Politics in Minnesota: The Weekly Report - Vol. 3, Issue 19 - 11/9/2007
MnDOT Under Siege: The Star Tribune's Agenda
Why the I-35 Bridge fell has become a war game in both the journalism and political worlds. The specific combatants are Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration, Democrats who disagree with the transportation policies of that Administration and the Star Tribune. What most people don't understand is that the soldiers on the field bearing the brunt of the battle are not the decision makers. Rather, the soldiers are the career civil servants at MnDOT.
Take an anti-MnDOT story that ran in the Strib this week, "MnDOT parsimonious with bridge-collapse info," written by Mike Kaszuba. The subheading of the story was, "Lawyers, legislators -- even a judge are annoyed by MnDOT's tight control of inspectors and others who have details on the 35W bridge;" below that, the text is divided by headers, "Put it in writing," "Keeping information secret" and "'Cloaked in secrecy.'"
Readers are left with the impression that the bridge collapse and what MnDOT is doing in the aftermath are some horrible hybrid of Watergate and the government response to Katrina. While the political (GOP) appointees in Pawlenty's administration are just plain ticked off, the rank-and-file classified employees -- the ones who actually do the work dictated by both the political people and the Star Tribune -- are nothing short of shell-shocked.
Not so much by the volume of the requests (there have been 76 formal document requests from various media). Or that many of the requests are overly broad, like "All inspection correspondence, electronic or otherwise, concerning Interstate 35W." As far as the MnDOT employees are concerned, that's fine, the First Amendment, the public's right to know and all that. But the way they are being treated by some media...strike that....the Star Tribune...strike that...certain Star Tribune reporters has them all floored.
One GOP legislator, disturbed by the secrecy shrouds detailed in the Star Tribune, sent an email to MnDOT asking what's going on. PIM obtained a copy of that email. Here's how MnDOT answered the question:
"Unfortunately, the relationship between our employees and some reporters -- and I stress 'some reporters' -- at the Star Tribune has become extremely strained...MnDOT employees have been subjected to professional and unnecessarily harsh name-calling, hostile phone conversations and phone and email harassment. MnDOT employees have come to me with reports of enduring profanity in phone conversations and having their professional and personal integrity questioned. Employees have further reported that, when they have granted interviews and provided professional information, they feel their work has been mischaracterized in print and facts have been disregarded in lieu of predetermined story lines."
To be precise, MnDOT employees are being tired of hearing "BS" in heated long form, and "you're lying" and "you're stonewalling" from the two career Star Tribune reporters with pit bull reputations: Tony Kennedy and Paul McEnroe. What's more, a document request made one hour is followed by a series of harassing emails mere hours later asking where their documents are.
So, for the MnDOT employees who have to fulfill these document requests, being treated like they are jerks is one thing, but also, they are expressing an incredible sense of collective bewilderment over "Who's on first?" at the Star Tribune. Many of the document requests are duplicative -- different people at the paper are asking for exactly the same stuff. As far as PIM knows, there are at least eight different requests from Star Tribune people. Besides Kennedy and McEnroe, other Star Tribune reporters who are asking for duplicative documents are Dan Browning, Nick Coleman, Pat Doyle, Jim Foti, Kaszuba and Bob Von Sternberg.
Typically, on a big story like the bridge collapse, one editor is put in charge. This apparently hasn't happened.
Better media analysis minds than ours think there's something else going on: Star Tribune editor Nancy Barnes and others at the paper want a Pulitzer for the paper's coverage. That makes sense to us. The bridge collapse will likely be the only shot Minnesota media will have in our lifetimes at winning the "Breaking News" prize. [Let's all certainly hope so.]
The Pulitzer theory also explains why the paper repeatedly fails to point out MnDOT's legal constraints on document requests, an omission that is grossly misleading to readers. Media requests for government documents are covered by the Minnesota Data Practices Act (MDPA) and the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The most important aspect of these laws as they apply to obtaining government information about the bridge collapse is that the MDPA applies before August 1, 2007 and the federal FOIA applies after the bridge fell. That's because the National Transportation Safety Board has an exemption from FOIA for any "ongoing investigation" so as not to jeopardize that investigation. Obviously, that exemption is broad and severely curtails the information MnDOT can legally provide.
[Adding insult to the injury of not telling readers about MnDOT's legal status in releasing documents is Barnes' snarky column bragging about the paper breaking stories obtained from document requests, "It's our job as watchdogs to hold the state agencies accountable... and they are pretty irritated right now because we are really keeping their phones ringing."]
The other gross omission relates to the Sonia Pitt sideshow. Pitt is the MnDOT employee whose job is to coordinate responses to emergencies but who failed to return to Minnesota for nearly two weeks after the bridge collapse. The Star Tribune tells its readers that Pitt continues to receive her $84,593 salary and accrue vacation time, but doesn't tell readers the answer to the most salient question of "why."
Here's why. Pitt is under a formal personnel investigation and major rules apply such as the investigatee still gets to draw a salary. But the most significant rule in play is that no one at MnDOT (or anyone in state government) can talk about it, and if someone does, that person is personally liable in any lawsuit that may be filed. Wonder whether "A source with direct knowledge of the investigation" quoted by McEnroe and Kennedy in the story knows that.
As the Star Tribune continues its verbal assaults on the character of MnDOT employees in the quixotic pursuit of smoking guns, we wonder whether the paper has contemplated its worst nightmare, which is also the same as the DFL's...
MnDOT Under Siege: The DFL's Agenda
We could link to a zillion stories and statements from key Democrats blaming MnDOT and the Pawlenty Administration but we won't because we all know they are everywhere. The pièce de résistance for Democrats and the Star Tribune is to make the bridge collapse a failure of the Pawlenty Administration. All the animosity toward MnDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau boils down to this issue: The bridge collapse is Pawlenty's fault because he gleefully vetoes all gas tax increases. No New Taxes is dead at the Capitol.
For the Star Tribune, taking down Molnau and/or Pawlenty is a Pulitzer Prize clincher like Richard Nixon's resignation (because of Watergate) was for the Washington Post.
Another part of the nightmare for the DFL and the Star Tribune is the NTSB investigation. The agency's investigation of TWA Flight 800 over the Atlantic in 1996 took four years to complete and despite the official conclusion about an exploding fuel tank, credible people still tout alternative theories.
Obviously, a years-long NTSB investigation with a murky conclusion really screws up the agenda. And, Star Tribune editor Nancy Barnes will likely be long gone from the Star Tribune.
MnDOT Under Siege: The GOP's Agenda
The Pawlenty Administration's agenda is the easiest one to discern: Hope and pray that nobody screwed up. Note that we didn't write "or if somebody screwed up, it doesn't come to light." That's because we think that's virtually impossible in the atmosphere with the stakes so high.
And barring the disclosure of a concrete screw-up, Pawlenty has already accomplished his agenda. The bridge fell, his government responded and he emerged with a 59% approval rating (which by the way, drives Democrats nuts).
BETTY SAYS: Pawlenty's ratings don't drive Democrats nuts - they are just in awe of his masterful spinmeisters. Pawlenty has a bigger pond in his sights: the national stage. That does not erase his Transportation funding vetoes resulting in stingy funding of Minnesota's infrastructure needs. The buck also stops with him in the Lt. Governor/Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau debacle. Molnau must go. MnDOT deserves a Commissioner with engineering and management credentials. Rumor has it that Pawlenty will be moving up to V.P. soon, replacing Vice President Dick Cheney. God forbid we should have the Peter Principle played out further, and advance Molnau to governor next. As to the rank-and-file at MnDOT, sympathies go out to them: they are getting squeezed from all sides. And Sonia Pitt, well, we will know more soon...
Referendum Tipping Point?
During the next legislative session will Minnesota reach a tipping point and find that more (or "adequate" in DFL minds) funding schools is a win-win-win for students, business and the community? We live in hope. Everybody seems to be in agreement that property taxes are a terrible way to fund schools, and the Constitution says it's the State's responsibility, so what's the rub? Over the past many years various task forces have tackled the issue of State's responsibility to fully fund adequate education for all kids. Currently a coalition of education groups called P.S. Minnesota is working on the challenge, but too often education funding becomes a political football breaking down at the doing part.
According to the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), 67.6% of referenda passed this year, but this is not cause to celebrate. The state still needs to reform our education funding system by moving away from its heavy reliance on operating levy referenda. At a press conference on Wednesday, parents expressed deep frustration at having to put referenda on the ballot to fund schools. One West St. Paul parent referred to this flawed system as "Levy Roulette," where districts have to roll the dice to fund education. AMSD head Scott Croonquist points out that there is about a $75 million funding gap to fill in the metro area alone because of language in current law, commenting, "We really need the Governor and Legislature to step up this session and provide supplemental funding to bridge the gap that exists under current state law to provide adequate funding for schools." That of course is just a band-aid.
Robbinsdale Referendum co-chair and former GOP state representative Lynne Osterman, concurs: "Schools should not be funded off of property taxes." They were unsuccessful in passing their referendum. House K-12 Finance Division Chair Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) goes further, saying that Governor Tim Pawlenty is the problem because of his no-new-taxes approach. Greiling says he basically stomped out any education funding increases last session even though the House passed an education bill with resounding bi-partisan support: "If we can't get a tax increase past this governor, it mutes what we are able to do."
Osterholm mused that the Robbinsdale SD#281 Referendum was a microcosm of the struggle schools must face to secure a stable tax base. Three of the communities there - Golden Valley, Crystal, and New Hope - already faced property tax increases recently because of the current Administration's cutbacks to Local Government Aid (LGA). This caused additional property tax increases putting undue pressure on an already regressive tax. Cuts in LGA for cities plus cuts to counties, all emanating from the Pawlenty Administration's no-new-taxes atmosphere, have exacerbated property tax burdens there. It seems LGA "winners" - those who are supposed to receive aid - have an extra challenge passing levy referenda for schools when monies in aid don't flow from the state. LGA "losers" - those who pay out more than they receive back in Local Government Aid, are generally higher per capita districts often with strong Commercial/Industrial tax bases that can afford paying additional taxes for their kids' educational needs, like Minnetonka and Edina where levies passed with flying colors.
"Who Are These Guys?"
Paul Dorr, the big gun from Iowa hired to defeat the referendum in Robbinsdale School District 281, won't be going away soon if the 53-47% defeat of the R'dale referendum is any indication. Expect Dorr to pop up elsewhere. It appears hiring Dorr to organize anti-referendum campaigns costs only about $9,000, though actual totals have not yet been released. Cost to the District? About $5 million per year and loss of one elementary school. Not a pretty picture. Reputedly there were two key funders in this particular drive: Joseph Noonan of Plymouth and Jocilynn Denny of Robbinsdale (listed at the same address in one report - though contacting them is a challenge.) Ron Stoffel, Treasurer of Citizens Acting for a Responsible Education (C.A.R.E. 281), the anti-tax anti-referendum group, said that C.A.R.E. 281 considers this fight only Round One of a multi-year strategy, saying the school district will be back later on this issue, "And so will we."
Hard work and dedication did not pay off for the Robbinsdale schools. In the weeks leading up to the election, school officials were ubiquitous, giving close to 100 presentations around the district, offering transparent information on their website, even scheduling a forum with C.A.R.E. 281 spokespeople (who backed out at 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of the forum). District officials attribute the loss to the "The Dorr Factor" of race-baiting and campaign shenanigans: illegally placed lawn signs, a last-minute lit attack piece that purportedly had 12 inaccuracies and "lies" plus robo-calls. Officials are investigating campaign tactics. R'Dale Superintendent Stan Mack commented, "Adults behaving badly leads to hurting our children." Meanwhile, back at the R'anch, C.A.R.E. 281 submitted a preemptive suit filed against the state, claiming its First Amendment rights have been violated because of a statute that bans factual distortions in school referendums. Then today they threw in a revised version, suing Superintendent Mack. PIM obtained C.A.R.E.'s latest press release (PDF).
Did Partisan Tactics Defeat R'Dale Referendum?
According to local GOP and Democratic sources, partisan politics was neutralized for the most part, with voters falling on both sides of the issue. One GOP source reported that Republican voter lists were evidently abused, offensively used as phone and mailing lists without approval of local GOP leadership for purposes other than their original intent - to help Republicans get elected to office. Senate District 45 GOP leadership remained neutral on the issue, with officers and former GOP candidates taking a pro or neutral stance on the referendum. GOP SD45 Treasurer Tom Heseman reportedly voiced frustration on their website with folks in the party for an all-taxes-are-bad approach to the problem.
However, Minnesota GOP Senate District 44 Blog promoted C.A.R.E. 281, with a continuous posting by Chad since Oct. 8: "One such school district has been talked about much lately — Dist. 281. And the folks in the 281 C.A.R.E. Committee have simply had enough. If you live in, or know someone who does live in district 281, here is what you can do... If you would like your own lawn sign, call 763-519-0001 and leave a message that you would like a sign. They're free (with a letter soliciting for contributions).... In you live in Golden Valley, you may be part of District 281. A map of the district is available here. If you are in District 281 and aren't happy about the prospect of more of your hard-earned dollars going down the public school sinkhole, call for your sign today."
Bad Timing: Senator Coleman's Vets Vote
On the day that the Star Tribune wrote that 25% of America's homeless are veterans, The Hill reported that GOP Senator Norm Coleman voted to strip important funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs from the Labor, Health and Human Services & Education bill. The article notes that $65 billion was stripped out of the bill, and with razor-thin majority and the necessity to reach 60 votes for passage in the Senate means that the funding has a daunting task in order to get passed. Coleman voted for the funding earlier, then against it after President George Bush vowed to veto the legislation. The New York Times tells of the new homeless Iraq and Afghanistan vets here. Oh, and Sunday (celebrated on Monday for some) is Veteran's Day. Be sure to thank a Vet that day for service to our country.
MinnPost Launches And Matters
Congratulations to founder Joel Kramer and everyone at MinnPost.com on a successful launch this week. Right off the screen the first day Doug Grow's story has people buzzing.
Democrats want to know why did his piece in MinnPost put the emphasis on DFL finance woes, as indicated by the title. Looks like The Minnesota Republican Party has their own major financial issues in the off-year, with allegations from former finance director Dwight Tostenson saying the party was using party employees' retirement account money to cover party expenses, coupled with the ongoing Federal Election Commission investigation filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), a Washington-based nonprofit watchdog, accusing MN GOP of violating federal regulations. Doug's a great guy, and we can only surmise that there was transparency from DFL Chair Brian Melendez and that GOP Chair Ron Carey was not so forthcoming. It will all be rectified by mountains of dough from presidential races in 2008.
Can't See The Forest For The Trees
A few weeks ago, we left House Minority Leader Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) wandering in the hearing wilderness [see Oct. 19 article "Let’s Have Hearings... Lots & LOTS of Hearings"]. This week, we find him staring at a forest located in the Land of Confusion.
The House Republicans released the "Land of Confusion" chart this past week, detailing in flow-chart fashion the current committee structure of the House Democrats. Each branch generates several offshoots, which then generate additional levels... before you know it, you are staring at one complex family tree of over 80 House Democratic committees. Download the Land of Confusion from PIM here (PDF).
A prime example: the Finance committee begat the Health Care & Human Services Finance committee (one of 12 children), which begat the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access (one of two), which begat another 10 subcommittees of its own (with specific names like "Restructuring the Health Care System through Identified Savings Subcommittee," or "Development of New Cost Containment Strategies Subcommittee.")
Despite the sudden influx of trees, the GOP isn’t convinced of efficiency or productivity. According to Seifert, "When all is said and done, there will be a lot more said than done." [DAN SAYS: On the other hand, Legislatures are a bit like think tanks: One of their main jobs is to investigate relevant stuff.]
Bits & Pieces
Steve Perry, who is in the process of launching the Daily Mole, posted a hilarious satire of MinnPost.com, dubbed MinnToast.com, "A thoughtfully buttered approach to news." First, "a few things you should know. Number One and Don’t You Ever Forget It:
WE'RE PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS and the other guys, well they're
professional, too, but not as professional as we are..."
Check out GovernmentDocs.org, a new Web deep research site featuring batches of documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. Supported by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Project on Government Oversight, Public Citizen and other groups, the site will "advance the values of open and accountable government" by "giving the public an unprecedented level of access to government documents by allowing users to browse, search, and review hundreds of thousands of pages acquired through" FOIA and other public disclosure, or "sunshine" laws. On the site, "citizen reviewers" can review and comment on documents, adding their insights to the work of national organizations involved. All the site's material is instantly searchable, thanks to a powerful Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems. Interestingly enough, nine thousand pages of U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman's 2002 campaign activity were posted by the watchdog CREW organization. But will the classics of www.foia.cia.gov make it onto the system?
Lots of Republicans want to know why Star Tribune editorial writer Dave Hage is still writing for the editorial pages when he's been "outed" as a Democrat (surprise!) after going to work for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as her communications director. Lots of Democrats (many of them, FoA -- Friends of Amy) want to know how long Hage will last in the job, since he's been working in the staid environment of thinking, researching and writing and then jumping into a cauldron where the boss reportedly demands that staff make sure her name is liberally sprinkled in the media.
Well-wishes go out to Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat as he recovers from a vicious attack and car-jacking at his home in Robbinsdale. We hope they catch the thieves, too!
Our condolences to the family of Paul Kuettel, of Falcon Heights, who passed away on Sunday, November 4th, after a lengthy battle with liver disease. Paul was an avid blogger (under the name 'Wog') and former GOP candidate in what used to be District 54A.
On Wednesday, November 14th, Oscar & Emmy award-winner Jane Fonda is delivering the keynote address, "My Life's Lessons About Sex and Gender," at the Koryne Horbal Lecture Series to benefit the Anne Pederson Women's Resource Center at Augsburg College. The center prepares young women to become powerful leaders in a global community. Fonda speaks at 10 a.m. in the Si Melby Hall. On Tuesday prior to the Augsburg event, Fonda will make a special guest appearance in Room G-15 at the Capitol at 3 p.m. to honor four exceptional women leaders as they receive the first-ever Women's Leadership Awards. The recipients are: Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Kate Knuth (DFL-New Brighton), Deborah Watts, and Coleen Rowley, handed out by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Feminist Caucus in conjunction with the fledgling Democratic Women Leadership Coalition.
Congratulations to newly-elected Duluth Mayor Donny Ness. At 33, he is one of the youngest mayors in America, but comes in with a solid track-record of eight years serving on the Duluth City Council, so expect expertise from his end. Guess we'll have to call him Don now. And as the former campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (DFL-MN8), he has demonstrated political savvy, which always comes in handy. Good luck with the City!
Radio personality Jason Lewis will be moderating "Aiming High for Health Care in 2008," a discussion of patient-centered, free-market strategies at the Citizen's Council on Health Care's 6th Annual Health Care Policy Event. Minority Leader Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall), will make an appearance, as well as Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano); Sue Blevins, President of the Institute for Health Freedom; Richard Dolinar, MD, senior fellow at the Heartland Institute; and David Gratzer, MD, author of "THE CURE: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care." The event is Thursday, November 15 from 8 a.m. to noon, the cost is $50.00. To register go online at cchconline.org or call 651-646-8935.
Throw out the moldy jack-o-lantern and drag in the Christmas tree. "A Visit from Ghosts of Christmas Past," is the theme of this year's Annual Minnesota Governmental Relations Council Meeting and Holiday Reception. The panel of wise spirits reminiscing of leadership days of old include Roger Moe, former Senate Majority Leader; Duane Benson, former Senate Minority Leader; Dee Long, former Speaker of the House; and Bob Vanasek, former Speaker of the House. The meeting at 4 p.m. includes a well-deserved recognition of Jeanne Olson for her 27 years of service at the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the 12 most recent as Executive Director. Festivities will be held at The Commodore in St. Paul on December 12. Register ($25 members, $35 non-members) by December 10 online at mngrc.org.
Remember the 1995 film, The American President? When asked how he came to dance so well, Michell Douglas' character (The President) responds "It's Arthur Murray. Six lessons." Keeping in step, who better to assist local politicos as they "Dance with the Stars" at 2008's GOP National Convention that Minneapolis' local Arthur Murray studio? While we at PIM applaud the marketing, we question the mailing list... it was a DFL House member who passed this tidbit on.
Former Secretary of State Joan Growe has endorsed Mike Ciresi as her U.S. Senate candidate of choice for the DFL. She joins the ranks of Assistant House Majority Leader Melissa Hortman, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, State Rep. Rick Hansen (D-South St. Paul), and State Rep. Paul Gardner (D-Shoreview), among others. The Ciresi campaign is greatly encouraged by the latest poll results from Rasmussen Reports. Based on a pool of 500 likely voters, Norm Coleman leads Ciresi by only three points, as opposed to his seven-point lead over DFL endorsement competitor Al Franken.
El Tinklenberg, who hopes to oust Sixth CD Rep. Michele Bachmann, has garnered the endorsement of UNITE HERE Minnesota. UNITE HERE Minnesota is a Twin Cities union that represents employees of hospitality related businesses, the majority of whom are women, and includes high percentages of African-American, Latino, and Asian-American workers.
PIM's longtime advertiser Trail Blazer, a provider of advanced campaign software and services, stacked up their first Canadian election victory as Laura Ross won the constituency of Regina Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan.
The Minneapolis City Council's Free Speech Working Group will be meeting on Wednesday, November 14th at 11 a.m. in City Hall, room 333, looking at a number of proposed ordinance changes involving upcoming RNC protests, possibly impacting free speech for years. Previous proposals included nasty permit rules and banning downtown protests during rush hour. Communities United Against Police Brutality says, "If you care about the right to protest, make it your business to be at that meeting."
The Center of the American Experiment hosts Chip Mellor speaking on "Protecting the Constitutional Right to Earn an Honest Living," on Tuesday, November 13th at the Depot Minneapolis. Mellor is a co-founder of the Institute for Justice, a libertarian public interest litigation firm, which recently defeated the Minneapolis 'taxi cartel,' laudably forcing more taxi permits to become available. Register online or email Peter Zeller @ the AmExp, or call 612-338-3605.
The third and final version of the popular 9/11 Internet conspiracy film, "Loose Change: Final Cut," will premiere at the Riverview Theater on November 11th at 4:30 p.m. Mn911Truth.org says that producer Jason Bermas will be on hand, and Air America Minnesota is heavily promoting the event on their website.
Retired Minneapolis police veteran Michael Quinn is touring the country, teaching ethics classes to police officers, most recently in Gulfport, Mississippi. His book, "Walking With the Devil: What Bad Cops Don't Want You to Know and Good Cops Won't Tell You," addresses the police 'code of silence' and accountability. Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford said that the book had such a profound effect on him, he uses its scenarios when grilling job applicants. Coleen Rowley dubbed it a must-read for law enforcement agents.
The Citizens League website, propertytaxfacts.mn, was featured in the November 1 Pioneer Press article, "Higher taxes, better schools? No."
Minnesota 2020 Fellow John Fitzgerald posted interesting commentary, video, and public feedback addressing former GOP state representative Phil Krinkie's controversial comments at the Schools for Equity in Education talk in September. Krinkie suggested that high schools could have 200 kids in the classroom like universities do, that special education students should be jettisoned from public schools, among other things. Never one to back down from a fight, whether right or Righter, Krinkie's reaction to the overwhelming negative response is here.
Congratulations to incoming Minnesota Agri-Growth Council new chair Joe Swedberg from Hormel.
PIM's Office Manager, Ricé Davis, strongly suggests seeing The Home Place (until November 25th) at The Guthrie. The show received high praise from Terry Teachout of the Wall Street Journal. Oh, and by the way, Maggie Chestovich, Ricé's daughter, has a perfectly yummy part in this play!
Congratulations to WCCO TV for choosing the highly regarded Scott Libin to be the station's news director. Worth noting on this story is that only the only people to interview Libin were Brian Lambert and Deborah Rybak over at The Rake.
Lobbyist Watch
From the Minnesota Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board:
Politics in Minnesota: Setting The Record Straight
Last week your publisher pulled off a trifecta of errors in the story about the St. Paul City Council races. Messerli & Kramer lobbyist Nancy Haas is not married to David Haas, who lost to incumbent Lee Helgin. Haas is her brother. And Haas is spelled Haas, not Hass. All that fine reporting on all the City Council races is Tim Nelson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, not Tim Dolan, who is the Minneapolis Chief of Police. Apologies to all aggrieved parties.
Morning Reports
