Political Notebook

Brede: Rather let civic center project die than impose food and beverage tax

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede told a key Senate Committee on Wednesday city officials would rather let the Mayo Civic Center expansion die than move ahead with a food and beverage tax hike.

In 2009, the city council asked lawmakers to allow the city to impose a 1 percent food and beverage tax and a 1 percent lodging tax to help pay for the Mayo Civic Center expansion. But officials later changed their mind amid strong opposition from local restaurants and bars. Instead, city officials want the Legislature to OK raising the city’s 4 percent lodging tax by 3 percent to pay for the civic center expansion.

During a Senate Taxes Committee hearing, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk asked whether Rochester would be willing to go ahead and impose the food and beverage tax to pay for the city’s $45 million share of the project’s cost.

“I don’t think we would,” Brede said.

One committee member could be heard uttering a “wow” in response to the mayor’s answer. Bakk urged city officials to think twice about abandoning the food and beverage tax if the city decides to help fund the $82 million project.

“I wouldn’t presume too much about residents of the city being against a food and beverage tax if they can get a new state-of-the-art convention center,” Bakk said.

He added that then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty required a vote be held on a plan to raise Duluth’s food and beverage tax by three-quarters of 1 percent to help fund that city’s convention center. The proposal passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.

The city of Rochester wants to add convention space to the aging Mayo Civic Center in hopes of attracting national and international medical conferences to the city. They want the state to chip in $37 million toward the 188,000-square-foot expansion. Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, is sponsoring a bill to raise the lodging tax to pay for the civic center. His sponsorship of the bill is “by request,” which means he is not necessarily in support of the proposal. A similar measure has been introduced by Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, in the House. That bill failed to make it into a key House local property tax bill stoking fears among some that lawmakers are eyeing the tax to help fund Mayo Clinic’s request of $585 million to help support its Destination Medical Center initiative.

Mayor makes case for Mayo Civic Center funding in letter

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede makes the city's intentions to apply for a $47.5 million economic development grant to expand the Mayo Civic Center clear in a new letter.

Brede has sent a letter to Department of Employment and Economic Development Mark Phillips touting the need for the expansion.

"There are many medical conferences that have expressed interest in coming to Rochester but have found our present facility to lack sufficient convention space and finishes to compete for regional and national medical conferences," Brede wrote.

The plan calls for building meeting rooms, a ballroom and support facilities at the civic center in hopes of attracting medical, bioscience and high tech conferences. Preliminary estimates show that the Mayo Civic Center brings in $20 million in direct spending from out-of-state visitors and the expansion project would boost that up to more than $27 million.

The city requested $35 million from the state for the project. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton included funding for the project in his $775 million bonding bill. The Senate version of the bonding bill initially included the project, but it was stripped out of the final $496 million bonding bill. Several communities are eyeing these bonding dollars for project. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has already sent a letter to Phillips looking for $27 million to build a new St. Paul Saints stadium. The Metropolitan Council is also expected to seek funding for the Southwest Light Rail project. Chatfield also wants a piece of the money to renovate the Chatfield Center of the Arts.

One interesting thing to note — the letter repeatedly refers to the project as the "Mayo Civic Center — Convention Center Addition" project. For years, it's been referred to as an expansion of the Mayo Civic Center. But state Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, recently told members of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce that he believes the project would have had a better chance of getting funded if it was called the "Mayo Convention Center" instead of "Mayo Civic Center."

Click here to Download Brede's letter

Bill to raise Rochester's lodging tax introduced

Byron Republican Rep. Duane Quam has introduced a bill aimed at changing how the city of Rochester would pay for its share of the $77 million Mayo Civic Center expansion. The bill gives the city the authorization to raise its lodging tax by 3 percent. It also gets rid of an authorization given to the city in 2009 by the legislature allowing them to raise the city's food and beverage tax by 1 percent.

Initially, city officials wanted to pay for its share of the civic center project by raising the city's lodging tax by 1 percent and the food and beverage tax by 1 percent. But officials changed their mind late last year after concerns were raised about the impact of the food and beverage tax on local residents. Instead, the city council decided to raise the lodging tax by 3 percent with the idea that tax is generally paid by people who live outside of the community.

The city is seeking $35 million in bonding money from the state. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's $775 million bonding proposal includes the civic center project. Republican legislative leaders have said they expect to pass a much smaller bonding bill, and it remains to be seen whether the Rochester project will be included.

This bill as bipartisan support from local lawmakers. Bill co-sponsors are Rep. Mike Benson, R-Rochester, Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester and Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston. A Senate version of the bill has not yet been introduced.

Mayor Ardell Brede helped organize the meeting at the urging of local lawmakers who support the civic center project. The first meeting will be at noon on Feb. 28, and the second will be at 6 p.m. on March 6. Both will be at Mayo Civic Center.

Dayton's bonding bill proposal gets chilly reception from GOP

This morning, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled plans for a $1 billion construction borrowing bill. He specifically identifies $531 million worth of bonding projects to fund — including $28 million for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center expansion. Joining him for the big announcement was Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede who praised the governor for including the Rochester priority in the bonding proposal.

He said the project would have a $44 million impact and create 400 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs.

"It's new money, it helps the hospitality industry again not only for the city of Rochester but for the entire state," Brede said.

Dayton's plan leaves it up to the legislature to determine how the other $469 million are spent.

But GOP-leaders made clear in a news conference following the governor's announcement that they have no interest in a large bonding bill. They said they are not willing to support any bonding bill except one for emergency items such as flooding. Senate Capital Investment Chair Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, joined his GOP colleagues in saying now is not the time to borrow money for construction projects.

"Now I think the emergency obviously is our budget deficit, the emergency is getting jobs going in Minnesota and that needs to be our focus and our priority," he said.

When asked by a reporter if Rochester should wait for the Mayo Civic Center expansion, "Senjem replied, "Given what I said, yes."

Click here to Download 2011 Dayton bonding proposal

Mayor personally lobbies president on visiting Rochester

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede this morning got a chance to personally pitch to President Obama the idea of visiting Rochester.

Brede is in Washington, D.C. attending a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting. The president addressed the group this morning and afterwards Brede got a chance to speak to the president.

"I did get to shake his hand and told him he’s got to get to Rochester and we’ve got to show him how medicine is paid for based on value — not other things," Brede said.

The Rochester mayor also made his pitch about Obama visiting the home of Mayo Clinic to a presidential aide and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. He said Sebelius told him "we're working on it."

Brede added, "We’ll see. You never know. It’s all networking."

The mayor also joined all the other mayors at the conference in signing a "Civility Accord" in the wake of the attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. You can read more about that here.

 

Rochester mayor jumps into partisan politics

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede kicked-off this morning's get-out-the-vote rally at the Olmsted County DFL Headquarters.

"As many of you know, I over the years as a nonpartisan elected officials have tried to at least publicly be private with my support (of candidates)," he told the crowd of more than 100 DFL volunteers.

But that changed this morning. Brede said he believes this is an important time and he is backing all the area DFL state lawmakers in addition to 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton. He said Walz's staff calls or e-mail him every week to check what is going on and that the congressman has supported veterans and Rochester's position on rail issues.

"This is somebody we need to have back there," he said.

He also said  that Dayton demonstrated as a senator that he would stand by Rochester on rail issues — even going so far at one time to vow to lay on the railroad tracks to prevent more coal trains coming through downtown. He said Dayton is also needed beacause he would support the early enrollment in Medicaid, which would spar Mayo Clinic from up to $25 million in losses.

"He is a partner we need to have for a city and for the employers here," Brede said. "I urge all of you to tell your friends and neighbors that these are who need to vote for."

It is interesting to see the nonpartisan Rochester mayor endorsing DFL candidates. I did see the Brede is listed on the website for the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.  I guess the question is have past Rochester mayors also done this or not?

 

New bonding bill proposal slices $7 million for Mayo Civic Center

Lawmakers on Thursday unveiled a new nearly $1 billion public works proposal that would cut funding for the Mayo Civic Center expansion by $7 million.

The House and Senate Capital Investment Working Group released the new proposal, which includes funding for several projects requested by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. But the bill’s total cost is still much higher than the $725 million bonding bill the governor has said he would support.Most area projects survived in the bonding bill. The biggest changes including cutting funding for the Mayo Civic Center expansion from $32 million to $25 million. Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede called the cut “concerning” and said it is unclear whether the project could be completed with that amount of money.

He added, “It’s like limbo -- how low can you go? We’ll have to see if we’ll be able to do the project.”

Cut entirely from the bill is $550,000 for the Stagecoach Trail in Dodge County. Also taking a hit in the bill is a proposal to renovate Chatfield’s historic Potter Auditorium into a performing arts center.

Area projects that survived in the bill include $4 million for Rochester’s National Volleyball Center, $8.2 million to relocate Rochester’s workforce center to Rochester Community and Technical College and $1 million to extend the Douglas State Trail to Rochester’s Cascade Lake Recreation Area.

Olmsted County teens get a taste of politics

A group of 90 Olmsted County teenagers have descended on the Minnesota Capitol today to get a taste of government in action. Turns out today is quite a busy political day.

Moments before heading to a press conference to show his support for lifting the state's nuclear ban, Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem chatted with students on the Senate floor. They had planned to meet in the Capitol Rotunda. But it turns out an abortion supporters were rallying while abortion opponents stood nearby holding up protest signs. Senjem's press conference comes in advance of a Senate committee hearing at 3 p.m. where members will vote on a bill that would lift the state's 16-year ban on nuclear power plants.

This is the first annual "Teens on Tour" event sponsored by the Youth Commission of Olmsted County, Olmsted County and the city of Rochester. Students from Mayo, John Marshall and Century high schools are represented along with some students form Golden Hills Education Center. The students are joined by Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, Rochester City Council member Mark Bilderback, Olmsted Commissioner Mike Podulke and Olmsted County lobbyist Amy Caucutt.

Rochester on Tour returns to the Capitol today

Hundreds of Rochesterites are on their way to St. Paul for the 7th annual Rochester on Tour at the Capitol. There is plenty at stake for the Med City during this year's legislative session. DFL legislative leaders announced yesterday they were going to hold off on sending  $1 billion public works bill to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who vowed to veto the measure. Instead, lawmakers say they want to work with the governor to come up with a deal. Here's today's story. The bonding bill was stuffed with Rochester area projects including $34 million to expand the Mayo Civic Center and $4 million for the National Volleyball Center, just to name a couple.

The big question is, will a big turnout today help push these projects forward? That is what Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President John Wade are hoping. They issued a joint news release last week urging residents to turn out because the projects are in jeopardy.

Participants have a busy day on tap. They will arrive at the Crown Plaza in St. Paul at 11:30 a.m. for lunch with Gov. Tim Pawlenty scheduled to address the group. They will then head to the Capitol for a rally. After that, they will meet with lawmakers and discuss local issues in groups. The day is capped off with a "Grand Reception" at the National Guard Armory featuring Rochester food, drinks and live music.

Roch mayor, chamber prez urge residents to pack the Capitol

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President John Wade sent out a joined press release this afternoon warning that Rochester's bonding projects are in jeopardy and called on residents to show their support by filling the Minnesota Capitol on Wednesday as part of Rochester On Tour at the Capitol.

The press release states that several of the city's construction projects are "on the chopping block" for funding. In particular, the release emphasizes the importance of the Mayo Civic Center expansion, saying it would have an economic impact of $44 million per year and create 1,200 jobs.

This plea from the chamber president and mayor come after Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, said that the city is in jeopardy of not getting state construction funding for its projects because fellow Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem, a Republican, voted against the bill. Here is a link to that story. Senjem said his vote had nothing to do with the Rochester projects, saying he is supportive of them. He said it was to show he preferred the House's $1.1 billion bonding bill, which includes $89 million to expand the Moose Lake sex offender treatment center.

Click here to Download Rochester press release