Apr 11, 2001
Many scenarios are emerging about the final result of the 2001 legislative session and one interesting item has come up. Minnesota Planning Director Dean Barkley surfaced the idea of the timing of a Special Session should there be a need. Since the discretion of...
Apr 4, 2001
The ability for someone to move from the land of journalism into to the advocacy side of politics is not always the easiest transition. Becoming a “flak” after trying to be objective, can cause some problems. We have seen Cyndy Brucato move from Channel 5 into...
Apr 4, 2001
The opinion piece signed by Ted Mondale, Sharon Sayles Belton and Peter McLaughlin may not have been the best political stroke. It was blatantly a whack at Attorney General Mike Hatch (DFL-MN) and people closely associated with him are taking names. It won’t be...
Apr 4, 2001
It didn’t take long for people supporting former Councilmember Bob Long for Mayor (DFL) to criticize our last item entitled, Long Odds in St Paul. Specifically, supporters took issue with the contribution made by Long to Republican state Senate candidate Dan...
Apr 4, 2001
The dust has settled on the DFL Party’s endorsement battles in the City of the Lakes when the last ward convention was held this past weekend. We make these observations during this month-long process. A concentrated effort by out-going Sixth Ward City Council...
Apr 4, 2001
The amount of population decline throughout the rural areas was somewhat less than people speculated. The interesting reason is the higher than expected increase in the minority population. The number of people who identified themselves as part of an ethnic, racial...
Apr 4, 2001
Former Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek spoke at the legislature yesterday in favor of a constitutional amendment for the creation of a Heritage Enhancement Council authored by Rep Mark Holsten (R–56A, Stillwater). If the legislation and the amendment were to pass a...
Apr 4, 2001
The stage is being set for a standoff in the state House between the proponents of BioDiesel and the opponents of Conceal and Carry of firearms. The urban legislators are seeing the need to conjoin these issues. The reason is each is of concern for rural members,...
Apr 4, 2001
Rep Michael Paymar (DFL–64A, St. Paul) sent around the following e-mail to members of the legislature: Dear Members: I will have a letter ready for your signature this week that will be sent to the Minnesota firms that have contracts will the tobacco industry. Several...
Apr 4, 2001
The Star Tribune tried to ferret out the names meant by Rep Greg Davids (R–31B, Preston) condemnation after the shelving of the Wine in Grocery Stores bill but failed. We, on the other hand, have learned the finger was pointed directly at former Representative and now...
