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Veterans to Republicans: Do the Right Thing
Mon, 07/26/2010 - 09:24Veterans ask those who took fraudulent charity's money to donate funds to actually help vets
St. Paul (July 23, 2010) - Today, veterans called on candidates and political organizations who received money from the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA) to donate it to an organization that actually helps those who have served the country.
"People around the country are grateful for the sacrifice that so many men and women have made to serve our nation, and want to donate to organizations that help our veterans," said Trista Matascastillo, Chair of DFL Veterans Caucus. "The fact that these candidates refuse to give up the money intended to help our nation's veterans is disgraceful."
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Yesterday, Tom Emmer refused to disclose whether or not he accepted money from the USNVA, a fraudulent charity that collected money for veterans and gave it to Republican candidates instead.
Emmer joins his fellow right-wing Republicans benefitting from these funds intended to help veterans: Michele Bachmann refuses to give up the money she received from the USNVA. And the Republican Party of Minnesota is still funneling the $10,000 they received from the fraudulent charity to its candidates around the state.
"It's time to send these donations to the place they were intended," said Matascastillo. "It's time for the Republican Party of Minnesota and any other candidate who received USNVA funds to donate that money to an organization that actually helps those who have served our country. I suggest they give it to Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund."
Background:
Republicans accepted money that was intended to help veterans, now refuse to part with it.
· "Thompson, the mysterious head of a nationwide veterans group called the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, is a Florida resident. But 35 percent of Thompson's more than $100,000 in federal donations over the past four years have gone to Minnesota candidates - primarily Republicans - and causes. That includes a $10,000 donation for a high-profile fundraiser in April featuring Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin. ‘We will be freezing the money pending the results of the investigations," said Gina Countryman, Bachmann's campaign manager, who added that Bachmann does not know Thompson.'" [Pioneer Press, 7/20/10]
· "Thompson's connection to Minnesota is unclear, but he is active in Minnesota politics. His donations include $10,000 to the Palin fundraiser, an event supported through a joint fundraising committee between Bachmann and the Republican Party of Minnesota. He also donated nearly $20,000 to former Sen. Norm Coleman's 2008 re-election bid and more than $10,000 to the Republican Party of Minnesota, including one on May 6 - two days after the Minnesota chapter of Navy Vets was dissolved." [Pioneer Press, 7/20/10]
Another Tough Town Hall for Tom Emmer?
Thu, 07/22/2010 - 12:08Minnesotans deserve to know whether the GOP candidate for governor took money intended for veterans
St. Paul (July 22, 2010) - In advance of Tom Emmer's town-hall meeting with veterans this afternoon, the DFL Party called on Emmer to disclose whether he took money from the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), a fraudulent charity that collected money for veterans and gave it to Republican candidates instead. State Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"With so many Republican candidates implicated in this controversy, and another week before we can look at the campaign-finance reports, the questions on everyone's mind are: Did Tom Emmer take money from this fraudulent charity? If so, does he plan on keeping it?
"Tom Emmer has benefitted from NAVPAC donations in the past. Minnesota's veterans deserve to know if he will keep taking advantage of these despicable practices in the future."<!--break-->
Background:
Fraudulent charity solicited donations for veterans, gave it to Republican candidates and PACs instead. "Officials in other states are calling the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA) a fraudulent charity, and its founder and sole organizer, Bobby Thompson, has disappeared in the wake of investigations alleging the group diverted charitable donations intended for military veterans to Republican candidates and political action committees." [Minnesota Independent, 7/15/10]
Emmer benefitted from the USNVA funds in the past, as a member of the Minnesota House Republican Caucus. "At least $35,000 of donations from the group or its founder went to Minnesota politicians and entities, according to an investigation by the St. Petersburg Times (Fla.). In multiple gifts over several years, former Sen. Coleman took in $21,500, while Rep. Bachmann received the most recent contribution, $10,000 donated in April. The Republican Party of Minnesota received $2,000; the Minnesota House Republican Campaign Committee got $5,000, and Republican state House candidate David Carlson took in $500." [Minnesota Independent, 7/15/10]
Related to: Tom Emmer Political District Tags Statewide office: Governor
Unemployment According to Rep. Randy Demmer: Minnesotans Just Refuse to Work
Mon, 07/19/2010 - 11:50Politician's claim is no surprise given his out-of-touch record
St. Paul (June 19, 2010) - This weekend, Rep. Randy Demmer revealed the reason he believes people are out of work in Minnesota: Minnesotans just refuse to work. Rep. Demmer claimed to know business owners who want to hire workers but have been turned down because people receiving unemployment benefits refuse to work.
"Rep. Randy Demmer has opened a new line of attack in his campaign - this time against unemployed Minnesotans," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "First he opposed increasing the minimum wage, then he opposed unemployment insurance, and now Rep. Demmer is blaming unemployment on the very Minnesotans struggling to make house payments and feed their families. It's disgusting. But unfortunately, that's exactly what we've come to expect from this typical politician."<!--break-->
This weekend, while Rep. Randy Demmer was blaming the unemployed for their refusal to work, Tim Walz was working on a new tax credit for businesses looking to hire veterans.
"Leaders like Tim Walz are doing all they can to create jobs for Minnesotans, while politicians like Randy Demmer are simply out looking for the next person to blame," Sosanie said. "Minnesota needs innovative leadership during these difficult times, not just another politician like Demmer who's playing politics as usual."
Background:
Walz, Demmer: Big differences, small agreement "Unemployment checks serve as competition with private employers seeking to hire, Demmer said. He's talked to business owners who want to add employees but have been turned down by those who choose to stick with their unemployment benefits." [Mankato Free Press, 7/18/2010].
Rep. Randy Demmer voted repeatedly against the minimum wage. In 2004, 2005 and 2008 Rep. Randy Demmer continuously voted against the minimum wage. [HF 102, KVA p. 26, 4/14/04; HF 48, KVA p. 38, 5/2/05; HF 456, KVA p. 76, 5/8/08].
Rep. Randy Demmer opposes unemployment insurance. For those who reach the end of their benefits, Demmer is confident a job will be found. "People are resourceful," he said. "When they're put in a position to really go and find something, I think they will." [Mankato Free Press, 7/18/2010].
Congressman Walz has a plan for unemployed vets. Tim Walz's legislation will provide a job tax credit to small businesses that hire veterans [KEYC TV, 7/17/2010].
Related to: Tim Walz Randy Demmer Political District Tags Congressional District: 01Randy Demmer Chooses "Super-Lobbyist" to Chair Campaign
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 16:19Typical politician chooses Republican operative
Mankato, Minn. (July 16, 2010) - Today, State Rep. Randy Demmer announced his campaign team of Republican Party insiders. Chosen to lead his team is "super-lobbyist" Vin Weber.
"Rep. Randy Demmer has been in politics for 19 years and just like a typical politician, Randy Demmer chose a Washington insider to chair his campaign" said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "Tim Walz looked to local folks like Jerry and Kathleen Maschka in Mankato to chair his campaign. Southern Minnesota wants true leadership - not someone courting Republican operatives."
Rep. Demmer chooses ‘super-lobbyist.' Vin Weber named Washington, DC "super-lobbyist" [Media Transparency, 7/16/2010]
Political District Tags Congressional District: 01
Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel
Thu, 07/15/2010 - 14:13Republicans dust off their debunked claims of voter fraud to divert attention from current slate of out-of-touch candidates
St. Paul (July 15, 2010) - In a last-ditch effort to detract attention from Tom Emmer's abominable town hall with servers yesterday, the Republican Party of Minnesota today called on county attorneys to do something they're already doing. State Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"The 2008 election and recount was held up to the highest level of scrutiny, and passed the test. Let's look at the facts: Twelve judges - including the Supreme Court of Minnesota - found no evidence of fraud in the election. Senator Coleman's attorneys found no evidence of fraud. Governor Pawlenty admitted that there was no evidence of fraud. And leaders across the United States were impressed by the recount's meticulous attention to detail and its transparency.
"Today's latest political stunt by the Republican Party of Minnesota is about only two things: supporting Governor Pawlenty's national ambitions, and diverting attention from Tom Emmer's out-of-touch views and ongoing gaffes. If the Republicans would rather return to debunked claims about the 2008 election than talk about their candidates, things must be even worse for them than we thought."<!--break-->
Background:
County attorneys are already looking into the Republican claims, and have found them inaccurate.
"In reality, that has not been proven. And the actual number of felons who voted illegally will likely be much lower based on reviews from prosecutors who received Minnesota Majority's lists in the form of spread sheets in February.
"We received about 480 names from Minnesota Majority," Ramsey County's lead prosecutor Phil Carruthers told KARE Wednesday, "About 270 were clearly inaccurate and were rejected right from the get-go."
He said a quick review revealed the names and birthdates didn't match, or that the felons in question were no longer barred from voting.
"They were ruled out usually because they had the wrong identity of a person," Carruthers explained, "Or because the person no longer was on probation, and thus their civil rights had been restored."
[KARE 11, 7/15/10]
Sen. Coleman's lawyers admitted they found no evidence of voter fraud.
Hatch: We had litigation when I was Attorney General where people would sue on that Issue (photo-ID), and I think it's important that people have a right to vote. And the idea that a neighbor can vouch for who you are, you bring a utility bill is important. I don't think we've seen voter fraud in this state. I haven't heard of it. I mean, for all the talk about a photo ID, well, let's see where the problem is. If we haven't seen it, don't worry about it.
Knaak: There was a lot of criticism and a lot of suspicion, let's say, that was generated in the senate race, the fact of the matter is, to echo what Mike said, we were looking for fraud, and we didn't see it. So the bottom line is even though I like the idea, just because it's nice to have that verification, under the current system we haven't been seeing widespread fraud of any sort. And if it could happen anywhere, conceivably because of our relatively broad and generous standards, in any regard, it could happen here.
[Almanac, 2/5/10]
In opening arguments before the Minnesota Supreme Court on June 1, 2009, Coleman attorney Joe Friedberg stated in court, "There was no election fraud. There was no voter fraud." [Talking Points Memo, 6/1/09]
Governor Pawlenty previously admitted there was no evidence of voter fraud in the 2008 election.
"When asked about any fraud that may have occurred during the 2008 election, Governor Pawlenty stated, ‘On those matters, we need to see evidence. [...] I know there are concerns or theories in that regard, but as far as I know we have not been presented with the evidence. If there were such evidence, it probably would have been presented in the Coleman v. Franken lawsuit.'" [Star Tribune, 10/7/09]
Related to: Mark Ritchie Political District Tags Statewide office: Secretary of State
Emmer Reaches Tipping Point - Offends Even More Servers
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 14:49"Going undercover" as a server for a few hours, lawyer-Tom Emmer now thinks he knows it all
St. Paul (July 13, 2010) - Last night, media reports covered Tom Emmer as he went undercover at a restaurant in St. Paul this past weekend. The stunt followed a week of criticism by restaurant owners, the press and servers themselves after the GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate declared his wish to slash wages for workers in the service industry. But with his latest attempt at damage control, Emmer once again only served to offend even more service workers.
"It's offensive that Tom Emmer thinks he can step in for one afternoon and know what it's like to walk in my shoes," said Joy Anderson, a server from Minneapolis. "Just because he spent a few hours serving margaritas in front of video cameras doesn't mean Mr. Emmer has any clue what it's like to work as a server, or to depend on minimum-wage-plus-tips to pay the bills. Tom Emmer may have taken a few hours off from his law firm to play the part, but for those of us who actually do the job night after night, his plan to slash wages would be devastating."<!--break-->
Background:
Emmer waits tables after server wage cut flap. Emmer "If you happened to dine at a certain Mexican restaurant in St. Paul over the weekend, you may have seen the Republican candidate for Minnesota Governor schlepping tables, getting a table-side lesson in what a waiter does." [WCCO, 7/12/10]
Related to: Tom Emmer Political District Tags Statewide office: Governor
Emmer on Wage Cuts: The Video Doesn’t Lie
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 12:04GOP candidate lashes out at media while trying to spin his plans to cut wages, but tracking video tells the truth
St. Paul (July 13, 2010) - In his many attempts to spin his plans to cut wages for servers, Tom Emmer is blaming the media and saying they wrongly reported his comments. But the video doesn't lie.
The DFL Party today released the tracking video from Emmer's event last week where he repeatedly talked about the need for a tip penalty and at no time mentioned a "freeze" as he is now claiming.
"Tom Emmer is simply not telling the truth," said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "He can try to spin it however he'd like, but lashing out at the media will not change the fact that he wants to cut wages. The video doesn't lie."
To watch uncut video of the entire event, visit the DFL YouTube channel, here.
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Related to: Tom Emmer Political District Tags Statewide office: GovernorSocialism? Seriously?
Fri, 07/09/2010 - 14:46GOP candidate for governor has long record of standing against hardworking Minnesotans - called $1 wage increase "socialism"
St. Paul (July 9, 2010) - This week, Tom Emmer came under fire for his desire to slash the wages of service workers if he's elected governor. But Emmer has stood against hardworking Minnesotans before. In 2005, Tom Emmer opposed the first minimum-wage increase in over eight years, calling it "a true form of socialism." State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"Socialism? Seriously? It's clear that Tom Emmer has never worked in the service industry and doesn't understand the economic realities that face working Minnesotans."
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Yesterday, the DFL Party launched www.ServersAgainstTomEmmer.com to help hardworking Minnesotans spread the word about Tom Emmer's plans to slash wages for service-industry workers.
Background:
Emmer stood against a minimum wage increase that helped 100,000 Minnesotans.
· On May 2, 2005, Emmer opposed a bill that raised the minimum wage by $1 an hour. The bill passed the House 84-50. [Minnesota House of Representatives, SF 3 2005, House Journal 3417]
· According to Minnesota Public Radio, supporters of a minimum wage increase estimated that 50,000 Minnesotans make the minimum wage and another 60-70,000 make less than a dollar more. [MPR Vote Tracker, accessed 5/29/10]
Emmer called a $6.15 minimum wage "socialism"
· "Republicans opposed to the measure said it...would drive more jobs elsewhere. The measure makes Minnesota even more hostile to entrepreneurs and job creators, said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delando. ‘This is a true form of socialism,' Emmer said." [Duluth News Tribune, 5/3/05]
Now, Emmer wants to impose a tip penalty and cut the wages of hardworking Minnesotans. "Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer says Minnesota should factor tips into the hourly pay for minimum wage workers in restaurants and other gratuity-based jobs. After visiting a St. Paul restaurant Monday on a listening tour, Emmer advocated for a so-called "tip credit" to the state minimum wage." [Associated Press, 7/5/10]
Related to: Tom Emmer Political District Tags Statewide office: GovernorWhat’s Cooking in Tom Emmer’s Kitchen?
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 13:38New website on Emmer's plans to slash wages unites servers against Tom Emmer
ST. PAUL (July 8, 2010) - Today, the DFL Party launched a new website to help hardworking Minnesotans spread the word about Tom Emmer's plans to slash wages for service-industry workers: http://www.serversagainsttomemmer.com
This week, GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer came under fire for his plot to slash wages by including a tip penalty for employers to reduce the minimum wage. <!--break-->
"Creating a punitive two-tier minimum wage would leave 45,000 hard working people behind and rob them of that base they depend on. That's no way to treat working people in this recovering economy," said Wade Luneburg, Political Director for UNITE HERE Minnesota. "If Tom Emmer's big policy to help fix Minnesota is to take away more than half of a low-wage workers pay, just think of what he else he has in store. Watch out Main Street, you're next."
Emmer said Minnesotans could stand the cut since many are making $100,000 a year with their tips - a statement that has been disproven by service workers themselves, restaurant owners, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Since he has no ideas on how to address the budget, Tom Emmer is looking for a quick fix, and apparently, he's willing to nickel-and-dime hardworking Minnesotans along the way," said State DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt. "As a former server who worked for tips, it's shocking to think that Tom Emmer wants to slash wages in order to do the bidding of certain big businesses - especially during these difficult times. This website will be a great tool to inform voters and keep track of this latest example of how Tom Emmer would harm Minnesota."
The website includes video of Tom Emmer's comments earlier this week, fliers for visitors to leave at venues when they give a tip, and facts to set the record straight on servers' income. See what's cooking in Tom Emmer's kitchen at www.serversagainsttomemmer.com.
Emmer's “Cutting Jobs for Minnesota” Tour, Take Two
Mon, 07/05/2010 - 16:33GOP candidate expands on plan to cut jobs if elected - would also reduce wages for those remaining employed
St. Paul (July 5, 2010) - Today, GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer said, on his latest Tea Party tour, that he would fight to make tips count toward the hourly pay for minimum wage if he were elected governor, effectively reducing the income of hardworking Minnesotans.
"It was bad enough when Tom Emmer was just promising to cut thousands of jobs, but now he wants to cut wages too? That's appalling," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "We need a governor who will fight to get Minnesotans back to work, not take money out of the pockets of middle class families and force them to worry even more about how they're going to pay the bills during these difficult times. If anyone needed any more proof of the extent to which Tom Emmer is out of touch with everyday Minnesotans, there it is."<!--break-->
Background:
Emmer wants tips to count for minimum wage. "Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer says Minnesota should factor tips into the hourly pay for minimum wage workers in restaurants and other gratuity-based jobs. After visiting a St. Paul restaurant Monday on a listening tour, Emmer advocated for a so-called ‘tip credit' to the state minimum wage." [Associated Press, 7/5/10]
Related to: Tom Emmer Political District Tags Statewide office: Governor
Readers (And Editors) Beware!
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 12:50GOP auditor candidate Pat Anderson will say anything to get elected - especially when it comes to LGA
St. Paul (July 1, 2010) - GOP State Auditor candidate Pat Awada Anderson has been trying to play both sides of the field while talking about Local Government Aid (LGA) cuts on her statewide media tour.
In greater Minnesota, Anderson bemoans the LGA cuts, saying the state is shirking its responsibility and promising to mend the strained relationship between the state and local governments that she created. In the Twin Cities, Anderson argues just the opposite, reverting to her original stance of using LGA cuts to balance the state budget, and saying in a Star Tribune editorial that the result of LGA cuts is "efficiency."
"It's hard to know where exactly Pat Anderson stands on any given issue since she will apparently say anything to promote herself, regardless of facts," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "But it's clear that Pat Anderson does not stand on principle."
Anderson first pushed for balancing the state budget through a 43% cut to LGA just one month after taking office in 2003. She labeled things like libraries, parks, and community health services as "non-essential services" that could be cut. And the LGA cuts Anderson first proposed have driven city property taxes up by 102% and may be contributing to home foreclosures and a delayed economic recovery.
"Pat Anderson's actions decimated communities in greater Minnesota, and Minnesotans haven't forgotten the reasons they voted her out of office four years ago," Sosanie said. "It would be one thing if Pat Anderson had seen the light and changed her position, but she hasn't. She's simply saying one thing in greater Minnesota while she argues the opposite in the Twin Cities - that's unprincipled, and it's hypocrisy at its worst."
Background
Pat Anderson will say anything in her effort to get elected.
- Anderson is for LGA cuts while in the Twin Cities. "The takeaway lesson of the Pawlenty era is that when local government must set priorities, it acts more responsibly." [Star Tribune, 3/4/10]
- Anderson opposes LGA cuts outside the Twin Cities. Anderson has been telling press in greater Minnesota that the state is shirking its responsibility by cutting aid to local governments. "The state shouldn't use LGA to balance its budget." [Litchfield Independent, 6/29/10]
Pat Anderson originally proposed and widely promoted cuts to Local Government Aid.
- Anderson first proposed cutting LGA. "Minnesota Auditor Pat Awada said on Monday that the state could erase nearly 12 percent of its $4.2 billion deficit in fiscal years 2004-05 with a targeted cut of 43 percent in state aid to cities." [Pioneer Press, 2/11/03]
- Anderson labeled things like libraries, parks, and community health services as "non-essential services" so that they could be cut. "In her prior term, her advice on "essential services" eligible for LGA didn't sit well with rural communities. She declared libraries a ‘non-essential' local government service." [Bemidji Pioneer, 5/30/10]
- Cuts to LGA have driven up property taxes by 102%. "As federal and state governments have reduced the amount of aid to cities, the result has been a greater reliance on revenues derived from property taxes...Between 1999 and 2008, actual revenues derived from property taxes grew 102 percent, compared to 10 percent for revenues derived from intergovernmental sources." [Minnesota City Report, 2008 Revenues, Expenditures and Debt, accessed 6/29/10]
Political District Tags Statewide office: State Auditor
Celebrating Diversity, Fighting for Equality
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 13:39DFL Party proudly stands with GLBT community to support social justice and equality
St. Paul (June 26, 2010) - As the Twin Cities Pride Festival is held this weekend, the DFL Party proudly stands with members of the GLBT community to celebrate diversity and fight for equality. State Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"The DFL Party is based on values that support building strong families. Our Party celebrates diversity and promotes fairness. Our activists and elected officials have fought for decades for social justice. But for far too long, some Minnesotans have been denied the right to declare their love and commitment through marriage. Every person should be allowed to take care of their significant other emotionally, financially and legally. We are proud to stand up this weekend and declare our support for the GLBT community, to renew our fight for marriage equality, and to affirm our commitment to ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."
Members of the Stonewall DFL and other DFL supporters will walk with DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher in this year's Pride parade. Margaret will hold a rally with more than 100 supporters before the parade, at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 28th, on 3rd St, between Marquette and 2nd Ave.
Related to: Margaret Anderson Kelliher
“Good People” Indeed
Thu, 06/24/2010 - 14:12Tom Emmer's ties to anti-gay organization and homophobic leader is troubling for Minnesotans
ST. PAUL (June 24, 2010) - Tom Emmer recently came under fire for his ties to the organization You Can Run But You Can't Hide International, and its leader Bradlee Dean who has equated homosexuals with pedophiles and encouraged his followers to stand up and "enforce God's laws" on their own. When asked to address his relationship with Dean and his organization, Emmer simply said "these are good people."
"Is Tom Emmer kidding? Good people indeed," said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "Tom Emmer stood up for a man who called members of the GLBT community predators, who has encouraged violence against homosexuals and would like to impose his narrow-minded beliefs on the whole of America. It doesn't get more bigoted or extreme than that, and Tom Emmer once again is there standing up for these right-wing beliefs. It's shameful."
Tom Emmer has contributed money to You Can Run But You Can't Hide International, done interviews with and been a guest in the home of the organization's leader, Bradlee Dean.
The DFL Party released this web video on the shameful company Tom Emmer keeps:
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Stonewall DFL United Behind Margaret
Wed, 06/23/2010 - 15:23DFL caucus endorses Margaret, releases video on her dedication to the GLBT community
St. Paul (June 23, 2010) - As the Twin Cities Pride Festival approaches this weekend, members of the Stonewall DFL Caucus rallied behind their endorsed candidate for governor, Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
"Margaret has a long record of standing up for social justice, and fighting for issues that matter to the GLBT community," said Mary Doran, Associate Chair of the Stonewall DFL Caucus. "Margaret shares our belief in fairness, will work for marriage equality, and is the only candidate with the experience and drive to get it done. We are proud to endorse Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor."
Stonewall DFL members filmed their reasons for supporting Margaret and released this web video:
<!--break-->Stonewall DFL is a political organization that works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing GLBT and allied Democrats to office in Minnesota and within the DFL Party. The DFL Party is proud of its record that demonstrates its commitment to social justice and fair-minded equality.
Political District Tags Statewide office: Governor
Special Delivery: Pawlenty Sends $1.4 Billion in Health-Care Funding to Other States
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 16:24Governor gets ball rolling for Tom Emmer to continue forfeiting thousands of jobs in hospitals and clinics
St. Paul (June 22, 2010) - Governor Pawlenty sent a letter to the Health & Human Services Commissioner today, officially announcing his intention to send $1.4 billion in federal health-care funding to other states. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"Giving $1.4 billion away to other states will eliminate thousands of jobs in hospitals and clinics in Minnesota, will place unnecessary strain on our own state budget, and will hinder our ability to create jobs and opportunity here in Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty's action today is just another valentine to the far-right wing as he fights to promote his own ambition and paves the way for Tom Emmer to continue his extreme, failed Republican policies."
GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has also pledged to decline the $1.4 billion in federal funding, but has offered no ideas for the future otherwise. Governor Pawlenty's decision would get the ball rolling for Tom Emmer to continue the failed Pawlenty policies that eliminated countless jobs and created the looming budget deficit in Minnesota.
Today is the 53rd day since Tom Emmer was hand-picked by Sarah Palin and endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota - still no budget plan.
Political District Tags Statewide office: GovernorThe Guessing Game Continues
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 15:21Emmer still refuses to say what he will do as governor or put forth a plan
ST. PAUL (June 18, 2010) - Today, Tom Emmer took aim at journalists and voters asking for answers on what he'll do as governor, saying he's "not running to be the accountant" at a speech to his hometown crowd in Delano.
"Well I guess we have another item to add to the ever-expanding list of things that Tom Emmer won't do," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "Tom Emmer has already refused to provide a budget plan, support education, and create jobs in the future, so ‘be an accountant' is just the latest declaration of what he won't do for Minnesota. But the question still remains, where is Emmer's plan? What will Tom Emmer do? The guessing game continues."
Today is the 49th day since Tom Emmer was hand-picked by Sarah Palin and endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota - still no budget plan.<!--break-->
Background
Defending his refusal to offer a plan for voters, Emmer says he's not running to be the accountant. "Republican-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer took aim Thursday at politicians and journalists who have pressed him on his refusal to give any details about how he would resolve the state's multibillion-dollar projected budget shortfall. ‘I am not running to be the accountant for the state of Minnesota,' he said at a Delano Chamber of Commerce luncheon." [Star Tribune, 6/18/10]
Political District Tags Statewide office: GovernorSeverson’s Week of Political Stunts
Thu, 06/17/2010 - 11:18Severson pledges to support "all efforts" to disenfranchise voters with photo ID requirements, takes his show on the road
St. Paul (June 17, 2010) - GOP candidate for Secretary of State, Dan Severson, held his most recent political stunt earlier this week, pledging to support extreme measures that would disenfranchise voters around the state, then kicked off a state-wide tour to promote photo ID requirements for voting.
"Minnesota has one of the best systems of voting in the country - as evidenced by last year's recount which was blessed by 12 judges and nationally recognized as an example of democracy at work," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "Dan Severson once again is simply trying to drum up controversy where three is none in an effort to make himself seem relevant."
Minnesota has several requirements for proving residence when registering to vote, but because not everyone has a credit card or driver's license, a government-issued photo ID is not currently required. Instead of focusing on how include people into Minnesota's voting system, Severson pledged to support all efforts to disenfranchise voters by requiring photo identification at the polls.
Background:
Severson touring state trying to make himself seem relevant. "Stopping in Mankato and three other towns Tuesday, Severson promoted legislation requiring photo IDs for voters and signed up legislative candidates to take a "voter protection pledge." [Mankato Free Press, 6/15/10]
Photo ID requirement is a solution in search of a problem. Minnesota has one of the best systems of voting in the nation. There are security measures in place to make sure that the people voting are eligible to vote. Even Senator Coleman's lawyers, who had every motivation in the world to find voter fraud in 2008's election, commented "we were looking for fraud, and we didn't see it." [Almanac, 2/5/10]
Photo ID requirement will disenfranchise tens of thousands of eligible voters.
- Not everyone who is eligible to vote has a credit card or a valid photo ID. There are plenty of requirements for proving residence when registering to vote. Requiring a valid government issued photo ID is just too restrictive. Senior citizens who no longer drive, families who have recently moved, students and young voters without a license, as well as those who cannot afford the fees associated with government issued IDs would all be negatively affected by the ID requirement.
- "Repeated Republican attempts to make the change have been defeated by Democrats in the Legislature, who say the requirement would disproportionately reduce participation in elections by the poor, disabled and minorities. It would also make it harder for college students who don't have an up-to-date address on their drivers license to vote in their college town." [Mankato Free Press, 6/15/10]
Political District Tags Statewide office: Secretary of State
Slim Pickings for Republicans
Wed, 06/16/2010 - 16:51Candidates in congressional district four GOP primary both have repeated run-ins with the law
St. Paul (June 16, 2010) - As news reports continue to uncover more information about GOP-endorsed candidate Teresa Collett, it's now certain that whomever wins the GOP spot in August will have a record of repeated legal infractions.
Collett, who admitted this week to having two driving-under-the-influence- related incidents in the past five years, joins fellow GOP candidate, Dr. Jack Shepard, who is a fugitive currently living in Italy under allegations of arson. Dr. Shepard has previous drug possession and criminal sexual conduct convictions.
"It's slim pickings for Republican voters in the CD4 GOP primary," said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "We don't envy them a bit."<!--break-->
Background:
DWI past surfaces for Teresa Collett. "The Republican-endorsed congressional candidate in the St. Paul area, Teresa Collett, has had two run-ins with the law in recent years while driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police records." [Star Tribune, 6/16/10]
Fugitive Jack Shepard holds previous criminal sexual conduct and drug possession convictions. "Shepard made news in 2004 when Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer booted him off the 2004 primary ballot because she believed he was a fugitive felon, something Shepard denies...The Pioneer Press' Pat Sweeney reported in 2004 that ‘Hennepin County authorities said they believe the candidate is a former Minneapolis dentist who had already been convicted of criminal sexual conduct and drug possession when he was accused of arson in 1982.'" [MPR, 7/6/06]
Political District Tags Congressional District: 04Anderson for Governor, Take Two?
Wed, 06/16/2010 - 16:41GOP auditor candidate still unclear on which office she's running for, making promises she's can't keep
ST. PAUL (June 16, 2010) - Republican state auditor candidate Pat Anderson has spent the last month on a state-wide tour telling media and voters that, if elected, she will work to redesign government and solve Minnesota's budget deficit. There's just one problem: the state auditor does not have the authority to do either of those things.
"Pat Anderson is traveling around the state making promises she can't keep," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "Pat Anderson is either misleading people or she is confused about what the job of state auditor really is - either way it doesn't bode well for Minnesota. Perhaps she thinks she's still running for governor?"<!--break-->
The state auditor has no power to redesign government and no direct impact on the state deficit - those are the jobs of the governor and the legislature. The task of the state auditor is to ensure accountability and transparency in Minnesota's 4,300+ local governments - that means cities, counties, towns and school districts.
"You'd think in her four years in the office, she would have learned the job's basics," Sosanie said. "But then, we already knew Pat Anderson had trouble paying attention to details, she has an eight-year pattern of financial errors that prove that point."
In her travels, Anderson has also told editors that, if elected, she would work to improve the relationships between state and local government. But Anderson herself was responsible for the breakdown in that trust.
"People won't be fooled by Pat Anderson's newly-minted alternate reality - it's a matter of public record," Sosanie said. "The cuts that have hurt greater Minnesota and driven up city property taxes by a whopping 102% can all be laid squarely at her feet."
Pat Anderson first recommended cutting Local Government Aid, and labeled things like libraries, parks, and community health services as "non-essential services" so that they could be cut.
"The fact is that Pat Anderson created the relationship problem that she's now pledging to fix," Sosanie finished. "She is entitled to her own opinions, but not her own facts."
Background
Pat Anderson said she'll work to redesign government and address the state deficit. "We have to redesign government,' Anderson said. ‘We have to rethink what we should be doing and who should be doing what, because we just can't continue on this path.' The state auditor is constitutionally charged with overseeing spending by local governments and has no authority to make the broad changes Anderson believes are necessary. But if she's elected, she said she intends to use her position as a bully pulpit to try to push the legislature to make those changes." [Pipestone Star, 6/10/10]
- The State Auditor does not have the power to do either of those things. "The Office of the State Auditor is a constitutional office that is charged with overseeing more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota. The Office of the State Auditor does this by performing audits of local government financial statements and by reviewing documents, data, reports and complaints reported to the Office. The financial information collected from local governments is analyzed and serves as the basis of statutory reports issued by the Office of the State Auditor." [Office of State Auditor, accessed 6/15/10]
Pat Anderson's record is riddled with financial errors.
- "Two of the four republican candidates for State Auditor have made financial errors on their 2009 campaign finance reports. Candidates Pat Anderson and Randy Gilbert have filed reports that don't add up." [Pioneer Press, 2/4/10]
- "State Auditor varies from Dept of Ed by $87.5 million. Auditor report on Minnesota schools differs on student count as well; Uses the wrong inflation period; some schools counted twice, others not at all. State Auditor Patricia Anderson's widely publicized report on Minnesota schools, released last June, varies from figures published by the Minnesota Department of Education and has problems in its analysis." [ECM, 9/20/06]
Pat Anderson said she'll work to rebuild relationships that she broke in the first place. "Another issue Anderson sees is that the relationship between local governments and the State are at an all-time low, mostly due to cuts in local government aid." [News Enterprise, 5/28/10]
- Anderson first proposed cutting LGA. "Minnesota Auditor Pat Awada said on Monday that the state could erase nearly 12 percent of its $4.2 billion deficit in fiscal years 2004-05 with a targeted cut of 43 percent in state aid to cities." [Pioneer Press, 2/11/03]
- Anderson labeled things like libraries, parks, and community health services as "non-essential services" so that they could be cut. "In her prior term, her advice on "essential services" eligible for LGA didn't sit well with rural communities. She declared libraries a ‘non-essential' local government service." [Bemidji Pioneer, 5/30/10]
- Cuts to LGA have driven up property taxes by 102%. "As federal and state governments have reduced the amount of aid to cities, the result has been a greater reliance on revenues derived from property taxes...Between 1999 and 2008, actual revenues derived from property taxes grew 102 percent, compared to 10 percent for revenues derived from intergovernmental sources." [Minnesota City Report, 2008 Revenues, Expenditures and Debt, accessed 6/15/10]
45 Days Later: Still No Emmer Budget Plan
Tue, 06/15/2010 - 13:42St. Paul (June 15, 2010) - Earlier this month, Tom Emmer expounded on the need for the state legislature to address the budget crisis early in the session, saying the legislature should deliver a budget within 45 days of the governor's proposal. But Emmer himself still has not provided any details on his plans for the Minnesota budget. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:
"Forty-five days have come and gone, but still no budget plan from Tom Emmer. Minnesotans deserve to know what Tom Emmer would do as governor - but, as always, Tom Emmer has no details. It's just cut-cut-cut rhetoric from the Tea Party candidate, and that lack of ideas doesn't add up to anything good for Minnesota."
Today is the 46th day since Tom Emmer was hand-picked by Sarah Palin and endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota.<!--break-->
Background
After standing on the sidelines during the budget negotiations, Emmer called for the legislature to propose a budget within 45 days of receiving the governor's proposal. "During the session I proposed that the Legislature put forth its own balanced budget within 45 days of receiving the governor's budget. As governor, I will insist upon it." [Winona Daily News, 6/4/10]