Kresha said he had issued a statement criticizing earlier BLM protests, but the statement had been ignored.
"When Black Lives Matter started protesting at the Mall of America, and they tried to shut down the airport, I immediately put out a statement that said, 'Get that group into the homes of North Minneapolis, where you have no fathers, where you have drug abuse,'" he recalled. "'That's where they should be protesting.'"
We have contacted Representative Kresha and a member of the House Republican communications staff to see if there was another statement that we haven't been able to find. We will update this post if something emerges.
Kresha did send out a press release that day, but it concerned REAL ID, rural broadband, early childhood education, as well as wishing readers a Merry Christmas. Black Lives Matter and the protests at the Mall of America and the airport were not mentioned.
We did find a cluster of December 23 tweets by Ron Kresha which advised Black Lives Matter protestors to volunteer at shelters and churches, visit the elderly elderly in their homes, and to shop as a form of economic development.
Hey, BLM organizers, today is a great day to work at shelters, volunteer at a church, or visit elderly at homes. #ChangeTheWorld
In light of Rayann Hayes' various statements to law enforcement and to WCCO that she was not his girlfriend and that there was no domestic assault (as well as the 911 call that stated there as no emergency), Kresha is looking a bit judgmental about a dead man.
Whatever the case, little online resembles the lecturing about fatherless homes and drug abuse that Kresha painted to the Republican delegates on Saturday. Bluestem suspects that he was caught in a special moment with the base and felt the need to embellish his tweeted with negative stereotypes of black communities. He could have stuck with the more neutral suggestion about volunteering.
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We've seldom seen a greater disconnect in headlines about one Minnesota house district, but then, Minnesota state representative Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, isn't the standard legislator from central casting.
Republican leadership at the Minnesota Capitol have outlined their priorities for the upcoming legislative session — roads and tax relief appear to be the priorities. But an anti-LGBT Republican wants to put the focus on forcing schools, businesses, and other places of accommodation to make life difficult for transgender Minnesotans. In a letter to colleagues on Sunday, Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen asked for support for a bill he plans to introduce that will ban anyone in the marketplace from providing transgender-inclusive facilities.
Almost a dozen cities in Minnesota Legislative District 18 sent representatives to a forum Monday afternoon at Hutchinson City Center organized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota.
They were there to tell their legislators, District 18A’s Dean Urdahl, Acton Township, and District 18B’s Glenn Gruenhagen, Glencoe, both Republicans, they want more Local Government Aid, more transportation aid, and fewer unfunded mandates from units of government higher up the food chain. . . .
Among the cities represented Monday were Hutchinson, with four-fifths of its council and about a half dozen department directors, Arlington, Biscay, Gaylord, Glencoe, Kingston, Lester Prairie, Litchfield, Stewart and Winsted. Representing the Coalition was Marty Seifert, a lobbyist for Flaherty & Hood working for the Coalition, who once worked with Urdahl and Gruenhagen as Republican Speaker of the House.
Calling it a “critically important issue” facing the Minnesota Legislature, Gruenhagen sent out a copy of his most recent email to constituents with the following preface:
Dear Members I have forwarded you a recent copy of my email update. It deals with the concept of “transgenderism”. As the update indicates I have a female constituent who is being directly affected by this. My greatest concern however, is for my children and grandchildren along with the safety and protection of all Mn children. I also have sympathy for those individuals who have bought the lie of “transgenderism” and are in vain trying to change their gender. I am beseeching each of you to search your soul and hopefully conclude that we on a bipartisan basis can pass legislation to protect our children’s privacy and safety. I cannot believe that the majority of us in either party agree that having children of opposite gender shower, bathe, and use restrooms together is a positive step in our culture. I also, have a letter from the President of the American College of Pediatricians that I will forward separately outlining the damage of teaching gender fluidity to children. Finally, I have legislation that has been peer reviewed by a national legal organization that in their legal opinion will protect adults as well as children from using public facilities simultaneously. Thank you in advance for your consideration on this critically important issue.
Gruenhagen’s email was sent to all staff and legislators at the Capitol.
These latest efforts are part of a larger pattern for Gruenhagen. In 2011, he co-founded the Pro-Family Forum, formerly the Pro-Marriage Amendment Forum, along with “former homosexual” Kevin Peterson (In 2013, Gruenhagen announced his “former homosexual” friend on the floor of the Minnesota House as that body was taking up marriage equality).
The Pro-Family Forum held events around the state in support of a failed constitution amendment to ban marriage equality. The group also tried to block anti-bullying legislation with a bizarre video claiming that HIV is transmitted in sweat, and claimed credit for blocking a bill that would prohibit licensed therapists from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a minor.
Gruenhagen’s group placed an billboard near Elk River last year that urged gays and lesbians to seek out “conversion therapy.”
Given the shortness of the session and the need for a solid transportation bill and attention to the needs of cities, we have to wonder why Gruenhagen is making picking on transgender kids and gay people such a priority.
Here's Gruenhagen's email, obtained via The Column:
Photo: Gruenhagen (front center) at the Hutchinson meeting, via the Hutchinson Leader. Cities are talking LGA, but he's thinking about anti-LGBT instead.
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Appleton has a message for the state of Minnesota, and will tell it first to a home audience.
It is hosting a community meeting on the proposal to reopen the Prairie Correctional Facility at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Appleton Armory, 25 North Munsterman Street.
Organizers are encouraging residents, elected officials and interested people from throughout the region to attend.
The first goal is to let people know what the reopening of the facility would mean for the region’s economy, said Gary Hendrickx, a member of the Swift County Board of Commissioners and Appleton business owner.
Organizers hope that getting the message to more people will help state decision makers see the importance and benefits of the proposal, he explained.
If you plan to attend, please be respectful.
Photo: The Walking Dead prison guards. What would The Governor say?
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An email from Citizens Concerned About Rail Line (CCARL)announces that Minnesota Department of Transportation Charlie Zelle will appear at a public meeting about the shuttered "ZipRail Proposal and Developments" at Cannon Falls' Urland Lutheran Church on Tuesday, February 16, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m,
The parish is located at 6940 County 9 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN 55009 (approximately 2 miles west of Hwy. 52 on County Road 9). It's not unusual for churches to be used for secular public meetings held by community groups in Greater Minnesota. We've posted a photo of the building above.
According to the email, "Citizens Concerned About Rail Line (CCARL) has been attempting to get MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle to meet with our local citizens regarding ZipRail. Sen. Matt Schmit has facilitated a public meeting with MnDOT Commissioner Zelle . . .
The format will be a "[p]ublic meeting allowing the public to speak, ask questions, and express concerns."
Cannon Falls Beacon: final TAC/CAC Ziprail meeting disappointing
The meeting announcement follows on the heels of the Cannon Falls Beacon's coverage of the final MnDot Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
The closure of the Technical Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee was disappointing for those who were in favor of the project, and brought uncertainty to Citizens Concerned About Rail Line (CCARL), as to how to proceed in their endeavor to shut the Zip Rail project down, now that it will be pursued by North American High Speed Rail, a private entity that plans to fund the project totally through private investment. . . .
One of the concerns is the ability of the North American High Speed Rail Group to use eminent domain. Halder reports:
A Zumbrota resident asked if [MNDOT staffer Dan] Krom could say for sure that eminent domain is not going to be used. Krom said once NAHSR legally becomes a railroad, they can get permission from the Federal Railroad Administration's Surface Transportation Board to use eminent domain.
Given that the private group has repeatedly said that fares won't cover its costs, but rather, real estate developments along the line, it's not out of order to ask how the group will acquire that real property.
Another concern was the claim that local governments along the southern parts of the line supported it, when some had passed formal resolutions against Zip Rail:
A controversial statement that was read by [Olmsted County Rail Authority consulting engineer Chuck] Michael at the TAC meeting, noted that southern communities along Highway 52 and Highway 56 were in favor of the project. [CCARL organizer Heather] Arndt responded, "That is a misleading statement, which needs to be corrected in the document." She said the communities along the two proposed southern corridors, Highways 56 and 52, were opposed to the project, being as the train would not stop to accommodate local people, and it would close off much needed east-westbound roads in the counties where the train will travel.
Later, just before the CAC meeting started, a Zumbrota Council member handed Michael a copy of a statement that Zumbrota had sent to MnDOT earlier, stating that the city was opposed to the project. Michael said he would have the consultants go back and clarify the issue. He said, "It is something we want to look at before there is conclusion.
Let's hope that this report's claim of local government support is fact-checked and corrected before it's set on that shelf and the spurious claim of "local government support" gets recycled by the private firm and its fanboys.
As for public engagement about the plans by the private project:
Krom was asked how much of MnDOT's information would be given to NAHSR. Even though the Alternative Analysis Study will be available to the public and can be picked up by NAHSR, he responded, "Our data is not of much value to them." He also noted that permits had recently been issued to NAHSR to work in MnDOT's right-of-ways. He said, "We expect the North American folks to have as an aggressive outreach as we have had. You must talk to them. I'm sure they will be open to you. I hope you stay engaged."
How much information will citizens be able to obtain about the private project, even though that project may be granted permission to unilaterally take their property? Bears watching.
Photo: The building where the meeting will take place.
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. . . Olmsted County Commissioner Ken Brown said it appears likely that public work on the project will cease, and it will be up to North American High Speed Rail to make high-speed rail between Rochester and the Twin Cities a reality.
"It's not going to happen any other way. This will not be a public project. Can't afford it. Nobody's got the money," he said.
Brown added that he believes the money spent so far on environmental analysis was worthwhile. He said that work helped raise the visibility of the project, helping to attract the interest of the private sector.
He added, "That work won't be wasted. It won't disappear. It will be used by the group that takes it over and runs with it."
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) today announced the suspension of its work on the proposed high-speed rail line project, Zip Rail, between the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Rochester, Minn., pending action by the Olmsted County Regional Railroad Authority next week.
MnDOT also announced today that it has issued permits to the North American High Speed Rail company which will begin a feasibility study in the near future for a high speed rail line in southeastern Minnesota.
Suspending work on Zip Rail project Zip Rail was initiated as a partnership between MnDOT and Olmsted County to explore the feasibility of a high-speed rail connection that would serve anticipated travel demand between the state’s two largest economies. . . .
North American High Speed Rail exploring privately-developed rail line North American High Speed Rail – a private company – has expressed interest in building high-speed rail between the Twin Cities and Rochester using private funds. MnDOT announced today that it has approved permits for the company to begin studying plans for a future high speed rail line in southeastern Minnesota.
The NAHSR proposal would not require public funds to move forward. However, MnDOT officials noted that any high-speed rail project that is developed will need to follow federal and state regulations and provide public participation opportunities during development
The NAHSR project is initially much different than the proposed Zip Rail plan, which MnDOT suspended its work on this week. NAHSR will further define the proposed project’s potential benefits to the region and state as it conducts its own feasibility study.
So earlier planning work paid by the public will and won't be handed over to private hands. We'll keep an eye out, if indeed that can still be done.
William Hume: Bus Rapid Transit is a better idea
Another informed suggestion emerged Wednesday in a letter to the editor of the Zumbrota News-Record from William Hume, retired infrastructure land surveyor/civil engineer writes about transit issues nationally.
Zumbrota would become a blast-zone for eminent domain should the monster named “ZIP” ever come to life! The creature’s girth is at least a 100-ft width of right-of-way slashing its tail all up and down Hwy 52. Private property along the highway supporting businesses, farms, and roadside would be consumed.
ZIP would be built to last. The best approach to the monster is stopping it dead in its tracks, as it emerges, a complete derailment.
Minnesota’s current high-speed rail proposal, the so-called ZIP Rail is planned as a future constructed transit just to bring workers from the Twin Cities to Rochester with a TC station, Rochester station and nothing mentioned in between, not Zumbrota.
Other vibrant cities along 52 in between are completely left out. This is a very bad idea, a ridiculous plan that violates all practicality regarding the function of inter-city high-speed rail. Efficient passenger rail design is all about connectivity, gathering many stops, cities, towns, and villages. General consensus with high-speed rail designers is a route 300 to 500 miles in length serving everyone along the way. That distance would operate with urban American efficiency.
ZIP at about 80 to 90 miles long does not qualify.
ZIP is a classic special interest project, thought up by Destination Medical Center (DMC) Mayo, and Rochester business visionaries. Joining the gang are progressive liberals from the state capital, looking for more costume jewelry with a massive price to hang on taxpayers.
In my opinion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), would stop in Zumbrota on a 24-hour schedule, adding flexibility for citizens of Zumbrota working in TC or Rochester and all stops in between. New high-tech bus coaches with wi-fi, super comfortable body contoured seats, pull down lap top trays and even multi-media screens on the seat backs...Wow a rider wouldn’t want to get off it’s so comfortable.
Let's build it! BRT from several stations in the TC south suburbs and several more in Rochester, with each city in between served with new completely weather sealed climate controlled solar powered glass and steel stations located on new exit ramps off of 52 with large park-and-ride vehicle lots.
BRT on this route serves everybody. Costs to build the upgrades for Hwy 52 include new road overpass cloverleaf ramps and the elimination of stop light intersections for a very safe new Hwy 52. Zumbrota could be the stop with a fantastic road spanning a Hwy 52 overhead travel stop elevated with fuel, food and trip-related retail stores. That would be at least 500 new jobs for Zumbrota. Throw in the bus fleet, Hwy 52 express lane upgrades, and new lighting and safety features for 100 miles of America’s newest and most innovative road-tech for about one and a half billion.
The monster ZIP would cost approximately 15 billion dollars! Genuine high-speed rail with world-class design features supporting at least 186-mph average speeds, that is the qualifying time to be accepted in the high-speed rail race!
ZIP is an astronomically expensive transit system proposal, constructed, and operated by the state. A rail only purpose high-speed rail bridge over the Minnesota river would be about $2 billion just itself. Add in full route underground intrusion detection cables and weather fencing, a full distance access and service road for the double-track run, and massive landform excavation and bridging, as zero-flat grade is necessary. Every road, bike and walkpath has to have its own underpass or bridge over. No pedestrian, vehicle or anything can intrude on its right-of-way. Overhead electric cantenary and track de-icing for Minnesota would create this cost of 15 billion and then hundreds of millions a year in operating funds. Minnesota taxpayers pay every day for this ZIP. There would be no profit from the fare box tickets, as this is a socialized state transit system. It is a massive money loser just like TC light-rail and the NorthStar.
Bus Rapid Transit looks good for all, and huge for Zumbrota.
We look forward to the Twin Cities media continuing to report that it's just yokel NIMBYs opposing the Zip Rail or private Velos line, rather than citizens who've looked carefully over the plans--and who might even offer potential reasonable and inclusive alternatives for transit to Rochester.
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I read with interest the West Central Tribune’s Jan. 21 editorial defending Willmar’s immigrant community. I commend the editorial board for speaking out against hateful speech that demeans Willmar’s East-African residents. I thank you for celebrating the invaluable economic and cultural contributions of these hard-working Minnesotans.
Minnesota was built by immigrants and pioneers. Today’s immigrants may look and sound different than the Germans and Scandinavians of generations past. But their hard work, and the dreams and aspirations they hold for their children, themselves, and our communities are no different.
Willmar is stronger because of our immigrant neighbors. So is Minnesota.
Willmar and the West Central Tribune have taken an important stand. I applaud your courage. And I stand with you as a partner as we resolve to make our state a welcoming place for all Minnesotans.
Thank your for your insightful editorial on Jan. 21 regarding our Muslim neighbors in the Willmar community.
We winter in California and we even had received an email with that biased piece that you referred to in your editorial out here.
We responded back to the sender by stating that was NOT the Willmar we know and love.
Sadly, too many people forward such erroneous and mean-spirited emails without bothering to check the sources, causing prejudice and divisiveness to foster and grow. We can all do our small part to improve our communities and world by not forwarding such “garbage” and instead challenging people who do.
Willmar isn't a paradise for anyone living there, but many people, new and established residents, work intentionally to build a better community. Those talking against refugees and immigrants haven't made their case, though they've tried.
Photo: From September 2014: Bashir Yusuf speaks to participants in the Walk the Corridor tour Tuesday at his restaurant, Somali Star. Event participants visited ethnically-owned businesses in downtown Willmar. (Tribune photo by Gary Miller). via Walk the Corridor, West Central Tribune.
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The DFA plant in Zumbrota has been fined more than $100,000 by the city since 2014 over a smelly wastewater discharge. The dispute between the city and DFA eventually landed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Repeated wastewater violations prompted the city to increase its fee and fine schedule for the third time since 2009, which led to the legal challenge by DFA.
Bauer said Saturday that the local dairy plant, which processes about 8 million pounds of milk each week, has continued to be fined in recent months, though the new fines pale in comparison to the $90,000 fine that was issued in the summer of 2014; exact totals were not available.
"It has been better," Bauer said of the city's relationship with the dairy plant. . . .
Zumbrota is located on the North Branch of the Zumbro River. A friend who grew up in the area said kids called it the Scumbrota River, so we're hoping they manage to talk to those stinky cheese guys and figure it out.
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So this week the governor's office released his spending priorities to the legislature. Help me out, does this make sense to anyone?
But rather than linking to the Governor's job/bonding proposals as a whole, the freshman lawmaker posted the bottom of page one of a letter that Dayton had sent to Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, and Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, in their capacity as chairs of the Legislative Working Group on Disparities (membership at the bottom of the page here). . . .
In comments about the image Heintzman's Facebook, some of his friends posted objections to the entire list of proposals at the bottom of the letter, not just the one item circled in red, and Heintzeman followed their lead.
At one point, the freshman representative posted:
Joshua Heintzeman Clearly the governor is disconnected from the people of Minnesota and believes these should be the priorities going into this coming session. It's our job to 'help' the governor understand their expectations.
And:
Joshua HeintzemanThis is the governor's agenda. Because we control the house his spending recommendations must originate in our body. An agenda like this is incredibly frustrating because now throughout negotiations these are the things that his office will continue to demand as we move forward. By exposing this nonsense our hope is that the people of Minnesota push back and demand He redirect his energy back towards creating jobs, investment in roads and bridges, and providing good government.
As a point of fact, the first bullet point in the list, $180,000 to support the establishment of a Civil Rights in St. Cloud, was brought to the governor's attention by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jim Knoblach, according to an October article in the St. Cloud Times.
Harsh words and heartfelt sentiment were exchanged by community members and local officials on racial issues in Central Minnesota at the St. Cloud NAACP Community Conversation with Gov. Mark Dayton.
Hosted on Tuesday at St. Cloud Public Library, about 100 people from diverse backgrounds gathered to ask questions of St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson, Rep. Jim Knoblach, Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey, Council on Black Minnesotans Community Program Specialist Kolloh Nimley and St. Cloud AFYA Pharmacyco-owner Dr. Edris Kosar. . . .
Knoblach vowed to repeat last year's efforts in the Legislature to increase funding for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, including money for the department's office in St. Cloud.
Since Knoblach wasn't serving in the legislature in 2014, we'll assume the reporter is considering the last session and he means HF1364, a bill for which he was a co-author; retiring St. Cloud Republican John Pederson was a co-author of the companion bill, SF889.
Perhaps Heintzman can let his Facebook friends know about the public discussion St. Cloud's powerful Republican committee chair had with the Governor about the item that ended up at the top of Mark Dayton's list.
Or they could just talk about how concerns about disparities shouldn't be a priority--and are just "this nonsense." We suspect Jim Knoblach might want an explanation, whatever Heintzeman decides.
Photo: Rep Joshua Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, who believes spending to address racial disparities is "nonsense."
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Update #2: Bayley returned our call, noting that her committee paper paperwork was filed this morning with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. In Bluestem's experience it's not unusual for new filings to appear the next morning, when the site is updated. Her filing, and that of all new candidates for state offices, will be available here.
She's looking for the debate with Rep. Kelly about serving the district. [end update]
A friend in Red Wing emailed a link to the "place keeping" website for "Vote Lisa Bayley for Minnesota House of Representatives 21A." The seat is now held by House Transportation Committee chair and Eagan County Park fanboy Tim Kelly, a Republican and financial adviser from Red Wing.
No campaign committee is registered yet at the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and we can't find any articles online in the media, but should the website indeed be a harbinger of a run for the seat, Kelly has attracted a top-tier opponent. UPDATE January 20: The Post Bulletin's Heather Carlson blogged about the bid while we were working on this post yesterday; check out her post Bayley to run for Minnesota House at the Political Notebook.
Our source snagged this press release from online, although the page is now gone (pdf below):
Lisa Bayley, a member of the Red Wing City Council and attorney, has officially entered the race for the Minnesota House of Representatives seat in District 21A. A two-term Council member, Democrat Lisa Bayley will challenge State Rep. Tim Kelly. Bayley said she is running for state representative to bring a stronger voice for Greater Minnesota to the State Capitol.
"This is an exciting time in Minnesota—we are poised to do great things," said Bayley. "I’ve worked hard for eight years in local government as we struggled through the economic downturn. Now we’re primed for big steps forward in the areas of economic development and transportation upgrades. I can bring my experience in local government to the state capital, making sure our local needs are heard."
Lisa Bayley said she was frustrated to see the 2015 session end without compromise on the issues important to Greater Minnesota. The legislature failed to pass a comprehensive transportation bill, failed to pass a tax bill, and failed to make significant gains in Greater Minnesota economic development initiatives like broadband infrastructure and workforce housing. In each of these areas, Representative Tim Kelly voted with his party leaders.
"I’ve seen first-hand how the decisions made at the capital affect our business people, schools and local government. It’s frustrating to see so little progress being made on issues affecting our region. There’s no question we can do better," said Bayley "I will work hard to put the priorities of our community first even if that means standing up to my own party. It’s the only way we’ll make progress on the issues important to our community."
Lisa Bayley, an attorney, has a private law practice in Red Wing, and regularly appears in court in Goodhue, Wabasha and Dakota counties. Both as a city council member and as an attorney, Bayley has worked closely with citizens from all over District 21A.
"As a former prosecutor, I worked with law enforcement and social services on cases involving those in need," said Bayley.
"I’ve seen the need for better funding for our police, courts and social services. At the same time, I also understand the need to budget, prioritize and set limits."
Lisa Bayley said she believes more attention should be paid to the growing need for senior housing and assisted living options, particularly in greater Minnesota, where we are facing a looming shortage of housing options and trained employees for our senior citizens.
"I regularly visit the nursing homes and senior facilities and see the need first hand," said Bayley. "I know the regulations and funding issues are complex—but it’s no excuse to blame red tape. We’ve simply got to come up with a solution."
Raised in Rochester, MN, Lisa Bayley has lived in Red Wing for ten years with her husband, Doug, a public defender, and their two high-school age children. She has a B.A. from Harvard College (1989) and a law degree from Georgetown University (2000). She clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Davis before working as a criminal prosecutor in Hennepin and Wabasha Counties. She is currently in private practice, focusing on family law, elder law, criminal defense, and some land use issues.
Lisa Bayley said she looked forward to talking with the people of the district over the coming months.
"I plan on working hard to earn the trust and support of this area," said Bayley. "There’s no substitute for getting out and meeting people face to face."
We embedded the document at the end of this post. According to Bayley's bio and vision on the Red Wing City Council web page:
Lisa has a Bachelor's Degree from Harvard University and a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Lisa said, "I want to work on building a strong Red Wing for the future. My professional and personal experiences, in the public sector as a public prosecutor, as counsel to the Wabasha County Board and a community volunteer have prepared me well. I want to be an active advocate for citizen involvement, strengthening Red Wing's economic base, and building on the traditions of our community. I ran on a platform of open government and common sense decision making. Working together, we can make Red Wing stronger now and for our children."
. . . Lisa Bayley is a 1989 graduate of Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a 2000 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, in Washington, DC. She clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Michael Davis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and spent two years in the environmental litigation division of Leonard, Street and Deinard, LLP. Seeking more trial experience, she worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Adult Violent Crimes Division of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, and in the Wabasha County Attorney’s Office, prosecuting criminal sexual conduct, domestic abuse and child abuse cases. In Wabasha she was actively involved in child protection--“CHIPS”--cases, as well as civil zoning and land use cases.
Lisa Bayley has handled misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony cases, and has presented cases to grand juries for felony indictment. She is admitted to practice in the State of Minnesota, and U.S. District Court of Minnesota. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Minnesota Women Lawyers, and currently serves as a city council member for the City of Red Wing.
In the 2012 profile, Bayley mentions that she's not afraid of asking hard questions. She demonstrated that ability the next year when, as council president, she questioned then-mayor Dennis Egan's new job as a frac sand industry group's lobbyist. Tony Kennedy reported in the Star Tribune:
Egan said Tuesday he sees no conflict of interest and won't step down while he works as executive director of the Minnesota Industrial Sand Council.
But Red Wing City Council President Lisa Bayley, a lawyer, said she has received many "complaints, questions and concerns'' from residents about the mayor's new job as a paid advocate for an industry that is at the forefront of local ferment.
Davis also reported in Bill would slap governments offering program to keep offenses off record that as Red Wing City Council president, Bayley butted heads with state representative Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) over a program that kept minor traffic tickets from going on drivers' records in exchange for driving safety classes offered by counties and cities.
We've left a message at Baylor's City Hall office and her law practice asking about her intentions. We'll update this post when we hear back from her.
Kelly's parking scandal
While Kelly was unable to craft anything other than a "status quo" transportation bill in the 2015 session, he did manage to find a parking spot with Rep. Tara Mack (R-Apple Valley) in Eagan’s Lebanon Hills Regional Park, where the document-swapping, teal-panties exposing tryst merited a public nuisance ticket for each lawmaker when the document grappling was spotted by a passing park ranger.
While Kelly has won his seat easily in pre-scandal elections, this is a swing district that a strong and tough DFL candidate could snag, if indeed Bayley plans to challenge Kelly.
House District 21A is represented in the Minnesota Senate by freshman Matt Schmit, who snagged the seat from CD2 Congressional candidate John Howe in a 2012 race that MinnPost's Doug Howe reported "may be 'nastiest' campaign in state."
Photo: Screenshot of the "place keeping" website for "Vote Lisa Bayley for Minnesota House of Representatives 21A."
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Minnesota has bonded debt of over $8 billion on the books. It consumes $1.3 billion of taxpayer money each biennium (debt service). There is not a dime of spending in this borrow-and-spend proposal that we need. Not a dime. It's time to stop spending our kids' future, while trying to convince them that it's good for them.
That leaves us to wonder if Miller doesn't think the $3.2 million for flood mitigation in Montevideo in the governor's spreadsheet shouldn't be funded:
Or if Miller's praising the notion that "It's time to stop spending our kids' future" on bonding at all--for things like the proposed veterans' home in Montevideo. Miller didn't seem to share Draz's no borrowing values when he authored a bill last spring for bonding for veterans homes in Monte and Bemidji, so prepares he'll stop being such Draz fanboy on social media.
On the other hand, Draz's 2014 campaign finance report reveals that the veteran Mazeppa lawmaker contributed $4500 cash and $2,452 for a field worker for the Renville County RPM, so maybe it's just gratitude on Miller's part, however much he's forgetting promises to his constituents.
It seems that Miller might be as constant as the prairie wind in March--and as shifting. We'll keep an eye out on whether he changes his mind about the value of helping Montevideo out with its flooding.
Photo: Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, via Facebook. He wants bonding for projects or maybe not.
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The editorial board of the Rochester Post Bulletin looked at the questions that the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities raised in Thursday's editorial, Our View: State needs to unite behind LGA push, agreeing with Le Sueur Mayor Robert Broeder's observation that we are all one state.
Read the piece at the Post Bulletin. It concludes with some sharp words for Drazkowski's anti-metro frame:
While it would be easy for some to agree to the us-versus-them stance, Broeder notes it's being taken on what could be unstable ground. He notes cutting the funds for the three cities does nothing for Greater Minnesota and could jeopardize future funding. "With the political support there is in Minneapolis and St. Paul, I think it's pretty easy to say it would be the beginning of the end to this program that is so vital to so many of our cities," the Le Sueur mayor said.
While that might be a bit exaggerated, it does raise the possibility of repercussions. What would be next? A complete change in how LGA is determined? A revamp of the formula created in 2013, which bases funding on need rather than population, could benefit cities such as Rochester, which is low on the per-capita scale, but it also could jeopardize funds for smaller communities, such as Drazkowski's hometown of Mazeppa, which was certified to receive $229 per capita in 2014, $36 per capita more than Minneapolis, according to the Minnesota House website.
While the worst-case scenario is unlikely, there doesn't appear to be any winners in LGA as it's playing out with nearly two months left until the legislative session starts. Pitting rural interest against metro interests may have played well leading up to the 2014 election that saw a shift in the House, but it doesn't appear to be as successful providing for the needs of the state as a whole.
We'd urge both sides on the issue to put aside geographical or political concerns and look at what LGA legislation does for the state as a whole. We need to find ways to come together, rather than create divisions. We all live here. Those of us in rural areas need cities to provide a variety of needs, and those of us in cities would be unable to survive without work done in rural Minnesota.
Life in our state is a cooperative venture. We need to make sure it works for everyone involved.
It's a good starting ground.
Photo: Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa. Winter isn't coming. It's here.
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Mayors and other elected officials from outstate Minnesota are pressuring House Republicans to support increased state spending on government aid to cities and towns, hoping to capitalize on the increased importance of rural voters to the GOP’s power at the Capitol.
“I think there is a golden opportunity to help build a bit of progress in terms of this needed, helpful asset to rural Minnesota,” Robert Broeder, mayor of Le Sueur and president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, said Tuesday in a conference call with journalists and local leaders. Broeder charged that House Republicans last year “insisted on undermining LGA,” the acronym for the state’s local government aid program.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, is the House GOP’s lead on property taxes. He said House Republicans would not get behind any local government aid increases this year.
“Last year we fully funded the government, in all categories, for the next two years,” Drazkowski said. “Our effort going forward is going to be to provide the relief to overtaxed Minnesotans that is needed to get us up and moving again.”
Minnesota House Republicans came under fire Tuesday from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities for advocating a plan that Coalition officials said would ultimately gut the Local Government Aid program.
The City of Detroit Lakes received $788,000 in LGA funds from the state last year, money it used for police, parks, streets and government operations in general.
If that money were to disappear overnight, it would take a 20 percent city levy hike to replace it.
“I was extremely disappointed that our friends in the House on the Republican side continued to undermine LGA by insisting on extreme cuts to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth,” said Le Sueur Mayor and CGMC President Robert Broeder.
Although Republican leadership characterized the proposed cuts as mild, it would have meant a 44 percent cut for Minneapolis, a 48 percent cut for St. Paul, and a stunning 68 percent cut for Duluth.
“That is a big chunk to take out of any city budget,” said Bradley Peterson, a senior lobbyist for the Coalition.
“Duluth would have had to lay off half their city employees – that should not be characterized as a ‘slight cut,’” he added.
He faulted House Property Tax Chair Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) for implying that LGA funds cut from the bigger cities would be redistributed to smaller cities – none of that money would be used to beef up LGA anywhere, Peterson said.
About that implication
Had Drazkowski implied that LGA funds cut from the bigger cities would be redistributed to smaller cities? A December 3, 2015, Drazkowski column in the Grand Forks Herald, Unwinding Minnesota Democrats' property tax political spin, begins:
I'd like to respond to the propaganda written recently by State Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth ("Property taxes betray rural Minnesota," Viewpoint, Page A4, Nov. 28).
Not only did Marquart unnecessarily bash Herald readers' local lawmaker—State Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston—but also he also managed to disgustingly distort the truth in hopes of scoring political points.
In his attempt to rewrite history and gloss over his past legislative sins, Marquart claims Local Government Aid is not a Minnesota House priority. The fact is, House Republicans such as Kiel want more of that money sent to communities that truly need it—Greater Minnesota communities.
Last session, we proposed that Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth get an LGA reduction—not rural Minnesota cities. These are three major cities that, due to high populations, have the needed tax base to support themselves.
Kiel understands that LGA should be reserved for towns in Greater Minnesota that need the funds for critical services—not for major metropolitan cities that want to spend their money on nice-to-haves like street cars and light rail.
Draz goes on talk about property tax relief, but it's buried down in the article. A casual reader might indeed conclude that the House Republicans would have "more of that money sent to communities that truly need it—Greater Minnesota communities."
But now Condon reports in the Strib: "He [Drazkowski] said House Republicans would not get behind any local government aid increases this year."
We found additional letters and columns about Local Government Aid from Drazkowski that appeared before the public in other Greater Minnesota papers. Judge for yourself whether readers might infer that he was claiming that taking aid from the Twin Cities and Duluth brought more LGA to Greater Minnesota.
"Despite what Marquart says, Local Government Aid actually increased when compared to the previous year, while legislation I wrote made a slight LGA reduction in the bloated city budgets of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth."
"Despite what Marquart says, Local Government Aid actually increased when compared to the previous year, while legislation I wrote made a slight LGA reduction in the bloated city budgets of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth."
I would like to respond to the propaganda written recently by State Representative Paul Marquart. Not only did he unnecessarily bash your local lawmaker, State Representative Jeff Backer, but he also managed to disgustingly distort the truth in hopes of scoring political points.
In his attempt to rewrite history and gloss over his past legislative sins, Marquart claims Local Government Aid is not a Minnesota House priority. The fact is, House Republicans like Rep. Backer want more of that money sent to communities that truly need it – Greater Minnesota communities.
Last session, we proposed that Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth receive an LGA reduction – not rural Minnesota cities. These are three major cities that, due to high populations, have the needed tax base to support themselves.
Rep. Backer understands that LGA should be reserved for towns in Greater Minnesota who need the funds for critical services – not for major metropolitan cities that want to spend their money on nice-to-haves like street cars and light rail. . . .
Photo: Minnesota state representative Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa.
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Yet one of those projects might be jeopardized by the North American High-Speed Rail Group's claims that it's planning to extend its line from Rochester to Chicago, the Winona Post reported last October in Will Rochester rail plan leave river cities in the dust?
The conflicting claims may come up again in discussions of the latest MnDOT request for money for HSR in the state. At the Winona post, Chris Rogers reports in Mn/DOT seeks funds for high-speed rail:
When Minnesota Legislators and Governor Mark Dayton sit down to decide how much money to borrow this year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) hopes it will get $21 million for passenger rail projects and project planning. If they get it, Mn/DOT officials have not decided exactly where the money would go. Projects that would expand passenger rail service between St. Paul and Chicago, including stops in Winona, are one possibility. A project to create high-speed rail service to Rochester, which some Winonans have described as a competing project, is another.
Every year, the legislature and the governor borrow money — or in government terms, sell bonds — to pay for a variety of capital projects around the state. State parks get funding, state colleges and universities get funding, some local governments get funding, and other state agencies like Mn/DOT get funding. All of these branches of government submit requests for bonding to the Dayton administration's Minnesota Office for Management and Budget (MMB) in November. The $21 million passenger rail request is number 10 on Mn/DOT's wish list, just after a request for millions to improve Minnesota ports and just ahead of a request for millions to repair historic bridges.
In their request, Mn/DOT officials describe various passenger rail projects they might fund with the $21 million. Mn/DOT might use some of the money to continue developing a planned passenger rail line from the Twin Cities to Duluth called Northern Lights Express (NLX). It might use some of the money to pursue adding a second daily Amtrak train that would double the frequency of Amtrak service between Chicago and St. Paul, including stops in Winona, La Crosse, and other river towns. Also, Mn/DOT might use the money to plan a high-speed rail line between Rochester and Minneapolis called ZIP Rail, according to Mn/DOT officials funding request.
ZIP Rail is mentioned in a draft version of a new state rail plan that was released in March 2015. In that plan, ZIP Rail is described as a spur line between the Twin Cities and Rochester that would be separate from any effort to connect Chicago and the Twin Cities with high-speed rail. Mn/DOT helped fund planning work for both ZIP Rail and the River Route, the official state and federally designated high-speed rail route to connect St. Paul and Chicago. The River Route runs along the Mississippi River with stops in Winona, La Crosse, and other river towns. Mn/DOT officials stressed that ZIP Rail was not competing with the River Route, but Winona leaders involved in rail planning were not so sure. Supporters of the River Route see a second daily Amtrak train as the first step toward developing ridership for high-speed rail on the River Route, but they have raised concerns that the ZIP Rail project was a bid by Rochester leaders to route the regional high-speed rail line to Chicago through Rochester and away from Mississippi River cities.
Around the same time that the draft rail plan came out, a private company called North American High Speed Rail (NAHSR) approached Mn/DOT with a plan to build high-speed rail from Minneapolis to Chicago via Rochester. They proposed a privately funded high-speed rail line partly backed by Chinese investors that would run on an elevated track next to or in the air above Highway 52. Top state officials worked with NAHSR for months to develop the proposal and talked with NAHSR leaders about NAHSR taking over the ZIP Rail project, including the purchase of environmental studies conducted for ZIP Rail.
If NAHSR is taking over the ZIP Rail project, why should the state borrow more money for ZIP Rail? . . .
Maybe MNDOT could consider taking a long look at this outfit before it spends any more on planning for a bullet train to the Med City, while working on less pie-in-the-sky routes to Duluth and Chicago.
Those readers in the Winona area with questions about transportation funding are urged to attend Saturday's League of Women Voters annual forum on government. The Winona Daily News reports in Meet, greet and ask: Winona elected officials' forum is Saturday:
The League of Women Voters will hold its annual forum on government this Saturday, featuring a number of local and state officials.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Winona History Center, with the forum from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
State lawmakers expected to attend include Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, and Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona.
Local speakers will include Winona Mayor Mark Peterson, Goodview Mayor Steve Baumgart, Winona County Recorder Bob Bambenek, and County Commissioner Marie Kovecsi, among others.
Lynn Theurer, LWV voter services chair, said the group hopes to address a number of issues in the hourlong presentation, which will start with statements from the panelists before moving into open discussion.
“This is an open public forum,” Theurer said. “There should be ample time for those who attend to ask questions.”
Those who attend should be civil and willing to listen to a wide range of issues.
Image: The logo for Minnesota High Speed Rail.
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Jerich and Associate lobbyists who agreed to represent the City of Virginia in November may face civil penalties for failing to register their new client (principal) with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board within the required time limit, a review of public records by Bluestem Prairie reveals.
On November 10, the City Council of Virginia unanimously passed Resolution 15208 approving a "one year contract for $36,000.00 beginning November 1, 2015" with Jerich and Associates, according to the minutes of the meeting.
While the agenda packet isn't online, we obtained the document from the city clerk's office and abstracted the resolution from the document:
The council was in a generous mood Tuesday, also approving spending money for a lobbyist from the Twin Cities to help secure bonding dollars for the proposed $12 million Miners Memorial Building renovation.
Well-known lobbying group Jerich & Associates was hired for $36,000 a year — from Nov. 1, 2015, to Oct. 31, 2016. Mike Jerich said the company would also be able to work on other projects for the city.
Jerich also said the firm will work year-round when there is no legislative session to hold fundraisers, do strategic planning and meeting with lawmakers on issues.
The 2016 legislative session will only be about 2 1/2 months long — from March 8 to mid-May.
The vote was unanimous, and there was no discussion.
At this point, the clock started ticking for Jerich and Associates to register its new principal (client) with the state public disclosure board. According to page 5 of the Board's Lobbyist Handbook:
What is the time limit for registering as a lobbyist ?
You must register with the Board within 5 days after you meet the criteria for being a lobbyist or, if you are already registered as a lobbyist, within 5 days after agreeing to represent a new principal.
Online records at the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board indicate that Michael Jerich did not register as a lobbyist for the new principal until December 14, while Ron Jerich and Valerie Jerich followed two weeks later, registering on December 30:
Virginia, City of John Tourville, City Administrator 327 1st St S Virginia, MN 55792 Website:www.virginiamn.us Association Number: 7127
Given that work as a lobbyist, Bluestem thought that this firm's staffers probably had five days to register after the approval of the resolution, but we weren't certain. An email to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board prompted a call from CFB Executive Director Gary Goldsmith, who had looked over the materials from the minutes, agenda packet, and newspaper article that we included in our email to the board.
Having reviewed the information, Goldsmith concluded that the passage of the resolution by the city council was an agreement and that registration should have occurred within five working days. According to Goldsmith, the failure to register triggers a $25 per day civil penalty for the period until registration takes place, up to $1000 per lobbyist.
According to Goldsmith's calculations, both Ron Jerich and Valerie Jerich could face penalties of $1000 each, while Michael Jerich would face just over $600 in penalties. These amounts are subject to the board's review--and the Jerichs can ask the Board for a waiver of the penalties. It's possible that there's an explain that might move the board to waive the civil penalties, Goldsmith said, but if the penalties are levied, the Jerichs will have to request the waiver.
When asked whether late registration was commonplace, Goldsmith observed that the Board had no way of knowing when lobbyists reached agreements with principals (clients) and so it was not possible to know if the registrations were late. In a typical year, the CFB might find out about one or two late registrations when citizens or organizations brought evidence of late registrations to the board's attention.
City officials are looking beyond their two major lobbyists in St. Paul — DFL state Rep. Jason Metsa and Sen. David Tomassoni — for more help to secure bonding money for the Miners Memorial Building renovation.
The Finance Committee last week approved a recommendation that Jerich & Associates of the Twin Cities be hired to lobby for the city, with the Miners project its major focus for the upcoming 2 1/2-month legislative session.
The City Council on Tuesday will consider that recommendation, which calls for Jerich & Associates to receive $36,000 for one year from Nov. 1, 2015-Oct. 31, 2016. . .
Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. said the city should spend the money on a lobbyist because of lack of success in the past for the project.
The 2016 legislative session, where a major bonding bill will be crafted in an off-budget year, will be a short one because of the expansive Capitol restoration project. It will only run from the first week in March to mid-May.
But Jerich said the lobbying group will work year-round when there is no session to have fundraisers, strategic planning, and meetings with legislators on issues. Jerich said that would be important work to lay a foundation to secure funding for projects.
By Minnesota law, lobbyists can not give donations or have fundraisers for members of the Minnesota legislature while it is in session. Should the Jerichs refrained from doing anything for their new client until the December registrations, a lot of time was lost for holiday schmoozing on behalf of the City of Virginia.
So far, the state has set aside $90 million for the project and during the last legislative session legislators allocated an additional $19 million in state bonding funds to pay for moving utilities along the current right of way.
Current cost projections for the highway project range from $240 million to $460 million. . . .
Truth be told, as the 2016 Local Government Preliminary Capital Budget Requests indicate, there's a lot of worthy projects all over the state. Given this circumstance and the intense competition, it's probably best that lobbyists follow the rules.
Photo: The Miners Memorial Building.
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The bickering about Local Government Aid in the op-ed pages of Greater Minnesota newspapers continues, with Matt Brent, the Mayor of Detroit Lakes, weighing in a letter to the Fargo Forum, Legislator has no clue about LGAs:
As an actual constituent of Rep. Paul Marquart’s, DFL-Dilworth, I nearly fell out of my chair when I read Rep. Steve Drazkowski’s, R-Mazeppa, commentary,
“Marquart works against constituents.”
I have served in city government each and every year that Marquart has been in the state Legislature, and I can assure you from firsthand knowledge that Marquart in fact does work hard and tirelessly for his constituents and the governmental entities that he represents.
I needed further resuscitation after reading that Marquart was bad on Local Government Aid when it came to rural cities. The truth is that no legislator in the past 15 years has been stronger on the issue of LGA and its role in strengthening rural cities.
In the editorial back and forth that Drazkowski mentions, Marquart has been rightly concerned that attacks on LGA for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth is an attack on LGA for all cities. Success for the LGA program means that it treats all cities fairly. The formula reform in 2013 did this and had broad support among members of the Legislature and cities across the state.
I’m further concerned by a comment Drazkowski made that the proposed reductions to the three first-class cities were “slight.” In the case of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the reductions would be almost 50 percent of their LGA, and in the case of Duluth, it would be almost 70 percent, totaling $84 million.
If Drazkowski thinks these reductions are “slight,” then I must question his perspective as the House majority point person on LGA.
That's harsh criticism of place-baiting from a Greater Minnesota mayor.
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We're always happy to read some good news about our stretch of the prairie being a neighborly place.
Two recent items in the West Central Tribune are must-reads in light of some national "leaders" trying to racket up fear of Muslims in America. Perhaps the most encouraging part of Linda Vanderwerf's article Muslims in Willmar say life here has remained peaceful, free of harassment, is the news from the local high school students:
Adults and students at the school work hard to communicate and be respectful of others, said Willmar Senior High Principal Paul Schmitz. “From my perspective, I know of no incidents related to what’s happening in the nation,” he said. “It hasn’t led to conflict at the high school.”
Muna Abdulahi and Fatuma Baraki are students at Willmar Senior High School, where they say all students are treated well. They are among the leaders of a multicultural student group Students Without Borders, which formed this fall and is open to any interested students.
“I feel like we’ve got a really great community here,” said Baraki, a junior.
Abdulahi, a senior, and Baraki said they have many different friends who know them and haven’t changed their opinions because of recent anti-Muslim political rhetoric.
“They don’t connect me with it, but we talk about it,” Abdulahi said.
Current events are sometimes discussed in class, too. “One thing I like about this school — we can have debates, but at the end of the day we’re eating pizza together,” she added.
The students said their families were shocked at what happened in California.
“Being American, those innocent people who were killed, those were my people,” said Abdulahi.
Baraki was upset by it. “I would like to see not so much terror going on,” she said. “Some peace would be fine; it’s like they’re making the whole world a scary place.” . . .
Muslims in Willmar are reporting that life in our fair city has remained peaceful and free of any significant harassment for them.
That is a good thing. We hope it continues. . . .
Willmar’s population is about 6 percent black, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The majority of that population segment consists of Somali refugees and immigrants. Many of the newcomers are now U.S. citizens. . . .
Our community is not perfect. There have been negative comments by some individuals in the school system and in the community, some out of fear, others out of ignorance and a few out of prejudice. One person made statements while flying a Confederate flag. Another demonstrated with a religious sign outside the mosque of the Islamic Society of Willmar.
The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech for all. . . .
As we all continue to live, work and play in Willmar, it is important to continue to communicate, talk with others and listen to each other. That will go a long way in dispelling misconceptions on all sides.
We all enjoy the peace, stability and opportunity of the community we call Willmar. And we are all truly fortunate to be here in this city.
Imagine that. From what we've observed while shopping in Willmar, the nearest large regional center to Bluestem's world headquarters in sunny Maynard, the reporting and editorial are spot on.
We highly recommend both dispatches to our readers.
Photo: Via the West Central Tribune: "Willmar Senior High School senior Muna Abdulahi, left, and junior Fatuma Baraki, both Muslims, believe they are accepted as individuals at school. (RAND MIDDLETON | TRIBUNE)"
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Despite a $2 billion surplus this session, Drazkowski’s bill (HF 984) that he touted provided not a single new dime of LGA or direct property tax relief for rural homeowners while providing more than $1.3 billion of tax relief for wealthy metro business owners. That’s right – no property tax relief for senior citizens who will see no increase in their Social Security benefits this year, but huge tax breaks for the Canadian owners of the Mall of America. Those are the facts.
LGA helps keep property taxes affordable. Your property taxes will be higher in 2016 because of the failure to invest more in LGA. This session we need to use part of the huge budget surplus to increase LGA to our rural communities and we should invest in much needed property tax relief for our farmers.
Senior citizens, families, farmers and small businesses in rural Minnesota need this property tax relief a lot more than wealthy skyscraper and mall owners in the metro area.
Should the legislature pass a tax bill that begins to restore cuts to LGA, Bluestem has to wonder which party will be more effective in marketing itself on loving Greater Minnesota more. It does seem like the Republican Party brands itself on hating "the metro" more, which is an entirely different thing.
Cartoon: A couple of foxes working it out.
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Last session, we proposed that Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth receive an LGA reduction — not rural Minnesota cities. These are three major cities that, due to high populations, have the needed tax base to support themselves.
Reps. Gruenhagen and Urdahl understand that LGA should be reserved for towns in Greater Minnesota that need the funds for critical services — not for major metropolitan cities that want to spend their money on nice-to-haves such as street cars and light rail. . . .
[Paul] Marquart believes the best way to help property taxpayers is to spend more of your money on LGA — especially in the Twin Cities. About that $88 million LGA increase he and an all Democratic-led legislature approved in 2013-14? The Democrats gave Minneapolis and St. Paul disproportionately more than they did rural Minnesota communities — and property taxes still jumped in both metro and rural areas!
Meanwhile, in a widely distributed column, two Republican mayors representing the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (lobbyists here) are not impressed with "new House Republican majority to show leadership on a key issue affecting communities across Greater Minnesota: Local Government Aid (LGA)."
. . . the only message House Republicans have sent on LGA has been far from a positive one. Last spring, the House – with support from every rural Republican – passed a tax bill that would reduce funding for the LGA program by $84 million. This is in stark contrast to the Senate’s version of the tax bill, which includes a $45.5 million increase in LGA funding – the amount needed to get the LGA program back to its 2002 benchmark level.
Minnesota had a nearly $2 billion surplus last session (and it was recently announced that the current surplus remains just as high), which makes it all the more unbelievable that House Republicans voted to cut funding for a program that is the cornerstone of many Greater Minnesota cities. The House Republicans’ stance is wrong for LGA and wrong for Minnesota. . . .
While cutting $84 million out of the LGA program when Minnesota has a significant budget surplus is unjustifiable in its own right, the House’s method of doing so is downright dangerous to the future of the entire program.
The proposed $84 million in cuts are targeted solely at the “first class” cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. The House GOP’s argument for the cuts is that LGA “was never intended” for Minneapolis and St. Paul, that they get “too much” LGA and that they don’t need it because of their large tax bases.
These arguments are completely unfounded. The original 1971 statute on LGA specifically refers to how Minneapolis and St. Paul’s share of aid is calculated. Since the beginning of the program, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth have received a fair share of LGA funding under a formula that is based on a city’s need and tax base. In fact, the percentage share of LGA going to those cities has actually decreased in recent years.
You may be wondering why two mayors from Greater Minnesota are defending Minneapolis and St. Paul. Shouldn’t we be happy that the House is going after the giants rather than us little guys? The fact is that if successful, the House’s attack on LGA severely undermines a program that is vital to many Greater Minnesota communities. If the House GOP succeeds in cutting LGA from the first-class cities, what’s to stop our cities from being on the chopping block next? . . .
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Documents sent to Bluestem Prairie shed new light on the strategies used by a corporation and its allies as they attempt to squash foes and win friends in a bid to bill a high-speed rail line between Rochester and the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities.
After checking out Data practices request document: North American High Speed Rail Group's business plan, a reader forwarded additional documents related to the project via a Citizens Concerned About Rail Lines (CCARL) activist. (CCARL activists are concerned about the effects of the high speed bullet train--which would not stop in their communities--on their property, safety and quality-of-life).
We post the two documents below, which were obtained via a data practices request made by the third-party, which wished to remain anonymous.
The first document is a fascinating set of emails and memos offering a glimpse of how a private interest works with county-level officials to frame talking points about their project while cutting off citizen opposition and legislative concerns.
The second is a bid to "transition," or transfer work done for the public "Ziprail" project over to the private company, an interesting sort of wealth transfer.
Lots of gems in both. For example, one of the private corporation's chief "influencers" didn't register to lobby for the association until months after much of the persuasion took place. We're sure there's some logical loophole that allowed NAHSR's strategic communications director contact legislators and local officials prior to registering with the public disclosure board.
County consultant: CCARL, or one is the loneliest number
Perhaps more interesting? An email from the Olmsted County Regional Railroad consulting engineer to county board members that severely understates the number of CCARL members at two meetings on June 25, then using the inaccurate number to dismiss the grassroots group to the county commissioners.
Minutes of the June 25, 2015 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting #7 and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting #1 reveal a different story that that shared in consulting engineer Chuck Michael's email. The disparity between the consultant's dismissive figure and the actual numbers tend to support the activists' contention that the public is being railroaded by a private special interest.
To: Brown Ken; Devlin Richard; Wilson Paul; Kiscaden Sheila
Subject: Zip Rail TAC and CAC
On Thursday, June 25 we held meetings in Rosemount at DCTC for both the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This was meeting No. 7 for the TAC, and the first meeting for the CAC.
Membership lists for each are attached. We recently added several cities to the TAC (including Byron, Pine Island, Wanamingo, Cannon Falls and Zumbrota) and many attended. ROCOG attended via conference call.
Both meetings went extremely well from our perspective. Both were well attended and provided for excellent dialogue between the committee members and the project team, clearing up numerous misperceptions, rumors,and disinformation. . . .
A citizen’s group opposed to the project, Citizens Concerned About Rail Line (CCARL) are members of the TAC and advertised both meetings, asking that all their members attend to support their cause. Only one showed up. In fact,other than a MnDOT communications person and two from CARB, no one else attended. . . .
Here's a screenshot of the attendee listed in the minutes for the TAC (online here):
Two CCARL members (Heather Arndt and Nora Felton) who are part of the TAC, attended, as did Don Evanson, a CCARL member and property rights activist from Winona.
The minutes (online here) for the CAC reveal even more CCARL members in the room:
Four members of CCARL--including two who serve on the TAC--were in the room. Former state representative Bill Kuisle was a substitute for Norma Monroe. Monroe is a CCARL's member who recently spoke to business people in Kenyon about the project:
If there's one thing Bluestem thinks technical staff like engineers should be able to do, it's count. Three CCARL members attended one afternoon meeting, while four (and a substitute for another) were at the evening meeting. Those five people do not equal "one."
The June 25 meetings were held in Rosemount, rather than in the Rochester area.
CCARL's last meeting drew over 50 people in Zumbrota, the Cannon Falls Beacon reported on November 12. The next meeting of CCARL will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 at the Cannon Falls High School auditorium.
According to the "transition" document embedded below, the NAHSR group asked to keep Michael on as the project moved from being the public Ziprail project to the private bullet train. Perhaps they approve of his dismissal of citizens via addition errors.
Fundraising and letters of transition
The "document dump" also shows in a June 5 document that NAHSR's CEO Joseph Sperber was irritated at the Dayton administration's pace at signing off on "current legislation," and releasing a letter, as he as in China looking for investors:
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the North American High Speed Rail Group (NAHSR) are drafting a letter on behalf of Transportation Commissioner Zelle, which will be released once the Governor signs off on current legislation. Joe Sperber of NAHSR has been meeting with investors in China this past week, and was not happy that the letter had not been released in advance. We are not certain of the effect, if any, this may have on the outcomes of the meetings. . . .
. . .The most recent draft of a letter discussing MnDOT's possible agreement with the rail group states that the company requested the exclusive rights as it "evaluates the feasibility of its project" and states that MnDOT "will refrain from developing a lease of this corridor for passenger rail with other parties." . . .
MnDOT is in the midst of a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement of the high-speed rail corridor, known as the Zip Rail project. Meadley has said that while the proposed elevated rail line would be along the same corridor as the proposed Zip Rail line, the project would be very different. If the project moves ahead, the group plans to change the name of the rail line.
MnDOT and the rail group are also working on a Memorandum of Understanding that would designate the rail group as the sole entity authorized to study, design, build and operate the proposed rail line.
MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht said neither the letter nor the memo have been signed and both are being evaluated by the department. . . .
Gov. Mark Dayton has not met with representatives of the North American High Speed Rail Group, according to governor's office spokeswoman Cambray Crozier.
Olmsted County Commissioner Ken Brown said he has not seen the letter or memo but he was told the rail group was working with MnDOT and the governor's office. . . .
We used to call this "counting one's chickens before they're hatched.
We'll be pulling out more from the files and taking a look.
Image: The snowpiercer (top) We'll continue to push our way through the fog of the concept development; Simpsons angry peasants (middle); various screenshots of documents.
We're conducting our November fundraising drive. If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's original reporting and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Did everyone notice that all of the kids pictured on the bus postcard are cute white kids?
While that's an alias, we recognized the email address as that of a reader from rural Southern Minnesota who is indeed a grandfather with two grandchildren of color.
Upon reflecting on Grandpa's question, we thought that the graphic design choices made by whomever the Republican-front-group Minnesota Jobs Coalition hired to put its junk mail together probably wasn't from around here.
But rather than basing our post on casual observations drawn from shopping in Willmar, we checked the Minnesota Report Card database online. It's a project of the Minnesota Department of Education that makes all sorts of interesting data available to parents, employers and other interested citizens.
Here's what the demographics for the two public elementary schools in Willmar's public school's look like:
Jeepers, it appears that non-Latino white children are a minority of those kids attending Roosevelt and Kennedy Elementary in Representative Dave Baker's district.
What about the kids in Jeff Backer's district? On the Minnesota Jobs Coalition postcard, they look exactly like the stock photo kids on the Minnesota Jobs Coalition junk mail:
Those child pale in comparison with the demographics in two districts in Backer's tuff--Morris and Backer's home town of Browns Valley:
Morris school kids are about 15 percent children of color, while Traverse County's proximity to the Sisseton Dakota reservation has produced the situation where Sisseton children attend elementary school in Browns Valley, and Browns Valley teens attend high school in South Dakota, according to the Browns Valley Public School District's website.
The real kids on the real buses? Nothing like the junk mail. We do wish that metro conservatives knew what communities are like out on the prairie.
Finally, those stock-photo kids on the school bus make an appearance for Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, who was also investing on our schools:
Well jeepers.
Here's the demographic data for elementary schools in Montevideo and BOLD (Bird island-Olivia-Lake Lillian-Danube):
And Appleton Elementary and Benson's Northside:
With only a ten-percent enrollment of children of color (8 percent Latino and 2 percent Black), that photo might be appropriate for Benson, but we're pretty sure Milan's thriving Micronesian community is on the bus to Appleton, where fifteen percent of the elementary children enjoy Hispanic heritage.
For additional reading on the Minnesota Jobs Coalition's junk mail campaign, which is also carpet bombing mailboxes in St. Cloud, see our earlier posts:
Images: Postcards from the MJC direct mail campaign and screenshots of demographic profile's from the Minnesota Department of Education Minnesota Report Card database.
We're conducting our November fundraising drive. If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's original reporting and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
All of the statements, opinions, and views expressed on this site by Sally Jo Sorensen are solely her own, save when she attributes them to other sources.
The opinions, statements, and views of contributing writers are their own.
Sorensen, editor and proprietor of Bluestem Prairie, serves clients in the business and nonprofit sectors. While progressive in outlook, she does not caucus with any political party.
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