Inaugural Address Lt Governor Carol Molnau

Chief Justice Blatz, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much. Taking this oath — and receiving this trust — is a true honor for which I am very grateful. I’d like to thank my family for their love and support. Thank you to Governor-Elect Pawlenty...

Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer’s Second Inaugural Address

It is an honor to address you today, once again as Minnesota’s Secretary of State. I want to begin by thanking my husband, for his support and sacrifice (we’ve been married for 35 years as of today, by the way), my children for understanding the importance of being...

St Paul Mayoral Field

The field of opponents to St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly (D) is finally beginning in earnest to court support from potential DFL City Party delegates. Last week Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega announced his exploratory effort. We understand his colleague County...

Slawik for Secretary of State

Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-55B, Maplewood) is entertaining the notion of vying for Secretary of State in 2006. Slawik a suburban legislator who has played in the political school of hard knocks after losing reelection following her first term, but showed true grit and...

DFL Needs To Play the Expectations Game

As the legislative session commences in January we believe there is an open opportunity for the DFL Senate Majority and DFL House Minority to capitalize on; that is playing the expectations game. As every proposal comes out of the Governor’s office or the Speaker of...

Vice President Scenario

As we look past the results of the 2004 Presidential election some realities set in. President George W Bush (R) is limited to two–terms of office and it was the brilliance of Republicans in 1951 after four-terms for Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D) that brought about...

Special Session Problems

The proposal by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) for a Special Session to address agreed to items in a small Bonding Bill doesn’t seem to be gaining ground. The window of opportunity is closing rapidly and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-13, Willmar) and Senate...

Pawlenty’s Position on a Gas Tax Increase is Politically Advantageous

When Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) went to Willmar a couple of weeks ago to meet with Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-13, Willmar) he expressed his support for a Constitutional Amendment to raise the Gas Tax. Now this is qualified support for the Amendment...

Pawlenty Republican Critics See No Game Plan

We were surprised to hear some Republicans beginning to carp about Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) Administration’s lack of clear focus or established course. To some, it appears a policy-a-week was floated out and not well vetted and had a feeling of being more of a series...

Revenue Forecast 2004

The State of Minnesota has a projected $495 million surplus for 2004-05 and is looking at a deficit in 2006-07 of between $700 million and $1.39 billion when factoring inflation. Current projections show the state’s burden of healthcare costs climbing significantly...