So much to chew on during yesterday's #mngov debate. But there were also post-debate interviews of @GovTimWalz and @drscottjensen on Linder Farm Network that elicited interesting responses.
Walz on his frequent mention of the state's low unemployment rate, which some of his critics say is not offering a complete picture.
Jensen on his expectation of an ad barrage against him to come and his latest view of COVID-19's origin.
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#mn01 candidate forum at FarmFest about to begin. No @SouthernMN4Jeff (Ettinger). He tested positive for COVID-19, according to forum organizers who read from a statement from him.
Opening remarks from Finstad:
“I grew up as a crop farmer and a hog farmer. … I’ve been scooping manure from a young age and that’s unfortunately prepared me for politics.”
DFL #mn01 primary candidate James Rainwater (there's both a special election and a primary on Aug. 9 ) acknowledges his limitations at FarmFest.
“I know less about farming than anyone up here. But I’ve eaten more farm products than anyone up here.”
NEW: Minnesota Attorney General @AGEllison (D) won’t appeal a district court decision that struck down several abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period, a two-parent notification requirement and hospitalization rules.
Ellison says the AG's office has put about $620,000 toward the case in staff time and other costs since 2019.
Yesterday, one of the Republicans challenging Ellison (@doug_wardlow) suggested that officials in other counties not abide by the abortion decision from a Ramsey County judge. The judge barred enforcement statewide of the affected laws.
GOP AG candidate @doug_wardlow, the 2028 nominee challenging endorsed Republican @JimForMN, criticizes his opponent as “effectively prochoice” over a recent abortion quote in @StarTribune.
The Aug 9 primary will determine the fall opponent of incumbent DFLer @EllisonCampaign.
This is the quote in question
Wardlow says he’d “prosecute abortion providers who break the law.”
He said he would also investigate abortion providers.
He said he’d “wage war” on Doe v Gomez court decision protecting abortion access in Minn.
He said he’d resist efforts to weaken existing restrictions.
Senate Majority Leader @jeremyrmiller says his caucus doesn’t want a special session #mnleg
House Minority Leader @kdaudt, newly empowered as special session talk commences, says he wants spending bills reined in.
“I am not optimistic about there being a special session, and I think that’s OK.”
“We can pick that work up right away in January of next year.” #mnleg
GOP Senator @jimabeler on status of the HHS bill, which would be the place where long-term care/nursing home money and child care assistance dollars would land:
NEW: @melissahortman says #mnleg is beyond the point where all bills can be closed up, written and voted on by midnight.
She says negotiators will work to seal up agreements and she will ask @GovTimWalz for “a brief special session” to process remaining bills if deals sealed.
Still not finished: Health and Human Services, Public Safety, E12, transportation, and bonding.
Some of the completed bills could get votes today.
Only governors can call special sessions but duration dictated by #mnleg, especially minority caucuses due to rules suspensions.
Worth noting, yesterday House Taxes Chair Paul Marquart told reporters that the tax-cut deal would be the same in a special session. (Quote below)
Senate Taxes Chair Carla Nelson said she hoped for Sunday passage (her birthday).