Jan 6, 2000
If you’re a Republican interested in discussing the future of the Republican Party in the year 2000 the place to be on January 13th at 7 p.m. is Vinnie’s Restaurant in Minneapolis. There US Senator Rod Grams (R-MN), Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer...
Jan 6, 2000
James Hirst is seen by some to be a bane on the political system and to others, he is an advocate for personal freedoms. He is a tobacco lobbyist. Hirst is considering a foray into another side of politics. He is thinking about running for elected office....
Jan 6, 2000
If you follow activity in the Minnesota State Legislature there are three dates that should be marked on your calendar. They are: Friday, March 03, 2000 deadline for bills to leave first house of origin Friday, March 10, 2000 deadline for bills to leave second house...
Jan 6, 2000
In late December, Congressman Bill Luther (D-MN06) announced the creation of a new “online office”. The office is available at http://www.house.gov/luther, and is designed to offer many of the same services currently available from Luther’s...
Jan 6, 2000
A lot has changed over the last six months when forecasting the future for Republican prospects in the state senate. During the last legislative session, Republicans had a lot to be excited about. They had successfully elected two senators in special elections. Brian...
Jan 6, 2000
Checks & Balances has learned recently part of the reason for opposition to the Ventura administration proposal for merger of the Department of Commerce and Public Service. It seems that one of the real issues at hand in the Senate is the structure of Senate...
Jan 6, 2000
Early indications were that AFL-CIO was prepared to endorse a DFL candidate in the U. S. Senate race. The two candidates actively seeking labor endorsement and seen as most favorable are former US Attorney David Lillehaug and Sen Jerry Janezich (DFL-05, Virginia)....
Jan 6, 2000
Midweek we learned about some of the numbers associated with the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. Since Tim Penny and Rebecca Yanisch have yet to announce there isn’t any information for these expected candidates. Michael Ciresi led the field with $320,000...
Jan 6, 2000
The DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson is up in arms at the decision by Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer (R) to forego recognition of the new DFL precinct caucus process. In the recently published state brochure about the precincts caucuses, Kiffmeyer failed to provide...
Jan 1, 2000
Sen Dean Johnson (DFL-16, Willmar) announced today that he will be leaving the Republican Party and joining the DFL. Johnson has been at odds with the Republican Senate Caucus since his ouster as Minority Leader. The reward for the change will result in his chairing...