Where is the DFL House’s Environmental Agenda?

It would seem logical that the DFL should be regularly banging the drum on behalf of the environment. When Republican candidates often are climate change deniers, and obstructionists when it comes to dealing with issues like pollinators and ditch buffers. It even...

Because of Trump, the DFL Senate Majority is Expanding its Target List

The 2016 Target List for the DFL was originally set at 24 and has now been expanded to 26. Additionally, four other seats have risen to higher priorities and more likely victories because of the candidacy of Donald J. Trump (R). Recent polling reveals a far stronger...

Senate Republicans Are Actively Engaged in their Own Targeting Efforts

Recent opposition mailers have hit in the districts of Sen. Rod Skoe (DFL-02, Clearbrook), Sen. Kent Eken (DFL-04, Twin Valley), Sen. Lyle Koenen (DFL-17, Clara City), Sen. Vicki Jensen (DFL-24, Owatonna, and Sen. Matt Schmit (DFL-21, Red Wing). The expectation is...

2016 House State Fair Poll

We at Checks & Balances are continuing our tradition of publishing the State Fair Polls found at the State Fair booths in the Education Building. Official Ballot  Minnesota House of Representatives 2016 State Fair Poll Question 1. Do you support an increase in the...

2016 Senate State Fair Poll

Minnesota Report State Senate  2016 State Fair Poll Questions (Choose one answer per question)   Demographics Residence Minneapolis/St. Paul Rural Suburban Regional hub of at least 40,000 people (Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, Moorhead) Another state No...

Schedule of Legislators at the State Fair

Schedule of State Representatives at MN State House of Representatives Booth Location: Education Building Thursday, Aug. 25  10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul), Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL-Esko) Noon to 2 p.m.: Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul)...

Strib Follows Our Story on Daudt.

The Star Tribune filled in a few more details on the January car crash story on Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-30A, Crown). The focus of J. Patrick Coolican’s story is on past traffic violations. Speaker Daudt’s crash last January reveals spotty...

From Fender Bender to Pounded Rear Ender

On January 21, 2016, House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-30A, Crown) was reportedly late to a meeting with Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-03, Cook). The only reason we have found was a tweet by Pioneer Press reporter Rachel Stassen Berger...

A Comprehensive Breakdown of MN Senate Primary Races

This article is an independent analysis of the piece we scribed yesterday, but there are some common themes and relevant considerations. Again, the fundamental question is whether or not the candidates seeking the seats in a primary contest are challengers to the...