Sen. John Carlson, R-Bemidji, apologized on Saturday for authoring legislation that would repeal the Pay Equity Act, a 1980s law that ensures male and female public employees earn the same wages for the same jobs. The Minnesota Independent first reported that the bill contained the repeal, hidden among dozens of other local government mandate repeals.
Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, chair the House Education Reform Committee, had strong words for an Education Minnesota plan to include 90 days of classroom supervision for teachers undergoing an alternative licensing program in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio on Tuesday evening. Erickson said the plan amounted to a “teacher Gestapo,” and unions have already seized on those comments as an example of the overheated rhetoric that has become hotly debated across the nation in the wake of the tragedy in Tuscon. Erickson tells the Minnesota Independent Wednesday she “overstepped her bounds” with the comment and apologized.
Democrats haven’t won a gubernatorial contests in Minnesota in more than two decades. The formation of a new political action committee is more evidence that they’re serious about ending that drought in 2010.
After a tough 2006 electoral battle in which Democrat Ken Tschumper prevailed over incumbent Gregory Davids, the opponents will face off again this year. It is perhaps the most intriguing rematch of the electoral season, but it’s far from the only one. There are at least seven other competitive state House contests that pit foes against each other for a second — or even third — time.
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