Kind of pithy remarks on the 2021 MN lege

January 6, 2021

First of all, “pithy,” which means having substance and point, contains an element of sarcasm, here. My record, when it comes to any kind of politics-related prognostication, is, in a word, wretched. The best thing is that I am comfortable suggesting that the DFL caucuses in both houses can legitimately be termed “progressive,” and that […]

by Dan Burns

Why no bonding bill?

August 3, 2020

From when this year’s bonding bill mess was going on: A deal is not in the interests of Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, who is hoping to win back the speaker’s gavel. His caucus’s position is that there’s no bonding deal unless Gov. Tim Walz gives up his emergency powers. This works for Daudt […]

by Dan Burns

2018 Minnesota Election Round-up

December 3, 2018

Observations concerning the recent election

by Tony Petrangelo

Redistricting reform should be at the top of the agenda

November 13, 2018

The DFL should create an independent redistricting commission even though they stand to possibly achieve the trifecta

by Tony Petrangelo

Richard Painter for U.S. Senate

July 30, 2018

August 3rd: Now with important updates

by Steve Timmer

Minnesota Senate District 62 Convention: Retirements, Credentials, Walkouts and Quorums

March 14, 2018

As you may have heard, the Minnesota Senate District 62 Convention, which took place on Saturday March 10th, had some – let’s say – difficulties. The results of these difficulties were that the A side of the district didn’t endorse a candidate for an open House seat, and for that matter, never even completed a […]

by Tony Petrangelo

Reports from the hustings in 49A

January 29, 2018

There are, fundamentally, a couple of ways to run for office. One way is to demonstrate experience, a deep knowledge of policy, and a commitment to issues that voters find important. The other way is to run a popularity contest. Regrettably, the second way sometimes wins. I was beaten for the president of the fifth […]

by Steve Timmer

Why it isn’t called “The Down Ballot Victory Fund”

May 6, 2016

I wrote before about an article in Politico describing the Hillary Victory Fund, and its operation in Minnesota, too. I was trying to find out about the HVF before the Politico article, but it piqued my interest even more. The gloss put on the HVF by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee is that it provided […]

by Steve Timmer

Ron Way endorses Ron Erhardt in 49A

March 13, 2016

Ron Way, former Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, official with the U.S. Department of Interior, staffer on Capitol Hill in Washington, reporter for newspapers, including the Star Tribune, and frequent contributor to the Strib and MinnPost, is a resident of House District 49A in Edina. Ron supports Representative Erhardt for re-election. Here […]

by Steve Timmer