Dayton has had solid achievements, but inaction on two major challenges leaves future risks

It remains to be seen whether Gov. Mark Dayton's policy agenda can withstand the test of new demographic, competitive and political realities. Love or hate his policies, Gov. Mark Dayton has always communicated an authenticity about doing what's best for Minnesota and has been a counterweight to the mass of cynicism political candidates today often express toward government.

Second White House Official Resigns Amid Reports Of Spousal Abuse

A White House speechwriter resigned Friday after his former wife claimed that he was violent and emotionally abusive during their turbulent 21 2 -year marriage - allegations that he vehemently denied, saying she was the one who victimized him. The abrupt departure of David Sorensen, a speechwriter who worked under senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, came as The Washington Post was reporting on a story about abuse claims by his ex-wife, Jessica Corbett.

California Focus: Statea s election boss beats Trump on voting panel

It's not often that an obscure state official manages to lay a serious defeat on the President of the United States. But that's what Alex Padilla pulled off early this year, and he did it without any gloating.

Kaine demands secret memo on Trump’s ‘authority’ to declare war

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia is demanding that a secret memo that describes President Trump's interpretation of his legal authority to declare war be released, according to a report. Kaine, a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a letter late Thursday to release the seven-page document, NBC News reported .

Civic leaders meeting with Amazon executives Friday – but press, public not invited

There are more than 40,000 Amazon employees in Seattle, stretching from South Lake Union to Amazon's Denny Triangle skyscrapers. Government-transparency advocates say the meeting between Seattle-area political leaders and the city's largest employer should be open to outsiders.

Should the state tap the $17.5 billion permanent fund for preK?

Early childhood education proponents are proclaiming a big win now that the House of Representatives has approved a measure to pull more funds from the state's $17.5 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund to pay for prekindergarten programs. But House Joint Resolution 1, as the measure is known, will soon have to navigate its way through the choppy waters of the Senate Finance Committee before it goes to the full Senate for debate and a vote.

Why it’s so much harder for Maine politicians to get along

In this file photo from January 2016, Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, speaks with House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, at the State House in Augusta. During his first term in office, Gov. Paul LePage became famous - or perhaps infamous, depending on your perspective - for his brash rhetoric and personal attacks, but in light of his success, the question becomes "Is it working?" There's no denying Maine's political discourse has become more uncivil.

North Korea says it’s not interested in meeting Us VP Pence

South Korean army's armored vehicles move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. Vice President Mike Pence said the U.S. is preparing to announce the "tough... .

GOP bid for control in Nevada raises fear of endless recalls

Nevada's major political parties are locked in a legal battle over a Republican effort to take control of the state Senate by recalling two freshly elected Democratic lawmakers - a tactic that Democrats warn could undermine the validity of elections across the U.S. Experts and those from both parties say the move could be the way of the future for the losing side to keep control of influential statehouses. In Nevada, no official reason was given for the recalls, and none was required.

Wisconsin Supreme Court hopefuls present ideologies

Three candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court are pursuing what's supposed to be a nonpartisan job, but they demonstrated during a Monday forum that voters have a trio of distinct ideologies to choose from in two weeks. There's a conservative judge who draws inspiration from late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Manchin pledges not to campaign against fellow senators

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, left, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 22. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, left, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 22. WASHINGTON - Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., is encouraging Senate colleagues to join him in a pledge: To "return civility" to politics by pledging not to campaign against each other.

California legislative staff get whistleblower protections

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, right, and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, left, meet with reporters after the Assembly approved their bill to provide whistleblower protection for legislative staff members, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the bill, AB403, will take effect immediately.

Pence’s approach to troubles in White House: He wasn’t there

In this Feb. 1, 2018, photo, Vice President Mike Pence addresses the Republican National Committee Winter Meeting in Washington. Credit Pence with good timing when it comes to trying to avoid political messes.

Precinct caucuses start the sorting of candidates to become Minnesota governor

With Gov. Mark Dayton not seeking re-election this year, a wide-open race to succeed him will take center stage as precinct caucuses mark the official start of the campaign season across Minnesota on Tuesday night, Feb. 6. Both the Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican parties will conduct non-binding straw polls for governor that will test the early grassroots support for announced candidates. Caucus-goers also will start the processes for endorsing each party's candidates for two U.S. Senate seats, eight congressional seats, 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, plus state auditor, secretary of state and attorney general.

With schools off the table, budget fight looms

Ever since California voters passed Proposition 13 40 years ago, the Capitol's annual budget wrangle has been dominated by how much money would go to K-12 schools for good reason. Not only are the schools educating six million kids, but they are number one on the voting public's priority list, and are by a large margin the biggest single slice of the general fund budget.