Join us in a homemade meal and engaging conversation.  Our guest speakers will be Cam Winton, who is running for Mayor in Minneapolis and Erin Haust, who will discuss social media in politics today.  Details and RSVP here
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     Cam Winton          Erin Haust

The MN Senate voted on their Omnibus Tax Bill on the evening of April 29th.  Surprisingly, the DFL failed to get enough votes to pass the bill.  Then it got interesting.  MNGOP State Chair Keith Downey's press release provides a good explanation of what transpired.

Our latest SD49 Watchdog email alert centers around the current taxapalooza being led by DFL legislators.  As the session goes into its final weeks, the tax bills have been passed in both the MN House and MN Senate.  You can see the highlights we have compiled here.

The Southwest Lightrail Line is expected to cost $1.5 billion to build.  This does not include operating costs.  What if you could move the same amount of people around, with less expensive, more flexible form of transit.  What if you could have this system up and operating much sooner than building a new lightrail line? Consider this video?

Same Day Voter Registration 

District Court Hearing Scheduled for May 15

Minnesota Voters Alliance has sued Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State, for his lack of enforcing the Constitution of Minnesota for same day voter registration eligibility. 

This case will be heard on

May 15, 2013, 9:00am
in the U.S Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
Warren E. Burger Federal Buildg & U.S. Courthouse

316 N. Robert Street, St. Paul, Minnesota

The hearing is open to the public.  

For more information:

 http://www.mnvoters.org

Our latest edition of the SD49 Voice Newsletter has been released.  Newsletters are available FREE only via email.  If you or someone you know still wishes to receive a printed copy of the newsletter in the mail, please call the SD49 Office at 952-848-4272 and leave a message.  You will be charged an annual fee of $20 to receive six printed editions.  

April 2013 SD49 Voice Newsletter

In this issue:

MN GOP Elects New Leaders
Bill Glahn:  Super-Secret Tax Deals
Republican Senior Meeting
Same Day Voter Registration Lawsuit
Minnesota's Credit Card
SD49 Communication Update
SD49 Bumper Sticker Contest
Republican Roundtable
Apply to Become a MnSure Navigator
Watch MN Legislature LIVE on TV

After 4 months on the job, Senator Melisa Franzen cast the deciding vote, with the DFL Majority, to give herself a 35% raise.  No GOP Senators supported the move that also creates automatic pay increases for the Governor and legislators that will not require a vote in the future.  Senators currently make $31,000 plus per diem and expenses.  The new increase would go to $41,000.  Legislators are in session for 4 to 5 months each year.

Some have questioned whether this is even constitutional, given that legislators are required to vote a pay raise and then wait for one election cycle before it takes effect.  This gives voters a chance to weigh-in on the pay raises at the ballot box.  This was discussed on the Davis and Emmer show this morning by Senator David Osmek (starts at the beginning of the podcast).  Senator Osmek will also be a speaker on Tuesday April 23rd at our monthly Dinner and Conversation.

The Minnesota House has not yet voted on this measure  Will Reps Erhardt and Rosenthal vote the same way as Franzen did?

Don't forget to contact Rep. Erhardt and Rep. Rosenthal to let them know how you want them to vote.

Pioneer Press article

The MN Jobs Coalition has posted original video they taped of the SD49 DFL Legislator Townhall that took place Saturday April 13th at the Edina Community Center.  Videos are broken into 5 parts for easier viewing.  SD49 has linked to the videos as favorites on our YouTube Channel.  Shorter versions highlighting the various topics covered may be displayed here at a later time.

The Minnesota Legislature has 21 Senate Committees and 28 House Committees.  Both Chambers are currently controlled by the DFL Party.  A DFL Legislator Chairs each committee and there is also one Lead Republican designated.  Senate District 49 has compiled a contact list for your convenience in contacting lead Republicans on each committee.

Roster of Senate Committee - Lead Republicans
Roster of House Committee - Lead Republicans

Governor Mark Dayton's Office