More Pawlenty Appointees?

When we received word on the pending Rep. Rick Stanek (R-32B, Maple Grove) appointment to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) we held onto idea of Pawlenty Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver playing a dual role after completion of the legislative session and hence his...

More St. Paul Political Stuff

We are awaiting a meeting of the St. Paul City DFL and expect two significant resignations.  We understand both the Chair C. Scott Cooper and Brigid McDonough are planning on stepping down. Cooper is planning on a bid for the Ward 2 seat and McDonough is...

Younger Member Party

It is always good to see fresh faces in any political organization.  This week on Thursday some of the younger members of the DFL House Caucus are having a party/fundraiser to elevate their status in the political ranks.  On Thursday at Sweeney’s Reps. Katie...

A Legislative View From Central Minnesota

Either Joan Spiczka has too much time on her hands or a political bug like many of us, has bitten her. Joan has her own website where she tracks legislation called http://www.legislativewatchdog.org.  Here you can get her take on items discussed at the legislature....

Republicans to be Watchful of MFU President

We are hearing interesting comments from members of the Republican House Caucus directed at newly elected Minnesota Farmer’s Union President former state Rep Doug Peterson (DFL-13B, Madison). Concerns of Peterson building a Farmers’ revolt and stir up trouble...

Wasting Time in the DFL Party

Here is an example of what we mean. Last month the DFL Executive Committee met for the first time after the election and passed a legislative agenda.  The document was all over the map with items focused on protecting this program or that program and called on...

DFL Associate Chair Contest

The DFL Central Committee is meeting over the weekend in Plymouth to select a new Associate Chair.  The position has remained vacant since the death of Mary McEvoy.  There are three candidates for the position Tarryl Clark, Beth Lareau, and Eileen Weber. It is hard to...

Realities in the Republican House Caucus

The results of the November election have brought a new crop of legislators to St. Paul who will not be shy about advancing their agenda.  Many elected who support overturning all abortion legislation and are strong gun advocates.  There are few moderates in this new...

New Key House Staff

With Tom Hanson being tapped as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), the House needed a new strategist and they selected Jason Rohloff to be the Legislative Director.  Rohloff is a capable...

Kennedy Takes a Pass

Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN02) has his eyes on the prize.  Word out of Washington D.C. as we understand it, Kennedy passed on the Commerce Committee and accepted a seat on the Financial Services Committee.  This is a no-brainer the Commerce Committee is a much...