May 13, 2008
We find it interesting to read discussions of Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A, Minneapolis) role as being the moderating influence between Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (DFL-59, Minneapolis) in last weeks’ Star...
May 13, 2008
Last night, the House adjourned shortly before 1:00 a.m. The body recessed just after midnight, to the call of the chair, while Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) met in negotiations with Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A, Minneapolis) and Senate Majority...
May 5, 2008
As we watch the series of stories regarding questions over presumptive DFL nominee US Senate Candidate Al Franken’s (D) tax woes in California we wonder if our earlier assessments may have been dead on. As discussions of Franken’s candidacy grew more plausible we...
May 5, 2008
As we are watching the legislative session move into its final stages the finish is becoming readily apparent. Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and the DFL controlled legislature seem to have agreed where the budget cuts are set to occur—in Health and Human Services—and...
May 5, 2008
Republican Party operatives are wondering out loud as to the state of the Republican Party this election due to endorsements of legislative candidates at various local party unit conventions. In three separate instances, delegates endorsed candidates not recommended...
May 5, 2008
We have marked the lack of civility at the legislature, especially in the House on a number of occasions. We attribute much of the acrimony to three issues: 1) Selection of Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-28B, Kenyon) as House Minority Leader in 1993. 2) The Contract with...
May 5, 2008
Last week, we discussed the goal of the Senate to have its work completed by the end of the day Monday. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (DFL-59, Minneapolis) informed his colleagues of his intent to pass all Omnibus Finance Bills off of the...
May 5, 2008
Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer (R-MN) was lightning rod during her time in office. She played the perfect role for the Republican Party as chief elections officer by employing any mechanism which made voting harder and more complicated, rather than...
May 5, 2008
Rep Jim Abeler (R-48B, Anoka) gained the greatest amount of attention this legislative session as one of the “Venerable Six” Republicans who voted to override Governor Tim Pawlenty’s (R-MN) on the transportation bill. Abeler, a Chiropractor by profession, supported...
May 5, 2008
As we enter into the last two weeks of the legislative session we are getting some indications of what to expect will and will not pass. Today, the House is voting on its tax bill and we doubt there will be an agreement between the House and Senate by the end of the...
