Political essayist and cartoonist David Gillette tells us why water is threatening our democracy. Or at least the building that houses it.
Our Minute Man traveled to Jay Cooke State Park to hear why state parks and trails need more state funding. All in 60 seconds.
Rachel Stassen-Berger from the Pioneer Press and Tom Scheck from MPR join Mary live in the Gallery to take a look back at the historic veto override and other legislative action.
The environment takes center stage in the House, Senate and with Gov. Pawlenty. Plus, Robert Bly becomes our state’s first official poet laureate.
The environment takes center stage in the House, Senate and with Gov. Pawlenty. Plus, Robert Bly becomes our state’s first official poet laureate.
Rachel Stassen-Berger from the Pioneer Press and Tom Scheck from MPR join Mary live in the Gallery to take a look back at the historic veto override and other legislative action.
Our Minute Man traveled to Jay Cooke State Park to hear why state parks and trails need more state funding. All in 60 seconds.
Political essayist and cartoonist David Gillette tells us why water is threatening our democracy. Or at least the building that houses it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 3:21 pm
I've now had it confirmed from several sources, including senators, that the Senate plans to take up the confirmation of Lt. Gov./Transportation Commissioner this Thursday on the Senate floor. The floor session is scheduled for 11:00am, the same time the budget forecast is going to be released. One has to wonder if this is a strategy to take attention away from a budget deficit that most Capitol insiders say will be about a billion dollars. Sen. Pogemiller was apparently going to call the governor sometime today to talk to him about Molnau's confirmation. She will be rejected and lose her job as MnDOT commissioner. This will be another kick in the teeth to Gov. Pawlenty who was overidden for the first time this week.
Speaking of Gov. Pawlenty, boy was he mad yesterday. Angry. Ticked off. He doesn't get that way often and politically he had to show some steam to regain some credibility in Republican ranks. Republican lawmakers were annoyed Pawlenty was gone in D.C. for days during the critical override. Sure, he worked the phones. But on those phone calls the recipients say it was a pretty soft sell, telling them to just "vote their conscience." Then there's the now famous comment in caucus that if some Republicans did decide to override to do it on the first attempt. With a fierce tone the governor made it clear he didn't mean that to let Republicans off the hook. Republican lawmakers felt otherwise. So the big angry press conference standing side-by-side with Republican legislative leaders was a show of force, but there was some show there.
I've now had it confirmed from several sources, including senators, that the Senate plans to take up the confirmation of Lt. Gov./Transportation Commissioner this Thursday on the Senate floor. The floor session is scheduled for 11:00am, the same time the budget forecast is going to be released. One has to wonder if this is a strategy to take attention away from a budget deficit that most Capitol insiders say will be about a billion dollars.
It's Senator Gen Olson (R—District 33)!
Monday, February 25, 2008 - 5:15 pm
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher's voice cracked as she announced the vote total. One vote to spare: 91-41. Democrats got their two members on board and the same six Republicans who voted for the bill joined for the override. It's the first time Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been overridden. Of more than 400 vetoes issued in Minnesota history, only about a dozen have been overridden. It is a very rare act. Afterwards Speaker Kelliher said "Today is the day gridlock gave way. It is a big day." She applauded the Republicans who made it happen and said they will not be retaliated against. That's in reaction to
reporting that there have been threats that services and staff would be reduced. Minority Leader Marty Seifert said staffing will be a caucus decision and those decisions haven't been made yet. When Seifert was asked if he was personally satisfied with the governor's efforts, he tersely responded, "sure." That speaks volumes. You can tell Seifert was not pleased with Gov. Pawlenty's comments to caucus that we reported on earlier, telling members if they did vote for an override to do it on the first attempt.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher's voice cracked as she announced the vote total. One vote to spare: 91-41. Democrats got their two members on board and the same six Republicans who voted for the bill joined for the override. It's the first time Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been overridden. Of more than 400 vetoes issued in Minnesota history, only about a dozen have been overridden.
