says the union sabotaged his survey of Lakeville teachers.
Special Election
The DFL Primary in House District 5B will be held today.
Congress
A Florida judge strikes down President Obama's health care law. The issue is sure to be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court.
DFL Sen. Al Franken discusses the crisis in Egypt.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum supports changes in Egypt.
2012 Race for Congress
The DCCC targets GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack in a radio ad.
Party Politics
Independence Party Chair Jack Uldrich is resigning his position. It will take effect on February 13th.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
Gov. Pawlenty hits President Obama on his response to the crisis in Egypt.
Pawlenty praises the Florida ruling regarding the federal health care law.
Fundraising will be a key early test for Pawlenty's viability in the 2012 race.
Mitt Romney raised $4.7 million for his PAC last year.
Bachmann for Prez Watch
U.S. News and World Report lists ten things you didn't know about Michele Bachmann.
Dayton outspends Emmer
Posted at 9:36 AM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Mark Dayton
Democrat Mark Dayton outspent Republican Tom Emmer in the race for governor. Dayton reports spending $5.3 million in 2009 and 2010. $3.9 million of it was Dayton's own money.
Meanwhile, Republican Tom Emmer spent $2.8 million over the same time period.
Minneapolis loses DNC bid
Posted at 10:09 AM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
Several news outlets, including AP, are reporting the Democratic National Committee has picked Charlotte, NC to be the host city of that party's 2012 convention.
Minneapolis was vying to be the host city.
Question of the Day: Is this good or bad for the Twin Cities?
Update: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak isn't showing it if he's disappointed. Here's what he wrote on Twitter:
Congratulations Charlotte. You will be a great host for the 2012 Democratic convention
Here's an updated statement from Rybak:
"Congratulations to Charlotte on being selected to host this great event. Any assistance they need - we're here to help.We're obviously disappointed, but having been a finalist for this selection proves once again that Minneapolis has what it takes to host any major event. Trust me, we're going to continue to compete for them. Every time Minneapolis vies for this caliber of high-profile event, we strengthen the infrastructure needed to be competitive in attracting conventions and new business to town that in turn create jobs that grow our economy."
ABM goes large
Posted at 10:15 AM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
(1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor
The Alliance for a Better Minnesota was the biggest spender in last year's race for governor. The group, which is backed by labor unions, Native American Tribes, wealthy DFL donors and the Democratic Governor's Association, spent $5.7 million in the race.
That spending eclipsed two outside groups that were working to elect Republican Tom Emmer. Minnesota's Future, funded mostly by the Republican Governor's Association, spent $1.4 million on the race. MN Forward, a group backed by businesses like Target and Best Buy, spent almost $1.8 million.
Sutton running for second term as MNGOP Chair
Posted at 11:41 AM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton announced on Twitter that he's running for reelection as MNGOP Chair.
"I have decided to run for a 2nd term as State Chair of the @mngop - we have accomplished a lot, but much remains to be done."
Sutton's first term as Party Chair was mixed. Republicans won control of both the Minnesota House and Senate and elected GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack. But the GOP lost the big prize when Democrat Mark Dayton won the governor's race over Tom Emmer.
Dayton appoints state CIO
Posted at 1:55 PM on February 1, 2011
by Tim Nelson
Filed under: Mark Dayton
Carolyn Parnell, the head of info technology for the the Minnesota System of Colleges and Universities is moving on up.
Gov. Mark Dayton tapped her today to head the state's office of Enterprise Technology. She's an alum of MPR's IT department, as well as Fidelity National Information Systems and the U.
Parnell is also a former child protection services social worker, and a board member of the U's IT History Society, formerly the Charles Babbage Foundation.
MNGOP won't disclose recount fundraising
Posted at 2:30 PM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
(4 Comments)
Filed under: Mark Dayton, Recount 2010
The Republican Party of Minnesota and Republican Tom Emmer's campaign for governor will not disclose the money it raised to help with the recount. Minnesota Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton said today that the group created a separate corporate account, Count Them All Properly Inc., for their recount efforts. He said they won't disclose the amount of money raised or by whom -- and state and federal laws don't require them to release it.
That's counter to Sutton's past comments where he said they would run their recount funds through The Minnesota Republican Party. Those funds would have been disclosed if Sutton and others accepted the funds through the Republican Party's main account.
When asked about the discrepancy between his past statement and the decision to not disclose the funds, Sutton said "We changed our minds."
Gimse and Beard urge Congressional delegation to oppose earmarks
Posted at 5:03 PM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature, U.S. House, U.S. Senate
GOP Sen. Joe Gimse of Willmar and GOP Rep. Mike Beard are urging the members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation to oppose any earmarks. In a letter to the six Democrats and four Republicans in the delegation, the two chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committees wrote that the process of earmarking has a "detrimental effect" on Minnesota's transportation system:
"When earmarks are approved by Congress, the amount dedicated to each project is counted against what the state should receive in its share of federal gas tax revenues for highway funding. Unfortunately, some earmarks are set aside for projects that have not been fully vetted and approved by state and local transportation officials. Due to this lack of support and corresponding lack of matching funds from the state, these earmarks end up being "orphaned" and become the equivalent of an uncashed check from the federal government."
Gimse and Beard then cite a USA Today story saying Minnesota has lost $131.3 million in federal funds as a result of earmarking. They don't say how much money Minnesota made as a result of earmarking.
Republicans, most notably GOP Rep. John Kline, have vowed not to take any earmarks. But some, including GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann find other ways of getting those funds. Bachmann sent letters to Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood in the past seeking stimulus funds. She also wants to have earmarks redefined to exclude transportation funds.
Here's the full letter from Gimse and Beard.
Dayton isn't gambling on gambling
Posted at 5:09 PM on February 1, 2011
by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton
Governor Mark Dayton says he doesn't intend to rely on any gambling revenue to help balance the state's budget.
Dayton said during the race for governor that he would support a state owned and operated casino at the Mall of America or the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport and use the revenues it generates to help balance the state's budget. But he's now backing away from those claims. He told reporters that his budget plan will not include gambling.
"It wouldn't have any impact on the biennium so I wouldn't expect to have any money from gambling in my budget on February 15th," Dayton said.
Dayton said that his plan to erase the projected $6.2 billion deficit will include an income tax increase on top earners but is also warning that there will be painful cuts to state programs. There are several groups lobbying for increased gambling this session. Those measures include video slots at bars and allowing slot machines at the state's horse tracks.
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Master Archive
Recent Entries
- Top Republican says six MN U.S. House seats could be in play in 2014
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- Dayton hails results of session
- The Daily Digest: Session wrap-up
- No minimum wage hike this session
- Session ends with passage of $2 billion tax increase
- Legislature sends pared down bonding bill to Dayton
- Legacy bill goes with commission's parks recommendations
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