HometownSource Blogs

Several area lawmakers have returned from a trip to Israel. The idea of the trip was to foster better ties to the country.

According to the House DFL Caucus, the group, which consisted of some nine lawmakers, had some 40 meetings/tours during the visit.

Local lawmakers on the trip were Rep. Sandra Masin, of Eagan, and Rep. Jeremy Kalin, of North Branch.

One Republican on the trip was Rep. Sarah Anderson, of Plymouth.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials indicated today (Nov. 18) that retail store Santas will have to wait like everybody else to get vaccinated for H1N1 until people at greater risk get theirs.

“We have heard about Santa’s request,” said MDH Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Kristen Ehresmann.

Media reports have department store Santas arguing that they should be allowed to be vaccinated because their duties require them to be around children.

But Ehresmann theorized that most retail store Santas are older people, and older people generally are at less risk for H1N1 flu than the young.

Because of this, there’s no pass to the front of the vaccination line for Santas.

An MDH spokesman stressed that if children are feeling sick, parents shouldn’t take them to meet Santa or anyone else, for that matter.

They should stay at home, he said.

Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, is carrying Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed state spending limit constitutional amendment and will take the bill before the Senate Tax Committee on Dec. 7.

Democrats in general have expressed a willingness to listen to the proposal, an attitude Koch won’t second guess.

“I’m going to take them at their word,” she said.

“I think it’s (the proposal) an idea out there. I don’t think it’s an extreme idea,” said Koch.

Koch said she personally likes the idea of establishing a spending cap on state government.

Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten today (Nov. 16) told a House/Senate natural resources committee his agency had no intentions of relinquishing $20 million in bonding lawmakers approved for a proposed state park.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty many months ago proposed the creation of Lake Vermilion State Park on land currently owned by U.S. Steel — about 3,000 acres near Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

But Holsten told lawmakers that talks with U.S. Steel about purchasing the land, which the company is proposing to develop, have been suspended.

“We are still hopeful we’ll be able to come to terms with United States Steel,” said Holsten.

Still, the commissioner explained that the land negotiations and an environmental review the DNR is completing on a proposed expansion to a U.S. Steel facility in the state had become wrongly merged in public perception.

Those two issues must be seen as separate, Holsten said.

But some lawmakers suggested that negotiations had played out long enough.

It’s time to fish or cut bait, said Sen. Elllen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul.

“We are still fishing,” insisted Holsten.

He dismissed Anderson’s assertion that the governor had washed his hands of the park project, saying that would be a grossly inaccurate statement.

“We need some time,” said Holsten, a former state representative from Stillwater.

Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, praised Holsten for keeping the appraised value of the U.S. Steel land a secret — currently the state can offer 12 percent above appraised value in land deals.

McNamara asked whether a third party — an environmental group, for instance — could add funding for the park land purchase.

“Sure,” said Holsten.

One lawmaker suggested that perhaps the 12 percent purchase cap could be altered.

Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, suggested that the conflict of interest the negotiations presented the DNR could be avoided by having the Department of Administration negotiate with U.S. Steel instead.

Holsten indicated that there was no conflict of interest, as different sections within the agency are dealing the issues.

Minnesota Twins General Manager Bill Smith began what hopefully will be a series of move to strengthen the Twins last week by trading outfielder Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Gomez did provide fans with a bundle of great catches, often climbing the outfield fences to snatch away potential home run bass. And, at times, he showed blazing speed on the bases. Read more »

Some lawmakers — Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, for instance — look to the expansion of gaming as a means for the state to capture extra dollars in tough economic times.

But Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview, believes the easiest ways of bringing in state revenue aren’t always the best.

“Personally my issue with gaming is the money is too easy,” said Gardner recently.

“Raising money for government should be hard,” he said.

Lawmakers should have to stand before voters and justify taxes increases, he explained.

“With gaming you allow government to grow without any accountability,” he argued.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Gardner said.

Gardner indicated he had no inkling whether gaming would be a big issue when lawmakers return to the Capitol in February.

“Who knows,” he said.

“I would say there’s a general distaste for gaming,” said Gardner.

The House Rules Committee today (Nov. 16) approved a resolution that will have House attorneys filing a “friend of the court” brief in support of legal actions against recent Pawlenty Administration state budget unallotments.

“Members of the Minnesota House feel strongly that we need to address the important issues raised by this case,” said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.

“The plaintiffs are arguing that the governor did not follow the law when he (Pawlenty) resorted to unallotment in this instance. We believe it is important that the court understand we agree with that argument,” said Sertich in a press release.

House attorneys will file the legal brief as soon as possible.

Pawlenty in the past has expressed satisfaction that the administration stands on solid legal ground in its unallotment.

Anyone can file a lawsuit, he has said of legal challenges to the administration.

It will focus on separation of power between the branches of government.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today said the buck he shot at Saturday (Nov. 7) morning at the 7th Annual Governor’s Deer Opener has not been found.

Six to eight people — “including me,” he said — looked for the better part of two days for the deer but the blood trail dried up, said Pawlenty, who left the opener on Saturday for a political engagement in Iowa.

It’s not uncommon, explained Pawlenty, to “graze” a deer hunting and that’s what happened.

The governor said he took a 175 yard to 200 yard shot at the buck.

“I do it from time to time,” Pawlenty said of practicing shooting.

A brother had sighted in the scope on the rifle he used deer hunting, he said.

Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, snagged a handful of endorsements from local Republican lawmakers in his quest for governor.

The lawmakers are: Representatives Bruce Anderson, Buffalo Township, Mark Buesgens, of Jordan, Tom Hackbarth, of Cedar, Mary Liz Holberg, of Lakeville, Tim Sanders, of Blaine, and Peggy Scott, of Andover.

Emmer also picked up an endorsement from Sen. Amy Koch, of Buffalo.

Sen. Tarryl Clark, the St. Cloud DFLer wanting to take on Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann next year, announced her campaign team today.

Serving as campaign manager is Zach Rodvold, who comes from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office where he served as state director.

Former finance director for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s successful reelection campaign Lauren Beecham will serve in that capacity for Clark.

Other campaign staff includes DFL veterans Nicole Wittig-Geske, Stacey Springer — the latter a former St. Cloud University student activist — and Emily Lawrence who previously worked for 4th District Congresswoman Betty McCollum.

Republican businessman Brian Sullivan, who challenged then state representative Tim Pawlenty for the Republican party gubernatorial endorsement in 2001, has been reported to be considering another run for governor next year.

But today Sullivan issued a statement squashing speculation about a 2010 run.

“In June, I announced that I would not run for governor in 2010. However, in the following months, I received many requests from Republican activists to reconsider that decision,” said Sullivan.

“As a result, two weeks ago I asked some friends to sound out the opinions of party leaders about the possibility of my candidacy and to understand the challenges of a late entry into the race,” he said.

“Though I received much gratifying encouragement to run, I concluded that my business obligations would prevent me from dedicating the time needed to run an effective campaign. Accordingly, I will not reconsider my previous decision, and I will not be a candidate for governor next year,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan expressed his intentions of supporting the endorsed Republican party gubernatorial candidate.

During his speech to Iowa Republicans this weekend, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as he has on other occasions, made reference to First Lady Mary Pawlenty’s physical attributes by using the description “smokin’ hot.”

Following the speech, a woman reporter asked the governor about the comment and perhaps offending women by using it.

Pawlenty insisted he was only be accurate.

“I mean it sincerely — I think she is hot,” said Pawlenty.

“It’s my wife, for goodness sake,” he said.

What going on with some of the athletes on the University of Minnesota men’s basketball and football teams?

Ten days ago the Gopher men’s basketball team was deemed a lock to make the NCAA Basketball Tournament and a solid pick to reach the Sweet 16. Today, it looks like coach Tubby Smith’s team will have to scramble to make the 64-team field.

Smith’s incoming group of players was heralded as one of the top groups in the country and included two former Minnesota prep standouts – Trevor Mbakwe (Henry Sibley) and Royce White (Hopkins). Mbakwe played a year at Marquette, then transferred to Miami Dade Junior College where he played last year. White led Hopkins to the Minnesota Class AAAA state title last spring and was named the state’s Mr. Basketball.

Now, it looks like Mbakwe will miss the season because of his court case involving an alleged assault incident in Miami and White’s future is on hold following an incident at the Mall of America where he was caught shoplifting, then knocked a security guard to the floor. White has been suspended indefinitely, along with returning guard Devron Bostick, by Smith.

Several of coach Tim Brewster’s football players have also been in the news for their off-field exploits, too. The most recent was sophomore defensive back Michael Carter who was arrested for underage consumption and obstruction of justice.

These incidents don’t reflect well on the men’s basketball and football programs at the U and certainly don’t boost the Gophers’ image for the parents of recruits considering Minnesota.
Coaches shouldn’t have to be baby-sitters although it appears that may sometimes be part of their job description. And, to compete for conference championships, bowl games, high rankings and postseason tournaments coaches pretty much have to bite their lips and accept athletes who have already raised some red flags. Most fans are concerned about championships, not graduation rates.
Let’s hope future headlines involving the Gophers are about on-court and on-field results, not police reports. And, let’s hope that these troubled players are able to work out their problems.

SN not kind to the Twins
The current issue (Nov. 9) of Sporting News magazine has a feature titled “50 Things We Learned From the 2009 Baseball Season” and writers Ryan Fagan and Stan McNeal aren’t too kind to the Minnesota Twins.

Examples:
- “The Twins need more than Joe Mauer. Mauer was the AL’s best player, but, in the ALDS, the Yankees showed they were better than Minnesota at every other position. Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel and Joe Nathan are solid, but even with Justin Morneau, this roster isn’t built for more than another first-round exit.”
- “The American League Central will remain mediocre. The lack of free-spending teams and star power means continued inferiority.”
- The Twins are ranked 13th out of the 30 Major League teams in the Sporting News early 2010 power poll.
Ouch. Some harsh stuff about the locals as they head towards their debut at Target Field.
The Yankees, of course, head those power rankings, followed by Philadelphia, Boston and the Los Angeles Angels. In order, the rest of the top 10 includes the LA Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants. I’d move the Twins to at least No. 10 ahead of the Giants, Texas Rangers (11th) and Florida Marlins (12th).
By the way, if you can find the Nov. 9 Sporting News on a news stand, snatch it up. The issue also previews the college basketball season and hands out mid-season National Football League awards.

World Series decided much earlier
The New York Yankees officially won the World Series Wednesday night when they topped Philadelphia 7-3 for a 4-2 edge in games.
Actually, the World Series champion was decided last winter when New York signed pitchers CC Sabathia and AJ. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira for an estimated $400 million. That made an already good Yankee lineup an unbeatable Yankee lineup. The rest of baseball pretty much went along for the ride although many teams, including the Twins, provided a lot of thrills.

Some college/NFL winners
Don’t want to ruin your weekend, but here are some of this weekend’s football winners:
College
Penn State 27, Ohio State 22
Alabama 17, LSU 13
Notre Dame 30, Navy 17
Minnesota 33, Illinois 23
Oklahoma 24, Nebraska 20
Air Force 30, Army 20
Michigan 23, Purdue 13
Arkansas 30, South Carolina 22
Southern Cal 30, Arizona St. 27
Upset special: Stanford 24, Oregon 22
NFL
Chicago 20, Arizona 17
Philadelphia 24, Dallas 17
N.Y. Giants 27, San Diego 23
Jacksonville 24, Kansas City 13
New Orleans 34, Carolina 20
Seattle 27, Detroit 17
Indianapolis 27, Houston 20
New England 31, Miami 13
Cincinnati 20, Baltimore 17
San Francisco 24, Tennessee 22
Pittsburgh 20, Denver 16
Atlanta 30, Washington 20
Upset special: Tampa Bay 23, Green Bay 17
Minnesota 55, Bye 0
Grump Old Man’s NFL top 6: 1. New Orleans, 2. Pittsburgh, 3. Minnesota, 4. Indianapolis, 5. New England, 6. Philadelphia.

Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, success at drawing thousands to Washington for a tea party rally yesterday was chronicled in the influential publication Politico.

The publication noted the strong feelings the throng had for the second term Republican, but also quoted a Democratic spokesman with a “bring it on” mentality.

“If Republicans want to make Michele Bachmann the voice of the party, that’s more than fine with us. We’ll help circulate the petition,” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Hari Sevugan. “It’s their extreme right-wing, rigid ideological agenda that has Americans leaving the Republican Party in droves — and so, if displays like today are what they think is a smart political strategy, all we can say is: Go for it.”

State DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez had some thorny words for Gov. Tim Pawlenty on the eve of the governor’s visit to Iowa.

“After taking a beating in nearly every presidential poll for 2012, Governor Pawlenty is headed to the Ronald Reagan Dinner tomorrow so that he can pander to conservatives in Iowa — after stopping in briefly to tell us Minnesotans what we’re doing wrong before he heads off to his latest campaign stop,” said the chairman.

“While it’s nice that the Governor will be closer to home than usual, let’s not kid ourselves — whether he’s just south of the Minnesota border or halfway across the world, the Governor gave up working for Minnesotans long ago,” he said,

Pawlenty is expected to address about 700 Iowa Republicans tomorrow evening at the Iowa state fairgrounds.

“After taking a beating in nearly every presidential poll for 2012, Governor Pawlenty is headed to the Ronald Reagan Dinner tomorrow so that he can pander to conservatives in Iowa — after stopping in briefly to tell us Minnesotans what we’re doing wrong before he heads off to his latest campaign stop. While it’s nice that the Governor will be closer to home than usual, let’s not kid ourselves — whether he’s just south of the Minnesota border or halfway across the world, the Governor gave up working for Minnesotans long ago.”