Legislative Auditor James Nobles doesn't think capitol security in St. Paul is up to the task. Auditor Nobles joins us to talk about his report's findings.
A capsule of the week's news.
Legislative Auditor James Nobles issued a report this week on Minnesota highways and bridges. And some of the findings — to use his words — are grim.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 4:01 pm
The Legislative Auditor's report is out on MnDOT and James Nobles says "overall the picture is not good and parts are downright grim." The grim parts are resources and inspection follow-ups. This was just the ammunition DFL lawmakers needed to gain votes on a transportation bill that will hit both chambers on Thursday. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher noted that the bill has had 17 changes made to it to mostly address concerns from the other side of the aisle. Of course Dems need about 5 Republicans to override the governor's veto on this and they're feeling good about it. The override vote will happen soon, probably next week before next Thursday's February forecast. That news is also expected to be grim. Today Gov. Pawlenty began a partial hiring freeze for state workers "considering the current economic slowdown."
The Legislative Auditor's report is out on MnDOT and James Nobles says "overall the picture is not good and parts are downright grim." The grim parts are resources and inspection follow-ups. This was just the ammunition DFL lawmakers needed to gain votes on a transportation bill that will hit both chambers on Thursday. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher noted that the bill has had 17 changes made to it to mostly address concerns from the other side of the aisle.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 11:29 am
The political battle over the 35W bridge reached a new level as Democratic lawmakers launch a half million dollar investigation into the bridge collapse. The highly respected Legislative Auditor James Nobles is also conducting an investigation, as is the NTSB and the Pawlenty administration. So this would be the 4th study. In the Senate Rules Committee today, Sen. Steve Murphy argued that he no longer trusts the NTSB since he has already heard the federal agency say inspections won't be a cause of the bridge failure. Sen. Larry Pogemiller says the NTSB vowed to him at the site of the tragedy that there wouldn't any announcements until their investigation is over. Poge says Minnesotans need to know what happened and make sure it won't happen again. Senate Minority Leader David Senjem was uncharacteristically upset saying this is a "politically motivated ... witch hunt." Republicans in the committee argued another investigation is duplicative and a waste of taxpayer money. Political analysts I talk to on both sides of the aisle wonder if Dems are still trying to get this negative story to stick to the governor...
The political battle over the 35W bridge reached a new level as Democratic lawmakers launch a half million dollar investigation into the bridge collapse. The highly respected Legislative Auditor James Nobles is also conducting an investigation, as is the NTSB and the Pawlenty administration.
Nobles joins us live to talk about his completed investigation of Sonia Morphew Pitt and his upcoming audit of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
We hear two different answers as Republican Party Chair Ron Carey is joined live by DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez. By the way, we want you to know that invited Mark Ritchie to join us as well but he declined our invitation for either a live or taped interview.
How fiscally safe are they? The Legislative Auditor is wondering. We bring you a debate between Auditor James Nobles and public employee union official Eliot Seide.
