Political Notebook

Walz backs repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In an interview this afternoon, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz said he supports a compromise proposal to lift the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military contingent on the completion of a U.S. Department of Defense review due Dec. 1.

Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years and said he has long supported getting rid of the 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.

"I've always thought this was a bad policy. The idea of a young American citizen wanting to serve and being willing to lay down their life in defense of this country and not allowing them to serve over personal and private reasons made no sense to me whatsoever," Walz said.

Under a White House-backed compromise, the U.S. Department of Defense would determine how quickly to implement the repeal once the review is completed. It would also require certification from the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the new policy won't hurt the military's ability to fight. The U.S. House is expected to vote on the measure today.

The Mankato Democrat said he supports giving the military time to implement the repeal. He said the military requires reviews of any changes — including a six month review when switching from hats to berets.

On a personal level, he said while serving he dealt with a case of a soldier having to leave the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.

"We lost a very talented soldier," he said.

As a commander, Walz said sexual orientation did not matter to him.

"My biggest concern was that the soldier knew their job, could shoot their weapon and was physically fit and mentally ready to serve. It was never an issue of whether they were at in their personal lives. That is none of my business," he said.

Entenza picks former TV anchor as running mate

DFL gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza has picked a former Fox 9 news anchor as his running mate.

Entenza announced this morning on Twitter that he selected Robyne Robinson for lieutenant governor. In a news release, Entenza praised Robinson for being a political outsider.

"Robyne represents the best of Minnesota. She came here 20 years ago on a Greyhound Bus and through hard work and sheer determination became one of our state's finest news anchors. She is not a political insider but a trusted voice in our living rooms. Robyne is a renowned civic leader and has been active in the community for years. I know she will be an exceptional partner as we work to make Minnesota great again," Entenza said.

Earlier this week, rumors began to circulate that Entenza was considering Robinson, who anchored her last Fox 9 newscast Wednesday. Robinson confirmed that she had been asked by the campaign to be Entenza's running mate and was considering it. When Robinson originally announced she was leaving her TV news job, she had said it was so she could spend more time on her jewelry business.
Robinson said she is honored to be chosen by Entenza.

"Whether it's his vision for the clean energy economy, his dedication to reinvesting in schools, or his commitment to civil rights, Matt has spent his career standing up for Minnesota families. I am humbled and honored that he asked me to join his campaign. I look forward to traveling the state over the next months on the campaign trail and then getting to work making Matt's bold vision a reality," she said.

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner is the only major candidate who has yet to release the name of his running mate. He plans to make the announcement on Tuesday.

Demmer, Powers to file for election today

Two candidates hoping to knock of congressional incumbents are filing for office today.

Republican Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield was expected to file for office in St. Paul  at 10 a.m. for the First Congressional District seat held by Democrat Tim Walz.

This afternoon, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Dan Powers will file for office at the Minnesota Secretary of State's office. Powers is running against Republican John Kline.

Walz filed for office on Monday and Kline filed for office last week.

Walz looks to simplify tax credits for hiring vets

1st District Democratic Rep. Tim Walz introduced a bill today that would simplify tax credits for employers who hire returning veterans.

To qualify for the credit, employers must hire veterans who left military service in the last 5 years. The bill is aimed at streamlining the certification process for recently returning veterans who qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The measure would allow veterans to get certification from the U.S. Department of Defense without going through the current, lengthy certification process. Service members would also receive training on how to market themselves to employers in terms of the tax credit.

From 2006 to 2009, unemployment among male veterans between the ages of 18 to 24  has climbed more than 11 percentage points to more than 21 percent, according to a news release. For female veterans of the same age, unemployment rates have risen by 7.5 percentage points to 20 percent.

"When the brave men and women who serve our nation in uniform leave to deploy overseas, they don't just leave behind their family and friends, often times they leave behind jobs and livelihoods as well. After the sacrifices they have made, making sure that they have access to a good paying job to support their families when they return is the least we can do," Walz is quoted as saying in the news release.

Walz serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

Local GOP candidates join in mass election filing

A crowd of Republican candidates gathered in St. Paul today as part of a mass election filing. Several area candidates made the trek and joined in a news conference featuring Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

Local non-incumbent GOP candidates filing today to run against were Duane Quam for House District 29A, Carla Nelson for Senate District 30, Charlie O'Connell for House District 30A, Mike Benson for House District 30B and Jeremy Miller for Senate District 31. Incumbents at today's mass filing included Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester, Rep. Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa and Rep. Tim Kelly of Red Wing.

At an enthusiastic (and very warm!) press conference, Republican candidates this morning compared this year to the GOP's landslide midterm election win in 1994.

"If you can't get excited about this year, your heart is not beating," Senjem told a crowd of enthusiastic candidates and supporters.

Local Republicans running say voters are concerned about government spending.

"The number one issue people are talking about is out-of-control government spending," said Miller, who is running for the seat currently held by Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona.

Benson, who is running against DFL Rep. Andy Welti of Plainview, said he believes voters want change.

"I've knocked on 1,600 doors now, as late as Saturday I knocked on 400, and overwhelmingly the people I've talked to are looking for a new direction," Benson said.

In particular, he said they want lawmakers who will restructure government and lower taxes with the goal of encouraging economic development.

Liebling for Entenza's Lt. gov? Not true

Minnesota Democrats Exposed wrote today that the rumor swirling about the state Capitol is that Rochester DFL Rep. Tina Liebling is being considered as gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza's running mate. So I gave her a quick call. Her response? Laughter.

"I'm supporting Margaret Anderson Kelliher," Liebling said.

She added, "There has been absolutely no talk about that. Absolutely not."

In fact, earlier today she introduced Kelliher at a press conference in Rochester declaring her the state's next governor. 

This is not the first time Liebling's name has popped up for lieutenant governor. After she endorsed Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak for governor, rumors started spreading that she was being considered as his running mate. Again, Liebling said that was not true.

So what's up with all those rumors? Liebling said it makes sense from the standpoint that candidates generally want a balanced ticket with someone from outstate Minnesota of a different gender.

So who is being considered for Entenza's running mate? MN Publius reported that retiring Fox 9 News anchor Robyne Robinson was rumored be a possible candidate. The Pioneer Press followed up and reports Robinson has been asked and is considering the offer.

Kelliher touts her support for Mayo Clinic

DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher stopped in Rochester today to emphasize her support for a plan to expand Medicaid in order to tap into $1.4 billion in federal money. That would spare Mayo Clinic and Mayo Health System from an estimated $20 million to $25 million in cuts.

"These are our dollars we're sending to Washington D.C. I think we should bring them right back here. This money will be used to protect and create 22,000 jobs — jobs for nurses, physical therapists, doctors, health care providers, lab technicians across the state," Kelliher said.

She was joined by Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, and House Assistant Majority Leader Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview.

As part of the final budget deal, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the next governor have the option of enrolling in an early expansion of Medicaid. The bill passed included $188 million in state revenue that could be used to get the federal money. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has said if elected he would not support opting in to what he calls "Obamacare." He said if the state enrolls it would lose the opportunity to enact health care reforms.

But Democrats are clearly hoping to win voter support in southeast Minnesota by focusing on the financial impact on Mayo Clinic. Kelliher went after Pawlenty, Emmer and GOP congressional candidate Randy Demmer for opposing the early expansion of Medicaid.

"Right now, Tim Pawlenty, Tom Emmer and Randy Demmer are all using inflated partisan language to really I think mischaracterize this issue for political reasons," she said.

As a side note, Kelliher had initially been scheduled to have the press conference at Mayo Clinic's Feith Family Statuary Park with the bronze statues of the Mayo brothers in the background. But it was changed this morning to the Olmsted County DFL headquarters. Kelliher's campaign said it was "due to inclement" weather. But it is worth noting the Mayo Clinic generally has a policy prohibiting political campaign events on its campus.

Dayton picks Prettner Solon as running mate

DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton has selected a state senator from Duluth as his running mate.
The former U.S. senator announced Monday morning he had chosen Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon for lieutenant governor. Prettner Solon has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2002, taking over the seat previously held by her late husband Sen. Sam Solon. Prior to that, she served on the Duluth City Council. She currently chairs the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee.
In a news release, Dayton said Prettner Solon was the only person he talked to about being his running mate.
"She fits perfectly with my priorities for that important Constitutional office. I want a lieutenant governor who will be a strong partner with me in leading our state toward a better future," he said.
He said he is also calling for the creation of a "Senior Citizens Service Center" within the lieutenant governor's office where seniors could call a toll-free number to discuss problems they are having with state government.
DFL endorsed candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher on Friday announced John Gunyou as her running mate. Gunyou is city manager of Minnetonka and served as finance commissioner under Republican Gov. Arne Carlson. Republican-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer selected Annette Meeks as his running mate. She previously served as deputy chief of staff for to former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner and DFL candidate Matt Entenza has yet to announce his running mate.

Austin school board member to challenge Sparks

Austin Post-Bulletin reporter Tim Ruzek reports today that longtime Austin School Board member Kathy Green plans to run against DFL Sen. Dan Sparks for the Senate District 27 seat.

In the story, Green said she plans to run as a Republican describing herself as a fiscal conservative with bipartisan credentials. Part of what has motivated her to jump into the race is concern about how the state's budget woes since 2002 have impacted schools.

"I can no longer sit on the sidelines," Green said.

Sparks, first elected in 2002, filed Wednesday for re-election to a third term. In 2006, Sparks won by 68 percent to 32 percent over GOP candidate George Marin, of Albert Lea.

Olmsted County solar bill signed by governor

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed a bill that will allow a proposed Olmsted County solar farm to move ahead. The measure allows Dairyland Cooperative to use energy generated from the farm to help meet state renewable energy standards. The project would transform a closed Olmsted County landfill near Oronoco into the state's largest solar farm.

But while the bill may sound simple, it ran into serious obstacles at the legislature this session that threatened to derail it. In the senate, bill author Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, was caught off guard when a senator tried to amend a provision onto the bill to lift the state's ban on nuclear plants. The amendment, which threatened to kill the bill, caused Sparks to delay a vote on the measure.

Once that problem was solved, House sponsor Rep. Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, found himself in a political fight over the bill. Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, had concerns about provisions in the bill that would impact conservation standards in the bill. There was concern about allowing Dairyland Power to be able to count energy purchased from the project towards its conservation plan. That lead to a long debate on the House floor.

But in the end, the proposal won the backing of the House and Senate.