Political Notebook

Howe opposes Anderson nomination because of stance on wind project

Red Wing Republican Sen. John Howe said he could not support Ellen Anderson's nomination as Public Utilities Commission chairwoman after the way she voted on a controversial wind project in his district.

In June, Anderson joined a majority of commissioners in overruling Goodhue County's new wind ordinance and issuing a site permit for AWA Goodhue's wind project. The $180 million project would cover 32,000 acres in Goodhue County and has drawn strong opposition from neighbors concerned about possible environmental impacts caused by the wind turbines.

"When you are making that decision to overrule a local governing body, it should rise to a very high level and that certainly didn't," Howe said. "And because of that and because of her legislative record, I could not support her."

Howe said DFL Gov. Mark Dayton called him on Friday about Anderson's nomination. The Red Wing Republican said he told the governor he simply could not back her. He asked that the governor consider nominating someone from rural Minnesota to head the commission who understands the impact of these energy projects.

As for Dayton's announcement that he would offer Anderson a job in his administration, Howe said he did not think that was appropriate.

He added, "One has to ask the question: If we didn't need the position before, why do we need an energy adviser in the governor's office now?"

 

 

Nelson calls on state GOP to improve its money management

Rochester Republican Sen. Carla Nelson is calling on the Republican Party of Minnesota to do a better job handling its finances.

Nelson sent out a press release voicing her concerns about the party's budget procedures. The party's budget woes came to light late last year when Chairman Tony Sutton stepped down. Estimates put the party $2 million in debt including $700,000 owed to lawyers as part of the 2010 gubernatorial recount. The state's grim finances come as Nelson prepares for what will be a costly re-election campaign.

Nelson sent out the following statement:

"Given the financial mismanagement that occurred under the previous Chair's leadership, we must ensure the State Party institutes correct internal financial controls. This includes a segregation of duties in the handling of its financial operations. Donors and activists must feel secure that Party resources are correctly accounted for and precious dollars are not being wasted. I encourage the Chair and State Executive Committee to implement these controls as soon as possible."

Quist has received more than $500,000 in farm subsidies

Former state GOP Rep. Randy Demmer's farm subsidies proved to be a thorny issue when he unsuccessfully took on 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz in 2010. Now another Republican  challenger could face similar criticism in his quest to unseat Walz.

Between 1995 and 2010, Republican Allen Quist has received $577,725 in farm subsidies. So how does the St. Peter farmer react to criticism about taking these subsidies?

Quist said voter anger over farm subsidies really should be directed at 1st District DFL Congressman Tim Walz.

"Really the person to go after is Walz. He is the one who voted for the subsidies. I've never voted for the subsidies," he said.

He added that in many ways, farmers do not really have a choice when it comes to taking subsidies.

"In theory the subsidies are optional, but they really aren't because every farmer competes with every other farmer, and if your neighbor who is bidding to rent land and is also bidding to buy land, etc. is getting the subsidies and you aren't, you are at an extraordinary competitive disadvantage," he said.

So would he support continuing farm subsidies? If elected, Quist said cuts to farm subsidies would need to considered as part of the overall effort to cut federal spending. 

Quist is one of two candidate vying for the Republican nomination in the 1st District congressional race. Also running is state Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca.

Start of session a family affair for Senjem

Ask Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem's older sister Glenda Schnirring of Hastings whether she ever imagined he could become senate majority leader and she does not hesitate with her answer.

"Absolutely not," she said. "I would never have thought he would have achieved this role in our state."

She and her sister Ingrid Brandy of Rochester traveled to the Capitol on Tuesday to see their brother in his new leadership role as the 2012 legislative session was gaveled in.

Both of the sisters said they are very proud of their brother. And while Schnirring is the first to admit she doesn't agree with her younger brother politically, she said she is "exceedingly excited" about his new leadership post.

"She added "I am very interested in the political life of our state and nation. It's quite something to have your brother be his party's leader."

 

 

Walz raises $1 million for re-election campaign

1st District Rep. Tim Walz's campaign announced the Mankato Democrat raised more than $1 million last year toward his re-election bid. The campaign reports Walz's campaign raise $210,606 in the fourth quarter has has more than $617,000 in cash on hand.

His campaign issued the following statement about the money raised:

"Southern Minnesotans have made it clear they want someone in Washington who will stand up for them, fight for middle class families and advocate for our veterans. That's why southern Minnesotans have shown their strong support for Tim this year. Tim is in a strong position to win and will continue working to build on the largest grassroots movement southern Minnesota has ever seen."

Walz's sizeable campaign war chest poses a challenge for his Republican opponents, state Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca and former state Rep. Allen Quist of St. Peter. Campaign reports for Parry and Quist for last quarter are not yet available.

The Minnesota congressman has been getting extra help at the national level in his re-election bid. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers Walz to be one of the most vulnerable Democrats to a Republican challenge in 2012. He has been named to the committee's Frontline Program, which provides additional fundraising and support for candidates.

Walz was first elected to the U.S. House in 2006 after beating Republican Gil Gutknecht.

 

Bakk says Koch, Senate Republicans owe Senate an apology

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk on Thursday called on former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and Senate Republicans to apologize to the full Senate saying that "the institution has been tarnished by the chain of events over the last few months."

Last month, Koch resigned her post and acknowledged having an inappropriate relationship with a male staffer. Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem was later elected to replace her. Senate Republicans also fired their communications director Michael Brodkorb. He was recently replaced by former Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum.

During a legislative preview session with the media, Bakk said he believes there needs to be a full investigation into what led to Koch's resignation.

"I don't believe in piling on and I don't believe she should be asked to resign her seat, but I do believe that her and Sen. (Geoff) Michel and maybe others owe the full Senate an apology for some of the things that have happened over the last few months," he said.

Senjem responded by saying there is no push on his side of the aisle for an ethics investigation into what happened with Koch. Unless a Senate Democrat decides to file a complaint, Senjem said there will not be an investigation.

"We are looking towards tomorrow, not back to yesterday. That was an unfortunate chapter, but it is in my mind history," he said.

Senjem said he fully expects that when Koch returns for the first time to the Capitol on Tuesday for the start of session that she will be swarmed by the press but he added, "She can take it. She'll be just fine."

 

 

 

Mayo Civic Center in, Zip Rail out

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton today unveiled his $775 million bonding proposal this morning, and it included $35 million for Rochester's Mayo Civic Center expansion. Dayton said he hesitated to put funding for civic center projects in the bill this year after he included them last year and Republicans refused to support them. But he said ultimately he believes so strongly in the need to invest in the downtown area of cities to keep them vibrant that he put them in again.

Other local projects included on the governor's list are:

— $13.5 million to expand The Hormel Institute in Austin

— $16.1 to build the MnDOT Rochester Maintenance Facility and District Headquarters

Projects that failed to make the cut include $15 million for study and design work for the proposed Zip Rail high-speed rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities. When asked why he did not include the funding, Dayton said he did not see an avenue for getting the project fully funded, which would require a big investment from the federal government. Below are a list of other requests that didn't make the list:

— $6 million to help build a new interchange at U.S. 52 and 65th Street Northwest in Rochester

— $8.8 million to relocate the Rochester WorkForce Center to Rochester Community and Technical College

— $20 million Rushford-Peterson school buildings

— $2.2 million Chatfield Center for the Arts

— $2.8 million Red Wing West Fire Station and Training Facility

— $612,000 Sheldon Theater renovations

 

Dayton and DFL leaders unveil jobs plan

With less than two weeks until the start of the legislative session, Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL legislative leaders on Wednesday unveiled their planl for creating jobs. The proposal calls for a $3,000 hiring tax credit for businesses, spending on construction projects and expanding the internet sales tax.

"Our jobs plan will help businesses create good jobs for thousands of Minnesotans who are looking for work. We need to focus on what we know will work: investing in infrastructure, providing incentives to private sector business to create more jobs, and training workers for high-demand careers," Dayton said in a released statement.

Below is a breakdown of the proposals included in the jobs plan.

— A $3,000 tax credit for businesses for each unemployed Minnesotan, veteran or recent graduate hired in 2012 and a $1,500 credit for each new hire through June 2013. It would cost $35 million and the governor's office says it would create 10,000 new jobs.

— A $775 million bonding bill that would invest in infrastructure and create additional jobs.

— $10 million in additional funding for the Minnesota Investment Fund, which works to encourage businesses to locate and expand in Minnesota.

— Expanding the sales tax so it applies to out-of-state, online retailers. That would generate an estimated $3.5 million in its first year.

— Spend $4.5 million to expand the FastTRAC program, which helps train adults for specific careers.

— The Minnesota Opportunity Grants Pilot program, which would provide grants for adults to pursue and complete short-term education training at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The program would offer a $2,000 grant for 2,000 Minnesotans for up to two semesters of training for jobs that pay more than 175 percent of the poverty level.

Local lawmakers to offer preview of upcoming session

Local lawmakers will offer their predictions for the 2012 legislative session at a Post-Bulletin Dialogues event on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Legislators planning to serve on the panel are Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, Rep. Mike Benson, R-Rochester, Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, Assistant Minority Leader Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, and Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron. Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, was invited but is unable to attend. Post-Bulletin Managing Editor Jay Furst will moderate the discussion. I will be there as well to offer a reporter's perspective on the upcoming session.

The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rochester Public Library. Expect the discussion to center on some of the hot topics slated for the upcoming session including bonding, constitutional amendments, government reforms and a proposed Vikings stadium. The event is free.

 

Franken talks farm policy in Zumbro Falls

DFL Sen. Al Franken plans to meet with local farmers this afternoon in Zumbro falls to talk about agriculture policy and the upcoming farm bill. The meeting is sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union and will be at the Zumbro Falls Golf Club.

After the meeting, Franken will tour Ed and Lynn Jostock's dairy farm in Rochester. Reporter Janet Kubat will cover Franken's visit.

The state's junior senator will then sit down with the Post-Bulletin editorial board. I plan to sit in and see what he has to say about legislation he is working on and current political events.

Last Friday, Franken toured businesses in Lake City and Red Wing — including Red Wing Shoes Co. He also paid his respects to slain Lake City police officer Shawn Schneider, attending his visitation.