Politics in Minnesota: The Weekly Report - Vol. 1, Issue 2 - 5/6/2005
The Wild Card for a Special Session...
The Hennepin County stadium sales tax proposal turned into a wild card this week which your publishers predict will result in a special session on the proposed Hennepin County Twins stadium plan. Reps. Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea), Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) and other greater Minnesota legislators want to tie the proposed 0.15% Hennepin County stadium tax to local taxes on goods or services by allowing cities to increase those taxes without the legislative permission required under current law. Such a package could put Governor Tim Pawlenty in a tough spot, on the no-new-taxes issue that he has to date dodged very effectively. Or, it could turn out to be the downfall of Hennepin County's stadium proposal. Cities may start salivating over the prospect of having their own local sales taxes, claiming they have to raise them because of Pawlenty's local government aid cuts. And, they will get to fund their local projects. It's a neat way out for cities to avoid any political fall-out from raising taxes.
Why the special session? Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-Shorewood), chair of the House Tax Committee and candidate for Congress. Krinkie will oppose ANY tax increase, making this bill a very tough sell in his committee. A special session on the stadium and the local sales tax eliminates the Krinkie obstacle.
The Other Tax Issue...awakening some sleeping giants
The Sen. DFL's proposal to MinnesotaCare and K- 12 Education gave Pawlenty a bully-pulpit on taxes and awakened two sleeping giants, the Chamber community and the Taxpayers League.
The Chamber community had been focused on other issues, but of the 42,000 Minnesotans that Pat Baden cited in her Star Tribune story, many are chamber members who pay their business taxes through personal taxes. While businesses have been for a gas tax increase and trying to fix issues from health care to water quality, the Sen. DFL's move gave chambers across the state something to get fired up about.
The other giant that was awakened is David Strom, and the Taxpayers League. So far this year, the League hasn't had any specific tax targets to shoot at except increasing gambling. The group can have fun with both potential sales tax increases and income tax increases as well.
Governor Hits Hard
Yesterday, the Governor called the Sen. DFL proposal "the job killer act of 2005" and "profoundly stupid." He somewhat temporarily stunned Democrats by hammering on the jobs issue. Pawlenty said that most businesses (72%) pay their taxes through the income tax, because earnings become personal income to business owners. And, according to the Governor, Minnesota already ranks high on income taxes. The sources the Governor's office used:
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Minnesota ranks 4th (behind Hawaii, Wyoming and Connecticut) in per capita state taxes collected. The Tax Foundation's 2004 State Business Tax Climate ranking puts Minnesota at 48th. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council "Small Business Survival Index 2004: State Rankings." [PDF]
Those facts had Democrats buzzing at the Capitol all Thursday afternoon. The other challenge Democrats have in taxing the rich is that, consistently, polling data shows that the many in the middle class do not like taxing the rich either because they aspire to be rich and/or want their children become rich.
All Eyes on DFL House Frosh Women
Before the 2004 election, your publishers liked to joke that Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) could hold the "DFL moderate, suburban caucus" in a telephone booth by herself. Not anymore, as Lenczewski got some smart and savvy additions in Reps. Denise Dittrich (DFL-Champlin), Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), Maria Ruud (DFL-Minnetonka) and Bev Scalze (DFL-Little Canada). If these women continue to vote their districts like Lenczewski does, they may enjoy many more terms to come. With the hard votes are starting to roll through the House, it looks like pressure from House DFL Leadership isn't wearing them down. For example, in an amendment to the K-12 bill on the House floor this week, Dittrich, Hortman and Ruud bucked their caucus and voted in favor of the amendment, which tinkers with the school funding formula to better benefit large suburban districts. And, it's not likely any of these women would vote for the Sen. DFL package on income tax increases.
A New Place to Stop for a Drink after the Fund-raiser?
When mostly Minneapolis City Hall lobbyist Al Garcia registered last week to lobby the Legislature on behalf of "Trocaderos," the obvious question became what is Trocaderos? No, it's not a sugar candy made with rum. It's a proposed strip club that wants to open in the warehouse location previously occupied by Nikki's, two blocks down 3rd Avenue North from the Monte Carlo. Trocaderos applied for an on-sale liquor license from the city of Minneapolis, and the city council granted one, provided, "the licensee will not allow any activities to occur on its premises which include or involve nude or semi-nude dancing...mud wrestling, wet T-shirt contests..." etc.
While Minneapolis has licensing authority in its city charter, it turns out that Trocaderos is in an "office residential zone". This means that a special state law is needed to preempt the city charter...which could mean an end-run around the stripping-related prohibitions stipulated by the city. The Legislature routinely grants charter exemptions to cultural organizations, including the recent one given to Wolfgang Puck to serve liquor at his new restaurant at the new Walker Art Center. Obviously, the local neighbors are up in arms about the possibility of having a strip club in the 'hood. Among the neighbors are renowned big-time DFL fund-raisers, Sam and Sylvia Kaplan.
Update: How Many Lobbyists Does it Take to Build a Hospital?
Last week the answer to that question was 37. This week the answer is 39--Goff & Howard's Kris Amundson and Dorsey & Whitney's Teresa Lynch (Dorsey does the law work for Fairview). Another new wrinkle is that North Memorial is door knocking in the northern suburbs asking local residents to sign a petition in support of their proposal. At the Capitol this week, the Sen. version passed out of the Sen. Finance Committee and is pending action on the floor. The Sen. bill would allow the Department of Health to make the decision, with a bunch of new criteria that must be met. Finally, we were remiss in not noting that a strong North Memorial proponent is Rep. Sandra Peterson (DFL-New Hope), who, along with Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) has the existing Robbinsdale North Memorial hospital in her district. Peterson, by the way, continues to make a really good point on the issue: This is the process the Legislature put in place, and this dispute should be settled under current law; a different process should only apply to future hospitals. And, we're glad Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis) appreciated our humor when we facetiously noted it appeared she was a defender of HMOs in the House floor debate.
The race in St. Paul has begun
Sandra Westerman, vice president of public affairs for the St. Paul Chamber sent out an interesting e-mail to a list of well-known political activists on Wednesday. The e-mail was soliciting counsel for a subcommittee of campaign veterans who had an allegiance to the Kelly for Mayor Campaign, but did not have an intimate relationship with it.
The funny thing is, is that Westerman sent it to at least two of Chris Coleman's closest friends.
The Chamber had previously supported Coleman in his race for city council, and was proud of his work on leading the charge for the Xcel Energy Center and the St. Paul effort for a Twins Stadium.
Interesting how their loyalty to Kelly may cost them a friend if Coleman is elected.
A copy of the e-mail is below:
Wanted:
Seeking person or persons to serve on subcommittee advising the Chamber PAC on a substantial independent expenditure plan for the 2005 Saint Paul Mayor's race.
Candidates should have knowledge of the Saint Paul political environment. Professional experience in political campaigns particularly helpful- communications/messaging, telemarketing, direct mail, grassroots. DFLers preferred.
Candidate must be loyal to Chamber interests.
Candidate may not be intimately engaged with the Kelly for Mayor campaign.
Time commitment is fairly minimal--probably four to five one-and-a-half hour meetings until November.
Please send me any ideas you have and I will follow up.
Thank you!
Results of the Sixth
A distillation of the reports we got from last week's Sixth District Republican Convention: Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud) would make a great Congressman, but not the best candidate. Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-Shoreview) seems to have a one-note message in "no new taxes." Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater) is "a killer candidate, but there's that 10% of her ideology that makes her a tough sell to voters." The Center of the American Experiment's Cheri Pierson Yecke was the convention's biggest surprise: she made a strong showing and gave a great speech on issues beyond education (her specialty as former Education Commissioner). The consensus among the delegates was that any of the four candidates would do well by the 6th, but the focus should be on which of the four can beat the Democratic candidate-whoever that will be. That's somewhat of a "first," for the 6th District Republicans. In the past, they have focused on ideological differences. [Although truth be told, the four candidates are very, very close, ideologically.]
Politics In Minnesota: Al Franken Watch
--Tracking the other New Yorker who wants to be a U.S. Senator from Minnesota--
Will it Play in Perham, Park Rapids and Prinsburg?
Al Franken likes to sip lattes in the half-lotus position. Slate.com flipped this story to its paid category, so the link is to a blog that reprinted the story. PoliticsinMinnesota.com is in no-man's Internet land. Going to sue us, Slate.com? It's an interesting article and worth the read. Your GOP publisher thinks the quotation from Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Eibensteiner pretty much nails it, "Minnesotans experimented with a comedian- type unprofessional public servant with Jesse Ventura, and it didn't work out very well."
Franken is Coming to Town
The House DFL Caucus is advertising a major fund-raising event featuring Al Franken, June 11 at the Ted Mann Concert Hall. Tickets range from $1000 including a private gathering with dessert, to $25 for students. Our prediction? Franken's draw will begin to diminish among DFLers, especially when he turns into a candidate.
Politics In Minnesota: Bits & Pieces...
--Tracking people and events--
[Publishers' note: Please e-mail us at staff@politicsinminnesota.com
Democrats: Don't forget to honor your exiting DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson, at a party hosted by all the major DFL officeholders, others and friends tomorrow night, Saturday May 7 at DFL State Headquarters. RSVP to carolecompany@comcast.net. Rumors persist that several Republicans plan to swing by with potable gifts...in the spirit of restoring civility.
Last week, we opined on how gambling expansion proponents like to describe the activity with the more romantic noun "gaming" as opposed to the more nefarious "gambling." Turns out several legislators were way ahead of us on the word games. In the early 1990s, Reps. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka), Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis) and former DFL St. Paul Rep. Tom Osthoff thought the same thing. The three teamed up to purge all state statutes of the word, "gaming" and replace it with "gambling." We did as was suggested and checked out the index to the statutes. The word gaming isn't there. Says Kahn, putting "honesty in the language...was one of my finest moments in the Legislature." We agree.
If the Sen. does take up the tax bill today, don't look for Sen. Minority Leader Day (R-Owatonna) to offer any remarks on the Sen. floor. He's off to the Kentucky Derby.
MN GOP Party Chair Ron Eibensteiner has named Ben Golnik political director for the party. Golnik hails from Vermont where he was executive director of that state's GOP and he also worked on the Bush-Cheney campaign.
Last issue we mentioned that former DFL Minneapolis Rep. Greg Gray was just hired by the House DFL Caucus. Gray will in charge of "outreach," developing the DFL House Caucus message, and in particular, working with the DFL freshmen to do so.
Congratulations to the Star Tribune's Eric Black and Dane Smith for winning the Minnesota Associated Press Association 2004 award for "Elements of Excellence" for their story, "The myth of red and blue." We're not sure what the "elements of excellence" are, but we're guessing Republicans will think it's all the good stuff about the red states, and the Democrats, the same about the blue ones.
Both the DFL and GOP House caucuses are putting together their 2006 election teams. Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL-Fridley) will chair the House DFL election effort, continuing the thought that a DFL suburban woman is the best man for the job. In 2004, Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) successfully led her caucus to a 13-seat pick up. The House GOP hasn't yet named a replacement for Rep. Jeff Johnson (R-Plymouth) who is leaving the election-head post to run for attorney general. While House Speaker Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) has yet to name his team, he will, as always be de facto "top candidate recruiter."
Only one Democrat in the U.S. Congress voted with the Republicans more than one-third of the time. The Congressman in question? U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota's 7th Congressional District. Republicans think this fact will make it even more difficult to mount a serious challenge to the popular and conservative Peterson.
Laura LaCroix, formerly with the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota, has taken the job as director of the Minnesota Out-of-School Time Partnership, the next phase of the U of M's Minnesota Out-of-School Time Commission.
At today's Hennepin County tax-forfeit property auction, all 15 of the residential properties to be auctioned off are in North Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Peace Foundation organized by North Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels continues its work. The group is hoping to rally more than 1,000 neighbors to kick off a "summer of peace" in Minneapolis.
Politics In Minnesota: Lobbyist Watch
--Who is working what issues--
From the Minnesota Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board
Long-time and mostly Minneapolis City Hall lobbyist Al Garcia registered to lobby the Legislature for three entities: Base Management LLC, NRG Energy, Inc. dba Minneapolis Energy Center and Trocaderos (see related story in the first section of this report). Your publishers were unable to learn what Base Management is or what they want, although the company does share the same downtown Minneapolis address as the other entity for which Garcia is registered to lobby, FRM Associates.
Tom Lehman registered for the Association of Minnesota Counties. That's the tenth client Lehman has landed since starting his own contract firm earlier this year.
Linda Sandvig has registered for the School Nurses of Minnesota.
Brian Halloran, Larry Redmond and Rick Nelson join former DFL House Speaker Dee Long at Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy.
Politics In Minnesota: 20 Years Ago
--How political time flies--
Democrats were trying to talk then-Independent Senator and legislative legend Sen. Charlie Berg from Chokio to run against then-popular GOP incumbent U.S. Congressman Vin Weber. Berg chose not to run, but he went on to create Minnesota legislative history by being the only member of the Legislature-in its entire history-to serve as an Independent, a Republican and a Democrat. Berg was fond of saying that he represented the people in his district, not a political party.
At the Capitol, legislators were receiving teabags from constituents. The campaign was an effort by a group called Jobs for Minnesota that wanted a 20 percent cut in individual income taxes. In the group were the Minnesota Business Partnership and the state, Minneapolis and St. Paul chambers of commerce.
There was a run on copies of two bills relating to obscenity. HF 688, authored by one-term former Rep. John Hartinger (then-IR-Coon Rapids), would have prohibited loaning or selling obscene videocassettes. But, unlike former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, who defined "obscenity" quite simply as, "I know it when I see it," Hartinger's bill made a pretty good run on defining "patently offensive conduct." Besides the usual buttocks and bosoms, Hartinger included flagellation, torture, animals and lewd exhibitions. The second bill, SF 794, was authored by former Sens. Joe Bertram (DFL-Paynesville), Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), and Randy Kamrath (IR-Canby). This bill would have prohibited distribution of "sexual devices," which was defined to include dildos and artificial vaginas. The kicker was the list of exceptions. Under the bill, those NOT prohibited from distributing sexu al devices included the police, the courts...and legislators. Your publishers tried to track down why, and the best explanation we could find was one well-respected lobbyist who deadpanned, "Well, that explains that locked cabinet at the front of the House chamber." Readers who want to appeal to their prurient interests may stop in at the Legislative Reference Library, where the great folks there will be happy to show you the bills.
Politics In Minnesota: In Other Media
[Publisher's note: This is another new section we're adding. Most Minnesota public affairs junkies know about Almanac and At Issue, but there are lots of other regular venues out there (not the least of which are suburban and greater Minnesota cable television and radio political shows). Please e-mail staff@politicsinminnesota.com
Almanac. Hosted by Erik Eskola and Cathy Wurzer. Airs live at 7:00 p.m. Fridays on TPT Channel 2. Rebroadcasts are Saturday mornings at 1:00 a.m. on Channel 2; Saturday evenings on Channel 17; and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Coming this week:
- The latest at the Capitol from Mary Lahammer
- Author, Thomas Saylor, Remembering the Good War
- Political Panel with GOPers Brian Sullivan, Senator Claire Robling, and DFLers Ember Reichgott Junge, and D.J. Leary
Almanac: At the Capitol. Hosted by Mary Lahammer. Find out what's on this week's show. Airs Wednesdays live on TPT Channel 17 at 7:00 p.m. Rebroadcast Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. on TPT Channel 2. Current and past shows are also archived online.
At Issue with Tom Hauser. Broadcast on Sundays at 7:00 a.m. on KSTP's Channel 45 and at 7:00 a.m. and KSTP's Channel 5 at 9:00 a.m. Coming this week:
- A recap of the week's political news.
- The minimum wage increase: Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) and Sen. Dave Kleis (R-St. Cloud) square off in a likely combustible combination.
- A Minneapolis mayoral debate between the two DFL endorsement contenders Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin (confirmed) and current Mayor RT Rybak (who may be a no-show: he "might not be able to fit it into his schedule").
- Political analysis with former DFL Governor Wendy Anderson and GOPer and politicsinminnesota.com publisher Sarah Janecek.
- Face-Off with DFLer Ember Reichgott Junge and GOPer and KSTP-AM's Dave Thompson.
- Dan Cohen, author of Anonymous Source.
WCCO Radio: The Pat Miles Show. 830 AM. Every Thursday morning about 9:30 a.m., politicsinminnesota.com publishers Blois Olson and Sarah Janecek visit with Pat to discuss the week's hottest political news.
Politics In Minnesota: Setting The Record Straight
Last issue we misspelled the name of the Center of the American Experiment's Randy Wanke. His op-ed piece in the Mankato Fre e Press questioning the lack of intellectual diversity at MSU - Mankato, did run this past week.
Last issue we noted that Laura Mortenson has joined the Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Sen. campaign team. We failed to note that Mortenson will be the communications director for Klobuchar.
Last issue we wrote that the House GOP Majority had eliminated the Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women. True, but Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis) was able to restore the commission-but not the funding-in an amendment on the House floor. Apparently there are lots of other provisions in the bill relating to elections and veterans that enjoy widespread bipartisan support.
Finally, your publishers heard from a number of people who thought there was too much "GOP stuff" in our first issue. We hope you'll keep in mind that publisher Blois Olson has been busy with a new baby and that you judge us over time. There will be many weeks when the Democrats are much more interesting than the Republicans.
We look forward to hearing what you like as well as what you don't about our new publication. Please, do send your thoughts to staff@politicsinminnesota.com or to the publishers, at blois@politicsinminnesota.com and/or sarah@politicsinminnesota.com.
Politics In Minnesota: Coming Next Week
--Stuff that didn't fit into this issue that we want to flag for next week--
Thank you for doing what we asked: Hit the forward button and shoot our Weekly Report around the country. Next week: What we heard from some long-lost Minnesota politicos.
Morning Reports
