Bluestem Prairie: January 2014

Front paged at WND: Bradlee Dean declares Justin Bieber a "real legislator" with model bill for a minor

It's been a while since we checked in with Annandale MN's toxic Christian metal rocker Bradlee Dean, fresh off a tour of Tea Party clubs in California.

In POP STARS: OUR REAL LEGISLATORS!, his latest article for World Net Daily (sometimes called World Nut Daily by those of coarse sensibilities), Dean writes in part:

.. . The real legislators are those who convey the political message through their music, lyrics and lifestyles. They are the guys and girls that you know of as “rock stars,” “pop stars,” etc.

Look at little Justin Bieber who was recently busted for a D.U.I., as well as being under the influence of anti-depressants and marijuana. His mugshot was of little Justin smiling big as if to say, “Nothing to fear, there will be no consequence for endangering the lives of those who were on the same road I was on. The ‘soft judge’ will just smack me on the hand.”

Are you hearing and seeing this next generation? What is little Justin’s message? His message is do as I do! Go and hang out at strip clubs with your daddy, drink and drive if you want to, disrespect authorities, smoke dope (actually the dope smokes you), fornicate (sex before marriage), and in turn, I ask, what do those who follow little Justin do? . . .

Bluestem must have missed this legislative agenda amid the calls to deport Bieber back to his native Canada.

ABC's The Note reports in Justin Bieber Deportation Petition Gets White House Attention:

The White House is gearing up its diplomatic machinery to respond to the latest international issue — a petition to deport bad boy pop star Justin Bieber.

“That response will come I’m sure relatively soon,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said today. ”I don’t have one now.”

“On matters related to visas, I’d refer you to DHS,” Carney added, referring the Department of Homeland Security.

Earlier this month, a petition was created on the White House’s “We the People” site calling for the government to deport Bieber and revoke his green card. As of this afternoon, there are 223,269 signatures on this position.

The White House is required to respond to any petitions which garner more than 100,000 signatures, according to the “We the People” standards.

The petition, which was filed on the day the 19-year-old Canadian pop star was arrested for an alleged DUI and drag racing, says “We the people of the United States feel that we are being wrongly represented in the world of pop culture. We would like to see the dangerous, reckless, destructive, and drug abusing, Justin Bieber deported and his green card revoked.” . . ,

Dean seems to have gotten Bieber's appeal bassackward. Huffington Post reports on Wednesday Most Americans Ready To Deport Justin Bieber (If He's Convicted):

More than half of Americans want Justin Bieber to be deported, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll.

The poll finds that 52 percent of Americans think the troubled teen idol, a Canadian citizen, should be kicked out of the U.S. if he's convicted of a crime, compared to only 26 percent who think he should not be. The idea of deporting Bieber is supported by 55 percent of Republicans, 55 percent of independents, and a 47 percent plurality of Democrats. . . .

Of course, Americans' support for deporting Bieber might have nothing at all to do with his alleged criminal activity and more to do with the fact that most Americans just dislike the teen star. Eighty percent said they had an unfavorable opinion of Bieber, including 56 percent who said they had a very unfavorable opinion.

That 80 percent disapproval rating does put Bieber at an equal rating for Republican members of congress, according to a Washington Post - ABC News poll released January 25. Democrats in Congress polled 8 points better than either Republicans or Bieber. Perhaps it's unfair and inscientific to compare Congressional numbers with those of Bieber, whose populatiry was not measured by the same poll.

Bradlee Dean gained national attention in 2011 when he delivered an opening prayer to the Minnesota legislature in which he questioned President Obama's faith. The prayer was redacted from the record by the then-Republican controlled Minnesota House.

Dean later attempted to sue Rachel Maddow for defamation for reporting what he said on his radio sho

Photo: Justin Bieber's infamous mugshot. While Bradlee Dean may think that the youth loves this stuff, Americans of all all political stripes give the young Canadian pop star a vote of no confidence.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 31, 2014 at 07:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quacks like a duck: corporate shill Richard Berman launches "Green Decoys" attack report

Anti-union, anti-consumer, anti-MADD, and anti-environmental flack Richard Berman is at it again, launching "Green Decoys," an attack on conservation groups like Trout Unlimited and the Izaak Walton League.

It's a campaign that 49er's political director Jason George might love, but the rest of progressive labor should shun, given Berman's long anti-labor record. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has the skinny about the BCI strategic research and communications consultant at Berman Exposed:

Richard Berman is the longtime president of the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and consulting firm, Berman & Company, Inc. ("BCI") which specializes in strategic research and communications. Throughout the years Berman has been a stalwart supporter of business and industry over consumer, safety and environmental groups. Berman has fought unions, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, PETA and other watchdog groups in their efforts to raise awareness about obesity, the dangers of smoking, mad cow disease, drunk driving, the minimum wage and other causes. He has been described in the press as a "notorious D.C. lobbyist."

Berman founded and runs four tax-exempt front groups and a number of linked projects, focusing on food, tobacco, alcoholic beverages and labor. He is well-paid by the represented industries to serve as the executive director of all four organizations. Berman then uses his own lobbying and public relations firm to do work for the organizations, thereby channeling between 49% and 79% of all donations made to the groups into his own pocket.

These organizations include:

The Center for Consumer Freedom ("CCF", formerly Guest Choice Network, "GCN"), which attacks anyone who criticizes smoking, fast food or alcohol;
The Employment Policies Institute ("EPI") which opposes increasing the minimum wage and promotes the specious concept that an increased minimum wage would drive the poor and uneducated out of the job market;
The American Beverage Institute ("ABI") which fights laws designed to curb drunk driving;
The Center for Union Facts ("CUF") which promotes disparaging information about unions;
Bowling Proprietors Association of America, which lists the same word-for-word issues as the ABI on their lobbying disclosure forms; and
First Jobs Institute, which promotes personal finance advice to young people from a pro-business perspective.

Green Decoys was launched yesterday, according to the Mallard of Discontent blog's post,A Little Thursday Morning Bats**t Crazy.... The report is being channeled via threads on hunting forums like Old Gobbler and posts by anti-environmentalist writers like Activist Angler.

New to the list of fronts: Green Decoys

Several of the groups named in the "Green Decoys" report don't have a significant presence in Minnesota, so Bluestem will look only at the attacks on the two organizations that do: Izaak Walton League and Trout Unlimited.

Berman's report singles out a Minnesota foundation for funding the IWLA:

The Minnesota-based Bush Foundation (unrelated to either former President) gave $525,000 to IWLA between 2003 and 2009 for clean-air and wind-power campaigns in the Midwest.

The Bush Foundation's website outlines the group's mission:

The Bush Foundation invests in great ideas and the people who power them. Established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife, Edyth, the Foundation encourages individuals and organizations to think bigger and think differently about what is possible in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geographic area.

Oh, scary. With everyone from CD7 Republican challenger Torrey Westrom to those dirty hippies at Xcel supporting wind energy, that's pretty radical. You can check out the Bush Foundation's Governance and Transparency here and the group's Financials here. Bluestem recently posted about the group's support for the Winter Greens Producer Association.

And Trout Unlimited? Green Decoys notes:

Trout Unlimited (TU) was founded in the 1950s as an association of fly fishermen committed to preserving America’s trout streams and replenishing the trout population for fishing. In recent years, however, TU seems to have hooked a great source of income: the radical environmentalist movement, launching tangential campaigns against energy production and opposing the Keystone XL natural gas pipeline.

That's news to us: every other source, including that of owner TransCanada, has the Keystone XL pipeline carrying crude oil.

Here in Minnesota, Minnesota Trout Unlimited worked to protect trout streams from frac sand mining because it is a fact universally acknowledged that trout need clean water. The state of Minnesota invested millions to preserve and rehabilitate southeastern Minnesota trout streams, and Trout Unlimited's response sought to protect that investment.

An amendment to prohibit sand mining within a mile of trout streams was dropped, Star Tribune staff writer Tony Kennedy reported in Compromise frac sand deal nixes effort to put trout stream areas off limits to mining but a DNR permit was mandated for companies working near trout streams:

“I’m not thrilled with it, but it’s a good start. It’s progress,” said John Lenczewski, executive director of Minnesota Trout Unlimited.

Under the compromise, any company proposing to dig within a mile of a trout stream within the Paleozoic Plateau would need a special DNR permit. Site-specific studies of hydrogeological impacts also would be required, and the agency will have new power to limit where and how deep a mine can go.

“It’s a clear win in protecting trout streams,” Schmit said.

Mallard of Discontent: Who's Funding "Green Decoys"?

Journalist Chad Love, the blogger at The Mallard of Discontent, thought that he might look at Berman's funding, since Green Decoys is harsh on the groups it scrutinizes. He writes in A Little Thursday Morning Bats**t Crazy...:

Here's an e-mail that I - and I'm sure a lot of other people - received this morning. I've got firewood to cut today so I'm not going to spend a lot (actually, any) of my time and energy railing against these fucking morons, or refuting the excrement they're spewing, or pondering what their true motives are, except to say that rarely have I ever received anything in my inbox so fundamentally dumb or so fantastically false on so many levels. I've been solicited with Nigerian 419 scams and penile pump advertisements more believable than "The Center For Consumer Freedom", which by the way, neither I nor I'm sure any of you had never heard of before this morning.

Short version? This is a blatantly transparent and cynical stunt from a shadowy, obscure group of far, far fringe-right tinfoil hat wingnuts who, like virtually all of these alleged foundations, are bankrolled by the industries, corporations and entities who have a vested monetary and political interest in furthering the agendas these bought-and-paid-for, dog-and-pony dipshits are peddling; agendas that are almost always completely at odds with the interests of the rest of us. It's that goddamned simple, folks. Groups like this are nothing more than bullshit fronts for those who are threatened by accountability, truth, and due democratic process.

. . .Maybe the Center For Consumer Freedom has bravely blown the lid on these groups and their insidious plot for, uh....whatever the fuck evil plans they're trying to achieve? That "far left agenda" isn't too clearly spelled out now, is it? Is it clean water? Clean air? Huntable wildlife, fishable fish, habitable habitat? Wilderness areas? A precious few unspoiled public places for us to enjoy? Must be! Tree-hugging, anti-free market, patchouli-reeking creeping Socialism, all of it!

Love, who has " won awards from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the International Regional Magazine Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation," clearly isn't a shy man with his opinions.

And he checks out Berman's definition of full disclosure:

From their website... (bold mine)

Who funds you guys? How about some “full disclosure”?
The Center for Consumer Freedom is supported by restaurants, food companies and thousands of individual consumers. From farm to fork, from urban to rural, our friends and supporters include businesses, their employees, and their customers.The Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We file regular statements with the Internal Revenue Service, which are open to public inspection.Many of the companies and individuals who support the Center financially have indicated that they want anonymity as contributors. They are reasonably apprehensive about privacy and safety in light of the violence and other forms of aggression some activists have adopted as a “game plan” to impose their views, so we respect their wishes.

That may be the most interesting interpretation of "full disclosure" I've ever seen. . . .

Bluestem generals uses Minnesota Nice language, but as a former resident of the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks, our editor appreciates the Lovely prose style.

Photo: Richard Berman, who gets paid to hate what most of Bluestem's readership loves. Via Salon, Corporate America’s new scam: Industry P.R. firm poses as think tank!

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 31, 2014 at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Medical marijuana: Did Melin let law enforcement lobbyists' cash cow out of the dime bag?

The chief stumbling block for the legalization of any kind of hemp--be it industrial hemp (a.k.a. ditch weed), medical marijuana or recreational smoke--is the insistence by the Minnesota Law Enforcement Coalition that any move to legalize it will turn Minnesota into the gateway state shrouded in a haze of crime and addiction.

The coalition, which represents the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota State Associationof Narcotics Investigators,the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, has posted its policy position and reason for it here.

In Q &A with Virginia (MN) Hometown Focus, Representive Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) suggests another reason for the opposition:

Q: Why do you believe MN’s law enforcement agencies are so adamantly opposed to medicinal marijuana?

A: There are many individual members of law enforcement who are supportive of medical marijuana. In fact, one of them is a co-author of the bill, Rep. Dan Schoen, state representative and police office fromCottage Grove, MN. Law enforcement in northeast Minnesota have discussed some flexibility, which is a lot further than we got with the statewide leaders. It is the head honchos and lobbyists down in St. Paul who are the problem. Marijuana being illegal is big business for law enforcement. The forfeiture of property relating to marijuana crimes brings in big revenue to law enforcement agencies. They are worried that legalizing medical marijuana is a step toward the decriminalization of marijuana, which in turn would impact their budgets. [emphasis added] I hope that isn’t the basis of their opposition to medical marijuana because there are sick Minnesotans in need of this medicine, but in my experience carrying this legislation they primarily express concerns that this will lead to the recreational use of marijuana.

To be sure, the news feed in Minnesota and elsewhere is filling with heart-breaking stories of young children with Dravet Syndrome, a cruel form of epilepsy that strikes children. The most promising treatment is Charlotte's Web, a variety of medical medicine that's low in THC, the compound that creates a buzz, but rich with another compound, CBD, that addresses the seizures, while increasing cognitive ability in some cases.

But the focus on Dravet Syndrome sufferers creates as disingenuous a lacuna for legalization supporters as the stealth financial incentive does for those who oppose changes in hemp laws. Bluestem would be more comfortable with a consideration of medical marijuana that wasn't pinned on this thin slice of the industry that so helps such innocent children. Let's talk about the broad spectrum of people living with sickness and disease, shall we, and the range of medicial marijuana products that can aid their symptoms.

We support changing hemp laws, but we would like the discussion to go beyond the poster child level. Our gut reaction to the current PR blitz is to remember the early days of the AIDS/HIV debate, when children were positioned as innocent victims and the rest of people with HIV somehow less than human addicts and gay men (Bluestem's editor mourned them equally).

A public debate that implicitly clings to an analogous frame (or remains silent) about the range of potency of medical pot products and those served by them does a disservice in the long range, especially when three-fourths of the population supports legalization, already convinced of the efficacy of medical marijuana.

Photo: Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 31, 2014 at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Frac sand policy update: Houston Co checks out banning frac sand mining; activist now on EQB

Citizen concerns over frac sand mining continue in Southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio reports in Houston County could permanently ban new frac sand mining:

Officials in Houston County in southeastern Minnesota are considering permanently banning new frac sand mining.

County commissioners this week unanimously extended a moratorium on new sand mining through March 2015. County commissioners also sent a letter to state officials asking for guidance on the potential permanent ban.

Houston County is the first county weighing a permanent ban since legislation took effect giving local governments more options to regulate frac sand mining.

Commissioner Justin Zmyewski said residents are concerned about the potential for too much truck traffic from mining activities, as well as environmental impacts on trout streams and other natural features that make the region unique.

Check out the entire story at MPR.

Kristen Eide-Tollefson appointed to Environmental Quality Board (EQB)

Governor Mark Dayton has appointed Florence Township Planning Commission member and environmental/local control activist Krisen Eide-Tollefson to the EBQ.

Land Stewardship Project posts Citizens' Frac Sand Summit Report

Eide-Tollefson is also an active member of the Land Stewardship Project, which had recommended her appointment. The farm group has posted a report from the Citizens' Frac Sand Summit held on January 18, 2014, in Winona.

In addition to a petition asking Governor Dayton to ban frac sand mining in fragile karst regions while instituting tough standards elsewhere in the state, the report includes several presentations from the event:

Grassroots Victories Achieved to Control frac Sand Mining in Our Communities — Marilyn Frauenkron Bayer of Houston, Minn.

Reflections on What is at Stake for the Land and Family Farmers — Bob Christie, family livestock and crop farmer from southeast Minnesota.

Air Quality, Human Health and the Frac Sand Industry —Dr. Crispin Pierce, director of the Environmental Public Health Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Pierce is conducting cutting-edge research on monitoring silica dust at frac sand facilities.

Photo: A frac sand mine in Wisconsin. Photo by Jim Tittle. Used with permission.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 30, 2014 at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Isanti & Chisago Co GOP: constituents wonder what's the rumpus with Nienow, Daudt & Barrett

Earlier this month, state senator Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) and House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) made headlines and not in a good way.

As Bluestem posted, "Common sense money management" dude Senator Nienow was also sued in state court as well as being sued by the federal government for defaulting on a $613,000 SBA loan. For his part, Daudt revealed that he'd been in an altercation over a vehicle purchase in Montana during which a friend drew the lawmaker's gun and threatened the sellers. The friend was arrested and charged with a felony.

What do residents of the district think? It's unfair to claim two letters published in the latest Isanti County News are representative; one can safely say they are irate.

Dennis Lund of Isanti writes in Don’t take your guns to town, Mr. Daudt:

. . .In a recent “Star Tribune” article, Mr. Daudt said this about Governor Dayton, “I think he is teetering on the edge. People are saying, hey, we are watching, and if you don’t do the right thing, you are going to be in trouble.” This door swings both ways, Mr. Daudt. Also, we have been told only his side of the story. There is a recorded report in Montana that is public information and we should know what’s in it if this is going to be fairly reported.

Snap. In Representing Isanti and Chisago County residents?, Josh Burdine of Cambridge writes the editors of the paper to say:

I am beginning to see a trend with the people elected to represent Isanti and Chisago County down at the capitol. Rep. Kurt Daudt, Rep Bob Barret and Sen Sean Nienow have all been involved in bad decision making that went public in the last year, some criminal.

Senator Nienow, the fiscal conservative, is being sued for defaulting on a small business loan to the tune of over $600,000. . . .

Rep Bob Barrett was fined $1,000 and given a misdemeanor for making false claims on campaign literature about his opponent, that’s how he won his race. . . .

Rep. Kurt Daudt (Minority Leader) allowed a person with a criminal history of assaulting police officers to have access to his loaded handgun. . . .

Read both letters at the Isanti County News.

Photo: Mickey Mouse stands his ground.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 29, 2014 at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Minnesota state senator Dan Hall jokes about mental health care after State of the Union address

State Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) isn't known for subtlety in communications: the man once carried on about Minneapolis schools in a way that garnered national online headlines like Raw Story's Minnesota Republican: ‘I watched Minneapolis get destroyed’ by integration and Maddow Blog's 'My best friends are minority!'

Tonight, he's ruffling feathers about mental health care.

His response to President Obama's State of The Union address lit up twitter:

I need more mental health care after listening to him. #sotu
— Dan Hall (@SenatorDanHall) January 29, 2014

This tweet was one of a string of non-stop grousing about the president and Tuesday's speech:

He continues to say he is the savior when he's really the rich national destroyer. #sotu
— Dan Hall (@SenatorDanHall) January 29, 2014

He basically says the same thing every year while the nation continues to dismantle. #sotu
— Dan Hall (@SenatorDanHall) January 29, 2014

The "mental health care" tweet drew some sharp responses, as the twitterverse objected to a crack about a sometimes still unfairly ridiculed area of health care:

@SenatorDanHall that's pretty offensive to joke about
— alex james murphy (@bar_down25) January 29, 2014

@Salencita @SenatorDanHall just remember, having the title doesn't make one a decent human being.
— jacobob (@jacobob) January 29, 2014

.@SenatorDanHall you are a meathead. You realize that, right? Not because of your views. Because you are a leader acting like a two year old
— Dave Ostlund (@DaveOstlund) January 29, 2014

Good thing @SenatorDanHall doesn't have anybody in his district that needs mental health services! pic.twitter.com/NqQxNmGrLz
— Caitlin (@GoFeiockYoSelf) January 29, 2014

Bravo to @RepTimMurphy for standing up for mental health care in the USA. Please remind folks like @SenatorDanHall how much this means to us
— Jacko (@Carpboy823) January 29, 2014

@SenatorDanHall Show some class, man.
— Jeremy Zoss (@JZossMPLS) January 29, 2014

It's interesting to note that most of the responses were reacting out of concern for the mentally ill and need to care for them, rather than treating the tweet as an attack on the President.

But perhaps Senator Hall (who is a Christian pastor) thinks Jesus was just joking about that stuff about caring for the sick and the least among us.

Photo: A Facebook profile of Senator Dan Hall from the 2012 Minnesota Senate election.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 28, 2014 at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not playing favorites: Michele Bachmann totally down with any Republican wanting her old job

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has come a long way since her first State of the Union address as a House member in 2007, when she reached out and touched President George W. Bush. And didn't let go.

Tonight was a bittersweet farewell, with a guest who pounded on and on about the ACA before the speech, USAToday reports (via KARE 11) in Bachmann sends message with St. Cloud doctor. Michele leaves with a sense of awe:

"It really is a sacred moment and a privilege, and so for me, I want to say thank you to the people of the 6th district who allowed me to be in that chamber all eight years," she said.

As for those vying to replace her, the Dolcinea of District Six has yet to draw a name out of a hat, KARE reports:

As for the race to succeed her, Bachmann said she is not ready to endorse a successor, except to say she is rooting for a Republican. Candidates currently seeking the GOP nod for the seat include former state Rep. Tom Emmer, former state Rep. Phil Krinkie, and Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah.

"I know them all," Bachmann said. "They're all very well qualified."

One pair of arms is like another, like the book says.

Photo: Bush and Bachmann in 2007.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 28, 2014 at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A brief look at Minnesota Sixth Congressional District Republican Financial Disclosure Reports

Section 8 of the STOCK Act of 2012 requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives to provide online public access to financial disclosure reports filed by members of Congress and candidates for Congress.

Using the online database, Bluestem checked out the filings by the three Republican candidates and Jim Read, the one DFL candidate to file a financial disclosure report. The reports are largely unremarkable, with the exception of some missing items on Emmer's resume.

Tom Emmer

Tom Emmer's report shows that he was paid $96,000 by Clear Channel, presumably for the "Emmer and Davis Show," which he quit in June 2013 to run for office. For assets and "unearned" income, the former state representative owns a rental property in Delano, his law firm, two IRAs and his state retirement fund.

UPDATE: The report does seem to be somewhat incomplete on "Schedule IV - Positions," since compensated and uncompensated positions need to be listed. Tom Emmer was on the Board of Faith and Freedom Coalition, as he was the Minnesota Chairman, according to a report by MPR, he also served on the board of the group Stronger America-Minnesota, and served as national spokesman for National Popular Vote. Emmer was also paid to lobby. [end update]

For liabilities, Emmer has a May 2007 Klein Bankmortgage (Bluestem looked at his mortgages in the 2010 post, The Emmer Home Companion: living within one's means by means of seven mortgages; in that post, the Klein Bank mortgage was noted as a five-year line of credit and the other mortgages all appear to have been paid).

According to the new financial disclosure report, Emmer took out at note in June 2013 from the Bank of Maple Plain in the range of $100,000-$250,000 (the form does not require an exact figure).

Phil Krinkie

Krinkie's report lists salaries from the Snelling Company (his heating and cooling firm) from which he received $100,000 in 2013 and $80,000 from the Taxpayers League during the same year. Mary Krinkie, his wife, received $152,000 from the Minnesota Hospital Association, for whom she lobbies.

Together the Krinkies hold an impressive investment portfolio, retirement funds, and business assets, along with two rental properties in Lino Lakes.

For liabilities, there's a mortgage (between $250,000-$500,000) and a business loan (between $100,000-$250,000).

Rhonda Sivarajah

Sivarajah's report reveals that she earned $57,283 as an Anoka County commissioner and $300 in per diem as a member of the Metro Emergency Services Board. Her husband receives a PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) pension (amount N/A) and is on the payroll of Akai Security in a contract with the U.S. States Marshals Service in St. Paul.

They hold a portfolio of investments and retirement funds, and no liabilities.

Sivarajah is part of a PERA agreement with Anoka County that was vested in 1994.

Photo: Phil Krinkie, Rhonda Sivarajah and Tom Emmer, via St. Cloud Times.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 27, 2014 at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rep. Ernie Leidiger property faces foreclosure; Navy Federal Credit Union owed $499,266.94

The Sun Patriot reports that a property owned by Representative Ernie Leidiger (R-Carver County) is facing foreclosure:

According to a public notice currently running in the Carver County News, a Camden Township property that lists State Rep. Ernie Leidiger (R) as one of its owners is facing foreclosure.

The property is located at 7775 Tacoma Avenue in Mayer, which Leidiger lists as his home address on his Minnesota House of Representatives webpage.

Elected in 2010, Leidiger is serving his second term for what is now District 47A, which encompasses all of Carver County except for Chaska, Chanhassen and Victoria.

According to the notice, the mortgagors are Linda J. Leidiger, and James E. Leidiger and Janelle M. Leidiger and Ernest G. Leidiger. The mortgagee is Navy Federal Credit Union. The mortgage is dated May 10, 2007 and the original principal amount of mortgage is $600,000. The amount due and claimed to be due as of the date of the notice, including taxes, if any, paid by the mortgagee is $499,266.94.

This is the same property that faced numerous code violations in fall 2013, as Bluestem noted in Oppressive local government condemns Ernie Leidiger's mancave at rural compound.

The Sun Patriot updates that story:

A re-inspection of the property occurred on Nov. 27 but inspectors were denied access by a resident during the visit. The case has since been referred to the Carver County Attorney’s Office for consideration of potential further action.

In regards this situation, Leidiger said that he is looking “forward to working with the county to resolve this issue.”

Leidiger is best known for being the House member who recommended that Bradlee Dean serve as a guest chaplain for the lower chamber. Dean's prayer was redacted from the House record after he questioned President Obama's faith.

Photo: Ernie Leidiger (left) outside at his compound during Bratfest June 22 2012 for the Bruce Schwichtenberg for Senate campaign in SD47, via Facebook. The property is now threatened by foreclosure.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 26, 2014 at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MN Tea Party Alliance postpones Willmar rally while moderate 17B GOP candidate steps forth

With another blizzard and polar vortex bearing down on West Central Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based Minnesota Tea Party Alliance has wisely postponed the rally planned for Monday night, although the Tea Party candidates it favors among the ranks of Republican candidates in local house districts continue to break into the news.

The West Central Tribune reports in Willmar businessman Baker announces House bid:

Calling himself a “moderate,” Willmar businessman Dave Baker said Friday he intends to challenge Rep. Mary Sawatzky, DFL-Willmar, this fall in the House District 17B race. . . .

. . . He may have some competition winning the GOP endorsement at the March 8 Kandiyohi County Republican convention in Willmar.

The Minnesota Tea Party Alliance announced this month that Linda Kacher, of Willmar, was a candidate for the District 17B race and would be speaking at a Tea Party rally here. A rescheduled date has yet to be set for that rally after organizers cancelled due to weather.

When reached at her home Friday night, Kacher would only say that she was not ready to make a statement regarding her potential run in the race.

Sources tell Bluestem that the Republican House Caucus campaign recruited retired Clara City teacher and basketball coach Gary Nelson to challenge farmer Andrew Falk (DFL-Murdock) in HD17A, the more rural House district in Senate District, as it has been seeking electable candidates.

The Draz, however, supports Miller, sources tell us. Miller lost to Falk in 2012.

The Electables vs. the Tea Party?

What our sources tell us about this district close to home mirrors internal quarrels within the Republican party that have been made public across the state.

On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt was threatened with a "No Confidence" vote by Republican Senate District 31; Minnesota Tea Party Alliance leader and GOP BPOU part officer Jack Rogers and other local Republicans planned a vote of 'no confidence' in MN House Minority Leader.

By the time the meeting convened, the vote was off the table, Rachel Stassen-Berger reported in GOP House leader Daudt faced down a planned 'no confidence' vote.

In the Alexandria area, two-term incumbent legislator Mary Franson is being challenged by Tea Party organizer and Republican activist Sue Nelson over Franson's support for legalizing industrial hemp and willingness last spring to entertain supporting civil unions for LGBT couples. Franson voted against the freedom to marry.

Will other Republican incumbents and candidates recruited by the caucus face challenges from the Tea Party on the right? Can the Tea Party formula that brought North StarTea Party co-founder Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) to the state capitol return the Minnesota House of Representatives to Republican control?

Image: The banner for Monday's cancelled Tea Party rally in Willmar.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 25, 2014 at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Post Bulletin: No need for Draz (or legislature) to beat dead horse slain by Goodhue Co infighting

State Representative Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa), has assumed a high media profile of late--one might even wonder if he's fishing for a lieutenant governor berth or something.

One piece of grandstanding? Legislation related to abuses of traffic ticket diversion programs.

Not everyone's impressed. The editorial board of the Rochester Post Bulletin writes in Our View: Drazkowski isn't helping conflict-weary Wabasha County:

The Post-Bulletin's editorial board doesn't make a habit of predicting the outcome of lawsuits. Therefore, we won't weigh in on whether people who took a "safe driving course" in Wabasha County or elsewhere in Minnesota deserve a refund, now that a judge has declared those courses to be illegal.

. . .But Rep. Steve Drazkowski is attempting to leapfrog that legal process. The Republican from Mazeppa, who has a habit of introducing provocative-but-unlikely-to-pass bills, not only wants to prohibit so-called "diversion programs" but also wants the Legislature to force counties and cities to refund the class fees paid by offending drivers during the past decade.

The editors approvingly note that Senator Matt Schmit (DFL-Red Wing) has offered a bill to clarify the rules for local diversion programs. But they chide The Draz for stoking flames in Goodhue County:

Sadly, Drazkowski's outlandish proposal has further fanned the flames of anger and conflict in Wabasha County. The ongoing battle between Sheriff Rodney Bartsh and Commissioner Deb Roschen is ugly enough, but by taking Roschen's side in this way, Drazkowski will attract even more statewide attention to a county that, quite frankly, should be weary of the spotlight.

. . . We see no reason for Drazkowski to come in and help them beat a dead horse.

If Draz is trying to raise his statewide profile via ugly local politics in order to run for higher office, the Post Bulletin deserves around of applause for calling attention to the horse he rode in on.

Image: Beating a dead horse.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 24, 2014 at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Super weed menace lights up Minnesota's debate about farm chemical dependency concerns

One day after his declared Republican opponent cavorts in Willmar with the Tea Party, state representative Andrew Falk and the Minnesota House Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance will be looking at the growing threat of super weeds.

From a media advisory:

The Minnesota House Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance will be holding a committee hearing on herbicide resistant weeds and the threat they pose to Minnesota agriculture.

The University of Minnesota will be presenting on the problem of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate, used in Roundup Ready crops. The weeds that become resistant to this herbicide are an ever increasing problem across the county and are an ever increasing risk Minnesota’s agricultural economy.

“I’m thankful this issue is being brought before our committee. It’s best to start the discussion about how to address an issue before it becomes a crisis,” said Vice Chair Rep. Andrew Falk (DFL – Murdock) a farmer from western Minnesota.

The meeting will be held on January 28, 8:15 p.m., in State Office Building, Room 5, St. Paul. Scientists from the University of Minnesota will give testimony to the committee.

As far back as 2010, the New York Times reported in Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds:

The first resistant species to pose a serious threat to agriculture was spotted in a Delaware soybean field in 2000. Since then, the problem has spread, with 10 resistant species in at least 22 states infesting millions of acres, predominantly soybeans, cotton and corn. . . .

Roundup — originally made by Monsanto but now also sold by others under the generic name glyphosate — has been little short of a miracle chemical for farmers. It kills a broad spectrum of weeds, is easy and safe to work with, and breaks down quickly, reducing its environmental impact. . . .

But farmers sprayed so much Roundup that weeds quickly evolved to survive it. “What we’re talking about here is Darwinian evolution in fast-forward,” Mike Owen, a weed scientist at Iowa State University, said.

Now, Roundup-resistant weeds like horseweed and giant ragweed are forcing farmers to go back to more expensive techniques that they had long ago abandoned.

Those techniques include more extensive tilling and plowing, setting aside no-till practices that help prevent soil erosion from water and wind.

Shifting to other pesticides or loosening regulations could raise other problems. Via MPR, the Associated Press reported earlier this month in Government might deregulate corn, soybean seeds:

The federal government on Friday proposed eliminating restrictions on the use of corn and soybean seeds that are genetically engineered to resist a common weed killer, a move welcomed by many farmers but feared by scientists and environmentalists who worry it could invite growers to use more chemicals.

The herbicide known as 2,4-D has had limited use in corn and soybean farming because it becomes toxic to the plants early in their growth. The new seeds would allow farmers to use the weed killer throughout the plants' lives.

Farmers have been eager for a new generation of herbicide-resistant seeds because of the prevalence of weeds that have become immune to Monsanto's Roundup. But skeptics are concerned that use of the new seeds and 2,4-D will only lead to similar problems as weeds acquire resistance to that chemical too.

It's worth listening to what scientists at the U have to say about this fine mess. If 2,4-D sounds vaguely familiar, it indeed once had a high profile in America:

Among its critics, 2,4-D is best known as a component of the Vietnam War-era herbicide Agent Orange, which has not been produced since the 1970s.

Agent Orange has been tied to health problems in Vietnam veterans, but scientists do not believe 2,4-D was the culprit. Instead, their research focused on dioxin, a cancer-causing substance found in another ingredient known as 2,4,5-T, which was banned by the EPA in 1985.

The testimony should be interesting, and we'll be curious to see if the scientists raise the prospect of other methods of weed-control, like post-harvest cover-cropping that not only deter weeds but help hold the soil during windy winters.

Out here in Chippewa County, the snirt (snow + dirt) signals that erosion is a problem, and Bluestem would rather see our farmers hold on to their topsoil.

Photo: Pigweed can be a particularly tenacious Roundup-resistant pest. Via New York Times.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 24, 2014 at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Waseca area Republican state representative John Petersburg fails to call MN families hardworking

In Waseca representative previews 2014 Legislative session, John Petersburg writes:

. . .The government is taking too much money from the pockets of Minnesota families. These business-to-business taxes impact jobs, and ultimately result in higher costs for consumers who buy goods and services from companies impacted by these taxes.

There has been a great deal of bipartisan interest in repealing these taxes, so I hope that we’re able to get that done for Minnesota families when the legislature returns in February. . .

Petersburg appears to have violated a long-standing discourse convention strictly observed by copywriters for state legislators in both parties: prefacing references to taxpayers and families as "hardworking."

Bluestem salutes Representative Petersburg for his adjectival restraint. The modifier is seriously tired.

Photo: John Petersburg.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 23, 2014 at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

2012 loser to join Willmar Tea Party rally in quest to defeat Andrew Falk; Willmar not in District 17A

After losing to Representative Andrew Falk (DFL-Murdock)for Minnesota House District 17A in 2012, Prinsburg Republican Tim Miller thinks he's found a winning issue for 2014: Falk's vote for the freedom to marry.

And Miller is willing to head to Willmar--a city outside of the district--to hang out with Steve Drazkowski and other conservatives to make his point.

Tom Cherveny of the West Central Tribune reports in Miller seeks Republican party nod for re-match with Falk:

Miller took on Falk over spending by state government and his vote for marriage equality in the release. He charged that “By holding the majority in both the House and Senate Governor Dayton and the Democrats ran rampant with tax increases and needless spending.’’

He called Falk’s vote for the marriage equality act “arrogant,’’ stating that over 60 percent of his district was opposed to the act.

Miller also intends to runs on job creation. Perhaps Miller finds overheated political rhetoric to be a growth industry.

Gary Nelson, a retired teacher and coach from Clara City, has also registered a committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance board.

In the meantime, Miller--who has flooded district newspapers with letters critical of Falk since the 2012 loss--will be rallying with the likes of Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) and Jim Newberger (R-Hates Agenda 21) at the local American Legion, the Tribune reports in State Tea Party Alliance rally in Willmar Jan. 27:

According to Tea Party Alliance spokesman, Jake Duesenberg, candidates for area Minnesota House of Representative races will be in attendance, including District 17A candidate, Tim Miller, and District 17B candidate Linda Kacher.

Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, who is running for governor, is also scheduled to attend, as well as Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, and Rep. Jim Newberger, R-Becker, are expected to be at the event.

Thompson and other Republican gubernatorial candidates have stated that they will not using marriage equality as an issue in their campaigns, so that shouldbe quite an evening.

Meanwhile, Falk has authored legislation to situate the next state veterans home in Montevideo. Learn more about the proposal in Montevideo bringing $5 million strong case for veterans home to the state Legislature at the Tribune.

Photo: Tim Miller, via LeftMN (above); Andrew Falk and his wee baby (below).

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 22, 2014 at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights ranks MN 34th in Tea Party membership

While the Mary Franson versus Sue Nelson endorsement challenge is a diverting internal Tea Party Republican battle, as a whole Minnesota doesn't rank high in Tea Party membership, according to The Status of the Tea Party: Membership, Support and Sympathy by the Numbers, a new study released today by the Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights.

Based in Kansas City, the group bills itself as "is a national organization with an international outlook examining racist, anti-Semitic, white nationalist, and far-right social movements. . ."

From a press release accompanying the report:

The overall ranking of thirty fourth for Minnesota is based on a combination of metrics: the number of Tea Party members in the state, membership as a percentage of the state population, and the number of active local affiliated Tea Party groups. Minnesota was twenty seventh in the total number of Tea Party members in the state, with 6,334 members. As a percentage of the state's population, Tea Party membership in the state came in forty first. The 15 active local affiliated Tea Party groups in Minnesota was twenty third in the country.

Data in the report proves that despite recent defeats, the Tea Party movement is far from dead. "At its core, this report is a wakeup call for everyone who cares about human rights. The Tea Party threat to human rights remains persistent on a multitude of fronts," said IREHR president Leonard Zeskind.

Among the other significant findings in the report:

Despite sagging public sympathy post-shutdown, core membership in the national Tea Party factions remains high, at over half a million people. Last year, membership growth slowed to roughly four percent. Membership is geographically concentrated in the South, with than 42% of overall membership in the region.

The level of Tea Party supporters also rose, particularly on social media. The combined total for national Tea Party Facebook likes was 7,683,327, and Twitter followers totaled 382,240.

Recalcitrance regarding the shutdown of the federal government and other issues caused general sympathy for the Tea Party to decline at the end of 2013, to 18% to 30% of the American public.

Even has membership has grown, the ratio of men to women in the Tea Party movement remains remarkably consistent, with roughly two-thirds of the membership identified as men.

The rush to pronounce the Tea Party dead has caused nearly as many problems as the myth that the movement is "AstroTurf"--fake grassroots. “Tea Partiers are more than minions for millionaires, or the sum of ballots cast on Election Day,” according to the report’s author, Devin Burghart. “They are not illusions created by public relations magicians. Over the last five years, real people have been involved in real activities aimed at impacting politics, culture, and civil society in negative ways,” he added.

The report can be read online by following this link.

Photo: Tea Party Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol 2010, via Neon Tommy, "Tea Party supporters rally in Minnesota (Creative Commons)."

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 21, 2014 at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Perennial? Sue Nelson also challenged sitting Republican representative Mark Murdock in 2010

Representative Mary Franson isn't the first sitting Republican representative Perham's Sue Nelson has challenged for the party's endorsement.

However popular the Tea Party and Republican activist's supporters claim that she is, her earlier ambitions were thwarted in 2010 when she unsuccessfully challenged freshman Mark Murdock (R-Ottertail). On May 8, 2010, the Staples World reported in Area political races begin to take shape:

Also on March 27, Republicans endorsed State Rep. Mark Murdock, of Perham, for a second term for the District 10B House seat.

Murdock outpolled challenger Sue Nelson for the endorsement. To win the endorsement, a candidate needed 60 percent of the votes cast and Murdock achieved that total on the third ballot.

“Now we need to come together and win as a unit in November,” Murdock said. “Jobs and education will remain priorities for me in a second term, along with traditional values like pro-life.”

Other articles about Nelson's 2010 quest, like State House Rep. nominated after inner-party challenge, are archived behind firewalls and are not in the Nexis database or the Way Back Machine.

After two terms, Murdock retired. In January 2012, the Star Tribune reported, Citing family, Perham Republican Mark Murdock says he won't run for 3rd term in Minn. House. Later, the portion of the open seat where Nelson lives was redistricted into 8B, where Franson was the sitting House member.

Since the detailed coverage of the 2010 district convention fight is behind firewalls, it's unclear why Nelson felt she would be a better representative than Murdock. In Forum political reporter Don Davis does mention in Retiring lawmakers different, but with similarities that Murdock did catch heat on one issue:

He recalled crossing party lines and voting with Democrats on a bill that allows law enforcement officers to stop vehicles for seat belt violations.

“I really caught heck from the right,” he said. “It is a mandate, but it saves lives.”

While the Republican right did not like that vote, Murdock said that since he joined the Legislature he has become more conservative after seeing government waste.

Again, that 2009 kerfuffle might be unrelated to Nelson's 2010 challenge, and the bill was sponsored by a bipartisan coalition that included Republican stalwarts like Tony Cornish--and signed by a Republican governor.

In an article about his announcement of his retirement in Session Weekly (p. 18), Murdock talked about his desire to be a representative rather than a politician, concluding that he came to the House with the goal of reaching across the aisle and was proud of the friendships he'd made.

Perhaps it was that spirit that rankled Nelson who, like Mary Franson, sees liberal "tentacles" as a menace.

Or maybe it was her Tea Party ideology whispering in her ear. In February 2010, she told a Perham Tea Party rally:

“Of the people, by the people and for the people,” Nelson said. “That is not a party thing, it is a Constitution thing.”

Nelson blames both Democrats and Republican politicians for creating big government.

“Big government is not the answer and it is high time we realize that, knock off the party crap and recognize first and foremost we are Americans and read the Constitution,” she said.

Or perhaps she simply feels she's entitled to sit in the Minnesota House of Representatives, incumbent Republicans or not.

Read more about Nelson from a press release-y news brief in the Alexandria Echo (nothing about the Murdock challenge).

Over at Let Freedom Ring, conservative blogger Gary Gross asks the candidates to play nice.

Photo: Mark Murdock, R-Perham, who served two terms in the Minnesota House from 2009-2012 (Legislative history here). In addition to authoring legislation related to the manufactured home industry, Murdock authored one bill to make Lester the Minnesota state soil (another version became law). Perhaps politics really are dirty up there.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 21, 2014 at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Frac sand summit news: experts warn that breathing anything but air not so good for you

$Farmlandnotfracland$ Land Stewardship Project held its Frac San Summit in Winona on Saturday; despite treacherous winter driving conditions, over 250 people attended.

WKBT LaCrosse reported in Citizens voice concern over frac sand industry; More than 250 people attend the Citizens' Frac Sand Summit in Winona:

. . . “There is grave concern regarding health issues with particulate matter,” said Frauenkronbayer. “It isn’t what you think of as sand like in a child’s sandbox. These are one-hundredth the diameter of a human hair, so you can’t see them.”

Steven Schild, a resident of Winona, brings up another major concern.

“This industry could do damage, irreparable damage, to the very nature of this very special place,” said Schild. “Once it is gone, it’s gone.”

Schild said the industry doesn’t have enough regulation.

“This is such a new, complicated and multi-faceted issue that the government and current regulations are not set up to adequately deal with the way that this industry goes across jurisdictions,” said Schild. . . .

Read the rest at the station's post. The St. Cloud Times takes a different angle in Experts warn of ultrafine particles resulting from silica sand:

When it comes to exposure to silica sand, the tiniest particles are the biggest threat to human health, two experts said Saturday during the Silica Sand Summit in Winona.

Professors from the University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire and West Virginia University said that while silica sand is helping the country become more energy independent, it’s also a threat to the health of people working with it and living near it.

Check out the rest at the Times

Land Stewardship Project has started a "Petition for Effective Action to Protect MN from the Frac Sand Industry" to Governor Dayton. Follow the link to see if you would like to add your name.

Photo: An attendee at the Frac Sand Summit. via Land Stewardship Project's Facebook page.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 20, 2014 at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Otter Tail Republican Chair Sue Nelson to challenge Mary Franson for endorsement in HD8B

Otter Tail Republican Party Chair Sue Nelson will be challenging state representative Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) for their party's endorsement for House District 8B, according to an email sent to area activists.

The announcement isn't a complete surprise, since Politics in Minnesota's October 18, 2013 Weekly Report noted that trouble might be in store for Franson, who survived the tightest recount in Minnesota's 2012 legislative races:

. . .There’s some lingering resentment from activists over the past attention Franson has gotten, and others were miffed by her support for industrial hemp and for backing some form of civil unions in the midst of the heated gay marriage debate last session.

Several activists say Otter Tail County GOP chairwoman Sue Nelson is strongly considering challenging Franson for the endorsement in the race. To hear activists tell it, Nelson is extremely popular with the base and has been active in the community for decades. Her husband has been a police officer in the district for more than 30 years. . . .

Nelson was elected county chair in February 2013, according to the Fergus Falls Daily Journal. On February 2, 2010, the Perham Enterprise reported in Tea Party movement brings big crowd to Perham that Nelson was an organizer for the event:

An estimated 350 braved the icy roads and filed into the Perham Area Community Center for a Tea Party hosted by Heart of the Land Conservatives.

Sue Nelson, one of the event organizers, was pleased with how many people came out to voice their concerns with the government.

“The Tea Party Friday night was a huge success on so many fronts,” said Sue Nelson. “It was a great turnout considering the weather; great response to the speakers and citizen participation, and a wonderful reflection of what the Tea Party movement is all about: a non-partisan gathering of individuals who are mobilized to bring attention to excessive government spending and taxation.”

. . . For Nelson, and co-organizer Gretchen Hoffman, who is running for the state senate seat in District 10B, the Tea Party is all about government intervention.

“Of the people, by the people and for the people,” Nelson said. “That is not a party thing, it is a Constitution thing.”

Nelson blames both Democrats and Republican politicians for creating big government.

“Big government is not the answer and it is high time we realize that, knock off the party crap and recognize first and foremost we are Americans and read the Constitution,” she said.

Incumbent Franson is known as one of the more conservative members of the Minnesota House. According to her Vote Smart profile, the two-term Alexandria representative is ranked 94 percent lifetime by Minnesota Majority (100 percent on positions); 85 percent lifetime ranking by the Taxpayers League; 100 percent by the Minnesota Family Council; 100 percent by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce--and so on.

She was endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the Republican Liberty Caucus. Her 2013 score from the Minnesota Legislative Assembly was 75--which might seem low, except when seen in comparison to such conservative stalwarts as Glenn Gruenhagen (71), Pam Myhra (74), Anna Wills (74) and Nick Zerwas (74).

Here's the email sent by Sue Nelson:

Greetings all Conservatives of the Republican Party of Otter Tail County!!!

After much deliberation, thoughtful prayer and talking with my family, I have made the decision to seek the Republican endorsement for the seat in the Minnesota State Legislative House of Representatives belonging to District 8B.

According to the Otter Tail County Constitution, any elected member of the Leadership Committee, except state central delegates, who announce their candidacy for Federal or State elected public office shall be placed on immediate leave of absence. I have talked with Representative Franson and told her personally of my intentions and will hope that we will all act in the spirit of a conservative family and make decisions that will best serve our district and our state. You all know me to be issue based, and with that I ask that we realize that the true threat to our freedoms is the march of liberalism and those ugly tentacles that would destroy our rural way of life, our families, and our economy.[emphasis added]

I have notified our deputy chair, Jim Eitzen and he will be taking over the reins and the gavel. I have started work on our County convention for March and will turn that over to Jim and others to make that convention highly successful. I trust that we will all pull together behind our acting chair and his committee to continue the outstanding work of Otter Tail County.

As always best to you, God's peace and thank you for the opportunity to work with and for you!!

Sue

We'll be curious to see how Nelson distinguishes herself from Franson on the issues, but we suspect she'll challenge Franson from the right, as absurd as that might seem to many Minnesotans.

Image: Nelson promises to defeat the " ugly tentacles that would destroy our rural way of life, our families, and our economy" so we'll just assume she's hoping the DFL places Cthulhu on the November ballot rather than nominating popular coach and retired teacher Bob Cunniff again.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 19, 2014 at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Federal money doesn't grow on trees!" Nienow lent his campaign money while not repaying SBA

Sean Nienow, who is being sued by the federal government for defaulting on a $600,000 Small Business Administration Loan, recently cried to KSTP's Jay Kolls that a fix for Minnesota Care would be great:

Great, if it works! Number two: if does work, it's still our taxpayer money! Federal money doesn't grow on trees!"

Sean's cameo begins at 1:42 in the clip. As Bluestem reported yesterday, Common sense money management" dude Senator Nienow was also sued in state court for a contract related to his purchased the same business, the National Camp Associaton, Inc.

Federal money may not grow on trees for health care, but if it's his own defaulted federal loan? Apparently it's just a little shrubbery to borrow from the federal government for a private business, even if that doesn't work out.

Nienow lent money to campaign while not paying SBA debt down

Curiously enough, Sean Nienow might not have been able to find money to pay his SBA loan or fulfill the money he owed to National Camp Association, Inc, a New York corporation, which received a court judgement for outstanding cash, but he was able to loan his campaign money.

His amended 2012 year end campaign finance report to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board shows that Nienow lent his campaign $4560.00 on July 23, 2012. It was paid back in full. Another loan of $4950.00 was paid back on January 1, 2012, for a total of $9600.00 loan repayment to the candidate in 2012. (The repayments for all years are found under "Noncampaign Disbursements."

When did Nienow loan his campaign nearly $5000? Looking backward to to 2011, Nienow lent his campaign $4950.00 on December 31, 2011 (mind you that it paid him back ASAP in 2012), according to his 2011 end of year report.

But there's more!

In the 2011 year end report, Nienow's campaign repaid earlier loans from the candidate. A partial loan payment of $990 was made on August 9, 2011, another of $500 on November 14, 2011, and a final partial payment of $900 was made on November 20, 2011 for a total of $2390 repaid for the year.

In the 2010 year end report, Sean Nienow loaned his campaign $4700 on July 19; his employer is listed as the National Camp Association Inc. He repaid the loan on July 21, as well as repaying any earlier loan for $4700 on January 4, 2010. The campaign had two outstanding loan balances as of October 18, 2010: $50 from the candidate on August 5, 2002 and $4900 lent by the candidate on December 30, 2005.

Note that Randy Furst's story in the Star Tribune reports that:

“The defendants ceased making payments on or about July 28, 2010, and the Note has not been repaid,” the suit said. “Defendants have defaulted under the terms and conditions of the Note by failing to repay said Note.”

Apparently Nienow found $4700 to loan his campaign on July 19 and got it back of July 21, but didn't direct that cash toward his outstanding balance with the SBA. Did he hoard it until lending it once again to the campaign committee?

The two loans at $4950, along with a December 31, 2009, loan from the candidate of $4700, are listed on his committee's 2009 year end report.

Earlier campaign finance reports do not fall within the period of the contract to buy the assets of National Camp Associatio, Inc. of New York or of the SBA loan.

Nienow does seem to have managed to loaned money to his campaign--and gotten it back--even as he wasn't paying on his loan and contract. Money doesn't grow on trees, after all.

Photo: Sean Nienow. He's not up for re-election until 2016, so maybe everybody will forget this by then.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 19, 2014 at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fact check: Seifert's "DFL-leaning House district"

Since the current crop of Republican gubernatorial candidates agree on just about everything, the emerging press narrative for the endorsement (and nomination in case it goes to a primary) centers on electability.

Veteran Pioneer Press political reporter Bill Salisbury writes in Debate reveals similar messages from GOP's five candidates for governor:

Less than three weeks before Minnesota's precinct caucuses, five leading Republican candidates for governor have settled on similar messages for the race. Next, GOP activists must settle on a messenger.

During a candidate forum Saturday in Roseville, the contenders proposed similar approaches to major issues, including reducing taxes and government regulation and offering more choices in education.

But the audience of about 100 partisans and students at Concordia Academy wanted to know: Who is the most electable?

So far, so good. One would think that selecting a candidate who can get elected would be important, although 2012's Klobuchar blowout in the U.S. Senate race wasn't really a surprise, as much as it an anomoly.

And former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert's claim for electability? Salisbury reports:

Seifert, a farm kid from Marshall, stressed his varied background as a teacher, college counselor, real estate agent and hospital foundation director, plus his success at winning legislative elections by wide margins in a DFL-leaning district. [emphasis added]

"You've got to be able to get the votes of the average butcher, baker and candlestick maker to get elected, and I've done that," he said.

Did Seifert really represent a "DFL-leaning district"? Election results from 1998 to the present are available online at the Secretary of State's website, and looking at returns in the various permutations of Seifert's 21A, which he represented from 1997 to 2010, Bluestem didn't find this to be a particularly Democratic-leaning district.

But readers and potential Republican delegates don't have to take our word for it. Back in 2009 when Seifert was seeking the Republican endorsement for the 2010 gubernatorial contest, Seifert made similar claims about his district.

On June 4, 2009, Eric Ostermeier at Smart Politics checked it out in Does Marty Seifert Represent a 'Swing District?':

Seifert, in thanking his constituents for reelecting him by wide margins, referred to his seat as being located in a "swing district" - thus suggesting the Representative would be able to translate his political victories at home to the state at large . . .

Ostermeier runs through the numbers (read them there) and concludes:

Overall, Seifert has several attributes that might work to his advantage should he choose to run for Governor - his demeanor, his relationship with the media, his ability to turn a clever or colorful phrase, and his well-known "brutal honesty" (as he calls it) - even when that means criticizing the Republican Party on occasion when it goes awry (as profiled in a recent Smart Politics posting).

But, what cannot be said, under the currently-drawn district maps, is that Seifert represents even a "somewhat swing district."

Somehow, we don't think much has changed about historical election data in Seifert's district.

Fact-check: Seifert claims "No one asked that question four years ago"about electability

Salisbury also reports:

But the audience of about 100 partisans and students at Concordia Academy wanted to know: Who is the most electable?

That's the biggest difference between this year's Republican contest and the party's 2010 nomination battle.

"No one asked that question four years ago," former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said after the 90-minute debate.

Oh really?

Bill Salisbury reported on April 29, 2010, in GOP state convention kicks off. Main event? Picking a gubernatorial candidate:

"It's a tough decision," said delegate Steve Perkins, the 1st Congressional District Republican chairman from Luverne, who said he hasn't picked a candidate yet. . . .

"I'll vote for the one who I think is the most electable and would govern best," he said.

Over at the Star Tribune's Hot Dish blog, Pat Doyle reported in Electability key to one Seifert delegate:

Ray Brackman said he's supporting Marty Seifert for the GOP endorsement for a simple reason.

"I think he's the most electable," Brackman said. "There really isn't much difference ideologically between Seifert and Emmer."

Standing on the GOP convention floor listening to speeches, Brackman held a sticker that read, "Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."

Brackman said he regarded Seifert as the candidate who could better appeal to swing voters.

Indeed, Seifert himself raised the question in 2010. MinnPost political columnist Doug Grow reported in Everything broke right today for Tom Emmer, giving him the GOP endorsement for governor:

Seifert gave a solid speech, raising the issue of electability.

"It's not just winning today," he told the delegates. "We must win in November."

He was treated to big applause.

Clever readers can google "electable" "Tom Emmer" "Marty Seifert" and find more examples on their own.

Photo: Marty Seifert, via McLeod County Chronicle.

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Posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Jan 18, 2014 at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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