Capitol View: March 7, 2013 Archive

Dayton on archbishop meeting: not much marriage talk

Posted at 2:00 PM on March 7, 2013 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)
Filed under: Mark Dayton, Marriage Amendment

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton hosted a private breakfast this morning with Archbishop John Nienstedt and Catholic Bishops from around Minnesota, but according to the governor, they did not spend a lot of time discussing same-sex marriage.

Nienstedt was a leading supporter of last fall's failed campaign to amend the state constitution with a ban on same-sex marriage. Catholic leaders are now lining up against the proposed legislation to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota.

"We didn't talk at all about the amendment, and we really didn't talk about the law or its prospects or anything like that," Dayton said.

Dayton said only aspects of the issue came up, including a concern about being punished for applying their religious principles. On other issues, he said the archbishop and bishops expressed support for a minimum wage increase and more funding for families on public assistance. Dayton said he also heard concerns about the impact of proposed anti-bullying legislation on private schools.

"They think they're doing a better job of preventing bullying in their schools," he said. "They think some of the requirements that are being written into the legislation now would be undully prescriptive and restrictive."

Bill increasing contribution and spending limits clears committee

Posted at 5:08 PM on March 7, 2013 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

A Minnesota House committee today approved a bill that would allow higher contributions to political candidates running for state offices and the Legislature.

The bill approved by the House Elections Committee would also require additional disclosure from independent groups that spend money to influence elections.

Increasing the campaign contribution limits will help candidates compete with outside groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, said Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL- Golden Valley.

"We're getting to a point where outside interest groups and their agendas are driving our political campaigns rather than candidates and their conversations with voters," Winkler said.

Winkler's bill would allow donors to give candidates for governor $6,000 every election cycle. Current law allows gubernatorial candidates to raise $2,000 in an election year and $500 in other years. Candidates for state Senate would be able to raise $3,000 for the cycle instead of $800. House members would be able to raise $1,500 per cycle instead of $600.

Several groups, including Common Cause Minnesota and the League of Women Voters, praised the bill but worried that increasing the donor and spending limits will only give more power to moneyed interests.

The bill would also require all independent groups, including non-profit trade groups, to disclose receipts and expenditures. It would require associations to disclose high-dollar donors. Current law does not require trade groups and other non-profits to disclose their donors. Democrats complained last election that business groups used the issue advocacy loophole as a way to promote and defeat political candidates.

Andrea Rau with the anti-abortion group, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, spoke against the bill. It would have a chilling effect on donors to her organization, said Rau.

"Regardless of intent, it does seem that the real effect of these burdensome reporting requirements is less to inform the public and more to deter citizens from publicly engaging in the issues of the day," Rau said.

The House Elections Committee approved the measure on a divided voice vote. The bill has several more committee stops before it reaches the House floor.

Gov. Dayton has said he will only sign elections bills that have bipartisan support.

Norm Coleman rules out 2014 run

Posted at 10:37 PM on March 7, 2013 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman announced tonight on Twitter that he won't run for political office in 2014. Coleman announced earlier this year that he would not run against DFL Sen. Al Franken but tonight's announcement means he's ruling out a run for governor as well.

Public service is an important part of my life.It will remain so even though I will not run for public office in 2014.

— Norm coleman (@normcoleman) March 8, 2013

Want to mentor a new generation of optimistic, limited government focused leaders who aren't afraid to find common ground to solve problems

— Norm coleman (@normcoleman) March 8, 2013

will focus time and energy helping MInnesota elect Senator &Governor who support free enterprise,efficient govt & seek 2bring folks together

— Norm coleman (@normcoleman) March 8, 2013

Coleman's announcement, which was first reported by KSTP's Tom Hauser, means there is now a wide open field for Republicans looking to challenge DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Franken.

Coleman has been repeatedly mentioned as a top candidate to challenge either Franken or Dayton in 2014. He lost to Franken in 2008 by 312 votes.

U.S. Rep. John Kline and U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen have left open the possibility of challenging Franken in 2014.

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson has said he's thinking about challenging Dayton. Other possible candidates include state Sen. Julie Rosen, state Rep. Kurt Zellers, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek and businesssman Scott Honour.