Political Party

Pawlenty spending cap proposal gets plenty of reaction

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday proposed a state constitutional amendment that would cap the state's general fund budget at the revenue level of the most recent two-year period. Here is a link to the Associated Press story on the proposal.

Republicans, including Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem, praised Pawlenty for the proposal.

“This proposed constitutional amendment requiring that state government spending be tied to actual general fund revenue is government at its best — one that is both responsive to the concerns of the public
and responsible with the hard-earned tax dollars that we are entrusted with.” 

But Democrats were skeptical of the governor's proposal. They also noted that none of Pawlenty's budget proposals during his time in office would meet this requirement. The Associated Press quotes DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller as saying, "At first blush it does seem odd that on your way out the door with a pending $5-7 billion deficit, you would now recommend something you never even proposed to the Legislature."

Senate Tax Committee Chair Tom Bakk sent a letter to the governor inviting him to discuss his proposed amendment before the committee on Dec. 7. Bakk mentions that Pawlenty's proposal is similar to one that U.S. Sen. Michele Bachmann.

 Bakk wrote, "Unfortunately, she never agreed to bring her bill before the Senate Tax Committee for a hearing, even after multiple requests by the chair. This left many of us on the committee to wonder what her intentions for the proposal genuinely were. As the Governor of our state, I trust that you truly support your idea and would like to see it passed next session."

Bakk, a Democrat who is running for governor, also called on the governor yesterday to call a special session of the Legislature before the end of the year so that a bonding bill can be passed. Here is a link to that story.

Click here to Download Bakk Letter

Senjem for governor? Local newspaper publisher makes the case

Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem got an unexpected endorsement for governor — even though he is not running.

Community News Corp Publisher Larry Dobson wrote an editorial with the headline "Senjem is good governor material." Community News Corp publishes the Byron Review, Dodge Center Star Record and the Hayfield Herald.

In his editorial, Dobson said he "decided to do something I've never done before and suggest a candidate for your consideration." That candidate is Senjem, a Rochester Republican.

In the editorial, he said that he has been impressed by Senjem's "integrity, reliability, tenacity and energy." He said Senjem has another prime quality— his lack of ambition when it comes to being governor.

"I know Dave isn't all that driven to be governor, but that is one reason I would like to see him in the office. He won't be using the office as a stepping stone to greater things, so he will be more inclined to consider what is best for Minnesota, rather than what is best for him."

So what does Senjem think about this?

He said he surprised by the editorial and "humbled" by it. He said that at this point he is not interested in running for governor although "you never say never."

He added, "We've got certainly enough in terms of legislative activities that haunt me and keep me active. The idea that I would step away from that and take on a governor campaign is not something I've ever considered."

Senjem joins GOP senators in calling for ACORN investigation

Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem joined fellow GOP state senators in calling for Minnesota's Attorney General to investigate ACORN's voter registration activities. Senjem, who serves as Senate Minority Leader, signed a letter sent to Attorney General Lori Swanson. The letter states that ACORN claimed it registered 43,000 voters, which is about 75 percent of the state's new registration. It says that at least 15 other states have launched investigations of ACORN and that recent news reports indicate apparent corruption in the nonprofit.

"For this reason, we formally request an independent special counsel to investigate ACORN's activities of possible abuse of the law to restore the public trust in Minnesota's elections."

The request to investigate ACORN comes after some of the nonprofit's workers were secretly videotaped last month offering advice to two conservative activists posing as a pimp and a prostitute on how to set up a prostitution ring and evade the IRS.

Click here to Download ACORN letter

Senators to get a show in Mantorville

Members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee will not likely forget what awaits them in Mantorville today. Residents have planned an elaborate welcome complete with people dressed in 19th Century costumes riding on horseback. Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said he will be getting a to ride — along with a few other lawmakers — in a horse-pulled stagecoach.

For Mantorville, it is all about making a lasting impression on lawmakers that will have a key hand in determining the state's public works borrowing bill for 2010. Dodge County is looking for $2.7 million to build a "Stagecoach Trail" that would connect Owatonna to the Douglas Trail in Olmsted County. There has also been talk about using the trail for stagecoach tours that would run from Mantorville to historic Wasioja.

This is not the first time that the residents have employed these tactics. In 2007, the put on a similar show that wowed committee members. They ended up getting $550,000 toward the project in the 2008 public works bill. But Senjem told me that organizers have said that was just a "dress rehearsal" compared to what lawmakers can expect today. I'll be there to check it out and post some pictures.

The committee will be in Rochester this afternoon to learn about the proposed Mayo Civic Center expansion, the Southern Rail Bypass corridor and the National Volleyball Center expansion. I have a story today on the long-running quest to finish the volleyball project.

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

Bad news for 65th street interchange efforts

Looks like a measure aimed at forcing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to issue the necessary permits to build the interchange at U.S. 52 and 65th Street in Rochester is dead — again.

Senate Transportation Chair Steve Murphy said the provision got stripped out of a transportation policy bill during conference committee negotiations. Local business owners and labor groups had been pushing hard for the measure, arguing it would create needed jobs and investment.

But some lawmakers have been opposed to forcing MnDOT to issue the permits, saying the city needs to go through the standard process.

Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, sponsored the bill in the Senate and has been pushing hard to get it passed. It had originally been included in a transportation budget bill, but got chopped out during negotiations.

Senjem said he is "exasperated" and "disappointed" the measure failed to win support.

The city of Rochester and MnDOT have agreed to split a $794,000 transportation study to determine the need for the interchange.

Green pipes in, volleyball center out of bonding bill

The House and Senate today approved a $299 million capital works bill. Including in the bill is $5 million for Olmsted County's Green Pipes project. The project includes a 1.25 mile steam pipe that would run from the Olmsted County Waste-to-Energy Facility to the Rochester Community and Technical College.

But the National Volleyball Center in Rochester failed to make the cut yet again. Assistant House Majority Leader Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, said lawmakers knew it would likely be an uphill battle this year to get the money for the project. He said it has been vetoed three times — once by former Gov. Jesse Ventura and twice by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The Senate version of the bonding bill did include $4 million for the center's expansion.

The bill now heads to the governor, who had been seeking a bill with a smaller price tag. Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said he expects the governor will likely use his line item veto on the bill.

Sen. Dave Senjem — an Internet sensation?

That's according to Michael Brodkorb, who heads up Senate Republican communications and writes for conservative blog Minnesota Democrats Exposed. The Rochester senator got fired up at a tax cut rally at the state Capitol on Saturday. You can view the video here.

Here's a few excerpts from his speech on the Capitol steps.

"In that building, there are 133 Democrats ready to tax the socks off you. You don't want that right?"

In response, the crowd yelled "Yeah!"

At one point, the Senate Minority Leader encouraged those in the crowd to get out their billfolds, lift them in the air and repeat after him.

"It's my money and not yours. Government, live within your means. Government, don't raise my taxes."

As a side note, Minnesota Democrats Exposed has another item about a Rochester lawmaker. The site says DFL Sen. Ann Lynch was looking for a Kentucky Derby hat to use this past weekend. Not sure what that's about.

Senate OK's legalizing pot for medical use

The Minnesota Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill by a vote of 36 to 28 that would legalize marijuana for medicinal use. The bill's sponsor is Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing. Supporters argue legalizing pot for patients would offer relief to Minnesotans dealing with severe pain and terminal illnesses. Opponents, including law enforcement groups, contend it would hurt drug-fighting efforts and could mean more people getting addicted to what is now an illegal drug.

Both of Rochester's senators — DFLer Ann Lynch and Republican Dave Senjem — voted against the bill.

"Just think about it. Do the people of Minnesota really want marijuana to be legalized in the name of medicine? I don't think they do," Senjem said on the Senate floor.

Local lawmakers who voted for the measure include Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, and Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin — along with the bill author Murphy.

A bill to legalize marijuana for medical use has passed the Senate before but has stalled in the House. If the bill does get through the legislature, it would still face a possible veto from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Rochester's 65th Street interchange gets big boost

Rochester's long-running battle to get an interchange built at 65th Street and U.S. 52 got a big boost on Thursday.

The Minnesota Senate approved an amendment to a transportation budget bill that would force the Minnesota Department of Transportation to issue the necessary permits for the project, provided there are no significant environmental impacts. Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem offered the amendment, which passed on a voice vote.

Senjem told fellow senators that MnDOT's refusal to issue these permits is preventing valuable projects from moving forward.

"On the east side of that (proposed) interchange, there are $168 million worth of commercial/residential projects ready to go, in the queue," Senjem said.

Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, said the project would create 2,500 construction jobs and between 2,000 to 3,000 permanent jobs.

The measure is still far from a done deal. It remains to be seen whether the interchange amendment will make it in to the compromise transportation budget bill that will be drafted by a House-Senate conference committee.