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Be careful of what you wish for
By State Rep. Tom Emmer, Dist. 19B (R-Delano)
The voters in Minnesota wanted a change. That’s what we heard last fall.
The political pundits all have theories about why, but there is no question about the result. Last fall, Minnesota elected 85 Democrats to run the House of Representatives.
These “new” Democrats campaigned as “fiscal conservatives” and promised to be accountable to the voters. Now, just 12 months later, there is little question that we might have been scammed by the greatest political “bait and switch” con job in our state’s history.
Last January, we turned control of our state House of Representatives and the state’s bank account over to the newly elected and self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Democrats. In fact, the Republicans delivered the checkbook with a healthy $2.2 billion dollar surplus and a bright outlook for our future. Seemingly overnight, the Democrats have allowed our state’s financial condition to deteriorate and our economy to tumble.
Some might argue that the economy is reflective of the nation. That is true. However, we cannot ignore the complete and utter disregard exhibited by our Democrat leaders for promotion of private sector growth and their insatiable hunger to tax and spend.
The House Capital Investment Committee incredibly managed to blow its $50,000 budget allocation within only 12 months. The Democrats raised their own pay and then, collected exorbitant salary and per diem: the Chairman of House Ways and Means has collected more then $77,000 in combined salary, per diem, mileage, housing and communication expenses in the past year, while the Chairman of the House Agricultural Committee has collected more than $72,000.
District 19B consists of communities in eastern Wright County and a small portion of western Hennepin County. These include the cities of Albertville, Delano, Hanover, Montrose, Otsego, Rockford, St. Michael, Waverly; and townships Franklin, Rockford, Victor, and Woodland.
Proposed aid for veterans and farmers
By State Rep. Ron Shimanski, Dist. 18A
Here is a brief update on some of the bills I’ve authored to aid veterans and farmers, and another one to establish English as the official state language; they are in various phases of the legislative process. I have also co-authored dozens of other bills, on a wide range of subjects, as well.
The bill to aid farmers is HF3941 and it pertains to the production of goat’s milk. It incorporates federal standards to put Minnesota on a level playing field compared with surrounding states. It passed House and Senate committees as an amendment on another bill that has been recommended to be included in an omnibus agriculture bill.
Regarding veterans, bill HF4104 allows gambling proceeds of a veteran’s organization to be used in the creation of newsletters. It has been referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee, and may be amended onto another bill. Meantime, I’ve authored and co-authored a couple of different versions of bills that allow veterans groups an increased level of reimbursement for Memorial Day expenses.
Bill HF4087 which makes English the official state language has been referred to the Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee. There are nearly 15 co-authors on this bill, including members of the House minority leadership.
Progress on these bills has been made despite the majority party’s reluctance to hear from the minority. These bills and many more to benefit the residents of District 18A - and Minnesota in general - have been introduced by the minority, so it’s disturbing when the majority puts these efforts on the back burner in order to run its own agenda up the flag pole.
District 18A includes all of McLeod County, plus Collinwood Township, Cedar Mills, and Cedar Mills Township in Meeker County.
Nuclear power may be the answer
By State Rep. Bruce Anderson, Dist. 19A
In keeping with the current trend to go green and be environmentally friendly, the Minnesota Legislature is seeking ways to “save the earth.” They are studying everything from implementing automobile emission standards (similar to those of California) to limiting carbon emissions to mandating wind energy usage.
Although I don’t agree with many of the proposals, there is one that I think is worthy of our consideration. It’s an energy source that is currently being used in many countries around the world. Several states in the US produce some of their much needed energy this way. It is efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and therefore we should be utilizing it more than we currently do. This great energy source is nuclear power.
Nuclear power is a great renewable energy source. New technologies have made it safer, and cheaper to produce. For those folks who are demanding reductions in emissions from our energy sources – nuclear power is a perfect answer because it has no emissions. Now is the right time to begin expanding our nuclear power facilities.
Until recently, Minnesota banned the building of any additional nuclear power plants. This ban was repealed this past year under a bill authored by Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers). I strongly supported that bill. It requires the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to begin discussing and analyzing the role that nuclear power should play in meeting our energy needs.
I believe that we should be actively promoting and using this viable energy source which can be produced right here in Minnesota. Nuclear energy has been proven to be a good common-sense answer to our energy needs. Let’s get back to relying on common-sense solutions. Whether or not you are on the ‘go-green’ bandwagon, nuclear energy makes good sense for the people of Minnesota.
District 19A includes: the townships Albion, Buffalo, Chatham, Clearwater, Maple Lake, Marysville, Monticello, and Silver Creek; and the towns Buffalo, Clearwater, Maple Lake, Monticello, and Silver Creek.
Many unresolved issues for lawmakers
By Amy Koch, State Sen. Dist. 19 (R-Buffalo)
We have reached the mid-point for the 2008 legislative session, but still have many unresolved issues as lawmakers head home for a long Easter weekend.
The most significant topic on our plates is how to balance the current budget. As you know, we learned recently that the state is facing an almost $1 billion budget shortfall for the current (2008-09) budget.
Health care reform
Because health care costs are increasing at unsustainable rates, we are considering a plan to reform Minnesota’s health care system.
One of the important bills heard in the Senate during this short week was a proposal on health care reform taken from a bipartisan interim study group.
The bill attempts to improve the overall health of Minnesotans, increase access to and transparency of health care, and restructure the payment system.
Insurace company standard of conduct
The Senate this week passed a version of “bad faith” insurance practices. Currently, Minnesotans do not have the right to directly sue their own insurance companies for claims that were unreasonably denied.
While most members of the Senate agreed that we need to do something to protect consumers, two factions arose out of the conflict.
Employing reservists
I’ve introduced legislation in the Senate to help veterans and members of the National Guard and reserves. One of the bills will help protect small businesses when key employees are deployed by the military, as well as improve employment opportunities for members of the National Guard.
District 19 includes all of Wright County except for the following: the cities of Howard Lake, Cokato, and Annandale; and townships of French Lake, Middleville, South Haven, Southside, and Stockholm.
To discuss any of these issues, go to the Community Forum.
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