Amid failed burrito baron's promises to pay counties, state senator rattles a tip jar

Bluestem Prairie has just learned it has competition for your coin as we near the seventh day of our bleg, or request for reader contributions.

The rival? Tony Sutton's Republican Party.

We knew times were tough, but an article in the Duluth News Tribune underscores just how tight money is. In GOP promises to repay counties’ recount costs, Forum Communications' veteran political writer Don Davis reports:

Republicans say they are paying what they owe Minnesota counties for information from last fall’s governor election recount.

“We have about 20 counties left to go,” GOP Chairman Tony Sutton said. “We have been chipping away on them.”

Sutton estimated that the party could finish paying its recount bills within four weeks. He said about $20,000 remains to be paid.

“It is about managing all the bills we have,” Sutton said.

The chairman answered questions about the issue Monday following a letter Sen. John Howe, R-Red Wing, sent to Republican legislative colleagues suggesting they contribute to pay the bills, although in an interview he thought just $3,000 to $4,000 remained.

“If we owe the money, we should pay it,” Howe said.

The first-year senator said he asked party officials more than a month ago whether a legislator or a campaign committee could make contributions. He said he had not heard back as of Monday.

Sutton, however, said that he has not talked to Howe for months and never heard the senator’s question.

The chairman said anyone can give to the party, and state campaign committees may donate to the party, although they could not earmark the contribution for any specific cause.

Why did Howe rattle the tip jar? Davis reports:

Howe said that the unpaid bills reflect poorly on the party and suggested that all 109 Republican lawmakers contribute.

Sutton said he would accept any donation.

Indeed.

Readers should respond to Howe and Sutton's appeals as they wish. And Bluestem will put the MNGOP's awkward moment to good use, and shamelessly shake our own begging bowl on the page. To our many generous readers who have already contributed, many thanks. To those who can spare a dime, please consider contributing here.

To learn more, read Bluestem Prairie preservation drive: help keep a different prairie voice publishing.

Image: Please don't send us Tild's version of Tony's currency. Bluestem has plenty of those.

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