News
DFL Senate District News
Straw poll results
Here are the results of the February 2 precinct caucus straw poll:
| Candidate | Percentage |
|---|---|
Bakk |
3.0% |
Entenza |
4.9% |
Gaertner |
1.6% |
Kelley |
14.1% |
Kelliher |
13.0% |
Marty |
7.8% |
Monetz |
0.5% |
Rukavina |
2.2% |
Rybak |
29.2% |
Savior |
0.3% |
Thissen |
8.9% |
Uncommitted |
14.6% |
Sen. Hann announced candidacy for governor
Today, the Minneapolis StarTribune reported that David Hann, R-SD42, has announced his candidacy for Governor. His campaign could require him to step down as our senator for the 2010 legislative session.
Where did Gov. Pawlenty unalloting funds?
Unallotment job loss estimate
On July 1, Tom Stinso spoke to members of the LAC about projected job losses resulting from Gov. Pawlenty's unallotments. He estimated a direct job loss of between 3,000 to 5,000 at minimum with an additional 1,500 to 2,500 jobs lost as people without jobs purchase fewer goods. The estimated job losses from the tax increase the Legislature proposed? around 1,000. That's a job loss 3 to 5 times higher coming from the way Gov. Pawlenty chose to conduct the people's business. (Estimates are based on Global Insights information.)
Gov. Pawlenty goes it alone
Minnesota is one of the few states where a state tax increase is not part of the budget-balancing solution during this recession. Since January 1, 2009, 23 state have raised taxes and 13 more are currently considering increasing them according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. At least ten states enacted tax and revenue measures in late 2007 or 2008 in response to budget shortfalls. Personal income, sales, business, tobacco and alcohol, motor vehicle are among the tax increases approved by other states so far this year. The Center notes that a number of economists believe tax increases are less harmful to state economies than cuts in public services.
The Center reviewed the economic performance of states that did not raise taxes, or cut them, during the last recession in the early 1990s. According to their analysis, those states ... including Minnesota ... "subsequently saw slower than average economic growth ... Those states' decision to avoid tax increases (and in some cases, to enact large cuts in services) failed to protect them from below average growth in both personal income and employment ring the subsequent period. During the budget surplus years, Minnesota led the nation in the size of its tax cuts, as a percent of the state budget. Want to read the full report? Click here.
What does Gov. Pawlenty's insistence on
no new taxes really mean?
Budget cuts to higher education, hospitals and local governments mean big job losses.
- The University of Minnesota estimates it will lose between 500 and 750 jobs if the Governor unallots the $146 million he had offered on Sunday. This is on top of the 1,000 jobs they have already lost.
- The hospital industry estimates that for every $1 million cut, 20 jobs are at risk. The Governor's veto of $381 million General Assistance Medical Care means as many as 7,000 Minnesotans might be out of work.
- If the Governor follows through on his threat to unallot Local Government Aid (LGA) and County Program Aid (CPA), as many as 3,000 Minnesotans may lose their jobs ... including police officers and firefighters.
The 4th tier income tax on the wealthiest Minnesotan helps all of us:
- For as little as 30 cents a day on high income earners, Minnesota could avoid those job losses and we could make our tax system fair.
- For a married couple with 2 children and a Minnesota Taxable Income of $300,000, the tax increase would be $109 a year ... that $9 a month or 30 cents a day.
- Only 2.3% of tax filers would pay higher taxes under this proposal. Filers with adjusted gross income below $250,000 would not be impacted by the 4th Tier proposal.
- The income tax increase only applies to income after the $250,000 threshold is met. If a person makes $250,001, only $1 is taxed at the higher rate.
- Only 5.7% of returns with S-corporation, partnership, sole proprietor or farm income would pay higher taxes under this proposal.
- Middle class Minnesotans pay almost 4% more in taxes compared to the highest income earners.
So, how does Gov. Pawlenty get off saying a tax increase is bad for businesses and would hurt employment? Sounds like the typical double-speak we've come to expect from our governor, doesn't it? And, if everyone is needing so sacrifice, what does he bring to the plate? How about a refund of all the taxpayer dollars that he accepted while doing Republican and McCain campaign business on our dime. Wouldn't make up the deficit, true, but why should any of our tax dollars go to support our governor's further political ambitions ... especial when the rest of the population has to sacrifice?
State Rep. Loon's win touted by the organization where she lobbied
ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, issued a news released Monday, November 10. As she did throughout the campaign, she calls her work making it easier for credit and collections agencies to pursue payment from deployed military personnel, and college students with loans "promoting small- or medium-sized business". Representing a house district will be different from her lobbying experience, as well as her partisan positions in Congress. We'll be watching her activities in the Legislature this session to see that she not only focuses on real small business that generate new ideas and jobs, but issues important to consumers using products and services produced by those small businesses.
Jenifer Loon endorsed by Conservation Minnesota even though she didn't support the Clean Water Amendment
In the final few weeks of the election, many of us received a series of postcard mailings from Conservation Minnesota stating that Jenifer Loon supported environmental issues. For those of us who attended the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, or watched it on television, we found this a concerning endorsement where she specifically stated that she didn't support the Clean Water Amendment. Why did an environmental organization spend multiple thousands of dollars supporting a candidate that didn't support this initiative and not endorse one who did? If you'd like to know, here's a link where you can e-mail the organization and ask them.
Sen. Hann States Minnesota's Roads are in Great Shape
At the confirmation hearing for Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, Sen. Hann not only says that Ms. Molnau is doing a great job, and it's political assassination to not confirm her. He also states Minnesota's roads are in great shape. Visit this page to hear his statement.
Sen. Hann Holds "Press Conference" Calling Senate Hearing on Atrazine Based on Delusion
On October 17, 2007, Sen. David Hann released a press commentary at a "press conference" at the Minnesota Capitol stating that a recent Senate Health, Housing and Family Security committee hearing "unreasonably implied government conspiracy" and compared concern with groundwater contamination by pest atrazine as comparable to people believing in alien abductions or that Elvis alive.
Atrazine is a pesticide banned in much of Europe due to its ability to enter the drinking water supply. According to the EPA, short term exposure to levels above the MCL cause congestion of heart, lungs and kidneys; low blood pressure, muscle spasms, weight loss and damage to adrenal gland. Long term exposure has the potential to cause weight loss, cardiovascular damage, retinal and some muscle degeneration and cancer.
At the end of this taping, Rep. Ken Tschumper, a farmer from southern Minnesota, contests Sen. Hann's statements. Take a look at the number of people in the room, and when Sens. Hann and Fischbach leave who leaves with them to get an idea of how much media was really attending.
Here's a link to the Minnesota Senate website where you can watch the video in either Real Media or Windows Media formats.
Sen Hann Calls Women's Earnings Gap "Absurd, Illogical and Irrational"
On May 17, 2007, our State Senator, David Hann stood on the Senate floor during discussion of SF1061 to ask if the bill was presented seriously. He stated he didn't believe in the gender earning gap. And, that he believes that if there is wage disparity it is because "women have children." If unmarried men's and women's income is compared, there is no disparity. He made this statement on Gender Equity day ... the date a typical woman has to work to in order to make an equal amount with a typical man. Don't believe us? Visit this page to listen.
Check out these websites for more facts on women's earnings compared to men:
American Association of University Women
Digital Commons @ Bryant University
Sen. Hann Votes Against Increasing Minimum Wage
The week of April 16, the Minnesota Senate voted on Senate File 875, which would increase the state’s minimum wage. This action is needed to ensure the state’s lowest paid workers see their income keep pace with the rising cost of living. Unfortunately, Sen. Hann voted against the increase, siding with big business rather than the people of Minnesota.
The minimum wage increase Sen. David Hann voted against was modest. It would incrementally increase the minimum wage to $7.75 for large employers and $6.75 for small employers by August of next year. By way of comparison, had the federal minimum wage set in 1968 kept pace with inflation, it would now be worth over $9.25 an hour.
Strengthening the minimum wage helps to ensure that working adults can take care of their families without relying on government programs. What’s more, raising the minimum wage actually stimulates local economies, since the lowest-wage workers typically spend every dollar they earn. What is Sen Hann most to: safe and secure families, less government spending, or improved local economies?
Sen. Hann 1 of 3 Voting Against Giving Dept. of Health Ability to Set Firmer Health Risk Limits
On April 17, the Senate voted 60 to 3 to describe the possible health effects from perflourochemicals found in water supplies and fish in the Twin Cities. Sen. Hann was one of three senators voting against the bill stating, "It furthers a sense of concern and hysteria that is not warranted."
New guidelines released April 16 state that due to concentrations of the chemicals perflurooctane sulfonate (PFOs) and perfluorchemicals (PFCs, people who eat bluegill sunfish from Lake Calhoun and several connected lakes limit their consumption to 1 meal per month. PFOs have also been found in bluegill, carp, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white bass, northern pike and walleye in the Mississippi River. The Department is considering issuing more restrictive guidelines for women who are or who may become pregnant or children under age 15. To read the full Department of Health report, visit their website.
Sen. Hann Co-Host to"Climate Change" Symposium
On March 8, our state Senator and three other Republican Legislators acted as co-hosts for a Climate Change Symposium held at the Minnesota History Center. Speakers included Patrick Michaels, a fellow with the Cato Foundation; Prof. E. Calvin Beisner and James Taylor. All are on record as believing that what humans are doing isn't affecting the planet's weather. This matches what Sen. Hann stated at the 2006 League of Women Voters debate. See for yourself.
Minnesota News
Minnesota Supreme Court Rules for Franken
On Tuesday, June 30, the Minnesota Supreme Court ordered that Democrat Al Franken be certified as the winner of the November, 2008, U.S. Senate race, paving the way for a resolution in the seven-month fight over the seat. In a unanimous decision, the Court rejected Norm Coleman's challenge and stated Franken is entitled to the election certificate he needs to assume office.
Recently, Gov. Pawlenty has said he would sign the election certificate. As of this writing, neither he nor the Coleman campaign have issued a statement (6/30/09, 2:03 pm CDT). Read the Court's ruling.
District Court Findings in Coleman v. Franken
The District Court found in favor of Al Franken in the case brought by former Senator Norm Coleman. Mr. Coleman has been out on a p.r. tour stumping for all those votes he says weren't counted (but he was more than happy to brush aside after the election). Read the Court's findings for yourself.
State Revenue Collections and Federal Stimulus Information
State revenue collections in March were on target with the forecast (just 2 percent higher), which was expected since the March 3 forecast re-calibrated projected monthly collection amounts based on more recent economic data.
Minnesota Management and Budget office has established a website for tracking federal stimulus information. Click here to visit the site.
National News
Is Rep. Erik Paulsen supporting the middle class in Congress?
Not according to non-partisan Drum Major Institute for Public Policy's themiddleclass.org.
As of February 10, 2010, here the grade he receives for supporting the middle class with his votee:
28%
Not very good. Want to check for yourself? Here's a link.
International Red Cross Report on US Torture
You've heard a lot about this in the news. Here's your chance to read the actual report showing that the Bush Administration did sanction torture.
The Truth About Tax Rates and the Current Cries of Socialism
In the March 8, 2009, issue of Washington Monthly, a truly stunning article appeared debunking the current Republican stance that President Obama's proposal to raise the top marginal tax rate to 39.6% (what it was during the Clinton years and where it was intended to return in 2011 with the Bush plan). The article included this chart:
The far right column shows the proposed rate from the Obama administration.
Take a look at the rate during President Eisenhower ... 91%. How about President Nixon ... 70%. Even President Reagan's first term ...50%.
And, keep in mind, that the Obama tax plan cuts taxes for 95% of working family, closes tax loopholes for oil companies, hedge funds and corporations that shop jobs overseas. Sounds like a good way to get the economy back on track, doesn't it?
The GOP had better get serious
My former Republican colleagues in the US House are headed to the wilderness for another 40 years if they continue their current path.
Following the lead of extremists like Rush Limbaugh is a prescription for disaster. But that's the course Republican leaders set when their whip declared the House Republican strategy will be to "Just Say No" to President Obama.
To se the folly of their strategy, Republican members need look no further than the Third Congressional District of Minnesota, which I was proud to represent for 18 years. In 2004, former President George W. Bush won our district by three percentage points. And then, base politics from the Karl Rove playbook became even more pronounced.
Four years later, President Obama swept our district by six points, a nine-point swing.
Thoughtful, Discerning voters are sick and tired of the politics of division. They want both sides to work together in a bipartisan, pragmatic and common-sense way on the critical problems facing our country.
It's time for my former colleagues to put right-wing base politics aside and work with the new Administration to grow the economy, create jobs, reform healthcare, education and energy policy, as well as successfully prosecute the war on terror.
Otherwise voters will continue to trust President Obama by an astonishing 35 points more than they trust congressional Republicans on the most pressing issues of the day.
That can only portend a long stay in the wilderness for the loyal opposition.
Jim Ramstad, former 3rd CD Rep. from 1991 to 2009
Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 6, 2009