The fate of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program is shaping up to be the political showdown of the 2010 legislative session.

This is the No. 1 issue Rep. Maria Ruud has heard about in the last several years, according to an e-mail from Ruud, DFL-42A, Minnetonka.

Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, is set to meet with residents at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Davanni’s Pizza, 8061 Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie.

"Bakk, who chairs the Senate Tax Committee, is seeking the DFL endorsement for governor," according to a news release. "A 34-year union carpenter, Bakk looks forward to talking with citizens about how, as governor, job creation will be the foundation of his administration."

The meeting is open to the public and refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.bakk2010.com.

It was the first time participating in a caucus for Adam Liter, 18, of Eden Prairie.

“I feel like it’s an obligation as an American,” he added.
Liter, who was attending the District 42 DFL precinct caucus at Central Middle School Tuesday evening, noted that there have been times where he started to feel cynical.

“Even so, I do feel like that you might as well try.”

Though nowhere near approaching the major crush of people attending the last presidential year caucuses, there was a steady flow of participants over at Central Middle School.

It took two rows of risers to fit them, but 20 candidates for governor squared off Wednesday in the largest showing yet for a 2010 gubernatorial debate.

Five days remain to gather support from the politically minded. The field will dwindle after the Feb. 2 party caucuses, grassroots gatherings where eligible voters can cast ballots for their top choice for governor. (Debate video below)

Delegates will select party nominees at state conventions in coming months. Twelve of the candidates at the debate plan to abide by the endorsement process and not make a primary challenge.

The Jan. 27 forum, sponsored by media organizations and the League of Women Voters, included Democratic-Farm-Labor, Republican and Independence Party hopefuls who've filed papers with the Campaign Finance Board.

A team from Southwest Newspapers is covering tonight's gubernatorial debate in conjunction with the UpTake. Check back here for live coverage from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The debate in Bloomington is co-sponsored by the League of Minnesota Women Voters and the Minnesota Newspaper Association. 

Shannon Fiecke

A team of Southwest Newspapers reporters are covering the gubernatorial debate from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Bloomington. The Uptake will broadcast the debate live:

By Karla Wennerstrom

Pat Gernes of the Senate District 42 DFL said that the last caucuses in 2008 saw 3,600 people voting in straw polls.
“We know from what the police and fire officials told us that there were probably 1,500 people in cars that never got there,” she said. “That’s just an extraordinary number.”

DFL Party officials have decided to move to a new location, Central Middle School. They are expecting fewer people this year, and they’re planning to be able to accommodate all who arrive.

According to a news release from Congressman Erik Paulsen, he has made a friendly wager with Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise.

The two are roommates in Washington, D.C.

Here's the news release:

Washington, D.C. – As the states of Minnesota and Louisiana anxiously await Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, Congressmen Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Steve Scalise (LA–01) today placed a wager on the results of the game.