Rep. Mike Beard On The Radio

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.

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.

"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).

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

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