The State Senate Finance Committee's Hearing On Inter-Agency Agreements (i.e., Gov TBag getting caught with his hands in the cookie jar is about to start.
The room is filled with lots of veterans, and many of them are none-too-happy with Gov Tbag channelling the Ghost Of Richard Nixon ("When the President does it, that means it's not illegal").
Last night, on AM950 Radio's "Minnesota Matters - Friday Edition" show, we had State Senator Jim Carlson, DFL, SD-38 on, to discuss how Minnesota, under the "fiscally (non)conservative" Gov. Tim Pawlenty got the state into it's latest budgetary mess.
Well, we also talked about The Sons Of Nixon's Plumbers, a story that's not going away, and we played "False or False Witness!" too - Bachmann MotorMouth Overdrive's quote is below the fold, at the very end. But, the bulk of the show was how Gov. TBag deliberately put the State into an unbalanced budget, so TBag could exercise Unitary Executive Power (Nixon would be so proud!).
When the podcast/download becomes available, I'll update and link to it.
In the meantime, Senator Carlson's sheet explaining what we talked about is below the fold.
In a nutshell, here's what happened:
The February 2009 Forecast predicted revenues of $31.1 Billion (rounded). Knowing that number, Gov. TBag proceeded signed Spending Bills of $33.8 Billion (rounded) anyway.
This created a deficit from Governor-approved spending (remember, when TBag signed those spending bills, they were now law) and the Feb 2009 Forecast of $2.7 Billion (rounded). A bill to balance that deficit, HF-2323, was passed and presented to Gov. TBag to sign. Except, TBag didn't sign that revenue bill to balance the budget; he vetoed it.
Upon creating an unbalanced budget, TBag immediately claimed unilateral power to fix the problem he created, and then hit the campaign trail. As to TBag's actions creating an anticipated budget problem, then using powers to deal with unanticipated budget problems? The Court was not amused.
Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly - the ol' TwoPutter - is guest hosting the Tuesday Edition of "Minnesota Matters" on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! The show runs from 6:00 to 7pm. So, tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. Joining in-studio will be ace field reporter/political analyst Dusty Trice!
State Representative and Candidate for Governor Paul Thissen will be in studio for a long conversation about where - as a state - we're at, and Paul's plans to fix the train wreck Tim "I'm the unalloterer!" Pawlenty caused.
Visit PaulThissen.com for more information about this great candidate for Governor!
And we'll also talk a little about GOPer Allen Quist, who has notoriously made national news for saying this:
"Our country is being destroyed. Every generation has had to fight the fight for freedom... Terrorism? Yes. That's not the big battle. The big battle is in D.C. with the radicals. They aren't liberals. They are radicals. Obama, Pelosi, Walz: They're not liberals, they're radicals. They are destroying our country." - Allen Quist, 07 Dec 2009
Ed Schultz promised to devote some more national time concerning Allen "ChickenHawk" Quist's disgusting smear tonight, on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" - it'll be interesting to hear if what we talk about, Ed talks about, too.
So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here - and keep the listener call-in number (952-946-5205) handy!
Here's what Tim Pawlenty, aka Guv TBag, said, after getting spanked by Judge Gearin after TBag's unilateral (and so far, unconstitutional) use of Executive Power:
"I was in the Legislature for 10 years, and I've been governor for going on eight years, which is 18 years in which my positions on these matters have not changed." --Tim Pawlenty, 31 Dec 2009 (PoliticsInMinnesota.com)
OK, so Gov. TBag wants to pretend he doesn't own a set or twelve pairs o' flip-flops. Fine. Let's take him at his word, and look at a quote from way back when TBag was Majority Leader, before he took the corner office at the State Capital:
"Children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government." -- Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, April 2001 - as quoted in the Aitkin Independent Newspaper (entire column below the fold)
In TBag's world, nothing is his problem - from at-risk kids, to falling down bridges, to skyrocketing property taxes, to his misuse of executive power.
Remember just the other day, how TBag blamed the judge? Well, he blamed the DFL, too. OK, TBag blamed everyone but himself. So did another guy; a guy that espoused the unitary power of the executive branch - Nixon.
Nixon would be proud that a guy like TBag is trying to take the seat where Nixon once plotted.
If TBag makes it to the Oval Office, someday you can expect an update of a certain Nixon-Frost interview:
Oh - and in TBag's "compassionate conservativism" worldview, the government has no duty to protect the vulnerable nor the least amongst us.
Then-Majority Leader TBag essentially said: "Hey, kid - Daddy drank himself to death; Mommy ran away? Not my problem, and NOT the taxpayers. There's the charity orphanage, and remember: how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"
Republicans run on the platform "Gov't doesn't work!" - and after 8 years of the TBag TrainWreck, Republicans have proven that once in power, government certainly won't work.
Wow, while most of us saw Governor Pawlenty's use of unallotment as a total violation of legislative power, it is still very nicely reassuring when courts say the same thing:
It was the specific manner in which the Governor exercised his unallotment authority that trod upon the constitutional power of the Legislature, and the Legislature alone to make laws that, in the Court's opinion, was unconstitutional.
(snip)
The governor used unallotment rather that calling a special session of the legislature or vetoing the appropriations bill to balance the budget. He did this after singing numerous spending bills which taken together, he knew would not balance the budget unless revenues were raised. He used the unallotment statue to address a situation that was neither unknown nor unanticipated when the appropriations bills became law. The Governors actions in this instance differed from his use of unallotment in the Rukivina case. In that situation the governor used unallotment to protect the state from a financial crisis that was both unknown and unanticipated whiten the appropriation bills were signed.
(from an emailed copy of the court brief)
Good thing that the legislature is about to go into session, otherwise Governor Pawlenty would have to call a special session. Now Governor Pawlenty may have to learn the meaning of the word "negotiate".
"Scrooge Pawlenty" is a Minnesota version of the Christmas Carol featuring Governor Pawlenty, presented on the sidewalk in front of the Governor's Mansion, last Tuesday. The Welfare Rights Committee and their supporters wrote and performed the play. The play is based on the fact that under Governor Pawlenty's administration that richest pay less in overall taxes on a dollar earned than everyone else. "In March 2010, Pawlenty will single-handedly kick over 35,000 Minnesotans in poverty off basic health care," says the Welfare Rights Committee. Here are some of the best lines from the play:
"Pawlenty: I was just trying to pay off, I mean pay back the people who supported my campaign."
"Like the miserly Scrooge, Pawlenty has tried to wring out every last bite of blood from the poor and working people of Minnesota."
"Pawlenty: What do I care? I will be long gone by the time the state gets out of this mess."
Here is a short clip of the "Scooge Pawlenty" protest to give you the flavor:
Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly - the ol' TwoPutter - is hosting both - BOTH! - the Friday Editions of "Quick On The UpTake" AND "Minnesota Matters" on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! These shows run from 5:00 to 7pm. So, tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. Joining in-studio will be ace field reporter/political analyst Dusty Trice!
As usual, I'll be hosting the second hour, "Minnesota Matters, Friday Edition." We're going to talk about breaking news and be talking with Mike Tikkanen, author of "Invisible Children (The American cycle of abuse and its cost)." Mike Tikkanen is the founder of Kid's At Risk Action Group (KARA), a non-profit devoted to protecting and advocating for the rights of abused children. Christmas Day is in one week, and - sadly - there are too many kids that won't have much of a Christmas - this is one conversation you don't want to miss.
Since Bachmann MotorMouth Overdrive has been especially busy this week, we'll definitely play "False Or False Witness!" where one lucky caller will have to correctly identify if a quote I read was actually uttered by Michele Bachmann (answer "False Witness!") or if yours truly, the ol' TwoPutter, simply made it up (answer "false"). The fabulous prize awarded, courtesy of show sponsor Common Good Books, is one copy of Bill Prendergast's exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Volume 1). Bill's comic books make great stocking stuffers; they're practically guaranteed to delight progressive gift getters and P.O. the RightWingNut bootlickers on your gift giving list!!!
So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.
And personally, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy HannaRamaKwanzMas! Or not, if that's what you'd prefer....
Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly - the ol' TwoPutter - is hosting both - BOTH! - the Friday Editions of "Quick On The UpTake" AND "Minnesota Matters" on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! These shows run from 5:00 to 7pm. So, tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. Joining in-studio will be ace field reporter/political analyst Dusty Trice!
I'm Guest Hosting the first hour - "Quick On The UpTake" - because Host Mike McIntee is in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. We'll be talking with Dane Smith, President of GrowthAndJustice.org. Two days ago, Dane testified before the Senate Tax Committee about Gov. TBag's latest tax scam "Spending Accountability Amendment." Joining us in-studio for a conversation will be CD-03 DFL Candidate Jim Meffert!
As usual, I'll be hosting the second hour, "Minnesota Matters, Friday Edition." We're going to talk about breaking news and talking with Mark Dayton! Mark has twice won state-wide elections; first as State Auditor and as United States Senator! And we'll give an update on the continuing saga of Gov. TBag's unfulfilld promise to get some large screen televisions to State Veterans Homes and Michele "Let's Slit Our Wrists!" Bachmann's nomination to PolitiFact.com's "Political Lie Of The Year"! Yes, you heard "right" - of all the lies told in the last year, all across the country, Little Miss Hiding In The Bushes made the final cut, so don't delay - VOTE TODAY!!!
We just might play "False Or False Witness!" where one lucky caller will have to correctly identify if a quote I read was actually uttered by Michele Bachmann (answer "False Witness!") or if yours truly, the ol' TwoPutter, simply made it up (answer "false"). The fabulous prize awarded, courtesy of show sponsor Common Good Books, is one copy of Bill Prendergast's exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Volume 1). Bill's comic books make great stocking stuffers; they're practically guaranteed to delight progressive gift getters and P.O. the RightWingNut bootlickers on your gift giving list!!!
So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.
And personally, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy HannaRamaKwanzMas! Or not, if that's what you'd prefer....
(Everyone on this site is allowed to have a different opinion and different endorsement. I am promoting this because it is a well written article, not as an official endorsement right now. - promoted by Grace Kelly)
The Minnesota governors race is heating up. This is the DFL's best chance to at long last elect a governor. The last time that happened was 1986, over 20 years ago. And we can elect a progressive governor who will do us proud and bring a strong campaign to voters in 2010. I believe this candidate is Minneapolis's Mayor R.T. Rybak. That's why I'm helping organize the Draft Rybak grassroots movement. Let me explain why for a bit and invite you to our kickoff.
He can win: The latest poll of the race showed Rybak as the strongest candidate, leading Norm Coleman and with the best favorability rating of all DFL candidates. A earlier poll showed him as the second strongest candidate behind Mark Dayton. Obviously polls do not mean much this far out. But Rybak has shown he is a tough campaigner, good debater and can effectively communicate a clear and effective message to the public. He can bring that statewide, he's already campaigned around the state for Barack Obama and other DFL candidates.
He Should Win:
Rybak has a clear record standing up and doing the right thing on the issues that matter the most. A clear record that stands in stark contrast to the failed Pawlenty Era.
Fiscal Responsibility: Minneapolis has successfully balanced it's budget without cruel cuts to basic human services despite Pawlenty's destruction of LGA. As Mayor Rybak says
I put Minneapolis' fiscal prudence up against the State's any day
The budget problem is not going away in 2011. We need someone who can make the tough and responsible choices as governor, not someone who uses gimmicks and lies to hide his failed fiscal leadership because he's sworn loyalty to the extremist anti-tax teabaggers.
A rumor has been spreading around Twitter today that earlier today R.T. Rybak announced he was running for governor. To put that to rest here's a statement from the Mayor's communications director Jeremy Hanson.
Although Mayor Rybak is considering running for governor, he is at the moment focused on being mayor and running for re-election. No decision or announcement is happening anytime soon about a campaign for governor.
Hope that clears everything up.
As full disclosure. I am a supporter of and organizer with the Draft Rybak for Governor effort. I am hoping and will be working to encourage Mayor Rybak to decide in favor of a campaign when the time comes.
Tim Pawlenty just announced he will be running for president not be running for re-election in 2010 as was wildly expected. This clears the way for him to begin building a national profile for a run for President in 2012 as I have long predicted. We have a very large field in the DFL side. What does this mean for the Republicans?
A very large field on the Republican side. So far I've heard the following names mentioned.
Current or former federal officials:
US Rep. Michelle Bachmann
Former Senator Norm Coleman
Former Senator Rod Grahms
Former US Rep Jim Ramstad
Former Us Rep Mark Kennedy
Misc:
RNC Member and 2002 candidate Brian Sullivan
Former TPaw CoS Charlie Weaver
Former auditor Pat Anderson
State Senators:
Minority Leader Dave Senjem
David Hann
Geoff Michel
State Reps:
Paul Kohls
Laura Brod
Former speaker Steve Sviggum
Minority leader Marty Seifert
We still have 531 days until the 2010 election but the race for governor in Minnesota has already been underway for months. Seven major candidates have entered the DFL field and I continue to hear buzz about five more. Tim Pawlenty remains publicly undecided about if he will run for re-election to a third term or not.
With all that in mind KSTP commissioned a poll from SurveyUSA pitting 9 current or potential DFL candidates against Pawlenty. All announced candidates minus Steve Kelly and plus R.T. Rybak, Chris Coleman and Margaret Anderson Kelliher. It has a fairly small sample size of 552 and doesn't take into account potential IP or other third party candidates but it's still interesting to political junkies like me (and probably you if your reading this). It has very good news for R.T. Rybak and Mark Dayton.
In addition it's very bad news for Tim Pawlenty. When a incumbent is under 50 percent they are considered vulnerable in politics. Three candidates hold him under that mark.
Thanks to twitterer MSPdude we've gotten our hands on what I think is the first direct mailer of the 2010 gubernatorial race. Dayton takes a very aggressive, progressive tone in both this mailer and an e-mail he recently send out (below the fold) and recent speeches. In them he attacks "turncoat" Democratic senators, touts his opposition to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, his vote against Condi's confirmation and higher taxes for the wealthy. He says he's running for governor beacuse that's where real progressive change can happen.
(Click on them for full size. Very large images)
In addition he's been taking the same tone on the campaign trail. Here's what he said at a recent Beltrami County DFL event:
"The wealthy have gotten away with armed robbery," says former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton. "The wealthiest 10 percent pay less of their incomes in state and local taxes than the next 60 percent."
....
That Pawlenty won't raise taxes "even one penny," Dayton said, "is a disgrace."
"So they're going to add another -- in my opinion, in my view -- another billion dollars or so in deficit to the state," said Pawlenty. "So instead of having a $5 billion deficit, we are going to have a $6 or $7 billion deficit, and it's not clear when this economic collapse is going to bottom out. It could continue to deteriorate."
Pawlenty also says his proposal to reduce spending growth on health and welfare programs probably won't happen, because the federal stimulus bill will include money for those programs in exchange for keeping them as they are.
(MPR)
What is particularly interesting is the second paragraph. Pawlenty won't be able to use one of his favorite budgeting tricks -- slash social services to the poor, disabled and elderly. Considering how many other times he's relied on accounting gimmicks, he has even fewer ideas about how to balance our budget than ever before. And even fewer accounting gimmicks.
While he cannot raise taxes because of his no-new-taxes pledge, he'll just raise fees and cut Local Government Aid. Is there really any difference? It just pathetic that he puts his Presidential ambitions before the well-being of his state. Tax cuts, LGA cuts that force local governments to raise your property taxes, slashing state employee jobs, accounting gimmicks and raising fees will not get our economy on the road to economy. It's the same irresponsible nonsense we've been hearing from our Mullet-in-Chief since he became our Governor.
Tax fairness is where people pay more taxes on each dollar of income as their income increases. However, in our state, basically the poor pay the most on a dollar earned and the rich pay the least on a dollar earned. So the quickest fix to our economic woes would be to be have the richest top 10% of our population pay the same as the poorest 10% percent of our population.
Total Household Income for richest * difference in tax rate
$74,923,747 * (19.3% - 10.8%) = $6.4 billion potential income
Compare that to the project deficit = $5.27 billion deficit
