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Tom Rukavina - Latest Stories

Rukavina: Pawlenty usurped Legislature’s power in ‘unconstitutional’ unallotment

By Paul Schmelzer | 11.17.09 | 5:49 pm

Picture 42Asked what the biggest threat facing Minnesota now is, gubernatorial candidate and state Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, is quick with an answer: Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unallotments. In a video by Craig Stellmacher, Rukavina says the legislature “should’ve come out…

AM.MN: In guv race, Rukavina promises ‘moxie,’ Jungbauer brandishes ‘B.S.’

By Chris Steller | 09.08.09 | 8:30 am

am.mn logoState Rep. Tom Rukavina tried to announce his 2010 run for governor at the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic in Duluth but got the bum’s rush from organizers who said speaking slots were filled with locals. So Rukavina…

Video: Democrats debate at State Fair

By Paul Demko | 09.02.09 | 12:08 pm

A Democrat hasn’t been elected governor in Minnesota since 1986. If that trend continues in 2010 it certainly won’t be for a lack of qualified candidates. Currently nine DFLers have announced their intention to seek the state’s top office, with…

Best days to be unemployed in Minnesota: Thursdays and Fridays

By Chris Steller | 08.11.09 | 2:31 pm

That’s because those are the days with the shortest wait-times for help from state workforce centers, according to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Dan McElroy. But in other testimony before a state House committee Monday, a man who…

Marty is the Great Pumpkin in early DFL straw poll for guv

By Chris Steller | 07.28.09 | 3:13 pm

Late results of a very early straw poll in the race for DFL governor show state Sen. John Marty slightly ahead of former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton for the lead, with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul…

Rukavina brings populist message to governor’s race

By Paul Demko | 07.27.09 | 5:45 pm

State Rep. Tom Rukavina is not hesitant to advocate higher taxes. While many of his DFL colleagues danced rhetorical circles around the state’s budgetary mess during the last legislative session, the 12-term Iron Range legislator repeatedly stated that increased revenue would need to be part of any solution. Now Rukavina is looking to bring that blunt — and perhaps politically obtuse — talk to the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Rukavina files paperwork for governor’s race

By Paul Demko | 07.23.09 | 12:41 pm

rukavinaState Rep. Tom Rukavina has created a campaign committee to explore a potential gubernatorial bid. The veteran Iron Range legislator joins a crowded field. Seven other Democrats have filed…

Who’s in for 2010: Democrats eyeing the governor’s mansion

By Paul Demko | 06.15.09 | 10:35 am

Only one thing is certain about the 2010 gubernatorial contest: It will be crowded field. Some three dozen politicians are thinking about climbing into the race. Here’s a look at the crop of DFL contenders.

Zellers on booze tax: ‘We’re gonna balance the budget on Joe Six Pack’s six pack’

By Paul Demko | 05.08.09 | 5:49 pm

The Minnesota House of Representative is in the midst of a spirited, often cranky debate over a DFL tax bill that includes $1 billion in tax increases, including one on alcohol.

Firefighters, lawmakers ramp up outrage over Pawlenty’s proposed cuts

By Paul Demko | 03.26.09 | 5:56 pm

Public safety officers and legislators held a noontime rally at the Capitol today to reinforce their opposition to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed 14 percent cut to Local Government Aid, which many cities and towns rely on to fund core services like police, fire and libraries.