Capitol View for October 9

Good morning. You’re probably reading this because you, like me, didn’t win the Powerball jackpot.

Another momentous week is ahead in Washington as the House moves toward choosing a new speaker. It appears, as CNN reports , to be a two-man race between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan. A reminder that should Scalise prevail, Minnesota’s Tom Emmer could climb the Republican ranks to the No. 2 spot, although he’d likely face competition for the role. Some of the process will occur behind closed doors, but the goal is a public selection as soon as Wednesday. There’s heightened urgency to restore stability to the U.S. government amid a sudden and intensifying war in Israel. NPR has a rundown of other pressing matters before Congress that need attention.

A new tattoo parlor is opening soon in the Stillwater area. But MPR News correspondent Mark Zdechlik reports that this one is unique for its setting: the state prison there. He writes that Stillwater’s soon-to-open program, called “Still Waters Run Deep Ink,” is also an effort to be more prudent with taxpayer-funded health care dollars because unauthorized tattooing is contributing to higher rates of blood-borne diseases, like HIV and hepatitis C. Prison officials also say those learning the craft while incarcerated should be able to find job opportunities in tattoo parlors upon their release.

Minnesota’s burgeoning legal cannabis products market is outpacing the regulatory capabilities. But a catchup effort is in the works. Chris Tholkes, who leads the Office of Medical Cannabis, told Cathy Wurzer on Friday that six more inspectors will be in place soon. They’ll help look in on the more than 2,000 businesses in Minnesota selling hemp-derived THC products. Tholkes said confusion remains about what’s permitted. Regulators are focused on educating retailers and issuing corrective orders to restore compliance. If they don’t, they can face fines. Low-dose products were legalized in Minnesota in 2022. Full-fledged marijuana won’t be broadly available in stores until 2025. As for the new regulatory agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, no decision has been made on a director. Tholkes sounds like she might apply. “It's something I'll think about, but right now, there's a lot of talented people across state government that are working to ensure that safe, reliable marketplace. And that's where our focus is right now.”

Election-outcome critic Mike Lindell’s money troubles became more apparent last week when his lawyers asked to be released from representing him in a high-profile lawsuit. They say he owes them millions. Their request is set to be discussed in a motions hearing this week by a federal judge overseeing a massive defamation lawsuit against Lindell, the founder of Chaska’s MyPillow. Attorneys for one of the voting machine companies said in a court filing on Friday that they worry Lindell is using the development as a fundraising tool. The New York Times went deeper into Lindell’s financial woes since becoming one of the loudest 2020 election deniers. The story notes that Lindell is leaning on other conservative figures and former Donald Trump political strategist Steve Bannon might travel to Minnesota soon to give Lindell a lift.

Speaking of money in politics, here's a strong story from the Star Tribune’s Ryan Faircloth and Briana Bierschbach on a Minnesota Republican political action committee’s spending. The pair writes that notable GOP donors to the Right Now Minnesota group worried their contributions didn’t go toward a targeted race and might have been misused.

What a big Twins win last night in Houston. AP breaks down the 6-2 victory, which was led by stellar pitching and the heroics of former Astros shortstop-turned-Twins-clutch-player Carlos Correa. The knotted series arrives in Minnesota on Tuesday for a crucial game 3. It’s a daytime start, so start rehearsing those excuses for leaving work early.