Political Party

Taxpayers League scorecard not kind to Roch Democrats

The Taxpayers League of Minnesota has released its annual legislative scorecard. The scores are based on whether or not lawmakers voted for legislation deemed by the organization to be unfriendly to the taxpayer. In many cases, that involves whether or not a lawmaker supported bills with tax increases.

The report card did not have a favorable view of most DFLers — especially in Rochester. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 considered a perfect score, no Rochester Democrats received a rating above 13. In southeast Minnesota, the lawmaker with the lowest score was Sen Steve Murphy of Red Wing who netted a 0. 

Rep. Gene Pelowski of Winona was the highest ranking Democrat with a score of 47. That is in large part due to his voting against the DFL tax increase proposals. 

The report heralds Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Minority Leader and potential gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, as the "2009 Heroes of the Taxpayers" for standing up against tax increases.

Here is a look at ratings for Southeast Minnesota lawmakers. To look at the Taxpayers League's full list, go here.

Senate

Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona — 21

Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester — 7

Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing — 0

David Senjem, R-Rochester — 57

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin — 14

House

Robin Brown, DFL-rural Austin — 7

Greg Davids, R-Preston — 80

Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield — 80

Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha — 87

Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing — 87

Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester — 13

Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester — 13

Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona — 47

Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin — 27

Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview — 13

Poppe backs Entenza for governor

Austin DFL Rep. Jeanne Poppe is wasting no time making her pick in the 2010 governor's race.

In an interview this weekend at Adams Dairy Days, Poppe said she is backing former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza of St. Paul. She said she is impressed with his experience and believes he has what it takes to win.

"He knows how to hire a good staff and how to get the job done," Poppe said.

In fact, Entenza’s campaign announced earlier this month he had hired five firms to help manage online operations, literature and direct mail, paid media and polling.

Other DFL candidates that have already announced plans to run include Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and Sen. John Marty of Roseville. Other potential candidates include St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and state Rep. Paul Thissen.

It seems as though most local lawmakers are holding back on making endorsements. Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, has said she is not ready to make a formal endorsement but she has been traveling around the city with Bakk. Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, hosted a meet and greet event for Anderson Kelliher at her Rochester home, but said she is waiting before she decides who to endorse.

Swap school dollars for flood mitigation?

During a House floor debate on a $200 million capital works bill, Preston Rep. Greg Davids made a move geared towards getting more dollars for flood mitigation.

The local Republican proposed an amendment that would have taken funding from four MnSCU projects that vetoed by the governor last year and instead have put that money towards flood mitigation projects. That proposal comes as lawmakers are still discussing the serious aftermath of the recent floods in the Red River Valley.

Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, argued against the amendment saying the House will likely pass another bill to aid flood victims. But it makes sense for the state to wait to see what federal flood dollars will be available.

Davids amendment won support from Austin Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Jeanne Poppe and Rep. Robin Brown. Austin is among the cities hoping to get some of the nearly $13 million in flood mitigation grants. The Senate public works bill has twice the flood mitigation dollars available.

Ultimately, Davids' amendment failed by a vote of 81-52.