[Speed Gibson,
Monday February 21, 2005 at 9:54pm]
Office of the Attorney General
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch seems to be "in the news" again as several MOBsters have noted. Hatch has made a number of headlines taking on the health care providers, much as his predecessor Skip Humphrey did with the tobacco companies.
Historically, the AG's office has often been a stepping stone to higher positions. I believe this explains the increasing focus on headline-rich consumer affairs issues over the more mundane issues of law and justice. The murder of a grandmother on Park Avenue drew almost no response from the AG's office some years ago, despite pleas all around. If only the killer had left behind a cigarette butt.
Maybe it's time to consider making the Attorney General an appointed position, not an elected one. This would require a constitutional amendment, but it's been done before with the State Treasurer's office, phased out and replaced by an appointed Commissioner. The same question could be posed for the other elected positions - the Secretary of State and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State's office has been well served by both parties, but State Auditors of both parties have often waded into political waters.
Should not the Governor, the one ultimately in charge of administering and enforcing state laws, have the right to appoint his or her "Cabinet"?
Historically, the AG's office has often been a stepping stone to higher positions. I believe this explains the increasing focus on headline-rich consumer affairs issues over the more mundane issues of law and justice. The murder of a grandmother on Park Avenue drew almost no response from the AG's office some years ago, despite pleas all around. If only the killer had left behind a cigarette butt.
Maybe it's time to consider making the Attorney General an appointed position, not an elected one. This would require a constitutional amendment, but it's been done before with the State Treasurer's office, phased out and replaced by an appointed Commissioner. The same question could be posed for the other elected positions - the Secretary of State and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State's office has been well served by both parties, but State Auditors of both parties have often waded into political waters.
Should not the Governor, the one ultimately in charge of administering and enforcing state laws, have the right to appoint his or her "Cabinet"?