Political jujitsu from the State Senate

by: Joe Bodell

Thu Feb 18, 2010 at 16:04:38 PM CST

How's that? The Senate quickly passed the House version of an 18-month General Assistance Medical Care extension verbatim -- slamming through a big piece of legislation faster than most observers (and some legislators) expected it to move.

And Governor Tim Pawlenty has a big, bad choice to make:

Part of the plan may be to jam Governor Pawlenty. Pawlenty is scheduled to be in Washington D.C. tonight through Tuesday morning for the CPAC conference and the National Governors Association's Winter Meetings.

Under the Minnesota Constitution (Article 4, section 23) the governor has three full days to sign or veto the bill (that includes Saturday). Michelle Timmons with the Revisor's office said it's highly likely that her office will engross and present the bill to the governor's office today. That means Pawlenty will have Friday, Saturday and Monday to act on the bill. He has to file it with the Secretary of State's office and notify the body that the bill originated in (Senate) by midnight Monday.

If Pawlenty doesn't take action on the by that time, the bill will become law. The governor told reporters that he's returning to Minnesota on Tuesday morning. I'm checking to see how they'll handle the issue if it's sent to him. Update: The governor's office could potentially send the bill to Pawlenty for his action.

1. The optics of him vetoing a bill from a thousand miles away -- especially one that's focused on helping the most needy Minnesotans, whose medical assistance Pawlenty had already unallotted last year -- should be a tough pill to swallow for Team Pawlenty.

2. Alternately, he could sign the bill while at CPAC, right under the noses of the conservative elite, and look weak in allowing his unallotment target to be extended for 18 months by the DFL-controlled legislature.

3. Do nothing, and the bill becomes law on its own. Of course, that's about as good as option 2, since he once more looks weak compared to the legislative leadership who made the bill happen.

Mark Ritchie explains to Dick Day why he's wrong

by: ericf

Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 23:51:48 PM CST

At a state senate hearing Friday about the Franken/Coleman recount, Dick Day marvelously expressed the conservative view that disenfranchising some voters is OK. It explains how they could see it as election theft to count absentee votes that were wrongly rejected. That's the breaks, too bad. Day was talking specifically about the standard for hand recounts of going by the intent of the voter. Had the machine decided of course, and wrongly rejected ballots not been counted, Coleman would have won. It's self-serving of them of course, but also their attitude that voting is a privilege, not a right, so if you don't get to vote, so what? If you can stop likely Democrats from voting, isn't that just the game?

The money moment from Day:

If Pawlenty V.P. Choice look for action in the MN State Senate

by: Megan

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 15:28:05 PM CDT

So, if the United States went crazy and actually elected a McCain/Pawlenty ticket in November we would have Governor Molneau (just threw up a little in my mouth) and Lt. Governor Jim Metzen.

First, doesn't that sound like just the funnest morning staff meeting? Executives from different parties would make the gridlock of the past six years look like nothing.

But, it could also open up an interesting race for President of the Senate at the DFL Caucus meeting right after the election with some State Senators actually wanting the position so they would then be "promoted" to Lt. Gov with the idea that it would give them an advantage in running for Governor in two years.

Right off the top of my head a contender would be Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark. She is already on lists as a possible candidate anyway.

Who else would be poking their head into this possibility?

Stuart Smalley Goes to Washington!?

by: 2dogs

Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:48:51 AM CDT

So the business agent for Local 49 calls and tells me we just endorsed Al Franken for US Senate and wants me to meet him. Now, you are probably thinking what I was thinking: "Oh great, Stuart Smalley goes to Washington and fights for labor."  Well, you are partly right...he is going to Washington, he will fight for labor and the middle class; but lets get one thing perfectly clear: Al Franken is not Stuart Smalley! I spent an hour with Al last Saturday-- in a hard nosed labor leader capacity of course-- and it quickly became clear to me why the Republicans (Norm Coleman and Bill O'Reilly especially) are so afraid of him!

First impressions? Al Franken is wicked smart; brutally honest and is absolutely fearless! You know, I went there expecting the same old scripted disingenuous crap I always hear (the same crap that drove me out of politics entirely) but I never heard it. I waited for the arrogance that I was certain would slip out over the course of our time together; but saw none. How does he do it? Stage skills? An act possibly? Then it occurred to me...maybe he never lost touch with the common man.... because he is the common man? I mean he grew up in a middle class St. Louis Park neighborhood, came from a working middle class family, belonged and still belongs to 4 unions, went to Harvard, had a successful career as a writer, actor, comedian and talk show host (okay that part is not so common) but hey, now he is back to his roots--full circle--to apply all that he has learned to the betterment of Minnesota and the workers/teachers/kids and families that is Minnesota.

A few other things I really liked: His views on alternative energy and how it can play a big role in Minnesota; Al is for an innovative  government that is of the people, by the people, for the people (where I work, we have labored long & hard to be such a government!); he also believes in building and improving infrastructure, taking care of our vets, and last but not least that we should act now(!) not later to ensure that a lifetime of hard work earns a secure and comfortable retirement!

Bottom Line:  I am excited that Al came along when he did because right now there are forces at play that will affect our pensions, pay, insurance and social security--- these forces are trying desperately to separate you from your hard earned money. After meeting Al Franken I believe he is the man to ensure your interests are protected. I know, I know....what can one man do against a force that has so many of us working harder than ever to barely stay above poverty levels? Unions have taken a beating over the years yes, and after a little more pain the pendulum will be swinging the other way very soon (!) Unions will then play the important role they have always played: "Defenders of the American Working Class."  

Let's start that pendulum swinging NOW and put Al Franken into office! The Operating Engineers Local 49 has 13,000 active members and 3,500 retirees! Lets do this ! See you at the voting booth!
Andrew Sullivan
Union Steward Local 49
Eden Prairie Mn