Politics in Minnesota: The Weekly Report - Vol. 3, Issue 38 - 4/4/08
The Dorfman Rules Rule
The Minnesota Realtors sent Glenn Dorfman on his way with style last night. As we noted several issues back, after 25 years, the highly respected and always colorful Dorfman is retiring from the Realtors to research and organize a new group, the Coalition of Energy Consumers and Producers. Gratifying to the lobbyists and former legislators who attended Glenn's retirement party was learning that the Realtors have long recognized the gem they had in him. Former Realtors president Barry Gillespie, Dorfman's replacement as chief operating officer Chris Galler and Realtors chief lobbyist Susan Dioury all spoke wonderfully about Glenn's work as a leader, a lobbyist and a mentor to all.
Another speaker was the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Bill Blazar, who has worked with Dorfman for decades. Blazar distilled down some important lessons learned from Dorfman over the years. Anyone who has ever worked with Glenn will recognize that Blazar did, indeed, capture the essence of how Dorfman did his job.
"Dorfman's Rules for Lobbyists":
- Why join a coalition [of other like-minded interest groups] when you can walk the plank by yourself?
- Why be nice when you can make them [legislators] mad?
- Skip the good news, Minnesotans get too much of that.
- Diplomacy is overrated.
- Follow the money; it's always all about the money.
- If you want stuff, you have to pay for it.
- Lobby those who vote. [Lobbyists and interest groups spend too much time talking to each other rather than legislators.]
- Think and work beyond your industry.
- The only thing worse than an uninformed legislator is an uninformed lobbyist.
- Support your friends and thank the people who help you.
Cuban Trade Travel Time: Reps Find Ag Opportunities Abound In Changing Communist Climate
This week, House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) and Rep. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) headed up the elected official posse on a trade mission to Cuba. The group was picking up the opportunities started by former Gov. Jesse Ventura's trip there in 2002. [That trip resulted in the first Cuba-Minnesota ag trade deal.] Magnus, who has been on more than 40 trade missions in his private sector and government work, including traveling through the former Communist bloc, told PIM that the key to developing trade is to build up personal relationships incrementally, especially in nations where legal contracts might be wobbly. One "can't help but be enthused about the country," he said, appreciating the chance to go in, hear their side of what's going on, and develop good relationships with product buyers. It's a "down payment to a strong future." It was a "successful trip," worth the effort, educational and enlightening, Juhnke told PIM. He appreciated the architecture of Havana: "You can tell the grandeur" that once existed, comparing it to any city run without proper maintenance for fifty years.
The Cuba delegation also included Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson and people from the corn and soy growers' associations (including a dry, edible bean salesman), commodity traders, Hormel and Cargill. Cuban trade with Minnesota currently amounts to about $20 million a year. The Minnesota delegation started with meetings in Havana. They met with chairman and CEO of the Cuban government's trade bureau, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade's Empresa Comercializadora de Alimentos (Alimport), Pedro Alvarez, the top trade official who inks deals with American companies. Trade bureaus are an arrangement which is more common than Americans generally realize. Magnus spent "all day working with those folks" and has had folks like them out to his farm. "It's clear they want to trade with us," Magnus said.
[Story continued after Bits & Pieces]
Clips From The Capitol
[Publisher's Note: This week, we're rolling out brief clips of Capitol news. Let us know if you like the idea at staff@politicsinminnesota.com.]
What could bring out the sparring spirit on the House floor faster than the April Fools Day gas tax bump of two cents? On the last day of March, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) advised the chamber to fill up on the way home. House Speaker Margaret Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) asked if House majority leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) had two pennies for Seifert, and gaveled the session to a close. During the April 1st floor session, Tom Emmer (R-Delano) joked he was taking the bus because he couldn't afford the gas tax. At announcement time, Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton) observed that Cub Foods and Holiday gas stations were offering two-cent rebates, which eased the terrible burden upon her constituents. Speaker Kelliher shot back that "you must have misheard me; I said announcements, not advertisements!"
Prior to one House committee, the banter suggested a bunch of MySpace teenagers: "We're on the Internet right now!" ..."Who wants to party?"
PIM also noticed an interesting new game of 'chicken across the aisle' on the House floor during votes. When those nearly-100% green votes come up, a few legislators leave their votes red and grin at each other. Who will be the last one to turn their vote green? The game is on, fingers poised over the vote buttons like a game of Jeopardy. Platonic cross-partisan flirting, or just another game for the Big Board?
Rep. Jim Davnie's (DFL-Minneapolis) HF 3220/SF 2929 proposal would permit local governments to donate stuff to 501(c)(3) nonprofits (in-kind grants as services and equipment). Davnie and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) sparred for a while over the merits, with Emmer fearing that a circular relationship of influence could develop between local governments and nonprofits that lobby governments. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) thought that this would let local governments put nonprofit organizations "full bore" onto the backs of taxpayers. The bill passed and awaits action in the Senate. Seifert attempted an amendment to prevent grants to any groups "indirectly" affiliated with the "abortion industry," The amendment was narrowly defeated (64-66).
There used to be a marked walking track around the Capitol tunnels, sponsored by the "DO" campaign at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota. One PIM staffer thinks they should put it back, because this session, the legislators seem a little insecure about their weight. There was a debate over HF 3391/SF 3099 by Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) which would tap some of the Health Care access fund for locally designated public health activities. Based upon a Centers for Disease Control trial program in four cities, grants would be provided to public health boards and they could design their own programs; perhaps tobacco and obesity would be among these. Republicans wondered what would happen if it just didn't work - what if people keep smoking and don't lose weight? "What are we going to do to make people thinner?" Seifert asked. "I'm not that overweight, I guess." Seifert also wondered about the 'corrective action plans' that might get authorized by the Department of Health, including executive orders or withholding funds. Wondering about the scope, "My dad had corrective action plans for me," Seifert said. "I am shocked the minority leader had to be disciplined at one time!" shot back Finance Committee chair Lyn Carlson (DFL-Crystal). Another member noted how a friend told him he was once labeled "morbidly obese," but had since trimmed down.
The Senate debated SF 3138 authored by Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester), which clarifies the rules about collecting DNA samples from newborns at the Department of Health. On the floor this week, Sen. Betsy Wergin(R-Princeton) passionately argued that all the samples at the Department of Health were collected illegally without consent, and thus ought to be destroyed because they're an invasion of privacy.
The Senate addressed SF 2533 by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) which would assume that all slot machines located in businesses are used for gambling. Apparently some people have old slot machines, which they fire up and use for illegal gambling unless the inspectors are there. Supposedly this happens in bars; to us it painted an image of cinematic Dick Tracy speakeasies with hidden gambling, ready for loose penny slot action. Sen. Claire Robling (R-Jordan) took issue with that. What about decorative antique slot machines? What about a restaurant where patrons can get money off the bill by winning a token-based slot machine? Such prosaic restaurant quirks wither in comparison to the risk of old slot machines, ready to fire up at remote shadowy bars, at the flick of a secret switch....
College cash rivalry: Students from the University of St. Thomas (UST) watched from the House Gallery Thursday, concerned that state grants to four-year schools will get slashed under a House proposal, and that money would instead get funneled to the "Power of You" two-year-school-oriented program. Every year 80,000 college students in Minnesota get need-based aid through the State Grant Program - one quarter of all undergrads. Only 1/5 of the state grants went to private schools like UST, but that makes a big impact on the student body's financial picture.
Regarding the potential 4 a.m. bar closing during the Republican National Convention: Joe Atkins (DFL-South St. Paul) made it clear: "I want those folks to be able to consume as much alcohol as possible."
Pages or pawns? It was an awkward moment for the House pages on Wednesday. Prior to the floor session, the GOP caucused quickly and arrived at the floor with little to do. Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) approached the page bench and started talking about how the DFL's bonding bill might go over the 3% debt limit. One of the pages agreed with Garofalo that the DFL plan wasn't cool. Officially the pages are supposed to be pretty mum, so when Garofalo announced to the whole chamber that the page's agreement with him was just great, it was really awkward. We suspect Garofalo won't be hearing from the pages again anytime soon. This week, Almanac at the Capitol featured the page program, [video] and the Garofalo incident.
8th District Convention Excitement: Who Wants To Be A State Delegate?
Last Saturday the GOP 8th Congressional District Convention witnessed a delegate revolt against the District Nominating Committee.
Rudy Takala, 19-year-old senior at Hamline University and current chair of the Pine County Republicans, likens himself to Dan "Rudy" Ruettiger from the 1993 film about an underdog who perseveres in order to accomplish his goal of playing for the Notre Dame football team. Takala's goal is to attend the National GOP convention as one of Minnesota's 41 delegates. His first opportunity to fulfill that goal occurred last Saturday at the GOP 8th Congressional District Convention, where three national delegates and three alternates were elected.
Takala went before the District Nominating Committee in the hopes of receiving the green light. The committee asks all candidates the same list of questions, researches the validity of the candidates' answers, discusses the decision as a committee and then approves or rejects them as a potential national delegate. Takala was rejected by the committee, but he didn't allow that to prevent him from pursuing his dream. During the convention, a motion was passed to allow nominations from the floor without the consent of the committee. While Takala came in fourth overall and thus not a delegate, his hopes are not completely dashed - he still has an opportunity to be one of the fourteen at-large delegates elected at the state GOP convention May 29-31.
The principle to ponder here is whether or not a Nominating Committee should have the authority to deny a person's candidacy. Takala authored a press release describing the committee's discussion of his candidacy (he was not present at the meeting himself, but was informed of the proceedings), and it has been printed word for word in the Pine City Pioneer, and online at Drew Emmer's and Andy Aplikowski's blogs.
According to Takala's post, youth and inexperience were cited as reasons for disallowing him to run, as well as his libertarian political views. Takala quoted himself in his post, saying, "This is what turns people off of Republican politics. They show up and are told that the decisions have already been made. Leadership tells the delegates what to do rather than the other way around."
Most people would agree with Takala that delegates should retain the power in decision making; America was founded on the idea that we should have representation on decisions that affect us.
But Justin Krych, deputy chair of the 8th CD, said the nominating committee exists to screen candidates who don't tell the truth before the entire delegation, and to protect new delegates from manipulation. One example he cited was a national delegate candidate who was rejected by the committee because research discovered the candidate had been raising money for Democrats. Krych pointed out that candidates are not going to disclose these facts before the body at large, and that a committee serves to credit or discredit the credentials delegates profess.
According to Krych, Takala was denied candidacy because, as chair of the Pine County Republicans, Takala has displayed an unwillingness to supply a complete list of delegates and alternates from Pine County to the state party, and that voting discrepancies occurred from the Presidential straw poll (the number of votes and number of delegates listed did not match up).
"People who view themselves in a light that is less reflective of reality will feel disenfranchised with the fact they have to appear in front of a nominating screening committee," Krych said. "The nominating committee is not there to prevent new people from participating, but to prevent unqualified people from the process."
Takala said he harbors no ill-will. "In politics, there are a lot of bureaucratic tools that you can use to help out your preferred candidates. The committee structure is one of those tools. The delegates generally understand that, and it's up to them to decide if they want to make their own decisions or if they trust the people on the committee enough to make their decisions for them."
Typically, the state at-large delegate candidates are screened by a 10-person committee at the convention. The state chair will appoint a chairman, as well as an at-large member. The remaining eight members are appointed by Congressional District chairs.
On April 3, the Senate passed HF 1314, known as the Truth in Music Advertising Act. The bill, which has been passed in nineteen states already, is framed as a consumer protection against 'impostor' musical groups. Originally introduced in early 2007, the bill specifically prevents 'false, deceptive, or misleading' associations between a performing group and a recording group. This somewhat oblique language refers to musical groups who perform under the name of a famous group, but may not actually present any of the original members of the group.
The legislation is being spearheaded nationwide by the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, a pro-artist organization that aims to 'prevent unscrupulous promoters' from holding shows that deceive the public. The Foundation says that the bill is meant to make it 'mandatory for a live performance to include at least one member of the group that still has the right to use the group name.'
Fair enough—but when is this really a problem? The Vocal Group Hall of Fame represents the interests mostly of doo-wop groups from the 1950s and 60s, groups whose members are often long retired, but still exist in the form of touring bands that occasionally, it seems, adopt the name of the original. The Coasters, Platters, and Drifters are named as notable victims of the phenomenon. 'Tribute' or 'legacy' bands which are identified explicitly as so would be exempt.
The head of the Hall of Fame's Truth in Music committee is the former singer Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman of Sha Na Na (who maintain three original members in the band). Bauman has become a sort of crusader for this issue, traveling the country to testify in various state houses where the legislation is up for debate. He visited Minnesota last spring on behalf of this issue, where he was spotted by local PR guy Nate Dybvig at the Kelly Inn, near the Capitol. Bauman sees the issue from two sides: protection for fans' entertainment dollars—making sure they get the real thing—and protection for the artists from 'cheating the pioneers of rock music out of their rightful legacy.' His passion for the issue is evident in his characterization of Truth in Music as 'an extension of the civil rights movement.' Colorful hyperbole aside, the measure does seem reasonable and, roundly supported by the Legislature, it should find the Governor's signature soon. Another victory for Truth in Music.
Bits & Pieces
Dr. Brian Davis was endorsed by the 1st Congressional District Republicans after defeating Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield). Davis received 160 votes to Demmer's 100 with one vote going "other."
Speaker of the U.S. House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA-8) will be in the Twin Cities on April 21st for a meeting with U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (MN-1) and 1st Congressional District veterans. Walz, a 24 year veteran of the Army National Guard invited the Speaker to come and talk with the veterans about legislation being considered by Congress this year.
The 2008 Presidential elections in Minnesota will have some new rules. The new rules, adopted this week by the Secretary of State's Office, will expand voting possibilities to underrepresented groups, like college students, people living with disabilities and the homeless. The new law allows for employees of facilities such as group homes, homeless shelters, or other nonprofit organizations to vouch for residents so they can register and vote on election day.
Brian Hanf, Executive Director of Trail Blazer Campaign Services in Minneapolis, was interviewed by the CRM Buyer tech/business news website (CRM is an acronym for customer relationship management). Check out "Voter Relationship Management: The Constituent Is the Customer" for a nifty look at how Voter Relationship Management, or VRM, is becoming critical in modern campaigns. There are lots of interesting details about how the GOP's Voter Vault and Democrats' VoteBuilder systems mine many sources of data to provide political campaigns with incredible details about potential targeted voters.
The Minnesota Taxpayers Association's 82nd annual Fiscal Policy Conference and Annual Meeting of Members is Friday, April 25th, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, to be held at the St. Paul River Center in downtown St. Paul, will feature Ray McCarthy, Executive Director of the Taxpayers Institute of Missouri, Daphne Kenyon, principal of Daphne Kenyon & Associates, a public financing firm based in New Hampshire, Toby Madden, a regional economist in the public affairs department at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis, Kathy Kardell, Assistant Commissioner of Treasury and Debt Management at the Minnesota Department of Finance, Daralyn Peifer, Vice President and Treasurer for General Mills and Matt Smith, Director of the Office of Financial Service for the City of St. Paul.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick announced that he will be recommending Sue K. Hammersmith, for the office of President of Metro State University. Hammersmith, current provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, will be replacing interim president William Lowe.
Adding to an already long list of labor and union endorsements, DFL Senate hopeful Al Franken gained the support this week of the Minnesota Nurses Association, the Union of Laborers District Council MN & ND, AFSCME Council 65, and the Minnesota Industrial Labor Council.
DFL Candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, Steve Sarvi, garnered a few key endorsements this week, too. The SEIU Minnesota State Council (which has more than 28,000 members statewide) and IUOE Local 40 (which has more than 13,000 members) will be supporting the candidate in his attempt to defeat three term incumbent Rep. John Kline (MN-4).
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) announced the finalists for the Minnesota Court of Appeals. They are: Louise Dovre Bjorkman, a partner at Larson King; Michelle Larkin, the Tenth Judicial Trial Court bench judge in Wright County; Alan Pendleton, the Tenth Judicial District trial court bench judge in Sherburne County and John Rodenberg the Fifth Judicial District trial bench court judge in Brown County. Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District will also have an opening with the retirement of R.A. "Jim" Randall. Pawlenty named the three finalists to fill vacancy this week; Sean Quinn, John Smith, and Lawrence Stauber, Jr. Quinn is a partner at the law firm Falsani, Balmer, Peterson, Quinn and Beyer of Duluth, Smith is a Ninth Judicial District court bench judge in Cass County, and Stauber is a senior attorney and managing partner for the law firm Stauber and Lien.
The Governor announced the appointees to the Veterans Health Care Advisory Council this week. The Council will consist of Bradley Bennett, James Birchem, Dr. Kenneth Hughes, Julia Eszlinger-Jensen, Tom Mullon, Kathryn Roberts, Ronald Sanford, H. Michael Tripple, and Diane Windham. The nine member council is placed in charge of providing the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs with information and expertise on all matters relating to long term veteran care.
In more appointment news Pawlenty named five to the Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design. The new appointees, Lyn Berglund, David Landecker, Paul May join returning board members, William Arockiasamy and C. John Uban to four year terms ending in January 2012.
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-6) hired Jack Tomczak to work in her state office as a field/case worker this week. Tomczak brings his experience from Rod Grams' campaign, Let Minnesota Vote, and Citizens for Change to the first term congresswoman's staff.
The Women's Foundation of Minnesota's press conference is Monday, April 28th from 11:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol, Room 125. The conference will cover the findings from the latest Women's Foundation research report "Status of Girls in Minnesota." For more detail visit the Foundation's website at wfmn.org.
Want to prove to your friends that you are, in fact, related to George Washington? Well, the Minnesota Genealogical Society will be holding open houses for hunting relatives April 19th and 26th. Everyone is invited to all the free events which will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guides will be offered to help you map your family tree.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is the keynote speaker for the Law Library Distinguished Lecture series. The speech entitled "A Celebration of the life and Career of Vice President Walter Mondale" will also feature Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The event is not open to the public but is for pre-approved media. To obtain passes call Katherine Hedin (612)-625-7323 or Cynthia Huff (612)-625-6691. University of Minnesota Law School alum Robert A. Stein will be speaking for the U's "The Rule of Law" lecture series. Stein is a nationally recognized authority on estate planning, trusts, and probate law. The event is Tuesday April. 8th at 3:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP call (612)-625-4544 or email lawevent@umn.edu.
Cuban Trade Travel Time, continued...
After the work in Havana, the delegation traveled hours across the island nation, visiting collective state farms to "see our products," at cattle ranches and elsewhere. While the visit was handled by the state, "we were right out with the people," Juhnke said. After visiting schools, seeing the children's faces and hearing their laughter, one can "really understand the way they live," said Juhnke; they're "happy, well-fed, healthy" but living conditions aren't good. "It's not about governments, it's about people," Juhnke said, "food and medicine."
Minnesota already sells Cuba Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, which are a protein-rich byproduct of ethanol production that has become part of the feedstock for Cuban beef and dairy farming. Calf milk replacement, wheat, corn and soy are also being traded. More shipments of Cargill wheat, finished meats, Jennie-O turkeys from Willmar, and even a shipping container full of SPAM® are currently being considered. Magnus said it's good to have farmers on trade missions since they're always interested in how to use local methods to be more successful, as well as seeing their Minnesota products in action. Right now, trade is restricted to cash-only purchasing of agricultural and medical products.
"They're watching what we do here," Juhnke said, especially Rep. Phyllis Kahn's (DFL-Minneapolis) resolution to favor trade with Cuba, which has already passed the Senate. Discussions with higher ministers were "focused on politics," especially how state houses can inform Washington, D.C. that they want to normalize trade relations. Minnesota is looking to get on the inside curve when relations become normalized. Cuba is moving from Fidel Castro to somewhere else, Magnus said, and Raul Castro is the transitional figure. Everyone is anxious about the transition, and Cuba is positioning itself carefully. Magnus compared it to his experience working with groups in China when that country opened up in the mid-1990s. Cubans anxiously await America's November elections; with 11.5 million Cubans on the island and roughly 3 million within the United States, everything depends on how the U.S. moves ahead.
Juhnke compared it to trading with Russia or China. "Change is coming," said Juhnke, and he predicted a middle class will develop. "The potential of a country, that's what I look at," said Magnus. Cuba's economic system is two-tiered: there's a low-margin domestic currency and the high-margin tourist-oriented "convertible peso" economy. Magnus suspects that any change in American policy would first spark the tourist economy over the short run, and the domestic trade system would move more slowly but be valuable over the long-term. The Cubans indicated they were decreasing the importance of sugar production in the whole country, looking instead at new exports like organically grown vegetables, "a plus for Minnesota," Magnus said.
There wasn't really any trouble, as they truly seem to like Americans, Magnus said: "Poor, yet thoroughly clean," with little crime, it's a "safe, friendly place to go." Juhnke hopes that everyone has the opportunity to visit someday. There were a lot of Europeans and Canadians around, with whom the mission interacted a bit. Magnus was surprised at the lack of military presence around the nation, and also the construction cranes he saw. While it's a poor country, newer Mercedes and Audis were spotted by Magnus. "It's great to travel with Al [Juhnke]" and "do what's good for Minnesota," Magnus concluded.
Lobbyist Watch
From the Minnesota Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board:
Morning Reports
