Checks and Balances
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: INVESTIGATION FINDS EXCESSIVE RENOVATIONS AT U OF M PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
Saturday, January 7th, 2012The U of M has long required its president to live in the presidential mansion (known as the Eastcliff mansion) as part of his or her contract with the University. President Kaler transitioned into his role this past summer, bringing more media attention to his luxurious living at a time when tuition continues to climb [...]
LEGACY ARTS AND CRAFTS SLUSH SPENDING LACKS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011Much of the funding from the 2008 Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution goes to legitimate projects with good purpose and intention. There are, however, millions of dollars unaccounted for by state government, many of which are going to questionable (and downright maddening) causes. The Legacy Amendment increased the state sales tax by three-eighths of [...]
DAYTON BOYCOTTS MEETING WHILE GOP LEADERS OFFER AN OLIVE BRANCH
Monday, June 6th, 2011Gov. Dayton sat on the sidelines this morning (likely in his panic room office) as GOP and DFL legislators sat in a meeting room, waiting for his attendance. The legislators had gathered after being told in advance they were to meet with the Governor about education funding. GOP staff confirmed through an email that Dayton [...]
DAYTON REMOVES HIMSELF FROM BUDGET IMPASSE, TRIES TO APPOINT PARTISAN ‘MEDIATOR’ TO BROKER A DEAL
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011Governor Dayton’s inability to lead reached a new low today when he suggested a professional mediator be hired to break the stalemate between him and House and Senate leaders during a press conference. Dayton seemed so frustrated with the slow progress of budget negotiations that he openly suggested “outside help” be brought in to clean [...]
WHEN WILL IT END? SEN DFL LEADER BAKK COMPARES GOP PRINCIPLES TO THAT OF A CULT
Monday, May 23rd, 2011In a press conference today, Senate DFL Minority Leader Tom Bakk’s real thoughts came out, only hours before the session is required to end at midnight. Bakk compared GOP legislator’s refusal to compromise on tax increases to activity of a cult.
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS COME DOWN TO THE WIRE BUT DAYTON WANTS TO KEEP HIS GARDENER
Thursday, May 19th, 2011As lawmakers approach the May 23rd deadline to reach an agreement with Gov. Dayton on a balanced budget, this week has been jammed pack with activity on both the House and Senate sides. Gov. Dayton announced his intention to raise taxes by only a couple billion dollars instead of his original plan that called for [...]
CLEANING HOUSE: SEN. ELLEN ANDERSON DUMPED FROM LCCMR, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST MAY HAVE CAUGHT UP TO HER
Monday, February 7th, 2011Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) was dropped today in her request to be re-appointed to the Minnesota LCCMR. Every two years, the Senate Rules and Admin Committee appoints members, and this year’s slate was unanimously approved by the group, which includes DFL Senate Minority Leader, Tom Bakk. Politics in Minnesota covered the story today when [...]
MUST READ FROM CHECKS & BALANCES: “CLAIMING WELLSTONE’S LEGACY”
Monday, December 24th, 2007"It is clear that in the field of Democratic candidates set to challenge U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) the spirit of Paul Wellstone remains. Each candidate in their own way invokes the remembrances of the late Senator and his tragic demise along with those of his wife Shelia, daughter Marcia, and the others who died [...]
CHECKS AND BALANCES UNCOVERS MORE PROBLEMS FOR ELLISON
Thursday, August 17th, 2006"*This story is quite complex and requires more explanation. We are including this information to help clarify the issue with Keith Ellison's past relationships with the federal and state government. Fact, from the mid 1990's until 2002 Ellison failed to pay his state or federal taxes. Because he was a sole proprietorship the lack of [...]
MDE EXCLUSIVE: ANOTHER SHOE FROM ELLISON’S CLOSET TO DROP? #3
Thursday, July 6th, 2006Checks and Balances has more information on Ellison's driving record. The title of the story is great. ## "Ellison is Driven to Succeed, But Driven by Others. It's a good thing a one of the standard practices in a well run campaign involves staff chauffeuring of the candidate because 5th Congressional District Candidate Keith Ellison (D) [...]
CHECKS AND BALANCES: MN PUBLIUS’ CREDIBILTY QUESTIONED
Thursday, June 29th, 2006President Ronald Reagan (R) agreed to missile reductions with the Soviet Union under the "trust but verify" model. Blogs would be well served if they employed similar tactics. Everyone wants to be the first to publish a story. The scoop is what drives newspaper sales, ratings points, page views and all other metrics associated with [...]
MDE EXCLUSIVE: COMPUTER SUBTERFUGE BY ELLISON’S CAMPAIGN? #2
Monday, May 8th, 2006This post generated a firestorm of comments and I thought I would respond. I agree that Checks and Balances' analysis is questionable and Shawn Towle's methods of reporting are suspect. But that doesn't justify someone editing Checks and Balances without permission. You will always find more complaints of Checks and Balances on my blog than compliments. It would be foolish for [...]
CHECKS AND BALANCES: “JEFFERS FLAWED POLITICAL CHOICE”
Thursday, April 27th, 2006Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. My compliments to Checks and Balances for finding the nut. ## Jeffers Flawed Political Choice Susan Jeffers, owner of Stub & Herbs, Bar & Restaurant had the opportunity to affect the upcoming gubernatorial election by standing as a Libertarian Party candidate for Governor, but she has misguidedly [...]