Tag: attorney general

Attorney General Bill Barr is laying the groundwork to carry out his threat

AlterNet logo Barr, Last October, Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to establish a Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. As Tom Jackman reported, this is something that both police and civil rights groups have sought for years. Nevertheless, concerns emerged almost immediately.

A number of groups that might be expected to be part of the discussion said they had not yet been invited, including the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

Those who had advocated for such a commission were concerned about “overburdened courts, unsustainable incarceration costs, national security, prisoner reentry, victims’ rights, and civil rights and liberties.” But the tasks assigned to this commission are completely police-centric. Continue reading.

Skip Humphrey and Walter Mondale: Keith Ellison is the right choice for the critical job of attorney general

The Editorial Board was mistaken not to endorse a candidate. As former AGs, we know that Ellison is well-prepared for the job, and Doug Wardlow is unsuited for it.

The Star Tribune Editorial Board erred in its decision not to endorse in the Minnesota attorney general’s race (“Two deeply flawed AG candidates,” Nov. 2). As two former Minnesota attorneys general, we can say with confidence that Keith Ellison is well-prepared to fulfill the important duties of this essential constitutional office and is the only reasonable choice for Minnesota voters in this election.

The board did get it right when it concluded that Doug Wardlow is unsuited for office. His pledge to politically purge “42 Democratic attorneys right off the bat,” and install a loyalty test for newly hired lawyers, is singularly disqualifying. The Minnesota attorney general should be concerned only with hiring the best attorneys to serve the people of Minnesota, not those eager to serve a political agenda. We were heartened to see Keith Ellison pledge this week to support civil service reforms in the Attorney General’s Office, to ensure that the political purge Wardlow has promised cannot occur under any future attorney general.

A deeper examination of Wardlow’s record and agenda makes clear that he is out of step with the priorities of this office, and of the people of Minnesota. One of the most important duties of the office is to protect Minnesota consumers, yet Wardlow has pledged to side with large corporations over individuals’ rights. And he has refused to support lawsuits against the opioid manufacturers who, like the cigarette companies that the Attorney General’s Office previously brought to account, have made millions off addiction and death in our state.

Skip Humphrey served as Minnesota attorney general from 1983 to 1999. Walter Mondale is a former vice president and served as Minnesota attorney general from 1960 to 1964. Both are Democrats.

View the complete November 2 commentary by Skip Humphrey and Walter Mondale on the Star Tribune website here.

Return Steve Simon as Minnesota secretary of state

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon toured the Ramsey County elections office in 2016 with elections manager Joe Mansky. Simon seeks re-election this year.

Steve Simon likes to say that he’s in the “democracy business.”

Business is brisk under Simon’s watch as Minnesota’s secretary of state, with voter turnout among the highest nationwide for nearly every election. For that and other key reasons, Minnesotans should re-elect Simon on Nov. 6.

Of course, some will have already voted before Election Day during the “no-excuses” absentee voting period. That expanded capability to engage in our democracy can be credited in part to a bill sponsored by Simon during his days as a DFL legislator from St. Louis Park. Those efforts have paid off, with 2018 vote totals already far surpassing the pace of the 2014 midterms and even the hotly contested 2016 presidential election.

The expanded access reflects Simon’s belief in bolstering participation in elections, and by extension our collective civic life. It’s an ethos that stands in stark contrast to the disgraceful, antidemocratic attempts to suppress voting through onerous, often racially motivated restrictions enacted in North Dakota, Georgia and several other states this year.

View the complete October 26 editorial by the Star Tribune Editorial Board October 26, 2018 here.

Health Care Advocates and Experts Support an Attorney General Who Will Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Last week, Attorney General Lori Swanson launched a lawsuit against insulin manufacturers who more than doubled the cost of life-saving medications

A mother who lost her son due to the high cost of insulin joined Ellison and experts to speak out today for an AG who will lower health care costs

As AG, Ellison will advance lawsuits to lower prescription drug costs; Wardlow has repeatedly refused to support lawsuits to hold opioid manufacturers accountable

Minnesota – Health care experts and advocates joined Congressman Keith Ellison today to stress the need to elect an Attorney General who will take massive pharmaceutical corporations to court for price-gouging practices which are pushing health care costs higher for Minnesota families.

“When I led policy in the Attorney General’s office under Skip Humphrey, I saw firsthand the power of a People’s Lawyer to take on issues on behalf of Minnesota families,” said State Representative Erin Murphy. “As a nurse and legislator who has spent the last decade engaged with Minnesotans across the state, I know well the need for affordable, high quality health care. I know a lawyer like Keith will hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and lower health care costs for our families.” Continue reading “Health Care Advocates and Experts Support an Attorney General Who Will Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Costs”

Statement from Keith Ellison Regarding Release of His Divorce File

MINNESOTA – Congressman Keith Ellison, candidate for Minnesota Attorney General, today released the following statement in response to the unsealing of the divorce file of Keith and Kim Ellison.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Court has gone back on its agreement to seal Kim and my divorce file, agreeing to open it at the request of a far-right propaganda outlet with a history of racism and religious bigotry, Alpha News, and the Star Tribune.

“I understand perhaps better than most that as a public official, my personal life falls under higher scrutiny than others. But to pry into the details of a sealed divorce file that the Court previously ordered closed, on the eve of an election, is shameful and outrageous.

“Kim Ellison is a wonderful person. We met in driver’s training as teenagers and raised four beautiful children together, who are now awesome adults. We had a storybook marriage until the onset of her illness, which was not diagnosed until long after she was suffering the effects of it. One of the great regrets of my life is that I did not appreciate the debilitating effects of Kim’s illness until the doctors told us that it was Multiple Sclerosis and major depression. I attribute the difficulties in our marriage to the disease and my failure to understand it. I was not nearly sensitive enough to the symptoms of her medical condition at the time, and for that I am deeply sorry.

“Kim and I have rebuilt a strong friendship as parents to our four wonderful children. I am proud of the person Kim is. We are family, and I stand by her.”

DFL Chairman statement on Keith Ellison receiving the DFL endorsement for Minnesota Attorney General

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement on Keith Ellison receiving the DFL endorsement for Minnesota Attorney General:

“Today, members of the DFL State Central Committee endorsed Congressman Keith Ellison for Minnesota Attorney General. Our Party stands with him in his campaign and we look forward to working together to keep this seat.

“As Attorney General, Keith will be a champion for families and fight to hold powerful interests accountable. With Ellison in place as the People’s Lawyer, voters can trust that their best interests will be priority number one. From predatory landlords, to opioid manufacturers to employers with discriminatory hiring practices, Keith Ellison will ensure all Minnesotans will enjoy a fair economy and equal opportunity.