Denny McNamara

Dec 2, 2011

OLA report: Legacy dollars don’t mean general fund guarantees

The Minnesota Legislative Auditor has written the latest chapter in the murky saga of what’s constitutionally permissible when it comes to spending state Legacy Amendment dollars. And in a 37-page report released Wednesday, Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles dealt an apparent blow to a key article of faith held by many environment and conservation groups.

Nov 22, 2011

2012 legislative races start to take shape

Nobody knows what the legislative maps will look like in 2012. The politically charged redistricting process will almost certainly be decided by the courts, most likely in February. But that uncertainty over legislative district boundaries hasn’t stopped numerous challengers on both sides of the aisle from declaring their candidacies.

Oct 14, 2011

Delay of mining leases prompts complaints from Iron Rangers, Republicans

In 1954, when Tom Anzelc was 8 years old, his family was kicked off their plot of land near Keewatin on the Iron Range. The parcel, along with 40 to 60 others, was confiscated for mineral exploration.

Oct 14, 2011

Despite six-month hiatus, property owners are likely to lose their battle

On its face, the vote taken recently by the state’s top constitutional officers to delay the granting of mineral rights leases on the Iron Range for six months was democracy in action: government bending to a public outcry and pledging to explore the issues raised.

Sep 16, 2011

Hackbarth gets a new gavel but may face racino/stadium blowback from base

The news of GOP Rep. Tom Hackbarth’s appointment to head a new House energy subcommittee signals the beginning of his return from nearly a year in political purgatory.

Aug 26, 2011

Legacy supporters eye budget backfilling

Environmental and conservation groups harbor growing doubts about the constitutional soundness of state lawmakers’ use of so-called Legacy dedicated funds for outdoors and cultural projects.

Jul 17, 2011

Urdahl: Legacy funding bill likely in special session

The bill, which divvies out dollars for arts and conservation via a constitutionally dedicated sales tax increase, was derailed in the final minutes of the 2011 session by Democrats, who ran out the clock debating issues with the proposal ranging from rural verses metro funding to open meeting laws.

Jun 10, 2011

In the House, centrist Republicans could play a pivotal role in budget fight

Moderate legislators are hard to come by these days. By most accounts, last fall’s election saw voters oust most of the middle-of-the-road DFLers in the Minnesota House and replace them with a spate of freshman Republicans elected on a strong right-wing wave that swept the nation.

May 25, 2011

Legacy spending and tort reform among bills that never made it to final passage

To the surprise of many, time ran out on the Legislature before votes were taken on several prominent bills unrelated to Minnesota’s general fund budget battle. While some bills passed the Legislature in the last three days of session, a raft of legislation now sits in limbo, including the Legacy funding bill and pension reform.

May 25, 2011

House GOP vote on marriage amendment was defining issue of session’s last days

Around 4 o’clock last Saturday afternoon, the central drama of Session 2011’s closing days finally reared its head on the House floor. Shortly before the chamber recessed for dinner, GOP Rep. Mary Liz Holberg stood to announce the addition of a controversial constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage to the calendar for that evening’s proceedings.

May 22, 2011

House and Senate on different paths on ATV legislation

The House and Senate are stuck in a rut over all-terrain vehicle (ATV) legislation in the Game and Fish bill.

May 13, 2011

Enviro bill may have to await larger budget deal

While environmental spending is a relatively small portion of Minnesota’s general fund budget, the environment and natural resources funding bill appears likely to remain in play for as long as this year’s budget battle lasts.