Tag: Rep. Paulsen

Reciprocal conceal and carry will allow more guns

To the editor:

This month, the House of Representatives passed HR 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The companion bill in the Senate is S 446. This bill would force Minnesota to allow anyone who has a conceal carry permit from another state to carry in Minnesota – regardless of the requirements, or lack thereof, from the home state. For example, consider the laws in Georgia. That state recommends, but does not require safety training and exempts license holders from NICS background checks when buying a gun for the five-year duration of the license. Currently, a total of 19 states do not allow Georgia conceal carry license holders to carry in their state – including Minnesota. Continue reading “Reciprocal conceal and carry will allow more guns”

Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill

NOTE:  Rep. Erik Paulsen voted FOR the GOP tax bill, as he did for the GOP health insurance bill.  Both didn’t put the interests of the majority of his constituents first, but those of the ultra rich and large corporations.

The following article by Sarah Almukhtar, Audrey Carlsen, K.K. Rebecca Lai, Blacki Migliozzi, Alicia Parlapiano, Jugal K. Patel and Rachel Shorey was posted on the New York Times website December 19, 2017:

Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill

The House voted on Tuesday to pass the Republican tax overhaul bill. The Times tracked how every representative voted, live from the House chamber.

Continue reading “Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill”

Why I’m opposed to the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’

To the Editor:

I recently called Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office, regarding H.R.1 — the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” urging him to vote against this act.  I would have preferred to present my views in a town hall meeting, but since Rep. Paulsen does not hold open public meetings where constituents can publicly express their views on legislation, I’ll share them here.

They jobs act that Rep. Paulsen supports and voted for creates no jobs but will transfer US treasury dollars to the top 1-percent earners by increasing taxes on the middle class.  If signed into law, it will basically re-distribute wealth from the middle class to the super rich. Continue reading “Why I’m opposed to the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’”

What happened to Erik Paulsen, deficit hawk?

To the Editor:

On April 15, 2011, Congressman Erik Paulsen issued a press release with the headline, “Paulsen Votes to Reduce Deficits, Pay Down the Debt.”  In the release, he touted his votes in favor of the federal government living within its means and the importance of fiscal responsibility.

Fast forward to 2017 and now we observe that Paulsen is a strong advocate for the GOP tax bill that is about to become law.  He used his powerful position on the Ways and Means Committee to help craft it; he tweets about it daily; and he speaks passionately in favor of it in local and national interviews. Continue reading “What happened to Erik Paulsen, deficit hawk?”

Paulsen not entitled to his own facts

To the Editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen released the following statement following the House of Representatives passed (sic) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“After more than 31 years, the House passed tax reform that will allow our economy to grow and benefit American individuals, families, and businesses,” said Paulsen.  “Tax reform for me is about one thing:  Restoring the hope for a prosperous future for ourselves, our parents, and — most importantly — our children.”

Paulsen to varying degrees, has committed to “alternative facts.” Continue reading “Paulsen not entitled to his own facts”

The House passed a dangerous gun bill

The extremely conservative U.S. House of Representatives has passed a terrible bill. It would actually make it legal for more dangerous and untrained people to carry loaded, hidden guns in more public places in every state. Only six Democrats voted yes. This government body would allow concealed-and-carry permit holders from other states that have lax gun-violence prevention laws to carry in Minnesota. Many of these states don’t even require permits to carry a gun. These Republicans are bending to the will of the gun lobby and considering a bill that will weaken our gun laws and make us less safe.

It’s hypocritical of Republicans who argue against federal government overreach to undermine the rights of states to set their own rules against gun violence. America’s worst gun laws would become law of the land. The Supreme Court has said states can regulate guns for lawful users. Continue reading “The House passed a dangerous gun bill”

Tax you twice, ain’t it nice?

To the editor:

Under current law, you don’t have to pay federal income tax on money that you paid for state and local taxes — money that buys things like police, streets, schools.

Our representative to the United States Congress, Erik Paulsen, thinks that’s wrong. He voted this month for a tax law change that will make you pay federal income tax on some of the money you already spent on state and local taxes.

He wants to tax you twice.  Won’t that be nice? Continue reading “Tax you twice, ain’t it nice?”

Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill

The following commentary by Lori Sturdevant was posted on the StarTribune website November 17, 2017:

Franken news is just one of the big things going on.

There’s never a good time, I suppose, to learn that one’s U.S. senator groped a sleeping woman while mugging for a camera. Still, it was particularly irritating to be interrupted with the news about U.S. Sen. Al Franken on Thursday just as the U.S. House was passing a mammoth tax bill that’s skewed against Minnesota and other high-tax/high-services states.

How’s an editorial writer supposed to summon readers to think high-minded tax policy thoughts when the day’s news is about other body parts?

That’s not a plea for pity — not entirely, anyway. It’s also a lament on behalf of the 250 people who crammed into the Minnetonka City Council chamber Wednesday night to hear from three DFLers who want to replace one of the architects of the House’s tax bill, five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. Continue reading “Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill”

Minnesotans raise alarms about tax bill

The following article was posted on the Workday Minnesota website November 26, 2017:

Recently, retired union members and friends brought their concerns about tax fairness and threats to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen’s office. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council

EDEN PRAIRIE — Union members in Minnesota are among those raising objections as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on legislation to cut taxes, threatening important public services and providing handouts to the wealthy.

A vote could take place in the Senate as soon as Nov. 30, according to several media sources. The House has already passed its own bill.

Recently, retired union members and friends brought their concerns about tax fairness and threats to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen’s office. In an action organized by the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, a small group of Paulsen’s constituents delivered a letter to his office in Eden Prairie, while over 60 other people bannered at the street corner outside. Continue reading “Minnesotans raise alarms about tax bill”

Need more heart in this country

I strongly oppose the tax bill proposed by either the U.S. House or Senate without major modifications.

We need to protect and push forward with health care for every person in America.

We do not need more military, we do not need more tax breaks for the very wealthy, and we certainly do not need trillions more debt.

We need more heart in this country in caring for the most vulnerable.

My plan is to write Congressman Erik Paulsen about this regularly and hope he will listen to me — and all of his constituents.

Judith Potthoff, Chanhassen
Chaska Herald, November 24, 2017