By Rachel D'oro
Associated Press
Updated: 07/31/2009 10:35:42 AM CDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Fans to Sarah Palin: Please, post a tidbit on Facebook. A little chirp on Twitter would be nice.
It's been five whole days since Palin stepped down as Alaska's governor and her Internet fans are dying to know what's next.
"Sarah can you give us just a hint!" writes one Facebook follower.
But the hockey mom-turned politician who promised to launch her change to private life on social networking sites has been quiet so far. In fact, she's gone "dark," leaving supporters to flood the Web with speculation.
The big question on their minds is the 2012 presidential race. Will she or won't she?
Her silence is not keeping supporters from discussing the possibility of her chasing the country's top job or taking on another national role.
Said one Facebook entry: "Drill, Drill, Drill ... all the way to the White House!!!!"
Said another: "Sarah, our country really NEEDS YOU NOW!!!"
One person asked Palin if she was keeping tabs on the site.
"Is there any way you could somehow let us know you're reading this?" the poster asked. "Maybe a little tweet sometime when you get your Twitter up again."
The clamor comes amid a vacuum of knowledge about what awaits the former GOP vice presidential candidate since she left the state office Sunday with 16 months remaining in her first term. Her departure came with no elaboration of her long-term political plans. Short-term, she was expected to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, but her spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, posted a note on Palin's Facebook page Thursday that she is not attending the event. She gave no explanation, and did not respond to requests for comment on the ex-governor's plans.
Palin has said she could campaign for political candidates across the U.S. Also making the rounds are unconfirmed reports that Palin could be open to being a conservative voice on a radio show.
Or she could be a homemaker, according to a third of 900 voters responding to a poll by FOX News. Even members of her own party are divided over what Palin should do next. The poll, released this week, showed 27 percent of Republicans believe the vice presidency would best suit Palin, followed by 18 percent who see her as a homemaker, 14 percent who would cast her as a talk show host and 12 percent who favor her as president.
In her last three months as governor, Palin routinely tweeted about state business and other subjects, including domestic energy development, the death of Alaska-based soldiers and dismissals of ethics complaints against her. Nearing her gubernatorial departure, she indicated she would use a personal account on Twitter to continue to stay in touch and more freely speak her mind.
"10 dys til less politically correct twitters fly frm my fingertps outside State site," she tweeted July 17.
Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said Palin will resume her Twitter feeds in the near future. He said he was not at liberty to discuss any of her post-office activities.
Where some supporters are concerned, soon is not soon enough to hear from Palin.
"Anyone find it strange that Sarah has not shown up at all on Twitter by now??? If she waits too long, people will move on," one supporter wrote Thursday on the Web site Conservatives 4 Palin.
Wrote another: "Sarah can't even go 4 days without tweeting? I think she's smart to go 'dark' for a while."
That she is laying low came as no surprise to Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin's political action committee. SarahPAC reportedly has raised more than $1 million.
"Seeing how she just left office, I would think she's taking a few days off," Pryor said. The time off is a way for the governor to "shut off the lights and close the door and go from one chapter to another."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Candidates sought for open judgeship in Dakota County
Pioneer Press
Updated: 07/24/2009 11:09:00 PM CDT
The Commission on Judicial Selection is seeking applications for a new judge in the First Judicial District.
Judge Leslie M. Metzen, who was chambered in Dakota County, retired May 20, creating a vacancy.
The district spans seven counties. Licensed Minnesota attorneys who are residents of the district may request an application by calling 651-296-0019. Applications are due by Aug. 19.
— Frederick Melo
Updated: 07/24/2009 11:09:00 PM CDT
The Commission on Judicial Selection is seeking applications for a new judge in the First Judicial District.
Judge Leslie M. Metzen, who was chambered in Dakota County, retired May 20, creating a vacancy.
The district spans seven counties. Licensed Minnesota attorneys who are residents of the district may request an application by calling 651-296-0019. Applications are due by Aug. 19.
— Frederick Melo
Source: WCCO
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ― Click to enlarge1 of 2
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Joan LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit.
Almost five months after a Twin Cities woman was hit in a crosswalk, a man is charged for leaving the scene of the crash.
Eric Hunter, 40, was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor for the crash that happened on March 6. Joan LeVasseur, 26, was removed from life support a week later.
LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit. No one ever came forward to say they hit her. Days later and less than a mile away, Apple Valley police found a Ford Focus at Hunter's home in Rosemount. They found blood on the windshield.
When police talked to Hunter's co-workers they told them he'd been parking on a hill at work so no one would see his car. At one point someone heard Hunter say "they're going to take that girl off life support."
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Bob Boever is Joan's stepfather and can't believe the possible punishment.
"We were hoping than we could get on with getting Joanie some justice. That idea didn't last to long," he said.
Hunter hasn't said why he left that night, only that he didn't see her in the dark until it was too late.
"To leave your child for dead on the road is something that should be a stronger punishment. I think any mother and father in Minnesota would understand that," said Boever.
Hunter has also been charged for driving on a suspended license. Accident reconstruction teams determined he was not speeding at the time of the collision. He's being held on a $80,000 bail. Hunter is scheduled to be back in court in Sept. 21.
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ― Click to enlarge1 of 2
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Joan LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit.
Almost five months after a Twin Cities woman was hit in a crosswalk, a man is charged for leaving the scene of the crash.
Eric Hunter, 40, was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor for the crash that happened on March 6. Joan LeVasseur, 26, was removed from life support a week later.
LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit. No one ever came forward to say they hit her. Days later and less than a mile away, Apple Valley police found a Ford Focus at Hunter's home in Rosemount. They found blood on the windshield.
When police talked to Hunter's co-workers they told them he'd been parking on a hill at work so no one would see his car. At one point someone heard Hunter say "they're going to take that girl off life support."
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Bob Boever is Joan's stepfather and can't believe the possible punishment.
"We were hoping than we could get on with getting Joanie some justice. That idea didn't last to long," he said.
Hunter hasn't said why he left that night, only that he didn't see her in the dark until it was too late.
"To leave your child for dead on the road is something that should be a stronger punishment. I think any mother and father in Minnesota would understand that," said Boever.
Hunter has also been charged for driving on a suspended license. Accident reconstruction teams determined he was not speeding at the time of the collision. He's being held on a $80,000 bail. Hunter is scheduled to be back in court in Sept. 21.
Rosemount man charged in deadly hit and run
Source: KARE 11
A Rosemount man has been charged in a March hit and run that killed a 26-year-old woman.
Eric Hunter has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, which are felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of driving after suspension.
According to the criminal complaint, Joan LeVasseur was hit by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street in Apple Valley on March 6.
LeVasseur suffered severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and fractures to both legs. She died about a week after she was hit.
Several days after LeVasseur was hit, officers were tipped off about a car that matched the suspect vehicle's description. Officers checked out the vehicle and it had damage to the windshield and hood.
Investigators got a search warrant for the car and, according to the criminal complaint, they found blood on the windshield, which was a DNA match to LeVasseur.
Officers interviewed Hunter's coworkers, who noted several unusual incidents. One man recalled seeing Hunter's vehicle parked some distance from the lot where employees usually parked their vehicles even there were available spaces. The coworker commented that a vehicle parked that far away was less visible to others.
Another coworker remembers talking to Hunter on March 13. Hunter allegedly said things were "going to get kinda weird around here." Hunter also noted that "they were going to take that girl off life support." The coworker asked Hunter if he hit that girl and Hunter allegedly told the coworker that he did.
According to the criminal complaint, the Minnesota State Patrol reconstructed the accident and determined that Hunter's vehicle was traveling between 39 and 46 miles per hour when he hit LeVasseur. However, authorities say a big contributing factor to the crash was that LeVasseur crossed the intersection against the light.
Authorities say Hunter's license was suspended last October and was still suspended as of March 6.
A Rosemount man has been charged in a March hit and run that killed a 26-year-old woman.
Eric Hunter has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, which are felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of driving after suspension.
According to the criminal complaint, Joan LeVasseur was hit by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street in Apple Valley on March 6.
LeVasseur suffered severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and fractures to both legs. She died about a week after she was hit.
Several days after LeVasseur was hit, officers were tipped off about a car that matched the suspect vehicle's description. Officers checked out the vehicle and it had damage to the windshield and hood.
Investigators got a search warrant for the car and, according to the criminal complaint, they found blood on the windshield, which was a DNA match to LeVasseur.
Officers interviewed Hunter's coworkers, who noted several unusual incidents. One man recalled seeing Hunter's vehicle parked some distance from the lot where employees usually parked their vehicles even there were available spaces. The coworker commented that a vehicle parked that far away was less visible to others.
Another coworker remembers talking to Hunter on March 13. Hunter allegedly said things were "going to get kinda weird around here." Hunter also noted that "they were going to take that girl off life support." The coworker asked Hunter if he hit that girl and Hunter allegedly told the coworker that he did.
According to the criminal complaint, the Minnesota State Patrol reconstructed the accident and determined that Hunter's vehicle was traveling between 39 and 46 miles per hour when he hit LeVasseur. However, authorities say a big contributing factor to the crash was that LeVasseur crossed the intersection against the light.
Authorities say Hunter's license was suspended last October and was still suspended as of March 6.
Man Charged in Fatal Apple Valley Hit-and-Run
Source: KSTP TV
A 40-year-old man was charged Friday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Apple Valley on March 6.
Eric James Hunter, of Rosemount, faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension for allegedly fleeing after he hit Joan LeVasseur, 26, at the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street.
LeVasseur was taken off life support on March 16, and died shortly after. Her family says LeVasseur was deaf and engaged to be married.
Officers questioned Hunter's co-workers, who say he admitted to hitting LeVasseur, according to the criminal complaint.
Police found a car at Hunter's home they believe was the vehicle that hit LeVasseur in late March. According to the search warrant, the Hunter's vehicle has a smashed passenger window and a two-foot hole in the body of the car.
Prosecutors asked for DNA for analysis because they believe the driver of the vehicle would have likely suffered injuries during the incident and that blood could possibly be matched to a potential suspect. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says blood from the vehicle matched LeVasseur, according to the complaint.
Driving records show Hunter's license was suspended in October 2008.
If convicted, Hunter faces up to over six years in prison, an $11,000 fine, or both.
A 40-year-old man was charged Friday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Apple Valley on March 6.
Eric James Hunter, of Rosemount, faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension for allegedly fleeing after he hit Joan LeVasseur, 26, at the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street.
LeVasseur was taken off life support on March 16, and died shortly after. Her family says LeVasseur was deaf and engaged to be married.
Officers questioned Hunter's co-workers, who say he admitted to hitting LeVasseur, according to the criminal complaint.
Police found a car at Hunter's home they believe was the vehicle that hit LeVasseur in late March. According to the search warrant, the Hunter's vehicle has a smashed passenger window and a two-foot hole in the body of the car.
Prosecutors asked for DNA for analysis because they believe the driver of the vehicle would have likely suffered injuries during the incident and that blood could possibly be matched to a potential suspect. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says blood from the vehicle matched LeVasseur, according to the complaint.
Driving records show Hunter's license was suspended in October 2008.
If convicted, Hunter faces up to over six years in prison, an $11,000 fine, or both.
Update on Eric Hunter: Hes out on bail
Joan's mother informed me that Eric is out on bail since he posted bail. If you know Joan LeVasseur and are very close to her, please write letters to Dakota County Attorney James Backstorm.
1560 Highway 55
Hastings MN 55033-2343
651-438-4438
651-438-4499 (Fax)
Dakota County Comment form
Tell Backstorm to re-appreand Eric and put him away for real long time. Justice need to be served!!!!!
1560 Highway 55
Hastings MN 55033-2343
651-438-4438
651-438-4499 (Fax)
Dakota County Comment form
Tell Backstorm to re-appreand Eric and put him away for real long time. Justice need to be served!!!!!
Eric Hunter's mugshot & Jail info. My opinion on Eric Hunter
By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report
He is smiling and it make me really sick. In my opinion, he doesn't have any regrets or compassionate towards people. Why he have been hiding and not cooperating with law enforcement officials? He took Joan LeVasseur away from family, friends and loved ones.
Six years behind the bars isn't enough. He should just serve in prison for rest of his life. Shame on Dakota County James Backstorm. Eric should be charged with most serious crime instead of just hit & run and leaving scene. If I was County Attorney, I would've put Eric behind the bars for rest of his life.
I have crossed street with Joan and she always walk when light's green not red and paying attention. I have to disagree with Minnesota State Patrol. They don't know Joan that well like I do. Whoever know Joan would agree with me on this one.
It has been months since she passed away and it is very weird without her around here. We do live in same town yes but It's really hard on me.
Joan was supposed to hang out with me and my sister next day but she never made it to my house until I saw on news and I was very shocked and very upset. I have visited her at hopsital and trust me it was very horrible but ICU nurses at Hennepin County Medicial Center did a great job taking care of her. That two weeks in March was very hard and horrible.
Now I feel there is closure for me, familes, friends and loved ones. I can feel that heavy burden has been lifted and now I don't feel that way anymore.
Finally, justice has been served but six years behind the bars aren't enough.
Eric Hunter's Jail info and mugshot
He is smiling and it make me really sick. In my opinion, he doesn't have any regrets or compassionate towards people. Why he have been hiding and not cooperating with law enforcement officials? He took Joan LeVasseur away from family, friends and loved ones.
Six years behind the bars isn't enough. He should just serve in prison for rest of his life. Shame on Dakota County James Backstorm. Eric should be charged with most serious crime instead of just hit & run and leaving scene. If I was County Attorney, I would've put Eric behind the bars for rest of his life.
I have crossed street with Joan and she always walk when light's green not red and paying attention. I have to disagree with Minnesota State Patrol. They don't know Joan that well like I do. Whoever know Joan would agree with me on this one.
It has been months since she passed away and it is very weird without her around here. We do live in same town yes but It's really hard on me.
Joan was supposed to hang out with me and my sister next day but she never made it to my house until I saw on news and I was very shocked and very upset. I have visited her at hopsital and trust me it was very horrible but ICU nurses at Hennepin County Medicial Center did a great job taking care of her. That two weeks in March was very hard and horrible.
Now I feel there is closure for me, familes, friends and loved ones. I can feel that heavy burden has been lifted and now I don't feel that way anymore.
Finally, justice has been served but six years behind the bars aren't enough.
Eric Hunter's Jail info and mugshot
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
(Rach's note: Joan LeVasseur was her very close personal friend for over 20 years and was like sisters)
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
By KATIE HUMPHREY, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2009 - 5:51 PM
A Rosemount man has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection
with the March hit-and-run accident in Apple Valley that led to 26-year-old Joan LeVasseur's death.
Eric James Hunter, 40, was booked into the Dakota County Jail today, charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension.
LeVasseur, engaged to be married, was walking to Cub Foods when she was struck March 6 in the crosswalk on Cedar Avenue near 153rd Street. She died about a week later after her family removed her from life support at Hennepin County Medical Center.
According to the complaint outlining charges against Hunter, witnesses reported that LeVasseur, who was deaf, was crossing the street against the traffic signal that was displaying a "Do Not Cross" light.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that factored into the decision to charge Hunter with leaving the scene of a fatal accident instead of the more serious criminal vehicular homicide because pedestrians must obey traffic signals.
"If someone who causes a motor vehicle accident resulting in death flees the scene, the crime of Criminal Vehicular Homicide is committed," Backstrom said. "However, based upon the accident reconstruction completed in this instance, the accident appears to have been caused by the victim crossing the street against a red light."
Hunter has been at large since the accident, though police tracked down his 2003 Ford Focus with damage to the right front area, the hood and the windshield on March 11. A sample of blood collected from the car was analyzed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and determined to be that of LeVasseur.
According to the criminal complaint, Hunter's coworkers had seen his damaged car. While working an overnight shift from March 6 to March 7, Hunter told one colleague that the damage was from an accident with a semitrailer truck in Lakeville.
A few days later, after hearing that LeVasseur was to be taken off life support, Hunter confessed to a coworker that he had hit her, saying he didn't see her and that it was dark.
An accident reconstruction by the Minnesota State Patrol found that Hunter's car was going between 39 mph and 46 mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit in that area of Cedar Avenue is 45 mph. The State Oatrol also concluded that one of the main factors in the crash was that LeVasseur failed to obey the stoplight.
Hunter's bail has been set at $80,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions. His next court appearance will be Sept. 21.
Katie Humphrey • 612-882-9056
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
By KATIE HUMPHREY, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2009 - 5:51 PM
A Rosemount man has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection
with the March hit-and-run accident in Apple Valley that led to 26-year-old Joan LeVasseur's death.
Eric James Hunter, 40, was booked into the Dakota County Jail today, charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension.
LeVasseur, engaged to be married, was walking to Cub Foods when she was struck March 6 in the crosswalk on Cedar Avenue near 153rd Street. She died about a week later after her family removed her from life support at Hennepin County Medical Center.
According to the complaint outlining charges against Hunter, witnesses reported that LeVasseur, who was deaf, was crossing the street against the traffic signal that was displaying a "Do Not Cross" light.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that factored into the decision to charge Hunter with leaving the scene of a fatal accident instead of the more serious criminal vehicular homicide because pedestrians must obey traffic signals.
"If someone who causes a motor vehicle accident resulting in death flees the scene, the crime of Criminal Vehicular Homicide is committed," Backstrom said. "However, based upon the accident reconstruction completed in this instance, the accident appears to have been caused by the victim crossing the street against a red light."
Hunter has been at large since the accident, though police tracked down his 2003 Ford Focus with damage to the right front area, the hood and the windshield on March 11. A sample of blood collected from the car was analyzed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and determined to be that of LeVasseur.
According to the criminal complaint, Hunter's coworkers had seen his damaged car. While working an overnight shift from March 6 to March 7, Hunter told one colleague that the damage was from an accident with a semitrailer truck in Lakeville.
A few days later, after hearing that LeVasseur was to be taken off life support, Hunter confessed to a coworker that he had hit her, saying he didn't see her and that it was dark.
An accident reconstruction by the Minnesota State Patrol found that Hunter's car was going between 39 mph and 46 mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit in that area of Cedar Avenue is 45 mph. The State Oatrol also concluded that one of the main factors in the crash was that LeVasseur failed to obey the stoplight.
Hunter's bail has been set at $80,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions. His next court appearance will be Sept. 21.
Katie Humphrey • 612-882-9056
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Gunman Arrested Inside Mpls. City Hall
Source: KSTP TV
For the second time in four months, a gunman was reported inside Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday.
Police say Terry Swanson, of Big Lake, walked into the ground floor of the building and pretended to be part of an undercover government operation. Swanson, 60, then went into the property and evidence room.
Officials say Swanson did not have a valid gun permit.
"The guy had taken an ankle bracelet and used it as a holster for a revolver. Obviously, that's not a certified holster, that's not a proper holster. That gun could have gone off at anytime," said Sgt. Jesse Garcia.
Swanson was then arrested at gunpoint. Officers say he had an odd explanation for his actions.
"He talked about he worked for the federal government and he was part of some big black-ops operation. He went on to say that he was doing some secret undercover work," Garcia explained.
This is the second time in four months that a gunman has been reported inside City Hall at 350 S. 5th St.
In April, police locked down City Hall for a half hour as they searched for a man who reportedly picked up a gun stashed in the building's planters. The planters have since been removed, and signs banning guns are now in place.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's spokesman tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the latest incident was 'handled properly' and that the mayor is 'confident in the security of city hall.'
For the second time in four months, a gunman was reported inside Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday.
Police say Terry Swanson, of Big Lake, walked into the ground floor of the building and pretended to be part of an undercover government operation. Swanson, 60, then went into the property and evidence room.
Officials say Swanson did not have a valid gun permit.
"The guy had taken an ankle bracelet and used it as a holster for a revolver. Obviously, that's not a certified holster, that's not a proper holster. That gun could have gone off at anytime," said Sgt. Jesse Garcia.
Swanson was then arrested at gunpoint. Officers say he had an odd explanation for his actions.
"He talked about he worked for the federal government and he was part of some big black-ops operation. He went on to say that he was doing some secret undercover work," Garcia explained.
This is the second time in four months that a gunman has been reported inside City Hall at 350 S. 5th St.
In April, police locked down City Hall for a half hour as they searched for a man who reportedly picked up a gun stashed in the building's planters. The planters have since been removed, and signs banning guns are now in place.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's spokesman tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the latest incident was 'handled properly' and that the mayor is 'confident in the security of city hall.'
Legislative per diem increase stands
Appeals court clears way for lawmakers to get increases in daily payments voted on during their terms in office.
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: July 28, 2009
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has let stand a ruling that Minnesota's legislators can grant themselves an increase in daily payments without violating the state's constitution.
A citizens group had challenged whether the Legislature could increase its own payments, called "per diem," because the constitution prohibits increases in compensation during the same term the elected officials hold office.
The court said the per diem payments are not defined as compensation under law.
A group called Citizens for Rule of Law filed suit in 2008 accusing lawmakers of violating the state's constitution when they approved increases that brought daily payments to $96 in the Senate and $77 in the House. The suit asked that legislators who accepted the increases either be required to return the additional payments or be declared ineligible to run for reelection.
A Ramsey County court dismissed the lawsuit. In its ruling, the three-judge panel said legal precedent established that the daily allowances were not defined as compensation under the strictest legal interpretation, which is "remuneration and other benefits received in return for services rendered."
Minnesota's House and Senate members are considered part-time legislators and their $31,140 annual salaries have not been raised since 1999.
Legislators collect per diem for travel and living expenses during the legislative session or while performing legislative duties. The per diem payments, which can amount to more than the actual salary for many legislators, have become the subject of debate in recent years, with critics suggesting legislators hide actual pay increases in their per diem payments.
Erick Kaardal, an attorney for the group, said they plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
"Too many people in the system don't appreciate the checks and balances and they tend to just want to get along," Kaardal said.
"For the checks and balances to work well you need each of the branches overlooking the others."
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
Next page
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: July 28, 2009
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has let stand a ruling that Minnesota's legislators can grant themselves an increase in daily payments without violating the state's constitution.
A citizens group had challenged whether the Legislature could increase its own payments, called "per diem," because the constitution prohibits increases in compensation during the same term the elected officials hold office.
The court said the per diem payments are not defined as compensation under law.
A group called Citizens for Rule of Law filed suit in 2008 accusing lawmakers of violating the state's constitution when they approved increases that brought daily payments to $96 in the Senate and $77 in the House. The suit asked that legislators who accepted the increases either be required to return the additional payments or be declared ineligible to run for reelection.
A Ramsey County court dismissed the lawsuit. In its ruling, the three-judge panel said legal precedent established that the daily allowances were not defined as compensation under the strictest legal interpretation, which is "remuneration and other benefits received in return for services rendered."
Minnesota's House and Senate members are considered part-time legislators and their $31,140 annual salaries have not been raised since 1999.
Legislators collect per diem for travel and living expenses during the legislative session or while performing legislative duties. The per diem payments, which can amount to more than the actual salary for many legislators, have become the subject of debate in recent years, with critics suggesting legislators hide actual pay increases in their per diem payments.
Erick Kaardal, an attorney for the group, said they plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
"Too many people in the system don't appreciate the checks and balances and they tend to just want to get along," Kaardal said.
"For the checks and balances to work well you need each of the branches overlooking the others."
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
Next page
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