State of the State of the State and Snow, Snow, Snow
By Rochelle Olson
The news Tuesday morning from Baltimore about the collapse of the Key Bridge — and rescuers searching for cars and survivors in the water — is an absolute gut punch for Minnesotans who remember where they were Aug. 1, 2007.
That's a painful start to the day and I'm sorry for this rough segue, but we've got politics to discuss because Gov. Tim Walz will give his State of the State address at 7 p.m. at what is sure to be an impressive new high school in Owatonna. He's heading there to highlight the community's commitment to itself, education and innovation. I've got a story to get you started on what the speech might look like as the governor's firmly in his second term with a wide horizon of options after piloting through the twin crises of Covid-19 and civil unrest in his first. (Strib Columnist Evan Ramstad was there in November for an informative column about the place.)
Will Walz mention that he was once a high school football coach and that Owatonna is a lot nicer than the buildings he taught in with modular makeshift walls separating the classrooms?
I don't know, but I see the snow and am not looking forward to the drive south this afternoon.
STAY CLOSE: Don't wander far from the Star Tribune website this morning because there will be breaking news from Briana Bierschbach. (I'll say no more.) We'll also find out whether former Gov. Jesse Ventura is the running mate of anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. I'm guessing no but we all know I've been wrong before.
NEW TOPIC: What I know for sure is I don't need to hear another billionaire talking about defiling breakfast, my favorite meal of the day. I am sparing you all the onomatopoeia of that one word that the heiress used. Cheers to Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert for the pancakes and to the Wall Street Journal's Chicago-based Joe Barrett, who (I've been informed) ran the quote past at least one bartender at a landmark Duluth establishment to make sure it was in the vernacular. No word on whether Cargill took Barrett for a spin in one of her McLarens, although I think he would have mentioned that. This was a car I didn't know existed until I googled the Cargill heiress-by-marriage.
TOUR DE COURTS: Walz told MPR's Brian Bakst last Friday that the interviews for state Supreme Court candidates are starting this week. Remember when I told you Karl Procaccini was a candidate and then months later he was chosen? The only *possible* contenders I've heard this time are Solicitor General Liz Kramer and Court of Appeals Judge Elise Larson. Ok, I've heard more but I'm not allowed to say their names publicly.
I am a Supreme Court stan so please enjoy this paywall-free Q&A with Chief Justice Natalie Hudson by the 19th via the Minnesota Reformer.
TRIUMPHANT TYLER: A 95-year-old Minneapolis woman, Geraldine Tyler, is finally going to be compensated for what the U.S. Supreme Court said was an illegal taking of her condo. Her money is part of a $109 million settlement agreement of class-action lawsuits affecting some 6,000 Minnesotans who lost home equity when their homes were seized by the government because of unpaid taxes. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously said the property takings were illegal in a ruling last May. The Legislature is expected to approve the settlement (negotiated on behalf of the state by Liz Kramer) in the supplemental budget this year and perhaps change the unconstitutional state law as well. I hope Ms. Tyler is in a position to enjoy her remuneration.
TOUR DE COURTS II: The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case Tuesday that could limit access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used for medication abortions. The first of former President Donald Trump's four criminal trials is set to begin April 15. That's the hush money case involving alleged payments during the 2016 campaign to cover-up Trump's marital infidelities. In other Trump-court news, the former president has been given ten days to put up $175 million or New York will start seizing his assets.
GENDER ID: The Capitol was nearly barren when I arrived Monday, but there was action, including a *packed news conference by House Republicans who say they want a religious exemption to the Human Rights Act for gender identity. Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, offered an amendment on the House floor that was curbed without debate on a motion by Majority Leader Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis. "It is our duty to safeguard the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, including the right of each Minnesotan to freely exercise their religion," Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said at the news conference. "This is not just an issue of one faith tradition; this is an issue that affects all of us." Gender identity protection was added to the Human Rights Act in 2023 and religious organizations weren't exempted. House Judiciary Finance Chair Jamie Becker-Finn, DFL-Roseville, said she's seen no evidence the change has caused harm. "They're doing this because it gets them a lot of clicks and they get to give some fun speeches on the floor," she said. Niska countered that the mere existence of the provision is a harm to freedom of religion and predicted lawsuits.
*Big Kudos to the House GOP for NOT doing a Last Supper News Conference. The GOP brought at least a couple dozen supporters but only Niska and Demuth spoke before opening it up for questions.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: Sen. Amy Klobuchar at 1:04 a.m. on March 23: "Hello 2 a.m.ers! For everyone who is still awake, we just passed the budget and averted a shutdown. You're welcome."
The self-congratulatory tone did not set well with the numerous responders, including actor/podcaster Clifton Duncan who responded with his interpretation of the Tweet: "Be grateful I exist, peasant."
A full schedule of committee action at the Capitol. https://www.leg.mn.gov/calendarday
WHERE'S WALZ:
His speech is the only public item on his schedule.
READING LIST
- A national report found Mayo Clinic to be one of the nation's worst nonprofit health systems when it comes to "fair share" deficit, Christopher Snowbeck reports. Find out what that means in his story.
- Colleague Louis Krauss wrote about Sen. Warren Limmer's (R-Maple Grove) concerns about injuries from cows if guns are restricted. Paging Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen, what say you?
- Plans for the Mystery Cove Waterpark at Mall of America have been scaled back, Tim Harlow reports.
- Paging Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville. When Kansas lobbyists ask for new laws, their names go on the bill. ICYMI I wrote about the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board and Marty's successful efforts for more disclosure last session. Board ED Jeff Sigurdson is an invaluable source on these laws.
- A necropsy reveals Flaco had a pigeon virus and high levels of rodent pesticide in his body that would have been debilitating and likely contributed to his fatal collision.
- And that's that for the Tuesday Dish. You're welcome.
You'll be seeing me double this week as I'm back to write Hot Dish on Friday. Again, you're welcome.
Keep us posted at hotdish@startribune.com.
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