Checks & Balances has reconstituted the Player’s Page, where you can read all of the current articles less than a week old in one area along with an opportunity for you to weigh in with your opinion on the topic.  If you have trouble logging in try your first name and last name separated with a space as your username and the word password for your password.  username=firstname lastname password=password  We understand sensitive nature and professions of our readership and have created alternative logins for people who would like to post under an alias. 

Checks & Balances is embracing many new technological elements or those that have proven their worth and is now incorporating them into the site.  We will remain an e-zine rather than becoming a blog ourselves because, being a blog is not in our interest.

If you have been away for awhile it is time to come back to Checks & Balances.  If you are having log in problems or have any other questions feel free to contact us at or via phone at 651 330-3033.

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Checks & Balances seeks to become the one-stop shop for political events.  If you are part of an organization, lobbying interest, or group that would like the Minnesota political elite to know about your event then contact us at 651 330-3033 or mn.editor@checksandbalances.com.  We will post your event so that others know the time, date and location.  It does not matter how large or small the event is, we want to promote it.

The first day of the second portion of the biennial 2007-08 legislative session is going to tackle some legislation quite quickly.  After today, there are 44 legislative session days.

The endorsement yesterday by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI1) along with the New York Times endorsement by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg the previous day gave a resounding boost to U.S.  read more »

For those not familiar with the process on precinct caucus night all attendees to the DFL Precinct Caucuses will be able to cast a ballot in a binding straw poll for their candidate of choice. This means the resulting percentages will determine the apportionment of 88 delegates to the Democratic National Convention.  read more »

With this year’s election only consisting of races for President, U.S.  read more »

The second year of the biennial legislative session mainly focuses on capital investment in the state’s infrastructure and is referred to as the Bonding Session.  Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) unveiled his proposed Bonding Bill two weeks ago to the tune of $965 million.  In the proposal a significant portion, 40 percent was directed at transportation.  This was not surprising in light of the 35W Bridge col  read more »

During the Iowa Caucuses we heard discussions about the various Minnesota connections to U.S. Senator Barak Obama (D-IL) Presidential campaign.  They included: former DFL Party Executive Director Steve Hilldebrand, who is really a South Dakotan, Paul Tewes, an actual Minnesota native and short-lived Interim DFL Communications Director Nick Kimball.  read more »