SD41A Rep. Keith Downey has been on the forefront of reforming the way our state government works.  The Republican majorities have toured the state and been working on what they call Reform 2.0.  Rep. Downey talks about this and other reform ideas in his latest press release.  As the article states, you can see the ideas and provide some of your own at www.reform2.mn.

 
SAINT PAUL – (January 19, 2012) – Representative Keith Downey along with other members of the Minnesota House of Representatives released their priorities for the 2012 legislative session.  Looking to foster an environment conducive to private sector job growth, high performing education for students, and a smaller more cost effective government in Minnesota.  Reform 2.0 will modernize the outdated systems currently in place, allowing the needs of Minnesota’s economy and residents to be more efficiently served. 

After the Holiday hiatus, the SD41 Voice Newsletter is back.  It's a busy season gearing up for a new legislative session, starting on Tues Jan 24th.  The State Party has elected a new Chair, Pat Shortridge and Deputy Chair, Kelly Fenton.  You can always count on SD41 to keep you informed of what is happening in local Republican politics.  Take a look at the newsletter and remember that we encourage you to sign up to receive it directly by email.   Newletter link

We still have more than a week to go beforethe 2012 MN Legislative Session starts but 150 bills are already lined up be have their first reading on starting day January 24th.  Among those co-authored by SD41 representatives include:

SD41A Keith Downey

H. F. 1823, A bill for an act relating to taxation; modifying the small business investment credit; providing a credit for start-up and emerging Minnesota businesses.

H. F. 1850, A bill for an act relating to state government; increasing the maximum award amount in the state employee gainsharing program

Other Bills of Interest Include:

Lohmer, Franson, Erickson, Leidiger, Drazkowski, Shimanski and Scott introduced:

H. F. 1764, A bill for an act relating to the state budget; providing continuing appropriations for the operation of state government under certain conditions

2012 Calendar is released - tenative after Feb 21

There has been an ebb and flow in the number of local radio shows that feature conservative hosts. AM1280 The Patriot and KTLK 100.3 FM are still the heavy hitters.  But there is some new talent in their lineups, some shuffling of Northern Alliance Radio Network (NARN) talent and a new show on a small station.  We're listing them below with links to their website and podcasts versions.  Check them out and get the best and sometimes only coverage of metro and state GOP politics.

The King Banaian Show! - King is on AM1570, Business Radio for the Twin Cities - Saturday - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Northern Alliance Radio Network (NARN) - Mitch Berg & Ed Morrissey - Saturday 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Northern Alliance Radio Network (NARN)  - Brad Carlson - The Closer - Sunday 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

KTLK - The Sue Jeffers Show - Saturday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The Late Debate with Jack Tomczack and Benjamin Kruse - nightly Sunday to Thursday 10:00 p.m. to midnight

SAVE THE DATE - REPUBLICAN PRECINCT CAUCUSES
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 7:00 pm

Where will we meet?
Bloomington - All precincts will meet at Jefferson High School
4801 West 102nd Street, Bloomington  MN  55437

Edina - All precincts will meet at South View Middle School
4725 Southview Lane, Edina  MN  55424

What will happen at precinct caucuses?
We will elect precinct officers - chairs & vice chairs.
We will elect delegates and alternates to our new senate district convention.
We will discuss and vote on proposed resolutions for our party platform.
We will vote in a presidential straw poll.

How Can I Help?
We are currently recruiting conveners, secretaries and greeters for each precinct.
If you are willing to help, please call the senate district office at 952-848-4272
and leave a message or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The redistricting proposals are out from the legislature.  You can see them here.  Right now SD41 is drawn as SD48, including most of Edina, West Bloomington and going a bit toward Eden Prairie.  Each of our Republican representatives would still meet the residency requirements of their respective districts.  Interestingly there are 3 precincts in the far eastern Edina that would not be in SD48 and would adjoin with Minneapolis.  What we are really waiting for is the Congressional boundary maps to see if we will remain in CD3.  Maybe some of us will and some of us won't.  Redistricting involves three parties, the House, Senate and the Governor.  Republicans control 2 out of 3 of these and more than 50% of Minnesotans voted for a Republican legislator in 2010.  Governor Dayton had 43% of the vote in 2010 and was within the margin of a recount from his Republican opponent.  Do you think this means that the legislature should compromise equally with the Governor's desires?  If they don't and the Governor rejects their redistricting plan, it will end up in the courts as it has in the past.  Should the courts give equal deference to each plan considering how the electorate voted in 2010?  Keep in mind the Republicans plan meets all of the standard requirements for drawing the maps like equal populations, respecting natural geographic boundaries and not breaking up counties. 

Here is a first hand recap of the recent committee hearings.  The writer points out that it would very difficult not to come up with boundaries that would not benefit Republicans more than Democrats, considering the demographic trends of the Democratic stronghold areas decreasing in population while the suburbs and exurbs, typically who typically elect Republicans growing.   

3^rdCongressional District convention was held on April 17th.  Erik Paulsen was endorsed as the Republican candidate in CD3.

Lots of learnings:

We need Republican Election Judges.  17,000 more ballots were counted that registered voters.  We need you. 

Funny story about Erik Paulsen, our US House Rep, as told by Jeff Johnson.  Wouldn’t you really like to have someone take care of your business in Washington that is fiscally conservative?  Well, that’s Erik.  Erik needed a dresser for his shared apartment in D.C.  He shopped Ikea, here in Twin cities.  But instead of paying the $15 to deliver, he took one piece at a time in his luggage when he travelled back to D.C.  We like Erik! 

Tony Sutton, chair of MN Republican party:  Republicans stand for Jobs, Lower Taxes, Lower Spending and Limited government.  We can capture the Independents with these values because we Republicans share them with the Independent voter.

 Debate between Marty and Tom was good. 

As Reported by Mary K. Pate