Political Notebook

Roch Tea Party: "Senjem is a huge disappointment"

The Rochester Tea Party Patriots are none too happy with the bonding bill that Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem has crafted. In a weekly email newsletter, the group blasts the Republican leader for proposing a $496 million public works construction bill. Here's the entry. It should be noted that the group got their math wrong. It is nearly a half a billion dollar bill — not trillion.

"Have you read the latest this week about the $496,000,000 bonding bill in the P-B? *That's right, nearly A HALF TRILLION DOLLARS.* Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem rolled out a bonding bill Wednesday morning that was *nearly twice the size of a House proposal* unveiled last week which includes Rochester Mayo Civic Center and St Cloud Civic Center. As you recall, a poll was taken by the P-B previously which showed that Rochester was AGAINST this being part of the bonding bill. And, now one of our very own "supporters" who represent our values does a 180 at the last minute."

The poll the group is citing is an unscientific poll on the Post-Bulletin's web site about bonding for the Mayo Civic Center expansion. In the e-newsletter, the group goes on to say, "Today more than ever we need leaders who have integrity and do what they say, not what they wish to do to gain favor of their counterparts and special interest groupies. November 2010 was a big upset for the Democrats. If our representatives continue to pander and play in the middle, it could be an interesting election THIS November. Stay tuned with more about the Etch-A-Sketch politicians."

Despite the Rochester Tea Party's anger, the big question is if there are any other conservatives who plan to challenge Senjem for the party's endorsement. I haven't heard of any. A date for the Republican Senate District 25 endorsing convention has yet to be set.

Rochester Tea Party member to challenge Norton

Active Rochester Tea Party Patriots member Max Sullivan has announced he plans to take on DFL Rep. Kim Norton for the House District 25B seat.

The Republican Party of Olmsted County's blog features a note from Sullivan detailing his decision to run. In it, he writes that Norton "is against about everything we are for such as a ban on state funded abortions, cutting the State work force, reducing state funding for mass transit, and repealing the cap on carbon emissions to name a few."

Sullivan works as a Realtor in Rochester. He has become one of the most well known members of the Rochester Tea Party Patriots, attending local government meetings to voice his opinions. He has also testified on several occasions at the state Capitol against the proposed $77 million Mayo Civic Center expansion and the proposed Rochester sales tax extension.

I put a call into Sullivan this morning and have not hear back from him yet. Sullivan just called me back. He said he decided to run because he has been vocal about his opinions on various issues and "I think if you are going to do that then you should be willing to step up and put your money where your mouth is."

If elected, Sullivan said he would focus on decreasing the size of government and education.

Norton was elected in 2006, relacing retiring Republican Rep. Fran Bradley.

One candidate who has decided not to run is Rochester School Board member Terry Throndon. He said several legislators approached him and encouraged him to run but ultimately he decided against it.

"I made a commitment to do the school board for four years, and I am going to honor that commitment," he said. "And I can't just abandon my business for three or four months to go up there."

He owns Throndson Oil and L.P. Gas Co.

Republican Party of Olmsted County Chairman Bruce Kaskubar said the date has not yet been set for the local district endorsing conventions. He said it is still possible that another candidate may run for the House seat.

Conservative groups launch effort to repeal Legacy Amendment

The Minnesota Voters Alliance, North Star Tea Party Patriots and the Northern Liberty Alliance have teamed up in an effort to repeal a constitutional amendment that raised the state's sales tax and dedicated the funds to the environment, outdoors, arts and cultural heritage.

The Legacy Amendment passed in 2008 with 56 percent of voters in support. The amendment raised the state's sales tax by three-eights of 1 percent.

Those backing the amendment repeal argue tax rates do not belong in the state's constitution. They also say that the amendment prevents these dollars from being used for more important government functions such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and law enforcement.

"This Amendment should be repealed because it violates principles of government, is a political slush fund, and unfairly targets our poorest citizens who need their money more than they need the elite uses to which the $250 million per year raised by the tax are put," Minnesota Voters Alliance President Andy Cilek is quoted as saying in a press release.

The Legacy Amendment opponents have launched a website where residents can sign a petition calling for the repeal.

House Republican Reps. Mark Buesgens and Tom Hackbarth have introduced a bill that proposes a constitutional amendment repealing the Legacy Amendment. It would need to pass the House and Senate before it could be put on the 2012 general election ballot.

It should be noted that the Rochester Tea Party Patriots are members of the North Star Tea Party Patriots.

 

Special election for Roch sales tax? No way lawmakers say

Rochester leaders tried to sell members of the House and Senate Tax Conference Committee on the idea of letting the city hold a vote on its $100 million-plus sales tax extension proposal during a special election instead of having to wait until November 2012. But that plea fell on deaf ears.

Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, said that a tax of this size over 20 years should be voted on when voter turnout is at its highest.

"Clearly in a general election you are getting the true voice of the citizens," she said.

Rochester City Council President Dennis Hanson argued that letting voters get a chance to vote on the issue before November 2012 would help put people to work right away.

"With the projects that we have proposed, we can have people out digging in the trenches as soon as we get this thing approved," Hanson said.

Rochester Tea Party Patriots member Cindy Maves urged lawmakers to keep in a requirement that they hold the vote during a general election. Otherwise, she said project backers will have a big advantage.

"The people that are getting the money are going to get their voters out at a special election," she said.

Ultimately, Senate Tax Committee Chair Julianne Ortman said she would only support the measure if the city will hold the sales tax vote during the general election. As a result, city officials backed off their request and agreed to abide by that.

Showdown on Rochester sales tax tomorrow

The tax bill conference committee is expected to hear testimony tomorrow on Rochester's proposed sales tax extension and both supporters and opponents are gearing up.

The Senate version of the bill includes approval for the $160 million requested by Rochester for the sales tax proposal. But the House version slashes $58.5 million from the plan getting rid of funding for a senior center, youth center, library expansion and various economic development initiatives. The city needs the legislature's authorization before it can put the sales tax issues before the voters.

City officials and Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President John Wade are expected to testify tomorrowing morning in support of the full sales tax proposal. Meanwhile, members of the Rochester Tea Party Patriots are planning to carpool to the Capitol to speak out against the sales tax. In an e-mail to members, the group says if it can't get the measure killed it will at least make the argument that they adopt the $58.5 million in cuts.

There are two local lawmakers on the conference committee. Rochester GOP Sen. Dave Senjem, sponsor of the sales tax bill, supports the full $160 million plan. House Taxes Committee Chair Greg Davids, R-Preston, backs the cuts. In an interview today, Senjem did say it will likely be tough to get the full funding because the Minnesota House voted against an amendment backed by Rochester Democrats to reinstate the cuts.

 

Meeks, Drazkowski to headline Roch Tea Party rally

Two well-known Republicans will take the stage next Friday for the Rochester Tea Party Patriots third annual Tax Day Rally.

Annette Meeks is slated to address the crowd gathered at Soldiers Field. She recently ran as the GOP-endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. She is also the founder and  CEO of the Freedom Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Also expected to speak is Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, who is known as one of the most conservative members of the GOP House.

The rally runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 15 with the program expected to begin at 6 p.m. Other speakers include Andy Cilek and Bonnie Haugen.

Besides political speeches, the rally will feature games for children, food and the chance to talk with elected officials and potential candidates. The Rochester rally is one of many tax day rallies planned by Tea party groups across the country.

The Rochester Tea Party Patriots have been flexing their political muscle this session with Republicans in charge of both the House and Senate. They have been particularly vocal in their opposition to the proposed expansion of a half-cent Rochester sales tax.

Tea Party launches 'urgent action' against Roch sales tax

The Rochester Tea Party Patriots sent out an "urgen action item" in an email this weekend asking members to call GOP House members and voice their opposition to the city's sales tax proposal. This comes after Rochester leaders on Friday called on House Majority Leader Matt Dean to restore the $58.5 million in cuts to the proposal made by a key House committee.

The e-mail asks, "Will our Legislators Cave to the Country Club Chamber of Commerce members and City Officials to add the 58.5 million dollars back in to the Sales Tax bill? NO NEW TAXES!"

The city needs authorization from the state legislature before it can put its half-cent sales tax proposal before the voters. At the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce event on Friday, Rochester residents told Dean that the legislature should leave it to the city to decide what it wants to put before the voters.

Dean apologized to the audience saying it appears there had been a "miscommunication" on the sales tax and he would work to correct it. Rep. Keith Downey, R-Edina, who serves on the House Taxes Committee, vowed to put together a closed-door meeting with  lawmakers and residents to try to negotiate a deal.

A House committee sliced specific projects from the city's half-cent sales tax proposal, including $26 million for an area senior center, $3.5 million for a Boys & Girls Club youth center, $11 million for an expansion of the Rochester Public Library and $18 million for various economic development proposals. House Taxes Committee Chair Greg Davids, R-Preston, backs these cuts.

The House is expected to vote on the omnibus tax bill today. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the DFL lawmakers in the delegation offers an amendment to restore the entire $160 million sales tax proposal in the bill. Stay tuned.

Tea Party Patriots rip Rochester sales tax proposal

Two members of the Rochester Tea Party Patriots traveled to St. Paul this morning to testify against a bill that would allow the city of Rochester to ask voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase.

Tea Party member Cindy Maves told lawmakers at a key committee hearing that the tax was started in 1983 for a valid reason — to build needed flood control infrastructure. But she said this time the money would be used for projects that are not worthy of taxpayer dollars.

"We are not renewing (the sales tax) for infrastructure. We are renewing for frosting," Maves said.

She was joined by fellow Rochester Tea Party Patriot member Max Sullivan, who also opposes the bill.

But representatives from the city and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce turned out to voice their support for the bill. Chamber President John Wade told lawmakers "I'm about the last person who would come here to advocate for a tax, I can assure you." But he said this sales tax extension would be worthwhile. Money would be used for transportation projects, higher education buildings, public safety facilities and economic development efforts.

"What I do believe is that this measure, the local option sales tax, has been well thought out, locally developed and proven results," Wade said. "If we get things right in our community over the next 10 years we will grow 8,000 jobs."

Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, is carrying the bill in the Senate. Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, is the author in the House.

The House and Senate bills were laid over for future consideration.

Tea Party Patriots not happy with League of Women Voters

The Rochester Tea Party Patriots are accusing the League of Women Voters of being a clearly partisan group in the wake of a recent local forum on the issue of voter ID.

Here is how the group sums up the forum in an e-mailed newsletter:

"Those who attended the meeting let us know that it was a put up job. The scenario was well rehearsed. The bottom line was: "Problem? What Problem?" They are circulating a petition that will give cover to the Democrat legislators so they can remain in denial. This petition is not "scientific" but just plain biased.

It is now clear that the League of Women Voters is a partisan group. Understand that if you attend any of their meetings."

This stems from a forum earlier this month sponsored by the league on the issue of whether or not voters should have to show photo ID in order to vote. Local GOP Rep. Mike Benson, R-Rochester, is sponsoring a bill that would require voter ID. Speakers featured at the event were from two organizations: the state League of Women Voters and Citizens for Election Integrity. Both of those organizations testified against Benson's voter ID bill during a House committee hearing citing concerns it could prevent legitimate voters from casting their ballots. But the measure has strong support among Republicans who argue it is needed to prevent voter fraud.

I have reached out to the Rochester league chapter to get a reaction to this. I will post the reaction when I get it.

Update: Here is the response to the Tea Party Patriots' criticism from Kathy Maegerlein, president of the League of Women Voters Rochester.

"Although the LWV is non-partisan, we do study issues and take positions on issues. Our basic position on voting at the national level is that "Voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed", and, at the state level, 'Support improvements in election laws regulating election procedures, voting and school district elections.'

Our speakers presented the results of the report Facts About Ineligible Voting and Voter Fraud in Minnesota, which was done by the Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, and the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance, which was based on input from over 80 County Attorneys. We also had a good discussion following the presentation with both sides of the issue being heard."

 

Tea Party forum? Local DFLers say thanks but no thanks

All of Rochester's DFL incumbents signed a letter declining to participating in a candidate forum sponsored by the Rochester Tea Party Patriots. In the letter, the lawmakers thank the group for hosting the forum but add that they hope their members will take advantage of one of the "neutral forums" being held. The lawmakers declining to participate are: Sen. Ann Lynch, Rep. Tina Liebling, Rep. Kim Norton and Rep. Andy Welti. Also choosing not to go is the District 29A DFL candidate Doug Wunderlich. Click here to  Download Letter from DFL candidates

One DFL candidate is going to participate. Senate District 29 candidate Greg French, of Byron, has said he plans to attend. The Republicans who have said they will attend are Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, former state Rep. Carla Nelson, House District 29A candidate Duane Quam, House District 29B candidate Mike Rolih, House District 30A candidate Charlie O'Connell and House District 30B candidate Mike Benson.

Rochester Tea Party Patriots Chair Cindy Maves said the group does not endorse and candidate or party "but endeavors to educate the voters and provide opportunities for them to make the own informed decisions." The group does urge its members in its e-mail news updates to help elect conservative candidates.

The event starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 with a buffet dinner at Godfather's Pizaa, 1611 16th St. N.W. in Rochester. The forum runs from 7 p.m.t o 8:30 p.m. All candidates will have five minutes to introduce themselves and they will then answer questions from the audience.