NOTES:
While all eyes are on the national health care debate, we also need to pay attention to what is going on right here at home. The State Legislature is getting ready for our next session which starts February 4, 2010. Even-numbered years are dedicated to bonding for capital projects, though this year will likely require some budget work too. Also, this fall two recently formed committees, the House Jobs Task Force and the House Small Business Caucus, are tasked with providing recommendations to the full legislature.
My approach to both committees is the same:We don't need more stimulus packages, and we don't need bigger government and higher taxes. And really, do we need 36 politicians in St. Paul planning more short-term government programs and spending to create jobs? With federal budget deficits out of control, what job providers need most from state government right now are fiscal restraint, reforms to our large programs, and tax and regulatory relief.
Unfortunately, with sizeable Democrat majorities on these two committees, I am concerned you'll see the same old short-term proposals for government jobs and spending programs. But if I can influence it, we will begin a long overdue discussion about fundamentally reforming state government and improving our business climate. I will keep you posted, but I need to hear your ideas too! So please be in touch at
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and look for some new communication from me on Twitter and Facebook as these committees continue their work..
Although the MN legislature is not in session until next February, Senate Republicans are focusing on ACORN and its activities in Minnesota. All 21 Senate Republicans have made a formal request to the Attorney General for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate ACORN voter registration and other activities in Minnesota. At least 15 other states have launched such investigations. Governor Pawlenty has already blocked any funding to ACORN. Now we need to determine if there has been any corruption or election law violations. ACORN claimed last year to have registered 43,000 new voters; this would account for nearly 75% of the state's new voters. So there is plenty to investigate and we are hopeful that Attorney General Swanson will set aside her DFL politics and appoint a special counsel. For a copy of our press release on this topic please contact me at
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or (651) 296-6238. Thanks, Geoff |
