Good morning and happy Thursday, which in my experience is often the busiest day of the week. It’s been a busy week already for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Let’s review: Matt Sepic summed it up on the radio this morning: The Supreme Court is promising a quick review of a judge's decision to remove a proposed public safety charter amendment from the ballot in Minneapolis. The measure would replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a public safety agency that could include police officers "if necessary." It would also eliminate the requirement in the charter for at least 17 police officers per 10,000 Minneapolis residents. Judge Jamie Anderson on Tuesday called the latest version of the ballot language misleading, and even though ballots have been printed and early voting starts Friday, she ordered the proposal to be stricken. North side resident and former councilman Don Samuels and two others are suing the city over the ballot language. Charter amendment supporters say the lawsuit is an undemocratic attempt by the city's political establishment to uphold the status quo. Read more from Jon Collins here.
And the Supreme Court threw out the third-degree murder conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, saying the evidence is “insufficient” to maintain it. The court said “the mental state necessary for depraved-mind murder … is a generalized indifference to human life,” which the court said did not exist in this instance. Noor was convicted of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, a lesser charge, for the 2017 killing of 911 caller Justine Ruszczyk. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison — standard for third-degree murder. The standard sentence for second-degree manslaughter is 4 years. His anticipated release was in 2027, but that may happen sooner given that the manslaughter charge carries a lighter recommended sentence. Read the story here.
If that's not enough, the Supreme Court held a hearing on that case involving the Minnesota Pardons Board that I mentioned yesterday. It involves how many votes of the three board members should be required to pardon someone and how much weight the governor’s vote carries. Read Brian Bakst’s story here.
And speaking of Brian Bakst, he sent me this dispatch from the campaign trail: When Sen. Paul Gazelka kicked off his Republican campaign for governor, he dangled the possibility that northern Minnesota lawmakers with Democratic roots would be on his side. Turns out, there’s at least one who is. Longtime Sen. Tom Bakk, who became a GOP-aligned independent after decades in the DFL, told MPR News this week that he’s on board with Gazelka. “I made a personal contribution to his campaign. Paul Gazelka is my close friend. He grew up on the Iron Range, so we have something naturally in common. He understands the district I represent, the people I represent more than somebody who didn’t grow up here,“ Bakk said. Bakk said Gazelka is by no means assured to win the Republican nomination. But if he does land on next November’s ballot, Bakk said he’ll have his back. “I guess I prefer him over Governor Walz, but I don’t know he’s going to be the candidate.” It’s worth noting that Bakk supported former Attorney General Lori Swanson over Walz in the 2018 DFL primary for governor. As for Bakk’s own plans in 2022, those are still not nailed down. The former Senate majority and minority leader said he’s leaning toward a campaign for a 7th term though won’t decide until new district lines are set. He said he hasn’t discussed the possibility of running as a Republican with area GOP leaders. But he stressed he “wouldn’t go back and run as a Democrat. I don’t see a path for that. I don’t see how Democrats take the Senate in a midterm. And even if I wanted to go back there, I have a feeling they’re going to be in the minority. I have no interest in spending my final years in the minority.” DFLers have listed Bakk’s seat among the ones they hope to flip next year.
Unions are trying to turn up the heat on legislators to send bonus pay to those who worked on the front lines during the pandemic. Tim Pugmire reports they want all essential workers to be eligible for the money, not just some. A panel charged with coming up with a plan to distribute the money failed to meet its deadline last week. Democrats and Republicans disagree on how many workers should be included. The unions blame Republicans for trying to exclude many essential workers from the benefit. But Republicans say the money only goes so far, and they want those who were most at risk, including health care workers and law enforcement, to be first in line for the benefit.
Rep. John Thompson says he will be an independent after the DFL caucus expelled him. “I will continue to serve on critical committees, author relevant legislation and co-sign onto bills that will be crafted to benefit our community,” Thompson, of St. Paul, wrote on Facebook Wednesday. “The fact of the matter is there is still much work to be done. It is time to turn the page and move forward with the work.” DFL leaders have called on Thompson to resign. He's making it clear he won't.
I have to get on with a busy Thursday now. I hope you have a good one. | 