Minnesota Lawyer
Richard Carlbom, executive director of Minnesotans United for All Families (Staff photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
Minnesotans United for All Families has registered more than a half dozen lobbyists as they prepare for a push to legalize gay marriage this legislative session.
The anti-amendment campaign turned issue-advocacy group took a big step toward transitioning into a full lobbying group last week, registering several lobbyists from Twin Cities firm Messerli & Kramer to headline the effort. That includes Nancy Haas, Eric Hyland and Thomas Poul.
Minnesotans United has also pulled on the help of two well-known Capitol lobbyists who were closely affiliated with the group during the campaign this fall. Larry Redmond and Cristine Almeida were both big donors and supporters of group, serving on its steering committee and board, respectively. Both run independent lobbying shops. Redmond is best known for his work lobbying for the new Vikings stadium that passed last session.
Two members of LGBT advocacy group Project 515 are also part of the lobbying team: Jill Sletten, who has lobbied with Project 515 since 2008, and the group’s executive director, Ann Kaner-Roth.
Minnesotans United Executive Director Richard Carlbom will also register as a lobbyist this session. The group is planning to introduce a bill to legalize gay marriage in the coming weeks. DFL Sen. Scott Dibble says he plans for a late-session push to pass a gay marriage bill, which he will author.
