Category: The Real Erik Paulsen

Congress gives Trump a pass on releasing his tax returns

The following editorial by the Washington Post’s Editorial Board was posted on their website September 9, 2017:

Credit: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo

IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE why Donald Trump has felt no compunction about refusing to release his tax returns. After all, he got elected president despite breaking his promise to release his IRS filings, thus thumbing his nose at a tradition that had been followed by every major-party candidate for four decades. Keeping the information under wraps also appears to be an effective way of stymieing questions about whether there are potential conflicts of interest posed by his private business empire. What doesn’t make sense is that Congress lets him get away with this, particularly since it soon will be debating an overhaul of tax policy. Shouldn’t elected representatives know how President Trump might benefit and what interests are really being served?

Unfortunately but predictably, an effort that would have forced release of Mr. Trump’s tax information was shut down last week by House Republicans. In a party-line vote Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee rejected a resolution that would have directed the Treasury Department to turn over the tax returns of Mr. Trump and his many businesses. A law enacted in 1924 after the Teapot Dome scandal allows the Way and Means Committee, along with the Senate Committee on Finance and the Joint Committee on Taxation, to request tax information for review in a closed session with possible public disclosure. Continue reading “Congress gives Trump a pass on releasing his tax returns”

Paulsen must know that true town halls hold a distinct purpose

Sept. 6 marks six full years since the last town hall held by Rep. Erik Paulsen¹. He has stated several times that he’s held over 100 town halls², but that’s a distortion of the truth.

Through public statements by the congressman³ along with a conversation I personally had with his office, it can be determined that he considers the following to be “Town Halls”: unannounced pop-up appearances in supermarkets, corporate appearances, carefully controlled and unannounced conference calls, scripted videos, and even emailed newsletters. Continue reading “Paulsen must know that true town halls hold a distinct purpose”

GOP leaders prevent votes to ban federal spending at Trump businesses

The following article by Cristina Marcos was posted on the Hill website September 6, 2017:

Credit: Greg Nash

House GOP leaders won’t be allowing votes this week on Democratic proposals to prevent taxpayer funds from benefiting businesses owned by President Trump.

Multiple Democrats had filed amendments to a government spending package set to be considered on the House floor this week to ensure the president is not personally enriched by the federal government.

Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), who are among the fiercest critics of the president, proposed measures to prohibit federal funds from being used to enter contracts with or spend money at Trump-owned businesses.

Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, also submitted an amendment prohibiting the Secret Service from spending money at entities owned or operated by Trump. Continue reading “GOP leaders prevent votes to ban federal spending at Trump businesses”

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis has held more than 600 town hall meetings. Here’s why

The following article by Mike Mullen was posted on the CityPages website September 6, 2017:

St. Cloud’s Dave Kleis can’t always make his constituents happy. But at least they know where to find him. Credit: Leila Navidi, Star Tribune

When Dave Kleis ran for mayor of St. Cloud in 2005, he made just two promises to voters.

First, he would find a way to bring back paddle boats to Lake George, a popular recreation squeezed out in city budget cuts. Second, he would hold at least one town hall meeting, open to everyone, every week.

Kleis, then a Republican state senator, won the election that November, and soon lured a private business to get paddle boats back on the water.

That second promise, the one about town halls, he’s still working on: This week, nine months into his fourth term as mayor, Kleis held his 613th face-to-face meeting with the public.

Continue reading “St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis has held more than 600 town hall meetings. Here’s why”

Counterpoint: Diversity and transparency needed in Stras nomination, not a rubber stamp

The following commentary by Marie A. Faillinger, Kendra Brodin, Mike Essien, Ben Kwan and Larissa Maldonado was posted on the Star Tribune website September 2, 2017:

Sens. Klobuchar and Franken are right to be taking their time.

Justice David Stras has been nominated for a seat on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which serves Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen should not have called out U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken for “obstructionism” in the nomination of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras to fill retired Judge Diana Murphy’s seat on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (“Partisan game-playing blocks an outstanding judge,” Opinion Exchange, Aug. 25).

To call their delay “obstructionism” is to say “let’s just move along with the process.”

Paulsen calls for a rubber stamp on a judicial nomination that was anything but open and transparent and that was not one that might yield the diverse court that the public needs.

Continue reading “Counterpoint: Diversity and transparency needed in Stras nomination, not a rubber stamp”

Demonstrators implore Rep. Erik Paulsen to protect Mueller investigation

The following article was posted on the Sun-Current website August 31, 2017:

Demonstrators call on Third District Rep. Erik Paulsen to protect the Mueller investigation Aug. 23 in Eden Prairie. (Sun Current staff photo by Sean Miner)

Approximately 50 demonstrators called on Third District Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) on Aug. 23 to support Special Counsel Robert Mueller III’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 general election. (Sun Current staff photo by Sean Miner)[/caption]Approximately 50 people assembled in Eden Prairie Aug. 23, bearing signs and occasionally chanting, to call on Third District Rep. Erik Paulsen to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller III’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 general election.

Meeting near Paulsen’s office in Eden Prairie, the demonstrators mostly stood at the intersection of Prairie Center Drive and West 78th Street, near Eden Prairie Center. The protest was organized by Mound resident Denise Knights, who described protecting Mueller’s investigation as a bipartisan issue. Continue reading “Demonstrators implore Rep. Erik Paulsen to protect Mueller investigation”

Senators right to take time with Stras appointment

The following commentary by Myron Orfield was posted on the Star Tribune website August 29, 2017:

The justice’s record must be evaluated. Specifically, there’s reason for concern over his views on civil-rights precedents.

GLEN STUBBE • Star Tribune Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Stras has been nominated for a seat on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which would be a lifetime appointment.

In his Aug. 25 commentary “Partisan game-playing blocks an outstanding judge,” U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen criticized U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar for halting Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras’ appointment to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In my view, Klobuchar and Fran-ken are exhibiting appropriate diligence. My own work focuses on civil rights and school integration, and Stras’ previous statements have left me deeply concerned about the impact of his appointment within these areas. Indeed, there is reason to believe that Stras might frustrate ongoing voluntary school integration in Minnesota. Continue reading “Senators right to take time with Stras appointment”

Paulsen needs to step up his game

Congressman Erik Paulsen, as you should be well aware, the many infammatory pronouncements by Donald Trump during the last two years are causing a signifcant increase in hate crimes. The fact that he is now president and commander-in-chief legitimizes his disgusting ideologies in the warped and depraved minds of the collective “alt-right.” Trump is providing them tacit, if not overt, approval to cause terror, violence and murder on our family, friends and neighbors. The cause and effect is clear and unequivocal. The fact that the GOP has not aggressively moved to counter this emerging abomination is inexcusable and unforgivable.

The GOP’s addiction to party over morality and country is disgusting beyond words. It is treasonous. Trump and the GOP have released the alt-right genie from its hellhole and our fellow citizens and country will suffer the violent consequences for decades to come. Congressman Paulsen, you are culpable in this offense. Continue reading “Paulsen needs to step up his game”

State Fair appearance proves we can have accountability, civility

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen saw what civil discourse looks like during his Star Tribune Stage interview at the State Fair on Friday with editorial writer Patricia Lopez. The newspaper’s Saturday coverage of the event spoke of Paulsen’s request for “civility, discourse, restraint,” which he was given in spades on Friday. The congressman has mentioned on multiple occasions that he believes a town hall would be a spectacle, and Friday’s event proved him wrong. Lopez’s questioning was direct and on point, and thanks to her, for the first time in years, a crowd of unscreened constituents was given the opportunity to hold Paulsen accountable. He was asked directly about his history of public events, about Russia, even about impeachment, and no one chose to talk over him or shout at him before or during his responses. It was the closest thing to a town hall we’ve gotten in six years, and it was respectful and engaging. His “spectacle” excuse no longer stands; if he doesn’t hold a town hall, it will only be to his detriment.

Kayli Schaaf, Coon Rapids
Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 29, 2017

Updated: Protesters in Eden Prairie ask Paulsen to support Mueller’s Russian probe

The following article by Patty Dexter was posted on the Eden Prairie News website August 23, 2017:

Nearly 30 people gathered outside of U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office in Eden Prairie Wednesday, Aug. 23, to ask that he support efforts to protect the probe of Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election.

The protest was organized by Mound resident Denise Knights. She said she’s tried sending letters to Paulsen, calling his office, requesting meetings and gone to grocery stores where Paulsen was scheduled to appear but she hasn’t been able to personally speak with him. She decided now was the time to have a gathering with others. Continue reading “Updated: Protesters in Eden Prairie ask Paulsen to support Mueller’s Russian probe”