The Rochester Post Bulletin reports on MN legislators' money grab / aka "per diem." We reported Lyndon Carlson as one of the top 4 earners in 2008. Reports of our three legislator's earnings are below.

While salaries for lawmakers have remained frozen at $31,140.90 for a decade, legislators have found other ways to boost their take-home pay. They have boosted their daily allowances, known as per diem, by $40 in the Senate and $21 in the House during the last 10 years. Hamline University Professor David Schultz, an expert in government ethics, said this amounts to a backdoor salary increase.

"They have basically come up with a sort of subterfuge, kind of a hidden way of supplementing their income, which is basically by using the per diem," he said.

Some legislators claim upwards of $35,000, outpacing their annual salary. Lawmakers receive per diem seven days a week during the legislative session. They are also eligible for per diem during a special session and outside of session on days they attend a committee meeting. 

You can look up your legislator's earnings at the Post-Bulletins' database. Here are the per diem earnings of our three DFL SD45 legislators. Keep in mind that they are only about 20 miles from the Capitol and live in a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis.

Rep. Lyndon Carlson (D) 45-B

• 2009: $14,443.79 (he knows we're watching! -Ed)
  
• 2008: $18,491.21
• 2007: $19,808.72

Rep. Sandra Peterson (D) 45-A:

• 2009: $10,179.94
• 2008: $8,826.30
• 2007: $11,525.23

Sen. Ann Rest (D) 45:

• 2009: $17,996.20
• 2008: $20,775.06
• 2007: $25,590.23

FreedomDogs blog gave an update on the August 14 Health Care Freedom Rallies held across the state.

The numbers opposing ObamaCare are growing, and showing up to voice concerns at representative's offices throughout the state Friday.

At Rep, Keith Ellison's office (Minneapolis), a young girl asked about the Gadsden flag and received a friendly American history lesson – explaining it showed a sign of unity and strength against England's treatment of the citizens of its new Colonies:

Dan McGrath from Minnesota Majority filmed this town meeting outside of Rep. Betty McCollum's (St. Paul) office:

Since some elected officials are avoiding public forums on health care, their constituents brought impromptu town hall meetings to the local offices of their representatives and senators on August 14th, 2009.

Our own Guy'd Dog reported on Facebook:

The wife and kids went to US Senator Amy Klobuchar's office today to discuss health care. About 50 people actually met with the staff instead. Way more than the staff expected, and 50 more were waiting for the next meeting. Literally 90% anti-ObamaCare.

We'll add more photos and reports as we get them. If you weren't able to attend Friday,  Tea Party Minnesota is planning more lunch-time rallies August 22 and 28.

Congratulations to Red and others from SD-45 who came out and show support for health care freedom. Democracy is a good thing!

Rep. Lyndon Carlson (D-45B) is again in the top of per diem (daily expenses) earners for 2008. He charged $13,860, just below fellow DFLers Tom Rukavina. Speaker Margaret Kelliher and Alan Juhnke.

Senator Ann Rest (D-45) made the top five in the senate, earning $15,936. With other line items, her total for the year reached $20,775.06.

Early this year, WCCO's Pat Kessler explained the money grab:

IN FACT, officially, the legislature meets for about 3 to 5 months every year, and lawmakers get paid $31,140 every year. They also receive daily expense payments called per diem, which originally was meal money, but now can boost their income by more than 50 percent.

It's TRUE.  Lawmakers can get up to $96 a day in the Senate and up to $77 a day in the House. They can receive per diem seven days a week during the session, even when they're not physically at the Capitol. And it counts toward their pensions.

No receipts are necessary and no questions are asked.

You can download House and Senate per diem earnings at the WCCO article. Since we taxpayers pay their salaries (and per diems), it's time we ask questions - then unseat them both in 2010.

Nancy in Crystal wrote this letter to the editor in a recent Sun Post, after she saw a "Y" next to Senator Rest's name in the last minutes of the 2009 session:

I was deeply disappointed that my state Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, voted to push through a bill that would raise our taxes by $3.6 billion during the last minutes of the Senate session May 18.

The lengthy bill (HF 2323/SF 2074) included $1.2 million in grants for TV and film producers and $200,000 for a youth environmental education program (which regional parks offer already).

Our DFL leaders appear willfully ignorant that we're in a recession. Or is it that they don't care? Struggling taxpayers must be relieved that the bill was vetoed with no override chances this year. We are also spared from a special session where Rest would no doubt try again to pass across-the-board tax increases (including ending the local property tax cap).

Sen. Rest held several town meetings where I, along with others, asked her to vote no on taxes and unnecessary spending. Sadly, she seemed to have suffered from selective listening - ignoring us in favor of DFL special interests and hurriedly voting yes to raise taxes in the last minutes of the 2009 session.

Please remember this in 2010: Ann Rest demonstrated taxation without hesitation.

The Governor outplayed the DFL today, and boldly announced in a news release:

NO SPECIAL SESSION, NO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN -- GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SAYS HE WILL BALANCE STATE BUDGET

-Governor outlines plan to use executive action to balance budget, says his preference is to sign into law a negotiated budget agreement --

Saint Paul - At the State Capitol this afternoon, Governor Tim Pawlenty said, "Politics as usual around this place is over. The people of Minnesota expect and deserve timely and decisive action. I will not let the legislature's work spill over into a special session. We are not going to waste taxpayer money with a costly overtime or have a state government shutdown, especially in this economy. My preference would be for DFL legislators to work with me on a reasonable budget solution, but if they can't get that done I will take executive action to balance the budget."

"A key principle is that the DFL-controlled legislature shouldn't spend more money than the state has available," Governor Pawlenty said. "Unfortunately, they have done just that and now I'll fix it."

 

Thank Governor Pawlenty for taking action and  using his veto pen against raising taxes!

Call 651-296-3391 or send an email to tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

SD45 Chair Candace Oathout wrote this letter to the editor, published in the StarTribune:

VERMILION PARK

In these tough times, it's not an essential

The Star Tribune editorial "Don't abandon plan for Vermilion park" (April 19) strikes at the heart of the dilemma facing our nation today: the inability to determine a want from a need.

We are experiencing record deficits in all levels of government. The Vermilion park plan would take 2,500 acres of additional land off the tax rolls, eliminate future use of this land for all but limited recreation, increase government bureaucracy to maintain the proposed park in perpetuity and, by the way, pay more than the assessed value of the land!

This is where we collectively slap our foreheads. Even the $14 million assessed value of the land to be purchased would go a long way to providing for health care needs of disabled and impoverished children and adults. It would pay for about 291 teachers to help Minnesota schools meet their goal of providing world-class education to every child. It could provide $14 million in restored, perhaps even increased, Local Government Aid to cities that provide basic safety, infrastructure maintenance and repair, and sanitation services to local residents without increasing their property taxes.

We have to ask: Is this a pressing need in challenging times, or simply a desire?

CANDACE OATHOUT, CRYSTAL

Over a dozen residents carpooled and met up with friends at the State Capitol April 15 to protest excessive spending and taxes imposed by the government. We were happy to be part of an estimated 7,500 group of like-minded Minnesotans. While the media and Democrats attempted to diminish and demoralize the tea parties here and nationwide - we know they're scared. And with good reason. This looks to repeat the conservative takeover in 1994 during President Clinton's presidency.

Now what? First, if you couldn't make the tea party, you can join thousands Saturday May 2 for the Tax Cut Rally at State Capitol, beginning at 11:00am. Second, American Majority started an "After the Tea Party" site to get you plugged in and involved.

Or, contact our SD45 leadership to match your talents with volunteer opportunities. We're planning new and great things in 2009 and beyond. It doesn't stop with rallies - and we need your great ideas and enthusiasm. If 7,500 + found time on short notice to speak in a unified voice April 15, imagine what we can do in 2010!

SD-45 resident Todd M. suggested some excellent ideas in his letter to the editor to the MN Sun-Post Feb. 26:

At the start of the 2009 legislative session, I received Sen. Ann Rest's Weekly Update e-mail. At the time, the projected state deficit was $4 billion. Today, it's $7 billion. Herein are my deficit reduction ideas.

FIFO: First In, First Out - an accounting term to quantify inventory control, whether finished goods or raw materials. This accounting protocol has a cousin named LIFO: Last In, First Out.

I believe the Legislature needs to employ this technique - LIFO - whereby all increased spending over the last three years needs to experience a line item veto by either the Legislature or the governor.

We had a $2.2 billion budget surplus at the start of last year's session, but due to the recession and the Legislature's insistence to spend money, we are now faced with a $7 billion deficit.

First, all new spending programs instituted during the past three years need to be eliminated. We can no longer afford them. Those programs that were last added in the budget need to be the programs first cut out of the budget. Second, simply employ an across the board spending cut of 10 percent.

This will achieve a balanced budget very quickly. If help is needed in identifying which programs to eliminate, I will be happy to serve. Then, once fiscal stability is reached, we need to ensure that future spending generates a return on investment; if not, then that expenditure needs to be eliminated.

Election 2010 is right around the corner.

Senate District 45 Republicans are hosting their Chili & Chat February 19 with guests Rep. Marty Seifert and Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie. All are welcome to join them and hear what's happening in the state legislature with great chili.

Topic: SURVIVING DFL Legislation & Taxes

What’s going to happen in the 2009 session as we face a 5 billion-dollar deficit? What plans do the DFL-majority legislators have in store? How do we “vote them off the island” in the next election? Hear the latest on legislative developments by local experts and lawmakers. Bring a neighbor or friend! 

8240 47th Avenue (one block west of Winnetka Avenue) > Map

Fee: $10 per person (or FREE with $50 BPOU donation) Includes Chili & trimmings (vegetarian option), cookie & beverage.

Please RSVP by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 763-951-2826 • More at SD-45

FreedomDogs blog found area housing inspection ordinance and "fee" proposals that will tax residents - which many may not be aware of:

A good friend in Robbinsdale sent me Exhibit A:

The city council will consider a proposed point of sale housing inspection ordinance at its meeting on January 6, beginning at 7:00pm at Robbinsdale city hall. MAAR has been talking with city council members and city staff about the proposed ordinance since late November. If the proposal is approved at the meeting, it can take effect 30 days later.
 
MAAR opposes point of sale ordinances for several reasons, including the fact that only a small percentage of homes in the city are "for sale" at any given time, most problem properties are not "for sale," many buyers hire third party inspectors to complete a thorough inspection of the property prior to purchase, and sellers are already required by law to disclose any known adverse property conditions. 
 
If you agree with the MAAR position on this issue, plan to attend the city council meeting and speak against the proposed ordinance. Talk to other city residents. Ask them to attend as well. Without these efforts, the ordinance will be approved by the city council.
 
A copy of the MAAR position on point of sale inspections is linked here: http://www.mplsrealtor.com/public_time_of_sale.aspx
 
A link to the Robbinsdale city website: http://www.robbinsdalemn.com/

Bottom line: Concerned Robbinsdale residents need to be at their City Hall this Tuesday, Jan.6 at 7:00pm.

Exhibit B: From the MN Sun-Post's legal notice section I found "Electric Franchise Fees proposed in Golden Valley." A notice of public hearing to consider an ordinance requiring an "electric franchise fee" from Exel Energy for providing electric service.

The rate schedule, if adopted, would provide the City with approcimately $485,000 in annual revenue. The rate schedule is as follows:

Residential $2.50
Small C&I - Non-demand: S7.00
Small C&I - Demand: $13.50
Large C&I - (< 1 Mw): $80.00

If approved, the "fee" would begin charging Golden Valley residents around July of 2009.

Bottom Line: Golden Valley residents and business owners need to show up in force Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7:00 pm at their City Hall.

SD45 resident Andrew Richter raises questions on the recently-passed 281 referendum to the MN Sun-Post:

More money is not a cure all. Throwing money at a problem is not a solution. Why then does anyone believe throwing money at our local District 281 schools will make a difference? Apparently spending $10,000 a year per student isn't enough. So now that the referendum has passed, what will the district do with the money? Will they do anything differently?

The district claimed that classes are overcrowded. So what is the district's solution? They plan to hire or re-hire 30 to 40 teachers and other staff members. Pardon me, but that doesn't sound like much of a plan.

Now if our classes are really too crowded, why are 10 percent of students going to school in District 281 coming from outside the district? Why don't we tell them we don't have room? Are we going to continue importing kids from other districts to come here?

Our district also has declining enrollment. If our number of students is going down, why then are we hiring more people? It simply makes no sense. One more thing; this new referendum is supposed to last until 2015. What happens then? Can you say another referendum?

And where are our local legislators, Sandra Peterson, Lyndon Carlson and Ann Rest, who have served a combined 64 years? What is their solution to the education problem? Oh, wait a minute, I know what it is; more money!

By SD-45 author Andrew Richter: The Story of Two Forgotten Presidencies

Quick: name as many presidents as you can between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln.  If you can’t name too many don’t feel bad, you’re not alone.  With the public schools slowly replacing American History with gay and lesbian rights seminars, women’s studies and basket weaving, some names have been forgotten.  Eight men served as president between Jackson and Lincoln and all eight have been forgotten or ignored.  Two of them died in office and none of the eight served more that one term.  William Henry Harrison and John Tyler are two of them, and they are the subject of my new book.

When I was in junior high my mother and I did my family tree and I found out I was related to former President Zachary Taylor and that sparked my interest in studying American History particularly in the pre-Civil War Era.  When she passed away in 1999 I tried to find her research but I have no idea what she did with it so I can’t remember how my family is related to Old Rough and Ready.  

Taylor was elected in 1848 but he never served a full term.  He died on July 9, 1850.  This has caused his name to be forgotten in most history books.  Not surprisingly, I’ve come to find that to be the truth for most of the presidents from this era in American History.  

The Whig Party was organized in the 1830’s by the opposition to Andrew Jackson.  After Martin Van Buren won the 1836 presidential election, the Whigs went looking for a candidate to win in 1840.  Hoping to exploit a war hero like the Democrats had done with Jackson, Whigs passed over their acknowledged leader in Henry Clay.  Their choice for president was William Henry Harrison.  Harrison had fought in the same war as Jackson (the War of 1812) and his victories against the Indians at Tippecanoe Creek in present-day Indiana gave him both a nickname and everlasting fame.  Former Democrat John Tyler of Virginia was chosen as his running mate to balance the ticket.  The Whigs then used the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.”  Harrison defeated President Van Buren in a landslide but he died only 31 days after his inauguration.  This left Vice President Tyler as the new president.

Clay and his cohorts in Congress thought they could run roughshod over the new president.  When Clay pushed two bills through Congress to try and create a new National Bank, Tyler vetoed both bills.  The Whigs responded by throwing him out of the party.  From then on, domestic legislation was at a standstill so Tyler turned to problems abroad where he found a good deal of success.  Tyler’s administration solved the border dispute between Maine and Canada that had existed since the American Revolution and added the rich new land of Texas to the Union.  Still, Tyler never seems to get much credit for his accomplishments.  His successor, James Polk, is often seen as the best president between Jackson and Lincoln whereas Tyler is often seen as mediocre “accidental president who was thrown out of two parties.

Overall, my goal is not to get you to like Harrison and Tyler.  It is simply to tell their forgotten stories accurately and honestly.

Our 45-A Vice Chair, Guy Collins has some great ideas to get involved and make a difference in future elections:

The mood I'm sensing from conservatives after this last week is quite encouraging.  Taken as a group, I don't hear a majority of conservatives mired in self-pity, Obama Derangement Syndrome, or denial of this fact:  we need changes in the conservative game plan & execution to occur - now!  It is quite understandable that people have been oversaturated with politics in every sense - ads, literature, newscasts, candidate appearances. These people want a break from politics.  Understood and Agreed.

 

And, it is getting well into "holiday season" mode:  "where are we  travelling for Thanksgiving?  How are we going to fix dinner for all those people we're having over?  Is ol' Uncle Bob going to rub Obama's win in my face over the Thanksgiving turkey?"  This season leads into the full-Christmas-mode month of December, and all the enjoyment and frenzy surrounding Christmas: getting a tree, buying gifts, getting those lights up on the house without falling on your head, attending church services, keeping all in-laws happy with equal-visit-time, etc.   Finally it ends with wondering if you're going to set goals/resolutions for 2009, and '"no, you don't really care to hear which ones you did or didn't keep in 2008".  

 

And through all of this, nobody wants to hear about politics. Period.  I understand and empathize with that.  

 

However, below are some items we can ponder, to get a good jump start at a conservative return to prominence, starting in early 2009.  Granted, none of these are new, and most of them have already been hashed by much more eloquent people in just the last few days.  I only list them, because I believe each one is good fodder for conversation, and each one shows a way that anyone who wants to be involved, CAN be involved in a way that can make a difference, and that often requires little time or effort. 

 

1) Don't complain - don't explain - don't be deranged!  As many have shared with me, these characteristics are petty and unproductive.  Complaining, hate,  denial of our own issues are traits owned by the Democrats.  We're above that, so lets prove it.  Admit what's wrong within our house, "make nice" within our family, and get to work to improve our party.

 

2) Identify and support strong state and national party leadership - there are some important leadership decisions coming up VERY SOON within the Republican national leadership, such as RNC chair, and House and Senate minority leadership positions.  Look for more to come here on FD's for calls to action, or Google the races that are important to you.  I do believe there are vast differences in these races, between people currently entrenched, who want the status quo (no, really! I am not kidding) and "new blood" who know how to lead us out of the mushy middle wilderness where we now reside.  Stay tuned.....

 

3) Communicate with the representatives who will listen to you - I plan to frequently e-mail / call Representatives Paulsen (who represents my district), Bachmann, and Kline, especially on issues that are important to me.  And as much as Senator Coleman can be squishy, moderate.... I will contact him.  We need to remind these people their job is to represent us.  They work for us, not the other way around.  And, correct me if I'm wrong.... I just can't see getting too far contacting Sen Klobuchar, or any of the Dem representation.  Again, more to come on effective methods to contact EVERY senator and representative in a powerful grassroots way, on issues that really matter....

 

4) Coordinate new media to deliver our message - Let's face it.  Old Media is dying. Also, they will never give conservatives a fair shake.  They hate conservatives.  Always have, always will. Let's admit it and deal with it.  They're not going to change. And unfortunately, they still have significant power/reach with older generations, and they have abandoned any hint of journalistic integrity or credibility.  They've sold their collective souls. 

 

So we need to reach our friends and family by going around the Old Media, by encouraging people to use alternative, more objective news sources.  Direct people to news sources that tell the truth!  There are volumes that can be written on this topic, but one thing I strongly believe, is that we need to consolidate, into a tighter network of new media and activist groups (I hate to say it, but paralleling the Kos / MoveOn machine on the left).   For now, a good place to start is Rebuild the Party.  

 

Citizens in our society, from birth to death, are inundated by lies and distortions by all the institutions controlled by the left, that we just can't avoid in our daily lives: the public education system (pre-K through college), media, government, entertainment.  The message: "You can't make it on your own, but luckily for you, the government is here to help".  We need to re-educate everyone we know - family, friends, co-workers, church members, to reject this message, step out of the mainstream misinformation culture, get wise, and get in the fight for an individual-freedom-and responsibility society, upon which this country was founded.

 

Well, I've gone long again.  Looks like I'll have to create another post to finish up the list.  Here's hoping you enjoy time off after the elections, and are looking forward to the holiday season..... and are still encouraged to get/stay in the game after the new year.  Just a few people being active can make a big difference!

Chief at Freedom Dogs sent this today to the MN Sun-Post

I saw on candidate Gregg Prest’s website (gprest.com) that Gregg was recently endorsed by the Twin West Chamber of Commerce PAC for Minnesota House. This is no small order. I’ll go further—this is a very big deal.

For those who don’t know, the Twin West Chamber is an excellent group of fairly diversified business leaders in the northwest suburbs that, in my opinion, has tilted to the a bit to the left in their endorsing over the last few years. They tend to favor incumbent candidates, unless they have a problem with that candidate’s voting record. However, they will support the opposing candidate when they believe that candidate will foster a legislative environment that will help the business community prosper, create jobs, and support the community.

Well, it has happened. Twin West saw Lyndon Carlson’s voting record and has reconsidered who will be the responsible leader in 45B. Rep. Carlson has held his seat for 36 long years. In 2007, he voted along DFL party lines that voted against businesses a shocking 12 out of 12 times (source: Taxpayers League of Minnesota).

The fact is, in this very challenging economic climate, we simply cannot afford to let Lyndon Carlson continue his over-taxing, over-spending ways. Maybe Twin West feels the same as I do…36 years is too long! It is time for a change!
 
Vote for Gregg Prest—a businessman who lives in and works hard in House District 45B.

 
Congratulations, Gregg Prest!

One area Minnesota House incumbent representative earned over $16,000 in per diem expenses last year.

Gregg Prest supporters grabbed a camera and showed how "Rep. Stinka" spent his earnings: