Number 6th Congressional District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, among the fans of humorist Garrison Keillor.
“I adore Garrison Keillor,” said Bachmann, speaking in a recent interview.
“He and I are on the opposite side of our political beliefs. But I adore him,” she said.
“I think he’s brilliant. I think he’s a genius,” [...]
Racino Now, the pro-racino group Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, is leaving the Senate to join, announced a list of financial backers that includes Running Aces, the harness track near Forest Lake.
Other contributors include Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, Minnesota Thoroughbred Association, and the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association.
Canterbury Park [...]
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports that last week there were two outbreaks of flu-like illnesses in Minnesota schools, compared to one outbreak the week before.
No outbreaks due to flu were recorded in long-term care facilities, though influenza-like illness visits to outpatient clinics involved in a tracker network increased [...]
Education Minnesota has endorsed Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, for Congress in the 6th Congressional District.
Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher said Clark’s work ethic, willingness to listen to educators and work with them, and her strong campaign made her the best choice for the union.
“Our members were impressed with Tarryl [...]
The Obama Administration has slated $13 million to halt the advance of the Asian carp towards the Great Lakes.
The announcement comes shortly after a group of Minnesota lawmakers, including Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, sent a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Attorney General Lori Swanson requesting additional state [...]
The 155-mile Northern Lights Express — a proposed passenger rail route running between Duluth and Minneapolis — could be on a fast track.
Former state representative Kathy Tingelstad, now a legislative lobbyist for Anoka County, believes the project will not have the prolonged struggle that marked development of Northstar Commuter Rail.
“People [...]
Former Anoka lawmaker, state commissioner and Pawlenty chief of staff Charlie Weaver hopes that former U.S. senator Norm Coleman decides to jump into the governor’s race.
“I do,” said Weaver.
“It’s not a bad (current Republican) field, but it’s an unknown field,” he said.
While describing Coleman as a good senator, Weaver said [...]
Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, along with 12 other lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Attorney General Lori Swanson calling for action to stem the advance of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.
Two species of Asian carp, the bighead and silver Asian carp, have been advancing [...]
Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, will be leaving on a jet plane to Copenhagen soon to participate in the United Nations climate change conference.
Rep. Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton, will also be traveling to Copenhagen. Both lawmakers are members of the Coalition of Legislators for Energy Action Now (CLEAN), a group [...]
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports that flu activity in the state decreased during the past week.
One school reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness, compared to zero the previous week, and no outbreaks due to flu were reported in long-term care facilities.
Flu-related visits to outpatient clinics involved in the [...]
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, has been endorsed for governor by EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest financial resource for women candidates, according to the Kelliher campaign.
Last election cycle EMILY’s List raised more than $43 million to support women candidates.
“It’s been an exciting week for our campaign and I am [...]
Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, sees a need for legislation in Sen. Dick Day’s announcement that he was resigning his Senate seat to become president of Racino Now and work as a lobbyist.
Marty, a gubernatorial candidate, in a press release indicated the Owatonna Republican’s decision to lobby for racino underscores a [...]
The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities has collectively brought their hands together to signify approval of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s decision not to unallot a late December $437 million local government aid (LGA) payment to cities and counties.
The administration last week indicated that the LGA payment could be cut in response [...]
Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris, is proposing the use of permanent seat license (PSL) as a means of financing construction of a Vikings’ stadium.
Olseen, who will be introducing legislation, points to NFL teams like the Carolina Panthers who have used PSL as a tool for financing their new stadium.
According to the [...]
Sen. Debbie Johnson, R-Ham Lake, in the Senate Tax Committee indicated that she intended to carry racino legislation next session.
Indeed, Johnson said she attempted last session to amend a racino provision onto a bill in committee.
Johnson also indicated her support for a proposed constitutional amendment the tax committee heard today [...]
Former governor Wendell Anderson, the governor who was pictured holding aloft one of the most famous fish ever caught in Minnesota, has endorsed House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, for governor.
“We know Margaret is ready to lead because she’s done it before,” the former governor wrote in a letter released [...]
Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, sees the upcoming legislative session, beginning Feb. 4, as focusing on jobs.
“Just as the federal economic stimulus was a critical ingredient in preventing worse job loss than what occurred, we expect a state bonding bill to play a similar, though smaller, role,” said Hortman in [...]
Eighth Congressional District Congressman James Oberstar, DFL-Chisholm, has endorsed Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, in her bid for Congress in the 6th Congressional District.
Clark faces an endorsement challenge from Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who has shown ability in raising campaign dollars.
But Oberstar, anyway, said he was proud to endorse [...]
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced that it has downgraded H1N1 flu activity in the state as reported to the Center for Disease Control to “local.”
This reflects the fact, the department points out, that flu activity is occurring primarily in the northwest region of Minnesota, though to a [...]
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Dan McElroy may be on the political hot seat this coming legislative session.
During a DFL press conference today, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, spoke of the need for new leadership in the job creation area — specifically pointing to the former [...]
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notes that today is World AIDS Day, and that the epidemic continues across the globe.
“Despite the progress that has been made in developing new treatments against HIV, new infections continue to occur at undiminished levels each year,” said Peter Carr, MDH director of the [...]
Now that 6th District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, has achieved national standing, it’s tempting to look at her career for signs that she was following a carefully planned script.
For instance, did Bachmann, in her celebrated 30-second grab of former President George Bush following his State of the Union Address in [...]
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today predicted that the upcoming legislative session, which begins in early February, will be more difficult than some are expecting.
A “much more challenging session than I think people realize,” said Pawlenty, speaking at the Capitol this afternoon.
It won’t just be a bonding bill, a few touch-up items, [...]
The Minnesota Department Health (MDH) today released its weekly H1N1 statistics for the past week showing ten schools in Minnesota reporting outbreaks of flu-like illnesses — one school more than the week before.
MDH officials last week said the decline seen in the number of flu-like outbreaks in schools could mean [...]
The House Small Business Caucus online survey, which has already attracted some 400 responses from small business, is being extended through the month of December.
“The enthusiastic response of Minnesota’s small business community has been outstanding,” said Rep. Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, who co-chairs the bipartisan Small Business Caucus.
“The more input [...]
Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, will attend a White House state dinner tomorrow honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — Chaudhary’s parents came to America from India in the 1960s.
“I’m honored to be invited to attend this noteworthy event,” said Sen. Chaudhary.
“The event highlights the strong and growing economic and political [...]
Independence Party of Minnesota (IP) delegates at its recent state convention in Brooklyn Park voted to throw out the recent practice of candidate cross-endorsement.
That is, the IP will no longer endorse candidates that do not belong to the party — recent 6th District DFL congressional candidate El Tinklenberg was quick [...]
Former public safety commissioner and former Pawlenty Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver today (Nov. 23) announced that he would not run for governor in 2010 — something he has suggested in the past was a possibility.
“Running for Governor is a full time job and I know well the sacrifices [...]
Several area lawmakers have returned from a trip to Israel. The idea of the trip was to foster better ties to the country.
According to the House DFL Caucus, the group, which consisted of some nine lawmakers, had some 40 meetings/tours during the visit.
Local lawmakers on the trip were Rep. Sandra [...]
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials indicated today (Nov. 18) that retail store Santas will have to wait like everybody else to get vaccinated for H1N1 until people at greater risk get theirs.
“We have heard about Santa’s request,” said MDH Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Kristen Ehresmann.
Media reports have department [...]
Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, is carrying Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed state spending limit constitutional amendment and will take the bill before the Senate Tax Committee on Dec. 7.
Democrats in general have expressed a willingness to listen to the proposal, an attitude Koch won’t second guess.
“I’m going to take them at [...]
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten today (Nov. 16) told a House/Senate natural resources committee his agency had no intentions of relinquishing $20 million in bonding lawmakers approved for a proposed state park.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty many months ago proposed the creation of Lake Vermilion State Park on land currently [...]
Some lawmakers — Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, for instance — look to the expansion of gaming as a means for the state to capture extra dollars in tough economic times.
But Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview, believes the easiest ways of bringing in state revenue aren’t always the best.
“Personally my issue with [...]
The House Rules Committee today (Nov. 16) approved a resolution that will have House attorneys filing a “friend of the court” brief in support of legal actions against recent Pawlenty Administration state budget unallotments.
“Members of the Minnesota House feel strongly that we need to address the important issues raised by [...]
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today said the buck he shot at Saturday (Nov. 7) morning at the 7th Annual Governor’s Deer Opener has not been found.
Six to eight people — “including me,” he said — looked for the better part of two days for the deer but the blood trail dried [...]
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, snagged a handful of endorsements from local Republican lawmakers in his quest for governor.
The lawmakers are: Representatives Bruce Anderson, Buffalo Township, Mark Buesgens, of Jordan, Tom Hackbarth, of Cedar, Mary Liz Holberg, of Lakeville, Tim Sanders, of Blaine, and Peggy Scott, of Andover.
Emmer also picked up [...]
Sen. Tarryl Clark, the St. Cloud DFLer wanting to take on Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann next year, announced her campaign team today.
Serving as campaign manager is Zach Rodvold, who comes from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office where he served as state director.
Former finance director for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s [...]
Republican businessman Brian Sullivan, who challenged then state representative Tim Pawlenty for the Republican party gubernatorial endorsement in 2001, has been reported to be considering another run for governor next year.
But today Sullivan issued a statement squashing speculation about a 2010 run.
“In June, I announced that I would not run [...]
During his speech to Iowa Republicans this weekend, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as he has on other occasions, made reference to First Lady Mary Pawlenty’s physical attributes by using the description “smokin’ hot.”
Following the speech, a woman reporter asked the governor about the comment and perhaps offending women by using it.
Pawlenty [...]
Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, success at drawing thousands to Washington for a tea party rally yesterday was chronicled in the influential publication Politico.
The publication noted the strong feelings the throng had for the second term Republican, but also quoted a Democratic spokesman with a “bring it on” mentality.
“If [...]
State DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez had some thorny words for Gov. Tim Pawlenty on the eve of the governor’s visit to Iowa.
“After taking a beating in nearly every presidential poll for 2012, Governor Pawlenty is headed to the Ronald Reagan Dinner tomorrow so that he can pander to conservatives [...]
Two days after winning reelection as mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak announced today (Nov. 5) that he filed the paperwork to create the R.T. Rybak for Governor Committee.
In an announcement to supporters, Rybak said he’s been open about his considering a run for governor and doubted his filing the paperwork [...]
Senate Tax Committee Chairman Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, candidate for governor, today (Nov. 5) called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call a special session in order to pass a bonding bill by the end of the year.
“It’s time to increase the state’s bonding limits to create good paying construction jobs that [...]
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials today (Nov. 4) said since the unveiling of the Minnesota FluLine on Oct. 21, the line has received some 13,410 calls.
Flu line traffic volumes remain high, said a MDH official. But on average a caller — only those suffering from flu-like symptoms are encouraged [...]
U.S. Sen. Al Franken today (Nov. 3) delivered a major speech on health care reform on the Senate floor.
Democrat Franken said now is the moment “to meet this great moral and economic challenge.”
Franken spoke of the need for a public option — those who oppose one, “don’t choose it for [...]
House K-12 Finance Committee Chairwoman Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, said she was surprised that some 57 local school districts have referendums on the ballot today.
This proves that school districts are really pressed funds for them to place referendums in this troubled economy, she explained.
“I always say where there’s a will, there’s [...]
The new 35W bridge replacing the old bridge that sadly fell into the Mississippi River has won a national prize, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reports.
The 35W replacement project was awarded the America’s Transportation Awards’ Grand Prize for 2009 — $10,000 was awarded to transportation department to support a charity [...]
Although the six gubernatorial candidates appearing at the Anoka Technical College education forum today (Oct. 29) in general shunned displays of partisanship, a few soft jabs were landed.
Former state senator Steve Kelley, a Democrat from Hopkins who teaches at the Humphrey Institute at the U of M, spoke of teaching [...]
Former Democratic congressman Tim Penny recently indicated that whomever the Independence Party (IP) gubernatorial candidate will be next year, it won’t be him.
Not long ago, the IP sent out a press release on the governor’s race, mentioning Penny’s name and the names of other better known former party candidates.
But Penny [...]
Former U.S. senator Mark Dayton, now DFL gubernatorial candidate, made a vow in Chisago County on Saturday night.
Three times his cell phone conversation with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 5 Director Eliot Seide was disconnected by the cell phone company.
“At which point I made a [...]
