AM.MN: DFL guv candidates make promises at Native American forum

All 20 or so were asked, but a first-ever forum on American Indian issues in Bemidji drew nine gubernatorial candidates, all DFLers. Tom Bakk promised no racinos. Mark Dayton and Margaret Anderson Kelliher called tribal leaders their peers. Tom Rukavina said he’d put a Native American in his “kitchen cabinet.” R.T. Rybak lauded “incredible” Indian communities. Matt Entenza pledged “fewer creeds and more deeds.” Paul Thissen focused on what the state and tribes share. John Marty promised “respect” and “a joint agenda.” (Steve Kelley’s comments weren’t reported; Susan Gaertner wasn’t there.)

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

STATE CAPITOL: An “austere” package. Gov. Pawlenty makes his plans for bonding public at 11 a.m. today. [Associated Press]

ST. PAUL: Publisher seeks Independence Party nod for guv. Is Rob Hahn really that desperate to get out of the print business? [Pioneer Press]

PRIOR LAKE: School districts race to “Race to the Top.” Now-or-never federal aid tempts 250 Minnesota districts, boosts Pawlenty’s “Q Comp” merit-pay program. [Prior Lake American]

STATEWIDE: Teacher contracts provide punching bag. Tonight’s the deadline to settle. [Star Tribune]

MINNEAPOLIS: DFL Latino caucus backs Rybak. The mayor promises to bring politics of division to a “crashing halt.” [Polinaut]

STATE CAPITOL: Vandal chucks rocks through glass doors. Police apprehended a man with a Major League arm. [Radio Free Nation]