Political Notebook

Franken, Klobuchar and Walz urge IBM not to cut Roch jobs

DFL Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Tim Walz sent a letter to IBM Vice President Walter Ling today asking the company to reconsider its decision to move manufacturing jobs to Mexico and New York. Below is a copy of the letter.

March 12, 2013

Walter Ling, Vice President IBM

3605 Highway 52 North Rochester, MN 55901

Dear Walt,

We write regarding the recent announcement that IBM plans to transfer manufacturing of its Power Systems, PureSystems and PureFlex Systems servers to Guadalajara, Mexico later this year. This decision will result in job loss for approximately 200 full-time workers in Rochester, Minnesota. As the third largest industry in the state, manufacturing is a direct and indirect source of good paying jobs and a major driver of innovation. We believe that southern Minnesotans comprise one of the most capable, educated, and productive workforces in the world and they stand ready to assist as American manufacturing makes a comeback. It is our hope that IBM will reconsider its decision and keep jobs in Rochester as well as look at other ways the company can invest in its Rochester facility. Undoubtedly, this is an investment worth making.

Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Al Franken Representative Timothy J. Walz

Klobuchar talks boots and Bieber in Red Wing

Sen. Amy Klobuchar paid a visit to Red Wing this afternoon as part of a statewide "Made in America" tour. She checked out Red Wing Shoes' new flagship store, which features the world's largest boot. While there she talked about the importance of making sure students are getting the training they need to take advantage of these manufacturing jobs. She said it's crucial to get rid of regulation and red tape that makes it tougher for companies to do business.

"We are not just competing in our country. We are competing against companies in other countries that have our safety regulations that are doing things faster or they are doing things differently, and that is what we need to do as a country," she said.

While Klobuchar was in town I couldn't help but ask her about news that she has apparently drawn the wrath of teen heartthrob Justin Bieber. The Star Tribune reports that Bieber told a Washington-area radio host that he thinks the Minnesota senator should be thrown in jail for a bill she is sponsoring that would make it a felony to profit from streaming unlicensed online content.

"Whoever she is, she needs to know that I’m saying she needs to be locked up, put away in cuffs,” Bieber said.

So what does Klobuchar think about all this?

"He was just simply misled about what was in that bill. That's all the happened," she said.

The senator said her bill is targeted at commercial theft and foreign piracy of things like books, music and movies. She added her bill unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Commission without objection and that it has lots of support from song writers and composer. She added that Bieber's own lawyers have tried to get a cease and desist order against a website using the singer's music because it violates his property rights.

 

 

Franken and Klobuchar both in Med City today

The state's two DFL senators — Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar — are both visiting IBM in Rochester this afternoon. They are hosting a town hall for IBM employees, technical leaders and master inventors.

The discussion is expected to focus on recent passage of the "America Invents Act," which is aimed at improving the patent system. The Post-Bulletin's Jeff Kiger plans to cover the event.

Earlier in the day, Franken will be in Byron where he is expected to talk about efforts to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education law. Specifically, he will talk about a provision he supports that would invest in  science, technology. engineering and math education. He will tour Byron's high school and middle school and meet with school officials, teachers and students. His visit also makes good on a promise to visit Byron High School if they were named an Intel School of Distinction. The school was one of six that recently won the award for its math program.

Klobuchar to visit southern Minnesota tomorrow

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is scheduled to make several stops in southern Minnesota as part of her "Innovation Tour" to highlight the potential for economic innovation to create future jobs and boost the economy.

Her day kicks off in Rochester at 10 a.m. with a tour of Gauthier Industries, a metal fabrication company. She will then go to Harmony to tour Harmony Enterprises, a company that makes solid waste and recycling equipment. In the afternoon, she plans to head to Austin to meet with Mayor Tom Stiehm. She also has stops planned in Albert Lea, Fairmont and St. James.

Klobuchar has joined with Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts to introduce the "Innovate America Act." The bill is aimed at cutting red tape to help businesses research and develop new products, target successful education programs and promote U.S. exports in new markets.

Klobuchar chairs the Subcommittee on Innovation, Competitiveness and Export Promotion.

New MoveOn.org TV ad urges Target boycott

The liberal group MoveOn.org is launching a new TV ad that blasts Target for making political contributions to candidates. This comes after the company donated $150,000 to MN Forward, a political action committee that supports Republican Tom Emmer for governor. That donation angered gay rights groups because Emmer opposes same-sex marriage. Target's CEO has since apologized for the donation.

The ad features Target's trademark red and white colors and states that "Target and other big corporations are trying to buy our elections." The ad ends with images of people boycotting with signs and the voice over says "But if we all work together, we can stop them. Boycott Target. Our democracy is not for sale." Go here to see the ad.

The Associated Press reports that the organization plans to spend $35,000 to air the ad for a week on three networks in Minnesota and on the MSNBC cable channel. That ad starts running on Wednesday.

Nelson endorsed by Minnesota Chamber of Commerce PAC

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund PAC announced it is endorsing Republican Senate District 30 candidate Carla Nelson over DFL incumbent Sen. Ann Lynch.

The fund contributes to "pro-business, pro-jobs" candidates running for state office. In a news release, the fund's chairman Scott Thiss said this about Nelson's endorsement.

"Our endorsement informs the Minnesota business community of your commitment to building upon and improving the state's business and economic environment. We have the confidence that you are the kind of pro-business leader to lead Minnesota's economic recovery."

Nelson is a former state representative from Rochester.

Lynch has worked hard to win the support of Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce members. She has emphasized her efforts to get state bonding dollars for local projects supported by the chamber, such as the Mayo Civic Center expansion. Lynch served on the bonding bill conference committee.

The chamber PAC tends to endorse Republicans. Other area Republican candidates winning the PAC's endorsement are Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester, Rep. Tim Kelly of Red Wing and Rep. Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa.

New survey finds Minnesotans want better return on tax dollars

A new survey released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Tunheim Partners finds that the majority of respondents do not want state government to raise taxes. According to the survey, 63 percent advocated cutting overall government spending to balance the state budget. But interestingly enough, 6 out of 10 of the respondents also said they would be willing to personally pay more to improve services like K-12 outcomes, long-term care and ensuring Minnesota's infrastructure.

The poll also concludes that Minnesota is a "purple state" with voters evenly divided among Independents, Republicans and Democrats. When it comes to the 2010 gubernatorial election, the poll found that neither Democrats or Republicans have an advantage. It also found that Democratic and Republican legislators have a 59 percent disapproval rating. Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's job approval rating was 49 percent. Half of those surveyed said the next governor should have real-world experience and not be a career politician.

The random telephone survey of 602 respondents was conducted Aug. 4 to 6. All participants were screened to be likely November 2010 voters. The margin of error is plus-minus 4 percentage points. To learn more about the survey, click here.

Is someone to blame for failure to get St. Charles aid?

The Legislature's failure to pass $800,000 in aid that the city of St. Charles had been hoping for has some pointing fingers. The money would have made up for lost property taxes and sewer/water and electricity revenue from the North Star Foods, which was destroyed in a fire last month.

While lawmakers did manage to get money for the local school district and a sales tax exemption for the company to rebuild, the money for the city failed to win approval. The measure did win Senate approval but did not pass in the House.

In the wake of the disappointment, some politicians have been putting the blame on Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha, the bill's sponsor. Here is a link to a Winona Daily News article with some critical remarks by St. Charles Mayor Bill Spitzer. But in an interview on Tuesday, Spitzer said his comments were mischaracterized and that you can't blame one person for the bill's failure.

But Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, was more than willing to take Drazkowski to task over the bill — along with the governor. Here is a link to today's story.

Seifert vows to push for veto on tax bills

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert paid a visit to Rochester yesterday, showing up at a networking event for Rochester Area Builders at afm Countertops. Post-Bulletin Business Editor Jeff Kiger was there and was kind enough to share his notes and a photo. (Joe Weis, owner of Weis Builders, is standing behind Seifert)

The Marshall Republican made clear he will recommend a veto on any tax proposals brought forward by Democrats.

"We're not going to gouge you for money that you don't have in the sock drawer for government programs," he told the crowd.

Seifert also vowed to fight two measures that have drawn concern among builders. The first involves bills that would make it easier for homeowners to pursue warranty claims against builders. He also pledged to fight any measures that would require business of all sizes to provide paid sick leave. In fact, Seifert said he would recommend the governor veto both those measures.

He added, "I can tell you that my caucus is very firm in believing some very basic principles. Number one is that we ought to live within our means, just as you do as a business."