Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) was on AM 1280's Northern Alliance Radio Network "The Final Word" yesterday afternoon. He was interviewed about the Legislative Audit Commission and the Legislative Auditor's decision to look into the allegations swirling around Attorney General Lori Swanson.
You can listen to the podcast of the program here. Rep. Beard starts at the 28:15 mark.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Swanson-Gate To Be Investigated
A True North Exclusive
Earlier this morning, the bi-partisan State Legislative Audit Committee (made up of Senators and Representatives including SD 35's own Sen. Claire Robling and Rep. Mike Beard) announced what Gary Gross hinted at in his post last night. They are requesting that the non-partisan Legislative Auditor look into allegations that Attorney General Swanson engaged in possibly illegal union busting activities. Michael Brodkorb and Drew Emmer have been leading the charge from the blogosphere and have done a ton of good investigation into these allegations. Keep an eye on their respective blogs for more details as they come to light.
Earlier this morning, the bi-partisan State Legislative Audit Committee (made up of Senators and Representatives including SD 35's own Sen. Claire Robling and Rep. Mike Beard) announced what Gary Gross hinted at in his post last night. They are requesting that the non-partisan Legislative Auditor look into allegations that Attorney General Swanson engaged in possibly illegal union busting activities. Michael Brodkorb and Drew Emmer have been leading the charge from the blogosphere and have done a ton of good investigation into these allegations. Keep an eye on their respective blogs for more details as they come to light.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"I Told You So"
During the last legislative session, many folks on the "right" were trying to put the brakes on the spending spree that the DFL led legislature (and the Governor to be fair) were going on. Well in light of the deficit, some are (correctly I might add) saying "I told you so"(scroll down to the Guest Commentary).
The legislative update referenced above can be found here. Rep. Beard goes on to say:
I said before and I'll say it again, the reason for this can be summed up in one little number...85! Giving the DFL an overwhelming majority of the House and overwhelming control in the Senate has given us what we have today. Staying home is not an option. We simply must recruit and support good conservatives, like Reps. Beard and Buesgens in SD35. We can not afford to lose good folks like this. We also need to make sure that we find more good folks like this for the 85 other seats and work like heck to get them elected as well.
The time is now. What are you waiting for
One year ago the economy was doing well and the Legislature was overflowing with ideas on how to spend the $2.2 billion state budget surplus. It was the first time in several years that we weren't facing a large deficit. A new cast of leaders was eager to validate its sweeping victory in the 2006 election by turning their campaign promises into promises kept.
In the midst of the spending frenzy, I wrote to constituents my belief that "we need to be prudent with spending and not leave ourselves in a tough situation if the economy takes a sudden downturn." There was at the time plenty of historical evidence to suggest such a downturn could take place.
The legislative update referenced above can be found here. Rep. Beard goes on to say:
However, the new legislative leadership had a different view and they pursued their spending agenda. Given their large majorities in the House and the Senate, that is certainly their right. Assuming that the $2.2 billion surplus would fund it, they grew the state budget to $34.5 billion. Doing so left us vulnerable to the exact situation we find ourselves in today.
I said before and I'll say it again, the reason for this can be summed up in one little number...85! Giving the DFL an overwhelming majority of the House and overwhelming control in the Senate has given us what we have today. Staying home is not an option. We simply must recruit and support good conservatives, like Reps. Beard and Buesgens in SD35. We can not afford to lose good folks like this. We also need to make sure that we find more good folks like this for the 85 other seats and work like heck to get them elected as well.
The time is now. What are you waiting for
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
March 4 Legislative Update - Rep. Mark Buesgens
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Below are a few items debated on the House floor last week.
Budget deficit
Only one year after having a $2.2 billion budget deficit, Minnesota now faces a $935 million budget deficit. What happened in between to cause the $3 billion flip from a surplus to a deficit? Several things: The housing market continued to decline; energy prices went way up; the credit market tightened as banks felt the ripple effects of rising foreclosures and mortgage defaults. But there is more to the story than the national economy. State government spending also grew by $3 billion. The entire budget surplus and $1 billion more went to feed the growing appetite for more government while taxpayers got $0 in tax relief.
Taxes
Tax relief is not in sight this year either, from state government at least. Even the politicians in Washington realized that tax relief is the best thing for American families. But in Minnesota, liberal politicians have a laser-like focus on raising taxes on everything - gas taxes, sales taxes, utility property taxes, mortgage and deed taxes. It totals at least $6 billion right now, but there are still three months left in the session.
Transportation
The Legislature voted to override the governor’s veto on the transportation bill on Monday. Courtesy of its success, you’ll now find higher taxes when you buy a new car, put gas in it, and when you stop to do some shopping on the way home. Registration taxes, gas taxes and the sales tax all went up. Even the Star Tribune, which heaped lavish praise on the legislators who supported this bill, said the average commuter in Scott or Carver county could expect to pay upwards of $230 per year, per automobile. If you’re a two-car family with a teenager or two that also needs to get around, you’ll feel the toughest impact.
Working to fix our ailing economy should be job #1 during this legislative session. Hopefully, we'll come to our senses soon in St. Paul and do just that.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments and/or concerns with what is happening at your state capitol.
Sincerely,
Mark Buesgens
State Representative, 35B
Room 307,
State Office Building
(651) 296-5185
Below are a few items debated on the House floor last week.
Budget deficit
Only one year after having a $2.2 billion budget deficit, Minnesota now faces a $935 million budget deficit. What happened in between to cause the $3 billion flip from a surplus to a deficit? Several things: The housing market continued to decline; energy prices went way up; the credit market tightened as banks felt the ripple effects of rising foreclosures and mortgage defaults. But there is more to the story than the national economy. State government spending also grew by $3 billion. The entire budget surplus and $1 billion more went to feed the growing appetite for more government while taxpayers got $0 in tax relief.
Taxes
Tax relief is not in sight this year either, from state government at least. Even the politicians in Washington realized that tax relief is the best thing for American families. But in Minnesota, liberal politicians have a laser-like focus on raising taxes on everything - gas taxes, sales taxes, utility property taxes, mortgage and deed taxes. It totals at least $6 billion right now, but there are still three months left in the session.
Transportation
The Legislature voted to override the governor’s veto on the transportation bill on Monday. Courtesy of its success, you’ll now find higher taxes when you buy a new car, put gas in it, and when you stop to do some shopping on the way home. Registration taxes, gas taxes and the sales tax all went up. Even the Star Tribune, which heaped lavish praise on the legislators who supported this bill, said the average commuter in Scott or Carver county could expect to pay upwards of $230 per year, per automobile. If you’re a two-car family with a teenager or two that also needs to get around, you’ll feel the toughest impact.
Working to fix our ailing economy should be job #1 during this legislative session. Hopefully, we'll come to our senses soon in St. Paul and do just that.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments and/or concerns with what is happening at your state capitol.
Sincerely,
Mark Buesgens
State Representative, 35B
Room 307,
State Office Building
(651) 296-5185
Friday, January 11, 2008
Caucus Time!
It's that time again - Precinct Caucus time! Caucuses are early this year - February 5 and they start at 7pm. I have listed all of the caucus locations below.
Savage - Prior Lake Savage High School 7575 150th Street Savage MN
Credit River Township - Credit River Town Hall 16985 Meadow View Dr Prior Lake
Elko/New Market/New Market Township - New Market Library 50 Church Street New Market (NOTE - THIS IS A NEW LOCATION!!!!!)
Jordan - Jordan High School 600 Sunset Drive Jordan MN
Prior Lake - Twin Oaks Middle School - 15860 Fish Point Road Prior Lake
Sand Creek Township - Jordan High School 600 Sunset Drive Jordan MN
Shakopee - Shakopee High School 100 W 17th Ave (East Entrance) Shakopee
Spring Lake Township - Scott County Hwy Building 600 County Trail E Jordan
If you don't know what precinct you are in, you can use the Precinct Finder at True North.
If you have any questions or if you are interested in helping convene your precinct caucus, please call SD35 Chair Cindy at 952/447-5461. We especially need conveners in PL 5, PL 6A, and most of Savage.
Savage - Prior Lake Savage High School 7575 150th Street Savage MN
Credit River Township - Credit River Town Hall 16985 Meadow View Dr Prior Lake
Elko/New Market/New Market Township - New Market Library 50 Church Street New Market (NOTE - THIS IS A NEW LOCATION!!!!!)
Jordan - Jordan High School 600 Sunset Drive Jordan MN
Prior Lake - Twin Oaks Middle School - 15860 Fish Point Road Prior Lake
Sand Creek Township - Jordan High School 600 Sunset Drive Jordan MN
Shakopee - Shakopee High School 100 W 17th Ave (East Entrance) Shakopee
Spring Lake Township - Scott County Hwy Building 600 County Trail E Jordan
If you don't know what precinct you are in, you can use the Precinct Finder at True North.
If you have any questions or if you are interested in helping convene your precinct caucus, please call SD35 Chair Cindy at 952/447-5461. We especially need conveners in PL 5, PL 6A, and most of Savage.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Congressman Kline On SCHIP
I missed this last Wednesday when it came out, but Drew Emmer at Wright County Republican didn't!
As it was written the bill was a farce and a sham.....a legislative shell game and both Congressman Kline and Congresswoman Bachman showed their wisdom in voting to uphold the President's veto of the SCHIP reauthorization. Both stood up to the political gamesmanship of the left and did the right thing....killing a bad bill. Hopefully now a workable SCHIP reauthorization bill - one that really helps the children most in need - can pass through Congress.
Minnesotans understand that we have a responsibility to care for and support our children in need. As a father of two and a grandfather of four, I appreciate the importance of ensuring that health care is available to children. That is why I have been a supporter of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) since I was first elected to Congress in 2002.
However, I am not supporting the proposed expansion of SCHIP, because it fails to put poor kids first and relies on reckless funding schemes. This bill the president vetoed is a huge expansion of a government program extending coverage to illegal immigrants and those already insured.
SCHIP was created 10 years ago by a Republican Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton to provide health care benefits for low-income children not covered by Medicaid. Ensuring that all children have access to the care they need remains a priority for me, which is why I co-sponsored legislation that would provide an 18-month extension of the current SCHIP plan. This measure provides a stop-gap, not a solution.
Most, if not all, Republicans and Democrats in Washington understand the value of SCHIP. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues in Congress are using uninsured children as a political bargaining chip. We must end this dangerous game of politics and come together in a bipartisan manner to expand the program with solid funding to ensure the children of the working poor do not fall through the cracks.
Instead, we have an SCHIP bill that is fatally flawed by funding schemes and budget gimmicks that should trouble anyone. The bill relies on a budgetary gimmick that drops SCHIP funding by nearly 80 percent in its sixth year - resulting in a "funding cliff" that will ultimately force a choice between increasing taxes dramatically or stripping health insurance from millions of children. Because it depends on a huge cigarette tax increase, its funding scheme would need 22 million Americans to start smoking a pack per day. While no one would like to see kids smoking, the fact remains that the funding mechanism for this SCHIP proposal is reliant on a dramatic increase in the smoking population.
As it was written the bill was a farce and a sham.....a legislative shell game and both Congressman Kline and Congresswoman Bachman showed their wisdom in voting to uphold the President's veto of the SCHIP reauthorization. Both stood up to the political gamesmanship of the left and did the right thing....killing a bad bill. Hopefully now a workable SCHIP reauthorization bill - one that really helps the children most in need - can pass through Congress.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Candidate impressions - City Council Races
Here are my impressions on the candidates running for City Council, based on my dealings with them in council and in the community.
Ken Hedberg (3 year seat) - I have had the opportunity to meet with Ken just a couple of times since he took over Cheri's seat. So far it appears like he is trying to get a little more of a fiscally responsible voice on the board. He called for City Staff to make some budget cuts in order to reduce the severity of the increase in the City's tax levy.
Steve Millar (3 year seat) - I first met Steve when he ran three years ago at a "Citizens for Accountable Government" meeting. Steve ran (at the time) on a platform of no tax increases. Since then, Steve and I have worked on an advisory committee together and we have had more than a couple discussions about my various letters to the editor regarding city spending. Steve is great guy, but there are times when we just do not fully see eye to eye on city spending.
Vaughn Lemke (3 year seat) - I had a brief opportunity to meet Vaughn at Monday night's Fall Community Fest. He was talking to Rep. Mike Beard when I walked up and it looked like they had been talking for a while. Mike seemed to be quite impressed with Mr. Lemke.
Jeff Evens - Mr. Evens is the only candidate that I do not know. If anyone out there knows him and can tell me anything about his stands on issues, please forward them to me at
Chad LeMair (2 year seat) - I first met Chad at one of the myriad of City and County functions that were taking place three years ago talking about downtown redevelopment and County Road 21 reconstruction. Since then I worked with him on one of the citizen advisory committees. Chad is fiscally conservative (the memorable quote from this spring was when he asked city Finance Director if we could ever have a year where there was not an assumed increase in City spending - the answer was not one to warm a fiscal conservatives heart...) and easy to talk to about your concerns.
Rick Keeney (2 year seat) - I met Rick at a lot of the same meetings that I mention above. He and his wife Maria have been fairly active in "Citizens for Accountable Government" issues and he has been a fairly regular fixture at City Council meetings as an observer. His biggest concern has been the adverst effect of city spending on the homeowners in the community - a concern many homeowners share.
Ken Hedberg (3 year seat) - I have had the opportunity to meet with Ken just a couple of times since he took over Cheri's seat. So far it appears like he is trying to get a little more of a fiscally responsible voice on the board. He called for City Staff to make some budget cuts in order to reduce the severity of the increase in the City's tax levy.
Steve Millar (3 year seat) - I first met Steve when he ran three years ago at a "Citizens for Accountable Government" meeting. Steve ran (at the time) on a platform of no tax increases. Since then, Steve and I have worked on an advisory committee together and we have had more than a couple discussions about my various letters to the editor regarding city spending. Steve is great guy, but there are times when we just do not fully see eye to eye on city spending.
Vaughn Lemke (3 year seat) - I had a brief opportunity to meet Vaughn at Monday night's Fall Community Fest. He was talking to Rep. Mike Beard when I walked up and it looked like they had been talking for a while. Mike seemed to be quite impressed with Mr. Lemke.
Jeff Evens - Mr. Evens is the only candidate that I do not know. If anyone out there knows him and can tell me anything about his stands on issues, please forward them to me at
Chad LeMair (2 year seat) - I first met Chad at one of the myriad of City and County functions that were taking place three years ago talking about downtown redevelopment and County Road 21 reconstruction. Since then I worked with him on one of the citizen advisory committees. Chad is fiscally conservative (the memorable quote from this spring was when he asked city Finance Director if we could ever have a year where there was not an assumed increase in City spending - the answer was not one to warm a fiscal conservatives heart...) and easy to talk to about your concerns.
Rick Keeney (2 year seat) - I met Rick at a lot of the same meetings that I mention above. He and his wife Maria have been fairly active in "Citizens for Accountable Government" issues and he has been a fairly regular fixture at City Council meetings as an observer. His biggest concern has been the adverst effect of city spending on the homeowners in the community - a concern many homeowners share.
Candidate info
As you know, we have just a couple of contentious local races taking place this year. In the spirit of education and enlightenment (and because so many people have asked) here is a list of information for the City Hall and School Board Candidates. If the candidate has a website, I will have it linked in his/her name, if there is no website, I will note that.
For the City Council races, there are two three year seats up and one two year seat.
Running for the three year seats are:
Ken Hedberg - Ken was appointed to take Cheri Dornbush's seat 8 months ago when she moved out of Prior Lake earlier this year. Steve Millar (no website available) is the other incumbent running for re-election. Challenging Steve and Ken are Jeff Evens (no website available), Randy Langhorst and Vaughn Lemke (no website available)
Chad LeMair (no website available) is running as the incumbent for the 2 year seat. Richard Keeney and George Victor (no website available) are his challengers.
On the School board side we have incumbents Eric Pratt, Diane Ziemann and Dick Booth. The challengers are John Myser, Dee Dee Francis, Chris Lind, Greg Bores and Mike Von Arx. At this time, none of the school board candidates have websites, but you can read about their stand on some of the issues facing the school district here and here.
Lastly on the ballot are a levy referendum and a bonding referendum. If the levy referendum does not pass, the bonding referendum automatically does not pass. The organization supporting the referendums is the "Stand By Me" Committee and the organization opposed to the referendums is the "Citizens for Accountable Government".
There will be a meet the candidates forum for the City Council races on Tuesday, October 16, from 6 to 8 pm. The forum will be a chance for residents to meet the candidates, hear about some of their core platform issues and ask questions of them. If you can not make it to the forum, PLTV-15 will run the forum daily all the way up to the election on November 6.
For the candidates that do not have webpages I would ask citizens to take a few moments and drop the candidates a polite letter asking them how they stand on the issues that concern you the most. I am sure that every single one of them would love to open the dialog.
Stay tuned to these pages for further candidate forum information as it becomes available and for a post on my humble impressions on the candidates that are running.
For the City Council races, there are two three year seats up and one two year seat.
Running for the three year seats are:
Ken Hedberg - Ken was appointed to take Cheri Dornbush's seat 8 months ago when she moved out of Prior Lake earlier this year. Steve Millar (no website available) is the other incumbent running for re-election. Challenging Steve and Ken are Jeff Evens (no website available), Randy Langhorst and Vaughn Lemke (no website available)
Chad LeMair (no website available) is running as the incumbent for the 2 year seat. Richard Keeney and George Victor (no website available) are his challengers.
On the School board side we have incumbents Eric Pratt, Diane Ziemann and Dick Booth. The challengers are John Myser, Dee Dee Francis, Chris Lind, Greg Bores and Mike Von Arx. At this time, none of the school board candidates have websites, but you can read about their stand on some of the issues facing the school district here and here.
Lastly on the ballot are a levy referendum and a bonding referendum. If the levy referendum does not pass, the bonding referendum automatically does not pass. The organization supporting the referendums is the "Stand By Me" Committee and the organization opposed to the referendums is the "Citizens for Accountable Government".
There will be a meet the candidates forum for the City Council races on Tuesday, October 16, from 6 to 8 pm. The forum will be a chance for residents to meet the candidates, hear about some of their core platform issues and ask questions of them. If you can not make it to the forum, PLTV-15 will run the forum daily all the way up to the election on November 6.
For the candidates that do not have webpages I would ask citizens to take a few moments and drop the candidates a polite letter asking them how they stand on the issues that concern you the most. I am sure that every single one of them would love to open the dialog.
Stay tuned to these pages for further candidate forum information as it becomes available and for a post on my humble impressions on the candidates that are running.
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