Action Alert: Contact Your State Legislators

Dear DFLers,

Every child deserves a quality education, and strong funding is critical to making that a reality. Yet, school districts across Minnesota are currently facing serious budget deficits. Hundreds of teachers are at risk of losing their jobs-harming our schools and jeopardizing our children’s education.

That is why Governor Mark Dayton and DFLers in the State Legislature have proposed one-time Emergency School Aid that would boost per-pupil state investments in K-12 education by two percent in the coming school year, increasing funding for every school district in Minnesota. But they need your help. Republicans are refusing to support it. Celebrate this Teacher Appreciation Day by calling on your state legislators to support this critical education funding.  Continue reading “Action Alert: Contact Your State Legislators”

Senate DFL Week in Review: May 3, 2018

Senate Republican tax plan puts millionaires first, middle-class Minnesotans last

Federal tax reform, which overwhelmingly benefits billion-dollar corporations and Republicans’ millionaire country club conservative buddies, got signed into law late last year. Senate Republicans waited until May 1 to release their first draft of changes to Minnesota’s tax code, and to no one’s surprise they followed the lead of their pals in Washington, D.C.

The Senate Republican plan lets big corporations keep their money parked overseas, tax-free. It gives a $338,000 tax cut to a handful of multi-millionaires. It makes it harder for Minnesotans to purchase affordable health insurance. It sets the state budget up for fiscal disaster and ballooning budget deficits, threatening services for children, seniors, and Minnesota families. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: May 3, 2018”

Gov. Mark Dayton rips into his predecessor, and would-be successor, Tim Pawlenty

The following article by J. Patrick Coolican was posted on the Star Tribune website April 12, 2018:

“I don’t know what he’s going to run on because his record as governor was so abysmal,” Dayton said in an interview with the Star Tribune.

Gov. Mark Dayton harshly criticized his predecessor Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday, ripping Pawlenty’s political comeback bid at length and charging that Pawlenty’s time in office left Minnesota “in disastrous financial shape.”

“I don’t know what he’s going to run on because his record as governor was so abysmal,” Dayton said in an interview with the Star Tribune. The DFLer is not running again this year after two terms. Continue reading “Gov. Mark Dayton rips into his predecessor, and would-be successor, Tim Pawlenty”

Shameful action on districting, prayer (but none on guns)

While many of my friends were gathered at the State Capitol recently supporting common-sense gun laws everyone wants, I learned of a sneak attack on democracy by Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth.

You might wonder how she could manage this. It’s all about redistricting and gerrymandering. For the second year in a row, Anderson has slipped language into a must-pass bill. This year’s vehicle is HF 4016 (changing to HF 4099), a government funding bill. Her powerful position on the House Ways and Means Committee apparently allows her to bypass public hearings. Continue reading “Shameful action on districting, prayer (but none on guns)”

Senate DFL Week in Review: April 27, 2018

WEEK NINE:  April 27, 2018

Tick Tock – time is running out

The Legislature faces a May 21 constitutional deadline to complete its work, meaning just three short weeks remain to hold public discussion on sweeping proposals that will impact nearly every Minnesotan in one form or another. As a result of Republicans’ decision to wait until the last minute to do the job they were elected to do, the public is getting shut out of an important conversation about the state’s collective future.

It took Senate Republicans more than 60 days to pass a first draft of their supplemental budget proposal. There are some good things in this bill, but they are far outweighed by bad things that will hurt Minnesotans. The Senate Republican budget weakens collective bargaining rights, tells teachers what they can and can’t say in their classrooms, and cuts funding from crucial services. The Legislature has a lot of work to do to help build the state all Minnesotans deserve, and the Republicans’ budget doesn’t get there. It contains no real solutions to the collective challenges the state faces. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: April 27, 2018”

They voted for Donald Trump. Now soybean farmers could get slammed by the trade war he started.

The following article by Caitlin Dewey was posted on the Washington Post website April 5, 2018:

China imposed tariffs on 128 U.S. goods on April 2. The move is retaliation for tariffs President Trump announced on Chinese aluminum and steel. (Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

Bret Davis voted for Donald Trump in 2016, as did many of his fellow farmers in central Ohio. But as a brewing Chinese trade war begins to threaten U.S. exports, Davis fears his fifth-generation farm will suffer.

The farm, where Davis and his stepson grow 1,300 acres of soybeans, corn and wheat for Ritz crackers, may not withstand the long-term drop in crop prices a trade war could bring, Davis said. And although he supports President Trump’s goal of making foreign trade more “balanced,” he’s increasingly concerned that Trump’s methods could harm the rural Americans who helped put him in office. Continue reading “They voted for Donald Trump. Now soybean farmers could get slammed by the trade war he started.”

Senate Week in Review: April 19, 2018

WEEK EIGHT:  Thursday, April 19, 2018

Legislature running out of time to complete its work

Senate Republicans this week continued to drag their feet on urgent matters before the Legislature, such as preventing a middle-class tax hike, passing a robust jobs bill, and addressing Minnesota’s heartbreaking opioid abuse epidemic. DFL senators are eager to work with Republicans to address these challenges, but there is little to no urgency on the other side of the aisle to complete this important work before a fast-approaching May 21 constitutional deadline. With just four weeks left in the 2018 session, there is no time to waste. If the Republican majority decides to pursue shadowy last-minute backroom deals instead of conducting their work in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and consistent with Minnesotans expectations of their state government, DFL senators will hold them accountable. Continue reading “Senate Week in Review: April 19, 2018”