May 23, 2001
There wasn’t a train wreck this legislative session, the engine was moving far too slowly. It was more like a slow-motion engine driven off of the tracks. The spending bills for this legislative session are not the reason things were held up, that credit goes to the...
May 23, 2001
We had thought Patrick Rosenstiel was set to handle the Campaign Manager duties for Mark Stenglein in his bid for Mayor of Minneapolis, but we were wrong. He will be a campaign consultant while Brian McClung will be handling the managerial duties. How do we know, you...
May 23, 2001
As a first-term Congresswoman Rep Betty McCollum (D-MN04) recognizes the importance of the election. The configurations of Congressional Districts are still a question mark and the dominance of the suburban constituency just as questionable.Congressman Bill Luther...
May 23, 2001
If the changing of parties by US Senator James Jeffords (R-VT) is announced it will be good news for US Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) in his bid for a 3rd term. It makes sound political sense to argue for the higher value of reelection for a majority member, rather...
May 23, 2001
Sometimes when you are singled out it is not such a good thing, and other times it is. Checks & Balances became apart of the legislative record during the debate on the House floor over redistricting when Rep Eric Paulsen (R–42B, Eden Prairie) read our comments...
May 21, 2001
The general public will not truly turn its attention to the actions of the legislature until they feel some sort of personal discomfort from their inaction. We believe a significant influence this legislative session were the pressures created by criticism cast by...
May 21, 2001
Mike Erlandson was returned quite easily to the helm of the DFL Party Chair after his opponent John Moravec withdrew. Moravec would not have made much of a blip on the screen had he continued, based on the support being express for him during his speech at the...
May 21, 2001
It started in the State Senate when Sen Dave Kleis (R–16, St. Cloud) arose on the floor to challenge the proposed map for legislative district brought forward by Sen Larry Pogemiller (DFL–59, Minneapolis). Kleis read into the record criticisms of the plan by former...
May 21, 2001
As the session drags on, every little disturbance that causes a ripple in the water may provide some insight into the legislative state of affairs. We heard from more than one source over the weekend about the conference committee for State Government Finance....
May 21, 2001
Republican legislative sources have informed us of their lack of confidence in the integrity of the opinions of Commissioner Pam Wheelock. The reason is that she did not accurately reflect the negotiating position of the Administration. We understand she negotiated...
