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Taxpayers League of Minnesota eUpdate
1. The David Strom Show presented by the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
2. What is the Taxpayers League of Minnesota E Update and why should you read it?
3. Local politicians playing petty politics with a regional asset.
4. So much for the state legislature being a part-time gig.
5. What does global warming have to do with world peace?
1. The David Strom Show presented by the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
Tune in this Saturday to AM 1280 The Patriot from 9 – 11 am when Margaret Martin will co-host the show with Mark Yost, noted author, Wall Street Journal reporter and Lake Elmo Volunteer fire fighter. Together they will be conducting “First Responder Day” on the David Strom show. Their guests will include: Dave Schultz, deputy chief of the Brooklyn Park Fire Department, who will talk about the changing role of suburban volunteer fire departments; Liz Hopper, executive director of Leary Firefighters, talking about the lack of funding for general firefighter training post-9/11 and post-Katrina; and Bernie Vrona, firefighter in Golden Valley and instructor at Hennepin Tech and St. Paul Fire, who will talk about how fire departments – volunteer and professional – are being given more responsibility for things like bioterrorism in the post-9/11 world.
Also, be sure to catch Taxpayers League President Phil Krinkie on KSTPs Sunday morning news program At Issue.
2. What is the Taxpayers League of Minnesota E Update and why should you read it?
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota’s E Update is simply the best way for you to keep tabs on how your tax dollars are being spent by your government. Because the Taxpayers League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization which fights for lower taxes, limited government and full empowerment of taxpaying citizens in accordance with Constitutional principles, you can always be assured that the only axe we have to grind is with those who waste our money and squander our personal freedoms; the only special interest we represent is you. By reading the E Update – particularly during the state legislative session – you’ll find out exactly whose hand is on your wallet and why it’s there in the first the place. You’ll get first-hand information about upcoming events of interest to Taxpayers League members, and when important legislation is being debated at the Capitol we’ll let you know who to contact to make your voice heard.
Most of all, the Taxpayers League and the E Update are here for you. Got a problem with property taxes in your city or county? Let us know. Maybe we can connect you with other concerned taxpayers in your area. Found an example of government waste in your neighborhood? Send us an email.
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota and the E Update are only as useful as you make them. Sure, we may include a few stories from the lighter side of politics and even make a pitch for a donation or two. But when you need to know what’s happening in government and how political decisions will affect the choices that you and your family make everyday, remember that the Taxpayers League of Minnesota is here for you.
Now, let’s see who’s trying to rob us this week…
3. Local politicians playing petty politics with a regional asset.
Though their one-day special session (uneventfully) came and went some legislative leaders just can’t seem to pull themselves away from the Capitol. Whether it is meaningless committee hearings (see below) or one more chance for those running the show to stick a thumb in the Governor’s eye, politicians are having tough time going home and calling it a day (maybe if they wait around long enough they think Minnesotans will change their mind about agas tax increase). Regardless of their motives, their actions (or lack thereof) are starting to take a toll on MnDOT projects other than reconstruction of the 35W bridge.
4. So much for the state legislature being a part-time gig.
We all know that when politicians need a few bucks to cover some desperately desired item of spending they can simply raise taxes or fees. Of course you and I don’t have this option when bills come due at the end of the month so we’re forced to budget and make choices. Why so many elected officials can’t understand this has always puzzled me. Don’t they have to make tough choices around the kitchen table, too? Well, according to this story from the Star Tribune, I now realize they don’t. They just increase their salary when money gets a little tight. That’s exactly what a number of state legislators are doing when they claim ridiculous per diem expenses – in some cases doubling their $31,000 a year legislative salaries. State Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston), chair of the House Transportation Committee, “said many who top the lists are committee chairmen from communities far from St. Paul. Many of those committees conduct business even when the Legislature is not in session.” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the other problem. What part of the world “adjournment” don’t legislators understand? Granted, the 35W bridge collapse has necessitated an increased number of transportation committee hearings. But what possible business does the Capitol Restoration Working Groupor the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources have that needs to be accomplished now? Go home! And if you try and say that these kinds of meetings are important but they get lost in the shuffle during regular legislative sessions, that’s a pretty good clue that the work you’re doing is worthless.
5. What does global warming have to do with world peace?
Raise your hand if your breakfast this morning was ruined by this headline screaming across your TV screen: Al Gore wins Nobel Peace Prize.
It’s bad enough that children across the country have already been subjected to Algore’s piece of cinematic nonsense. And that we’ll now have to listen to weeks of breathless commentary about America’s new “voice of morality” (just what we need, another former liberal executive office holder with an infectious case of morality). Worst of all, a once important and distinguished award for service to mankind has now been politicized and rendered nearly meaningless.
Apparently a recent British court ruling that An Inconvenient Truth contained nine scientific errors and must be accompanied by guidance notes when shown in classrooms wasn’t enough to tip the award to a group of people who, I don’t know, perhaps risked their lives for peace and democracy?
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota's E Update is written by Mark Giga |
