Taxpayers League targets friends
Posted at 5:55 PM on February 3, 2012
by Tom Scheck
(0 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature
A leading anti-tax group is criticizing some of the most conservative members of the Legislature for breaking a pledge not to raise taxes.
"Why Do Politicians Break Their Promises?" was the headline of e-mail alert from the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.
The group called on its members to contact seven Republican lawmakers and ask them why they're backing legislation that would allow the state's horse tracks to operate slot machines.
The lawmakers being targeted are some of the fiercest opponents of government spending. They include Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Shakopee, Rep. Linda Runbeck, R-Circle Pines, Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, Rep. Bob Barrett, R-Shafer, Rep. Andrea Kieffer, R-Woodbury, Rep. Branden Peterson, R-Andover and Sen. Mike Parry, R-Waseca.
Runbeck is a former president of the Taxpayers League. Parry is running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District.
Taxpayers League President Phil Krinkie says it's a tax increase because the state would take a cut of the money from the machines, to pay for things like fixing the school funding shift, renovating the state Capitol building and financing a Vikings stadium. He said he's surprised lawmakers who called for holding the line on spending are now backing an expansion of gambling in Minnesota.
"There was a call from some of these very same people of 'not a penny more.' So how do you go with the math in a few months from 'not a penny more' to a couple a hundred million more?," Krinkie said.
Parry said he's surprised anyone would consider the so-called Racino legislation a tax hike. He called gambling a "voluntary activity."
"Gambling is a game of choice," Parry said. "You don't have to gamble if you don't want to. We have gambling in the state of Minnesota. This is not feeding the beast."
Krinkie said the state's tribes, which own and operate casinos in Minnesota, have given money to his organization, but he said that has nothing to do with his group's stance on the issue. He said the league is concerned about any effort to increase state spending.
Former MN Republican Party Chair backs Ron Paul
Posted at 4:46 PM on February 3, 2012
by Tom Scheck
(0 Comments)
Filed under: 2012
Ron Paul's campaign for president announced today that former Republican Party Chair Chris Georgacas is backing the Texas Congressman's campaign.
"In my many years in politics, I have learned that most candidates talk about small government and personal freedom, only to turn around and work for the exact opposite after election," Georgacas said in a statement. "But there is one man who is an exception to this depressing rule -- and that's Ron Paul. He has been thoroughly consistent to his principles throughout his service in Congress. What Ron Paul says exactly matches what he believes and what he does."
Georgacas was chair of the Minnesota Republican Party from 1993 to 1997. He is also an active fundraiser for Republican candidates and Republican causes. He chaired Tim Pawlenty's first campaign for governor in 2002 and Tom Emmer's unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2010.
He also directs Minnesotans for a Fair Redistricting, the non-profit group that is raising money for the Republican Party's redistricting efforts in Minnesota.
Romney announces support from Minnesota politicians
Posted at 3:43 PM on February 3, 2012
by Catharine Richert
(0 Comments)
Filed under: 2012
A few days before the state's caucuses, Mitt Romney has announced a slate of support from Minnesota lawmakers and Republican activists.
Among them are House Speaker Kurt Zellers and House Majority Leader Matt Dean.
"This wide-ranging support shows that my message of a smaller, simpler, and smarter federal government is resonating with Minnesotans as it is with voters across the country," Romney said in a press release. I'm counting on these leaders to help me spread this message in the months to come."
Romney won the state's 2008 caucus handily with 41 percent of the vote.
Zellers said he was endorsing Romney because "he will work to improve the economy, reduce burdensome regulations and reverse economic policies that expand government rather than private sector job growth."
Here's the full list of Romney's support:
Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers
House Majority Leader Matt Dean
Senator Roger Chamberlain
Representative Kurt Daudt
Representative Dan Fabian
Representative Joe Hoppe
Representative Jennifer Loon
Representative Linda Runbeck
Representative Tim Sanders
Former Executive Director, Minnesota College Republicans Tara Anderson
Former Mayor of New Brighton and former 4th district GOP Chair Bev Aplikowski
Former National Committeewoman Evie Axdahl
Republican Activist Dirk Bak
Former Republican Candidate for Minnesota Attorney General Chris Barden
Republican Activist Andy Brehm
Republican Activist Ward Brehm
Former State Representative Laura Brod
Republican Activist Mike Campbell
Former Chairman, Republican Party of Minnesota Ron Eibensteiner
Republican Activist John Frydenlund
Republican Activist Matthew Gall
Republican Activist and co-founder, Cool Conservative Betsy Gall
Former Chairman, Minnesota College Republicans Jake Grassel
Minnesota Republican Party 4th Congressional District Officer Mary Igo
Former Minnesota Republican Party 4th Congressional District Chair Pat Igo
Small Business Owner Gary Iocco
Former Minnesota Republican Party Vice-Chairwoman Chris Jacobson
Republican Activist Greg Johnson
Minnesota Republican Party BPOU Chair Pat Kaluza
Republican Activist Matt Kirkpatrick
Republican Activist Carrie Kirkpatrick
Former State Representative Paul Kohls
Republican Activist Lisa Laliberte Belak
Vice President of Trade Marketing, General Mills Lohr LeSueur
Minnesota Republican Party 8th Congressional District Chair Ted Lovdahl
Mayor of Brooklyn Park Jeff Lunde
Republican Activist Lynn McHale
Former National Committeeman & Chairman of Romney for President Steering Committee Jack Meeks
Former Executive Director, Minnesota Republican Party Corey Miltimore
Republican Activist William Opsahl
Republican Activist Andy Post
Republican Activist Jeff Quinnell
Chairman of the BPOU Chairs Joe Salmon
Former Treasurer, College Republican National Committee and 7th Congressional District Vice Chair Chris Tiedeman
Former Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Bob Weinholzer
Former BPOU Chair Janet Weir
Former BPOU Chair Gerald Woodley
Klobuchar sends own letter to Komen on Planned Parenthood controversy
Posted at 9:30 AM on February 3, 2012
by Brett Neely
(11 Comments)
Filed under: U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON - DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar has sent her own letter to the Susan G. Komen Foundation expressing concern about the group's decision this week the end funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screening programs.
Critics of the decision say Komen gave in to pressure from groups opposed to legal abortion that have sought to weaken Planned Parenthood's funding in the past year. Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of abortions in the United States.
"I believe this decision is counter to the goals of Komen's mission of protecting women's health and I urge you to reconsider your decision," wrote Klobuchar to Komen CEO Nancy Brinker.
DFL Sen. Al Franken signed a letter sent by 25 other Democratic Senators also expressing concern that the decision was politically motivated.
Here's a copy of Klobuchar's letter.
The Daily Digest (Union battle coming, Anderson picks up two key backers, Presidential hopefuls to visit MN)
Posted at 6:24 AM on February 3, 2012
by Tom Scheck
(3 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest
Republicans start their push for a constitutional amendment that outlaws mandatory union membership. They held a news conference on Thursday to announce that they were introducing a bill.
Tidbit: Union activists believe there are at least ten solid no votes in the House Republican caucus right now. Some others have approached the Speaker of the House to ask him not to allow a floor vote on the amendment.
Plans have been approved for conservation projects.
In a rare move, the state shut down a child care center.
Iron Range Democrats are seeking money to develop the Lake Vermilion park.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis will lead Gov. Dayton's group that will examine state aid to cities.
Democrats in the Minnesota Senate are pressing Republican leaders for more information about their preparations for a potential lawsuit alleging wrongful termination.
AP says former staffer Michael Brodkorb's chances of winning a lawsuit against the Senate would be slim.
Rolling Stone profiles the problems with Anoka-Hennepin schools.
Vikings Stadium
The electronic pull-tab plan has a higher projected take.
Congress
U.S. officials are concerned about Israel's statements on Iran.
A Swiss bank has been indicted by the U.S. on fraud charges.
The Senate passed the STOCK act. It will also get a vote in the U.S House after GOP House Majority Leader Eric Cantor relented to public pressure. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is the chief backer of the bill in the House.
At a national prayer breakfast, President Obama said his politics are an extension of his religion.
The White House is proposing a plan that they say will lure jobs to the U.S.
Republicans in the House are working to repair their image.
Republicans went after Attorney General Eric Holder in a hearing.
DFL Sen. Al Franken is asking Komen to reconsider their decision regarding ending funds for Planned Parenthood.
Update: DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar also wrote a letter asking Komen to reconsider.
American Crystal Union will fight the U.S. sugar program.
The Labor Department backs off a new limit on child farm labor.
The Star Tribune reports that behind the scenes efforts to get a new Congressional map has fallen short among Minnesota's delegation. Read the last graph first. It's not happening and didn't have much chance to begin with since those who had the power to make it happen in St. Paul didn't even know about it. The courts drop the map on Feb. 21.
Race for Congress
Two people with knowledge of the endorsements say Duluth Mayor Don Ness and DFL state Rep. Tom Rukavina will back Jeff Anderson's bid for Congress today.
The DFL candidates in the 3rd District will participate in an online debate today at 11am.
Race for U.S. Senate
The GOP candidates met in Two Harbors.
Fundraising
Hubbard Broadcasting gave $100,000 to Karl Rove's Super PAC.
Funny men (and women) gave to Franken.
Norm Coleman and Vin Weber's Super PAC raised $130,000.
Race for President
Donald Trump backs Mitt Romney.
Romney is also working to contain his comments regarding the "poor." He said he "misspoke."
Ron Paul will campaign in Minnesota on Saturday and Monday.
Rick Santorum will be in Bemidji on Sunday.
House Speaker Kurt Zellers and GOP House Majority Leader Matt Dean will back Romney.
STOCK Act passes Senate, will get House vote next week
Posted at 7:30 PM on February 2, 2012
by Brett Neely
(0 Comments)
Filed under: U.S. House, U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed the STOCK Act Thursday evening with 96 votes for, including those of Minnesota's two senators and just three votes opposed. The legislation bars members of Congress and high-level members of the executive branch from profiting in the stock market with information gleaned on the job and tightens financial reporting requirements for elected officials.
"No one is above the law in this country - least of all the lawmakers," said DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar in a written statement.
Action now moves to the House where DFL Rep.Tim Walz was an original sponsor of the bill, which now has wide bipartisan support. Shortly after the Senate vote, the Republican House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor, promised a swift vote on the bill next week after initially resisting efforts to advance the measure in December.
"I'm pleased that Majority Leader Cantor has ended his obstruction of the STOCK Act," said Walz in a statement issued by his office. Yesterday, Walz and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), his main ally on the STOCK Act, had challenged Cantor by beginning a legislative procedure known as a discharge procedure to force a floor vote on the bill.
Once the bill passes, President Obama has promised to sign it immediately.
Franken among senators asking Komen to reverse Planned Parenthood decision
Posted at 3:03 PM on February 2, 2012
by Brett Neely
(18 Comments)
Filed under: U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON - DFL Sen. Al Franken is one of a group of Democratic U.S. Senators who are asking the Susan G. Komen Foundation to reverse its decision this week to halt funding for to Planned Parenthood breast cancer screening .
The foundation, a major sponsor of breast cancer research and screening, withdrew financial support for Planned Parenthood citing a policy of not funding groups that are currently under investigation.
Republicans opposed to abortion on a U.S. House committee are investigating the organization in what the group's supporters characterize as a politically motivated attempt to intimidate the country's largest provider of abortion and family planning services.
In a letter to Komen CEO Nancy Brinker, the Senators call the foundation's decision "troubling" and write, "It would be tragic if any woman--let alone thousands of women-- lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack."
Franken's office confirmed that he had signed the letter. The Washington Post reports that 21 other Senators, all Democrats, have also signed it. 25 other Senators also signed the letter.
Here's a copy of the full letter:
Dear Ambassador Brinker,We write to express our disappointment with Susan G. Komen for the Cure's decision to cut funding for breast cancer prevention, screening, and education at Planned Parenthood health centers. This troubling decision threatens to reduce access to necessary, life saving services. We urge Komen to reconsider its decision.
Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of health care for women and men. More than 90 percent of the services provided by Planned Parenthood are primary and preventative including wellness exams and cancers screenings that save lives. Each year, Planned Parenthood health clinics provide 750,000 breast exams, 770,000 pap tests and nearly 4 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. Twenty percent of all women in the U.S. have visited a Planned Parenthood health center.
For the past five years, grants to local affiliates of Planned Parenthood have been an important part of Planned Parenthood's work to protect women from breast cancer. Komen funding for Planned Parenthood has provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and resulted in 6,400 referrals for mammograms. In 2011 alone, grants from Komen provided Planned Parenthood with roughly $650,000 in funding for breast cancer prevention, screening, and education. According to a recent statement by Komen, "In some areas of the U.S., our affiliates have determined a Planned Parenthood clinic to be the best or only local place where women can receive breast health care."
It would be tragic if any woman--let alone thousands of women-- lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack.We earnestly hope that you will put women's health before partisan politics and reconsider this decision for the sake of the women who depend on both your organizations for access to the health care they need.
Sincerely,
Funny men (and women) give to funnyman Franken
Posted at 12:30 PM on February 2, 2012
by Catharine Richert
(0 Comments)
Filed under: U.S. Senate
A peek into Franken MVPs, a fundraising committee meant to help re-elect DFL Sen. Al Franken, shows that the comedian-turned-lawmaker pulled in thousands last year from some of the most hilarious people in Hollywood.
Here are a few highlights, according to Federal Election Commission documents.
- Seth MacFarlane, who is best known for being the brains behind the animated comedy "The Family Guy," gave Franken $10,000.
- Larry David, who co-created "Seinfeld" and created and acts in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," gave Franken $2,500. His ex-wife, Laurie David, gave $2,500 as well.
- Comedienne Kathy Griffin gave $2,500.
- "Late Show" host David Letterman gave Franken $2,500
- Cross-dressing actor and stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard gave Franken $10,000, as did Bill Maher, who is host of HBO's "Real time with Bill Maher."
- Director and producer Ron Howard gave Franken $1,000 as did his wife, Cheryl.
- Actress Meryl Streep and her husband Donald Gummer together gave Franken $1,200.
A few names from Franken's "Saturday Night Live" days also appear on the donor roster, including actor Kevin Nealon, who gave $1,000 and writer Christine Zander, who gave the same amount.
SNL creator Lorne Michaels gave Franken $4,600.
In 2011, Franken MPVs raised nearly $725,000 from a range of donors, including lawyers, investment bankers, business owners, clothing designers and wealthy Minnesotans such as John and Sage Cowles and members of the Dayton family.
Roughly $365,000 of the funds raised last year by Franken MVPs was moved into Franken's 2014 re-election account, and about $206,000 was transferred into the Midwest Values PAC, a pot of money Franken doles out to other candidates and causes.
Upping the ante on pull tabs
Posted at 12:14 PM on February 2, 2012
by Tim Nelson
(1 Comments)
Filed under: Vikings stadium
Stadium negotiators are focusing on electronic pull tabs again as a way to pay for a new Vikings stadium. But they're seeing a little more opportunity there than before.
The most recent estimate by the Minnesota Department of Revenue now pegs the potential state net on a reboot of the state's charitable gambling industry at $72 million annually. That's up from about $42.7 million earlier last year.
Where'd the other $30 million come from?
It's a number of things, according to state revenue commissioner Myron Frans.
The original estimate was based somewhat on conjecture: although the state of Virginia has passed a law authorizing electronic pull tabs, it has yet to be implemented. Florida has some similar machines that are part of the original basis of the Minnesota revenue calculations.
But financial experts and the state's charitable gambling industry have been haggling over exactly what to calculate.
The original fiscal estimate contemplated an old-fashioned twist on the gambling expansion. The proposal includes so-called "linked bingo" that would set up virtual bingo halls in bars.
"Electronic bingo is making a resurgence," says Frans, the revenue commissioner. "One of the drivers is that you can get some pretty high payouts... You have the chance to make a couple thousand if you win.''
Last year's estimate split new gambling: half to electronic pull tabs, half to electronic bingo. But forecasters now think it'll be more like 5-to-1 in favor of the pull tabs, and will bring in more money.
That's one factor in the change.
Another is the virtualization of charitable gambling: "One of the assumptions from the first revenue estimate we saw back in March or April said that 95 percent of paper pull tabs would be gone in three years," says King Wilson, executive director of Allied Charities of Minnesota. That's him with an electronic pull tab machine in the picture above. "We told them the day that (estimate) came out, 'That can't be right.'"
The new estimate says that paper pull tabs will likely take a smaller hit -- the new estimates put it at a 20 percent decline. That enduring draw is the second factor in the change to the revenue estimate.
The third is a little more complex: Frans says finance experts are rethinking some of the outside factors that affect charitable gambling.
"We lost a lot of charities because of the (economic) downturn and the smoking ban," Frans says. There are about 2,700 charitable gambling sites with pull tabs now. He says there used to be about 250 more. "We think some of those will come back," Frans says, if electronic pull tabs are authorized by the state legislature.
What that will mean for a stadium is unclear. Both fiscal notes contemplate no change in state tax law, which is what charities were seeking when they proposed electronic gambling in the first place.
"We have some charities paying 50, 60 percent tax rates," says Wilson, head of the gambling trade group. He says his membership wants to roll back a tax hike dating back to 1989. "You look at the average corporate tax rate, maybe 8.9 or 9 percent, and some of our folks are paying five or six times what for-profit businesses are paying."
How much of the $72 million in new revenue from a gambling expansion can go toward the state share of a stadium may depend on how much of that money goes toward tax relief for charitable gambling operators.
Read the revised revenue estimate here:
Ron Paul to campaign in Minnesota
Posted at 11:45 AM on February 2, 2012
by Tom Scheck
(1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012
Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is making a big push to win Minnesota's precinct caucuses.
Paul's campaign announced today that the Texas Congressman will campaign in the state on Saturday and Monday. He has town hall meetings scheduled for Rochester and Chanhassen and a rally at Bethel University on Saturday. Paul has also scheduled a town hall meeting in St. Cloud and a Minneapolis rally for Monday.
Paul is the third presidential candidate to visit the state in the lead up to the caucuses. Rick Santorum campaigned in Luverne on Monday. Mitt Romney visited Eagan on Wednesday.
Santorum is also scheduled to be in Bemidji Sunday.
Paul is working to secure his first statewide victory in the race for president. AP is reporting today that Paul is gambling on caucus states like Minnesota to amass delegates to support him at the Republican National Convention in August.
Minnesota's precinct caucuses are mostly a beauty contest since Tuesday's straw poll results do not bind the delegates at the convention. But a strong showing will help candidates usher their supporters through the caucus system.
Here's the schedule of Paul's events:
Saturday, February 4, 2012
11:00 a.m.
Rochester Town Hall
Mayo High School
1420 11th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904-5306
2:00 p.m.
Chanhassen Town Hall
AutoMotorPlex
8200 Audubon Road
Chanhassen, MN 55317
5:30 p.m.
Bethel University Rally
Sponsor: College Republicans of Bethel University
Bethel University
3900 Bethel Drive
Arden Hills, MN 55112-6902
Monday, February 6, 2012
4:00 p.m.
St. Cloud Town Hall & Rally
St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center
10 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
7:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Rally
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
| February 2012 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | |||
Master Archive
About the Contributors
- Mike Mulcahy is MPR's political editor. He has covered politics and government in Minnesota for nearly 20 years. He also produces the Policast podcast.
- Tim Pugmire covers politics and state government for Minnesota Public Radio News from the state capitol bureau. He previously reported on education and also spent time at MPR's Collegeville bureau.
- Tom Scheck covers politics and state government for Minnesota Public Radio News. He moved to Minnesota in 2000. Scheck went to Syracuse University and grew up in Bethlehem, Penn. He now lives in Falcon Heights with his wife, son, and dog.
- Catharine Richert Catharine Richert writes PoliGraph. She's previously reported for PolitiFact.com and Congressional Quarterly, and has a Masters in Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Categories
- 2011 Freshman class
- 2011 Shutdown
- 2012
- 2012 U.S. Senate race
- 2012 U.S. Senate Race
- Bachmann fact check
- Campaign 2008
- Campaign 2008: MN Legislature
- Campaign 2008: President
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD1
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD2
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD3
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD4
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD5
- Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD6
- Campaign 2008: U.S. Senate
- Campaign 2010
- Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor
- Campaign 2010: U.S. House
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD1
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD2
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD3
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD4
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD5
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD6
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD7
- Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD8
- Daily Digest
- Iowa
- Mark Dayton
- Marriage Amendment
- Michele Bachmann
- MN Legislature
- MPR in D.C.
- Pawlenty fact check
- Pawlenty travel
- PoliGraph
- Political parties
- Recount
- Recount 2010
- Redistricting
- State Government
- Tim Pawlenty
- U.S. House
- U.S. Senate
- Vikings stadium
About Poligraph
The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated either true, false or inconclusive. PoliGraph is a collaboration between Minnesota Public Radio News and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. MoreServices
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock
