May 13, 2008
We found it interesting and amusing listening to the debate over the selection of hockey as the state sport of Minnesota during last week’s education policy bill. The decision to single out hockey as the “state sport” provided some bones of contention for a number of...
May 13, 2008
Normally, the crystal chandelier in the Capitol dome is only lit on the anniversary of our statehood—May11th. But, due to the commemoration of our sesquicentennial and the declaration of state week the light is lit for the entirety. If you would like to photograph the...
May 13, 2008
We have received a number of comments on last week’s article A Useful History Lesson. Many of the conversations acknowledged in our analysis of the confrontational practices employed by for House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R) and highlighted the fact House Minority...
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...
