Elevation, Emmer and Ellison vs. Moriarty Part II
By Rochelle Olson
We interrupt this newsletter with breaking news: U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has died, The Associated Press reports. The California Democrat and one-time mayor of San Francisco was 90. Feinstein, the oldest sitting U.S. senator, a trailblazer and passionate advocate for liberal priorities important to her state — including environmental protection, reproductive rights and gun control — was also known as a pragmatic lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground, the AP said. But in recent years, her failing health while clinging to power overshadowed her accomplishments. She had said she would not seek re-election and the fight to succeed her had already begun. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said he'd make an interim appointment to her seat, not choosing a candidate already running. California Dems already seeking the office: Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.
SPEAKER EMMER: The Washington Post reports that far-right hard-liners in the U.S. House GOP are coalescing around Minnesota's own Tom Emmer to replace Speaker Kevin McCarthy as chaos reigns for the caucus on the verge of shutting down government. The Post story cited four unnamed people familiar with the discussions. But the Post says it's unclear if the plot is merely a threat to McCarthy or a serious plan to replace him. Emmer hasn't indicated — even privately — whether he would pursue the speakership or support a measure to oust McCarthy, the Post reported. "I fully support Speaker McCarthy. He knows that and I know that," Emmer told The Washington Post in a statement. "I have zero interest in palace intrigue. End of discussion."
MY OPENER: We come now to my initial plan to open the newsletter until 8:05 a.m. when the Feinstein news broke and I couldn't put Emmer in third position so I kept him at second. Arguably he should be first, but anyway:
We arrive at the final Friday in September, which is also the final full working day on the state Supreme Court for Chief Justice Lorie "It has been a blast" Gildea. She remains chief until Sunday. Her successor, Justice Natalie Hudson, will be sworn in on Monday in a private ceremony for friends, colleagues and family. Hudson will become the 22nd chief justice, the third woman and first person of color to hold the top job. A public investiture is planned in November, according to courts spokeswoman Kim Pleticha. Also taking the oath Monday will be Karl Procaccini, who will be the first Muslim on the state's highest court. Procaccini, 40, was the governor's general counsel until June when he took a temporary position on the faculty at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Although Procaccini is not widely known in Minnesota legal circles, Gov. Tim Walz was so sure of his abilities that the governor said he interviewed no other candidates for the opening created by Gildea's departure and Hudson's elevation. The intrigue is that Walz will elevate Procaccini to chief when Hudson takes mandatory judicial retirement at age 70, which happens right at the end of Walz's current term. And that's that.
AI DECEPTION: Ryan Faircloth explored concerns about how Artificial Intelligence could be used in coming elections and it's troubling. While the emerging technology could be helpful in daily operations, the concern is it could be used to trick and deceive voters. "I think the fear is that in a high-stakes … presidential contest, that there will be an incentive for bad actors to use AI in ways that distort and destabilize the election system," Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in an interview. "That's what we're up against."
SRO SAGA: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has shared her take on the new law and it differs from Attorney General Keith Ellison's. Eder Campuzano reports that Moriarty says school resource officers should only restrain students if they pose an immediate physical threat to themselves or others. That's the same authority that bus drivers or other school employees currently hold. Jeff Potts, executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, said Moriarty's interpretation of the student restraint law "puts us back to where we were roughly two weeks ago." Ellison and Moriarty, one-time allies, have found themselves at odds this year.
LEGISLATURE: Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, has scheduled a press conference on the 2023 Children and Families Budget bill at 2:30 p.m. at the Riverview West Side School of Excellence in St. Paul. She will be joined by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, St. Paul Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard, Principal Stivaliss Licona-Gervich and Reps. Samakab Hussein and Dave Pinto among others.
