January 8, 2015 •
MN Lawmakers Considering Shorter Session
A renovation of the Capitol Building planned for next year may shorten the Minnesota Legislature’s session. Currently, the session is slated to span 2015 and 2016. However, with the planned renovation, many lawmakers are considering completing the entire session this […]
A renovation of the Capitol Building planned for next year may shorten the Minnesota Legislature’s session. Currently, the session is slated to span 2015 and 2016.
However, with the planned renovation, many lawmakers are considering completing the entire session this year.
Thus far, no official proposals have been made; only discussions among the House and Senate leadership have taken place.
Photo of the Minnesota Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikimedia Commons.
May 20, 2014 •
Minnesota’s Special Sources Limit Enjoined by Federal District Judge
A provision in Minnesota’s campaign finance law known as the “special sources limit” will no longer be enforced as applied to individual large donors. U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the law with respect […]
A provision in Minnesota’s campaign finance law known as the “special sources limit” will no longer be enforced as applied to individual large donors. U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the law with respect to individual large donors in response to a challenge by the Institute for Justice on First Amendment grounds.
Under section 10A.27(11) of the Minnesota Statutes, the special sources limit prohibits a campaign from raising more than 20 percent of its total contributions from lobbyists, political committees, and large donors contributing more than one half of the individual contribution limit.
Donovan issued the injunction in light of the precedent set by McCutcheon v. FEC.
The defendants have the opportunity to appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If they choose not to appeal, the case will proceed to a final ruling at the district court level later this year.
May 19, 2014 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 16, 2014. The Legislature passed a $1 billion public works construction package in addition to voting to legalize medical marijuana in a session described by some as one of the most […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 16, 2014.
The Legislature passed a $1 billion public works construction package in addition to voting to legalize medical marijuana in a session described by some as one of the most productive sessions in years.
April 9, 2014 •
Minnesota Campaign Finance Law Challenged in Wake of McCutcheon
A lawsuit has been filed by the Institute for Justice, joined by several donors and candidates, challenging a Minnesota campaign finance law. Under section 10A.27(11) of the Minnesota Statutes, the “special sources limit” prohibits a campaign from raising more than […]
A lawsuit has been filed by the Institute for Justice, joined by several donors and candidates, challenging a Minnesota campaign finance law. Under section 10A.27(11) of the Minnesota Statutes, the “special sources limit” prohibits a campaign from raising more than 20 percent of its total contributions from lobbyists, political action committees, and large donors.
The Institute for Justice is arguing this law is unconstitutional under the First Amendment, stating “The first people to speak have full rights, but subsequent speakers have half rights.”
The case, Seaton v. Weiner, was filed in federal court on April 8.
August 21, 2013 •
Special Session Scheduled in Minnesota
One-day session to address disaster relief
Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders have agreed to a special session in September.
The one-day session, scheduled for September 9, 2013, will address financial relief for damages caused by June storms.
August 12, 2013 •
Minnesota Appears Poised to Announce Special Session
Governor Dayton finally agrees to open up possible agenda to tax issues
Gov. Mark Dayton has been talking about a special session for about two weeks and it seems like that thought is now close to becoming a reality. Going against what he has been saying for those two weeks, Governor Dayton said he was open to expanding the agenda of the special session. Until Thursday, Dayton has been maintaining the special session be limited to providing relief to those areas of the state hit hard by severe storms in June.
Republicans have been asking for a repeal of the warehouse tax and both parties have wanted to fix a tax on repairs to farming equipment. On Thursday, Dayton called the farm equipment tax “the biggest mistake” of this past year’s session and it needed to be addressed in a special session. He still has no plans to address the warehouse tax, which will not go into effect until April 2014.
Dayton has maintained the Legislature can deal with the issue when it comes back to St. Paul in February. The date for the special session has been tentatively set for September 9. However, Dayton wants assurances from the Republicans the session will be limited to one day.
Even though Democrats control both houses of the Legislature, they need Republican support to suspend rules and limit the session to just one day. Without that support, the session could last a few days and could feature debate on any topic.
January 10, 2013 •
Minnesota Sets Special Election Dates
Date Ensures that College Students May Participate
Governor Mark Dayton has set special election dates for two house seats after the incumbents turned in their resignations on January 7.
The special elections for the house seats in districts 14A and 19A will take place on February 12.
The special primary, if necessary, will take place on January 29. Both districts are home to large college student populations, so the governor decided to ensure that as many students as possible would be back for the election.
August 7, 2012 •
Minnesota Special Session Tentatively Scheduled for August 24th
Legislature to distribute relief to flood ravaged areas
Governor Mark Dayton and the leaders of the state legislature have tentatively agreed on August 24 for a special session date. The legislature will convene in order to appropriate monies to disaster relief for counties that were ravaged by flooding earlier this year.
The date is still tentative as the final damage numbers are still being totaled. The federal government will supply 75% of the funding if the state picks up the last 25% of the cost.
Once the final numbers are set, Governor Dayton will have to officially call the legislature back to work.
April 23, 2012 •
Today’s Lobbying News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying news with these articles:
“Big lobbying spending dips” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“U.S. Chamber of Commerce Continues to Spend Heavily on Lobbying, Filings Show” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“K Streeters Adjusting to Loss of Earmarks” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Fears of lame-duck session in Congress could boost K Street’s bottom line” by Kevin Bogardus and Rachel Leven in The Hill.
California: “How to wire a state capital” by Charles Mahtesian in Politico.
California: “AT&T wields enormous power in Sacramento” by Shane Goldmacher and Anthony York in The Los Angeles Times.
Minnesota: “Not all laws come from high-powered lobbying campaigns” by John Reinan in the MinnPost.
March 21, 2012 •
Today’s Lobbying News Roundup
Revolving doors, spending on lobbying in Minnesota, and a new ethics bill in Missouri in the news:
“Revolving Door: Hill Staffers with Retiring Bosses Hit K Street” by Andrew Joseph in National Journal’s Influence Alley.
“Minnesota Capitol the recipient of $59 million lobbying effort” by Megan Boldt in the Grand Forks Herald.
“Business groups spent $14 million lobbying Minn. Legislators” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
“Democrats propose new Missouri ethics bill” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. According to the article, “the bill would restrict the amount lawmakers and their immediate family members could accept from lobbyists, prohibit lawmakers from working as paid political consultants while in office and limit the investment of campaign contributions to interest-bearing checking or savings accounts.”
“Utah’s revolving door keeps spinning out lobbyists” by Britny Mortensen in The Salt Lake Tribune.
March 14, 2012 •
Redistricting News Roundup
Here are articles from four states:
Florida: “Lawmakers ready to tackle redistricting during special session” by Bill Kaczor (Associated Press) in Florida Today.
Florida: “Legislators return for special session to redraw rejected Senate map” by Mary Ellen Klas The Miami Herald.
Florida: “Senate Re-Redistricting Plan Is Flawed, Says State Dem Chair” by Brandon Larrabee in Sunshine Slate.
Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers face votes on redistricting plans” by The Associated Press in the Wichita Eagle.
Minnesota: “Redistricting maps give DFL advantage in legislative races, but …” by Eric Black on MinnPost.com.
New York: “An Update on New York Redistricting” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
New York: “Silver bristles at Cuomo slap at NY Legislature” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
New York: “New York: Redistricting End Is Nigh” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
July 20, 2011 •
Budget Bills Approved to Reopen Minnesota Government
Special Session Adjourns
The special legislative session called on Tuesday by Governor Mark Dayton adjourned at 3:43 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The Legislature passed 12 budget bills that were signed by Governor Dayton in order to reopen state government.
July 19, 2011 •
Minnesota Governor Calls Legislature to Special Session
Session to Address Budget Agreement
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has called a special legislative session to begin today at 3 p.m. for a vote on a budget agreement that would end the state’s government shutdown.
Governor Dayton stated that some state agencies could re-open as early as Wednesday if the budget agreement is finalized.
Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikipedia.
July 18, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
State Legislative Bills Raise Conservative Group’s Profile
Federal:
Key Senator Urges Federal Investigation of Murdoch Media Company
The Influence Industry: Coming soon to a screen near you – a lobbying campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Legislature’s Ethics Chairs Say Referral Fees Are ‘Unquestionably Illegal’
Arizona
Arizona Lawmaker Says Pointing Gun at Reporter Wasn’t Deliberate
California
Gays Gaining Ground in State Political District Boundary Talks
Connecticut
Agency Head: Malloy’s undermining watchdogs’ fiscal autonomy
Idaho
Watchdog Group Says Idaho Should Have Stricter Lobbyist Reporting
Indiana
City Ponders Campaign-Gift Curbs
Minnesota
Full Eighth Circuit to Hear Minnesota Disclosure Law Case
Montana
High Court Sets Oral Arguments in Campaign Lawsuit
South Carolina
Campaign Reports, Fines Dog Son of Late S.C. Gov. Campbell
Tennessee
Haslam’s Office Cuts Off Hundreds from Clip Service
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.