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Capitol Comment
Capitol Comment is a podcast focusing on the comments and opinions of legislative leaders on the issues of the day.
Episodes Archive
Lawmakers talk about proposed amendment to limit state spending. (Posted Nov. 17)
- Lawmakers comment on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent proposal to put before voters a constitutional amendment that would limit state spending. Lawmakers Gardner, Dittrich, Carlson, Scott and Garofalo offer comment.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addresses Iowa Republicans. (Posted Nov. 9)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Saturday (Nov. 7) addressed Iowa Republicans at the state fairground in Des Moines. Pawlenty's appearance is significant, because if Pawlenty runs for president the road will likely start in the Iowa Republican caucuses.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes constitutional amendment limiting state spending. (Posted Nov. 5)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty details a proposed constitutional amendment he's offering that would limit state spending by linking future spending to current. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, gives the Senate's take on the proposal.
Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher calls for support of levies. (Oct. 29)
- Teachers' union president Tom Dooher talks of the importance of local voters supporting local school district levies. Some 57 school districts have levies on the ballot. Dooher argues the levies reflect larger education funding problems.
Health department presents the Minnesota FluLine. (Posted Oct. 21)
- The Department of Health unveiled the Minnesota FluLine this week, a venture designed to provide medical information to people suffering from flu-like symptoms. Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan and State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield speak about it.
Jungbauer talks about rabies shots, gubernatorial campaign. (Posted Oct. 15)
- Sen. Michael Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, talks about the acute reaction he has had to the rabies shots he was forced to undergo after being bitten by a bat. Jungbauer details how the reaction to the shots has impacted his gubernatorial campaign.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addresses the Republican State Convention. (Posted Oct. 3)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty addresses the convention, speaking of budgetary issues both state and federal. Pawlenty opens his 20 minute address with a joke about old cars and Obama bumper stickers.
Vikings' stadium debate runs through House hearing. (Posted Oct. 2)
- The House Commerce and Labor Committee this week took testimony on the economic impact of the Minnesota Vikings, but the stadium issue hovered over the committee room. Vikings' official Lester Bagley, Rep. Greg Davids, and Rep. Joe Atkins talk stadium.
Republican Jeff Wiita declares candidacy for state auditor. (Posted Sept. 24)
- State Auditor's Office staffer Jeff Wiita challenges his boss, DFL State Auditor Rebecca Otto. Wiita talks about why he entered the race, his vision for the office, and his current dissatisfaction with it. State Auditor Otto offers comment.
Alice Seagren - MN Commisioner of Education
- Minnesota recieves $250,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Local Republicans proposed health care constitutional amendment. (Posted Sept. 18)
- Three local Republicans, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Peggy Scott, and Rep. Mark Buesgens came to the Capitol to push for a constitutional amendment they view as protecting the state against single-payer health care. Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, objects.
DFL-sponsored leadership summit at Capitol. (Posted Sept. 10)
- Two former Republican governors, Arne Carlson and Al Quie, talk about the dire budget picture the state is facing and how it might be addressed. One former Republican Speaker, David Jennings, comments on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision not to attend.
Congressman John Kline, R-Lakeville, talks health care. (Posted Sept. 4)
- Second District Congressman John Kline, R-Lakeville, talks about health care reform legislation currently being crafted in the House, why he doesn't like it and finding possible common ground with Democrats.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks health care reform. (Posted Aug. 28)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty this week spoke on health care reform, and why he believes the Obama Administration is focusing too much on one variable in the health care equation. But some Democrats argue that Pawlenty is in no position to lecture.
Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, formally declares run for governor. (Posted Aug. 14)
- Sen. Mike Jungbauer spoke at Game Fair last Saturday (Aug. 8) in Ramsey, formally announcing his candidacy for governor. The senator spoke on a number of issues, one being climate change. Jungbauer believes the globe is cooling, not warming.
Former Blaine mayor Elwyn Tinklenberg talks about dropping out of 6th Congressional District race. (Posted Aug. 6)
- Tinklenberg, who unsuccessfully challenged Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann last year, details why he considered remaining in the race too politically risky.
Governors Pawlenty and Doyle ponder Packer great Brett Favre. (Posted July 24)
- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Gov. Tim Pawlenty met at Hudson, Wis., this week and one of the items they discussed wears a number 4 and throws touchdowns — Brett Favre. The governors exchanged banter over whether Favre would end up a Minnesota Viking.
New Republican Party Chairman Tony Sutton talks about his party. (Posted July 17)
- Newly elected Republican Party Chairman Tony Sutton, of Inver Grove Heights, talks about the future of the party, ways they seek to win, and where he fits in.
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, announces his candidacy for governor. (Posted July 9)
- Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano announced this week that he is running for governor. Emmer talks of why he decided to run for governor, bringing in new ideas, and can he mount a statewide campaign.
Sen.-elect Al Franken, D-Minneapolis, speaks to supporters at the Capitol. (Posted July 2)
- Sen.-elect Al Franken addresses several hundred supporters at the Capitol on Wednesday (July 1), the day after former senator Norm Coleman conceded the U.S. Senate race to Franken.
House Republicans elect a new leader, Rep. Kurt Zellers, of Maple Grove. (Posted June 25)
- The new House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers talks about himself, where his caucus is headed, the upcoming election, the expectation that he'll stick around.
U of M historian Hy Berman offers comments on his friend, the late former governor Elmer L. Andersen. (Posted June 19)
- Historian Hy Berman talks about his favorite memory of Andersen, whose 100th birthday was celebrated this week, talks about Andersen's famous reelection loss and speculates on where the former governor would politically align today.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addresses Vietnam Vet celebration. (Posted June 13).
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty addresses Vietnam veterans on the Capitol mall on Saturday (June 13) during a memorial celebration. The governor's speech, which received a standing ovation, runs about seven minutes.
DFL gubernatorial candidates, actual and potential, speak out. (Posted June 12)
- DFL gubernatorial candidates, and one potential candidate, talk about their campaigns, aspirations, the party endorsement. Speakers are former House minority leader Matt Entenza, Sen. Tarryl Clark, Sen. Tom Bakk, and former U.S. senator Mark Dayton.
Potential area Republican gubernatorial candidates speak. (Posted June 5)
- Local Republicans Charlie Weaver, Pat Anderson, Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, and Sen. Paul Koering talk about their potential candidacies. Taxpayer League President and former Republican lawmaker Phil Krinkie also offers comment.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers talk about the end of the legislative session and what comes next. (Posted May 19).
- Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks about his plans for cutting the new state budget while House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller talk about the just completed session along with senators Robling, Jungbauer.
DFL, Republican legislative leaders talk early afternoon after meeting with Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (May 18)
- DFL, Republican leaders give a brief update on the state of ongoing budget talks on this, the last day of the 2009 legislative session.
Lawmakers debate veto override attempt on House floor. (Posted May 17)
- Four area lawmakers — Dean, Abeler, Kalin, and Dittrich — speak on the House floor during Sunday's veto override attempt of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's line-item veto of the human services finance bill. Two attempts at overriding the governor were made on Sunday.
League of Minnesota President Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland and others ask lawmakers to support government aid to cities. (Posted May 16)
- Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman urge lawmakers to support and make decisions on local government aid (LGA). The mayors spoke at a Capitol press conference.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announces plan to close the session on time. (Posted May 14)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty announces plan to close the session without dragging the budget debate into the summer. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, reacts to Pawlenty's plan, indicating it feels like a threat.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, meets the press. (Posted May 13)
- House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, fields questions from the Capitol press corps outside the House chamber Wednesday (May 23) night.
Sixth District Congressional race already heating up. (Posted May 11)
- Two DFL candidates, Dr. Maureen Reed and Elwyn Tinklenberg, have expressed their intentions of seeking the DFL Party endorsement to take on Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann in the 6th Congressional District. Comments from both candidates.
Minnesota House debates lifting nuclear plant construction moratorium. (Posted May 1)
- The House Thursday (April 30) voted down an amendment lifting the current ban on nuclear power plant construction in Minnesota. House members speaking: Faust, Anderson, Hackbarth, Kulick Jackson, Kalin, and Peppin.
Former U.S. senator Norm Coleman talks about long U.S. Senate race; U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar talks about impact of contest in Washington. (Posted April 27)
- Former U.S. senator Norm Coleman talks about his campaign's court challenges, what might or should happen. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat and the state's single senator at present, talks about the impact of the long election contest in Washington.
Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, talks about the politics of the legislative session. (Posted April 20)
- Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, talks about the workings of the session, conservative House Republicans, Democratic and Republican ambitions.
Senate votes to lift ban on nuclear power plant construction in Minnesota. (Posted April 3)
- Area lawmakers sound off during recent debate on the Senate floor about the wisdom of lifting the moratorium on nuclear plant construction in Minnesota. Senators Jungbauer, Koch, Carlson, Murphy, and Doll speak on the issue.
Freshman lawmaker Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, talks about events in his life that got him to run for the statehouse. He also talks about his future. (Posted March 31)
- Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, is a first-term lawmaker from House District 51A. Sanders talk about the influence former Republican congressman Jim Ramstad had on him and also talks about his future.
Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, talks about tax increases, the aftermath of the "Override Six" vote, where he is now. (posted March 27)
- Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, talks about his current position on tax increases, fallout from the "Override Six" vote and where his loyalties are, and whether he'll push the tax increase button this session.
Senate newcomer Sen. Lisa Fobbe, DFL-Zimmerman, talks issues and goals. (Posted March 23)
- Freshman lawmaker Sen. Lisa Fobbe, DFL-Zimmerman, talks about budget concerns, dealing with voters, and a personal side to pursuing some legislative goals.
Freshman lawmaker Rep. Philip Sterner, DFL-Rosemount, talks about life at the Capitol.
- Rep. Philip Sterner, DFL-Rosemount, talks about the differences between serving as a city council member and a state representative. He also talks about politics at the Capitol and how voters might judge him.
New lawmaker Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, on job, session. (March 11)
- Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, talks about campaigning, being a new lawmaker, taxes, legislative goals, missteps in Washington.
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson speaks on court budget. (March 9)
- Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson speaks on the state court budget, court reforms, and his friend Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Freshman lawmaker Rep. Mike Obermueller, DFL-Eagan, talks about life at the Capitol. (Posted March 4)
- Rep. Mike Obermueller, DFL-Eagan, talks about the challenges of the session, dealing with other lawmakers, taxes, and a notable former representative from District 38B.
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, talks about the U.S. Senate contest, other matters.
- Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, talks about problems she sees in the U.S. Senate recount and contest. Kiffmeyer, former Secretary of State, opined about the handling of rejected absentee ballots by the State Canvassing Board. She offers other comments.
Booster seat bill, forest easement, Capitol chuckle (Feb. 27).
- A booster seat bill carried by Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, is presented in committee. Other items are a proposed easement purchase for northern timberland, and a lighter Capitol moment. Lawmakers speaking: Hortman and McNamara, R-Hastings.
Freshman lawmaker Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids, (Feb. 19) speaks of his U.S. Army career.
- Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids, a Vietnam vet, talks about his experiences in Vietnam, his outlook on the war, and how he came to volunteer to go.
Green jobs, proposed bonding, proposed lawmaker salary cuts and other issues at the Capitol this week, (Feb. 16).
- Rep. Kalin speaks on Green Jobs Task Force, while Sen. Keith Langseth opines on Senate bonding proposal. Sen. Gerlach speaks on proposed lawmaker salary cuts, while 2nd District Rep. John Kline talks about recent events in Washington.
First-term lawmaker Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, speaks on her role, issues at Capitol.
- Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, speaks on the challenges of being a new lawmaker, how she sees herself, taxes and remembering that decisions have human consequences.
Medical marijuana, vehicle emissions standards, second chance
- Lawmakers discuss proposed medical marijuana bill, emissions standards bill, and former offender talks about the hardships of trying to restart her life. Lawmakers featured senators Koering, Johnson, Carlson. and Rep. Hortman.
New lawmaker Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson, DFL-Milaca, interview
- Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson, DFL-Milaca, talks about life as a new lawmaker, surprises, and hopes for the future.
Education issues at Capitol
- Lawmakers discuss Q Comp, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's education reform program, talk about a new education bill and also higher education funding. Lawmakers featured — Greiling, Fobbe, Garofalo, Latz, Koering. Others, Commissioner Seagren, U President Bruininks.
State budget, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers. Economic stimulus.
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks on state budget. Lawmakers comment. Congressman Oberstar on stimulus package, lawmaker comment. Congressman Oberstar on stimulus bill. Lawmaker comment.
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