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May 2013 SD49 Voice Newsletter

In this issue:

MN Legislative Roundup
8 Myths from the 2013 Session
Review of the "Real" Budget

Update May 23, 2013:  The MN House, Governor Day and MN Senate, all led by Democrats, could not reach a concensus on raising the gas tax or metro sales tax for transit.  A tax increase is still on the table for the 2014 session, however.

The latest installment of the SD49 Legislative Watchdog features the actions and votes taken by our DFL Senator Melisa Franzen in recent days.

• Franzen single-handidly resurrected an increased gas tax proposal
• Franzen's votes have not reflected her pro-business moderate campaign promises

   Click here for details

Our latest SD49 Watchdog email alert centers around the current taxapalooza being led by DFL legislators.  As the session goes into its final weeks, the tax bills have been passed in both the MN House and MN Senate.  You can see the highlights we have compiled here.

The Southwest Lightrail Line is expected to cost $1.5 billion to build.  This does not include operating costs.  What if you could move the same amount of people around, with less expensive, more flexible form of transit.  What if you could have this system up and operating much sooner than building a new lightrail line? Consider this video?

Update May 23, 2013:  The Democratic led MN House voted to put a constitutional question to voters of whether or not to form a commission to decide on the pay rates of legislators and the Governor.  The Democratic run MN Senate also passed a bill for the constitutional amendment right at the end of session.  A constitutional question will be on the ballot in 2016.  No pay raises will take effect in the meantime.

After 4 months on the job, Senator Melisa Franzen cast the deciding vote, with the DFL Majority, to give herself a 35% raise.  No GOP Senators supported the move that also creates automatic pay increases for the Governor and legislators that will not require a vote in the future.  Senators currently make $31,000 plus per diem and expenses.  The new increase would go to $41,000.  Legislators are in session for 4 to 5 months each year.

Some have questioned whether this is even constitutional, given that legislators are required to vote a pay raise and then wait for one election cycle before it takes effect.  This gives voters a chance to weigh-in on the pay raises at the ballot box.  This was discussed on the Davis and Emmer show this morning by Senator David Osmek (starts at the beginning of the podcast).  

The Minnesota House has not yet voted on this measure  Will Reps Erhardt and Rosenthal vote the same way as Franzen did?

Don't forget to contact Rep. Erhardt and Rep. Rosenthal to let them know how you want them to vote.

Pioneer Press article

The MN Jobs Coalition has posted original video they taped of the SD49 DFL Legislator Townhall that took place Saturday April 13th at the Edina Community Center.  Videos are broken into 5 parts for easier viewing.  SD49 has linked to the videos as favorites on our YouTube Channel.  Shorter versions highlighting the various topics covered may be displayed here at a later time.

The State Central Committee Meeting of the Minnesota Republican Party was held at the new Radisson Blu Hotel (Mall of America), on Saturday April 6th.

There were over 525 Delegates and Alternates in attendance.  Following the seating of Alternates, the total voting delegation was 343 strong . . . the largest turnout for a State Central event in years !!

Following are the results of the elections, requiring only one ballot:

PARTY CHAIR        Votes

Keith Downey         228
Bill Pausen               72
Donny Allen             22
Bonn Clayton           20

DEPUTY CHAIR

Kelly Fenton           251
Corey Sax               90

SECRETARY

Chris Fields            211
Ryan Love              130

The votes were decisive, indicating a very health concensus for our new Republican Party Leadership.

Our Congratulations to Keith, Kelly & Chris !!!

What do we stand for?  Can you distill it down to a few words?  After the Elephant Cartoon Contest at our Convention, we know that we have some very clever and thoughtful people in our midst!

So, let's see what ideas you have.  The best may very well show up as signs carried through Edina or Bloomington parades this summer.  

Examples to get you started:

"Opportunity, not Entitlement"

"Don't just Occupy, Improve"

Submit your bumper sticker ideas to Barbara Sutter at : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  by April 30th, and we'll announce the winner shortly thereafter.