We'll attempt to have a regular, possible weekly post on local happenings down in St Paul, following legislation sponsored by local legislators.
SD 18:
Senator Dille has sponsored two bills thus far, both being somewhat controversial.
We've posted about the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program legislation. Dille's legislation completely halts the PCR program. (SF 124)
The second bill stands to be more controversial. Senator Dille seeks to lift the moratorium on building new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. (SF 126)
Representatives Dean Urdahl, 18B and Ron Shimanski, 18A, have yet to author legislation in the House.
SD 19:
Senator Koch has offered Senate resolutions congratulation Eagle Scouts and sought to reduce the number of stamps used by Senate offices.
Bruce Anderson, 19A is carrying Dille's nuclear power plant bill in the House.
Tom Emmer, 19B has authored 2 bills.
HF 0057, Emmer's bill for voting ID.
HF 107, Emmer's bill allowing school boards to use staff development revenue on CPR and automatic external defibrillator training and first aid certification.
Showing posts with label Bruce Anderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruce Anderson. Show all posts
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
SC Times hits per diem and other compensation
Again!
Recall the posts on this last year.
According to a SC Times investigation, 18 legislators received more in per diem and other compensation than their annual salary, $31,140.
I opposed the sharp increases in per diem back in March 2007. I believe that our legislators are not properly compensated for the work that they do. However, the back door pay increases like raising per diem from $66 a day to $96 a day look like ways to skirt the system, especially since no receipts are required.
So, let's take another look at what our local leaders hauled in last year!
Bruce Anderson: $18,066. He's noted to be a "friend of the taxpayer".
Tom Emmer: $7,322.
Mark Olson: $13,794.
Ron Shimanski: $14,372.
Dean Urdahl: $19,793. How many church potlucks did he claim?
With more than $3.45 million spent on legislator per diem thus far in 2008 and the state facing a significant budget deficit, rumored to be in the $4-$6 Billion range, will our elected leaders do the right thing and reduce the spending on per diems?
Will they create a stronger system of accountability?
We'll go into a more detailed account of the per diem follies in a later post, just as we did last year.
Recall the posts on this last year.
According to a SC Times investigation, 18 legislators received more in per diem and other compensation than their annual salary, $31,140.
I opposed the sharp increases in per diem back in March 2007. I believe that our legislators are not properly compensated for the work that they do. However, the back door pay increases like raising per diem from $66 a day to $96 a day look like ways to skirt the system, especially since no receipts are required.
So, let's take another look at what our local leaders hauled in last year!
Bruce Anderson: $18,066. He's noted to be a "friend of the taxpayer".
Tom Emmer: $7,322.
Mark Olson: $13,794.
Ron Shimanski: $14,372.
Dean Urdahl: $19,793. How many church potlucks did he claim?
With more than $3.45 million spent on legislator per diem thus far in 2008 and the state facing a significant budget deficit, rumored to be in the $4-$6 Billion range, will our elected leaders do the right thing and reduce the spending on per diems?
Will they create a stronger system of accountability?
We'll go into a more detailed account of the per diem follies in a later post, just as we did last year.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Ticket Is Complete
SD 19 has had endorsed candidates for quite some time now.
Jim Bakula is challenging Bruce Anderson in 19A and is off to a rousing start.
Chris Brazelton is running hard against Tom Emmer again in 19B.
With last nights endorsement of Eric Angvall in 18A and Dr. David Detert in 18B, the ticket for our area is complete.
Angvall v. Shimanski will be an interesting race. Shimanski has shown zero ability to advocate for the interests of his district, siding with an extreme partisan agenda, which earned him a 100% rating from the Taxpayers League.
Dr. David Detert is back for his third run at Dean Urdahl. Urdahl won by a wide margin in 2004 and Detert closed this gap significantly in 2006. With Urdahl's ineffectiveness at the capitol, combined with a strong year for Democrats, Detert stands poised to defeat Urdahl in 2008.
Coverage at Blueman will now shift into working to promote the great candidates we have in Wright, Meeker, and McLeod Counties.
We're poised to have a great year in the coming elections. It sure would be nice running for State Senate in 2010 with two DFL House Reps in the district!
Jim Bakula is challenging Bruce Anderson in 19A and is off to a rousing start.
Chris Brazelton is running hard against Tom Emmer again in 19B.
With last nights endorsement of Eric Angvall in 18A and Dr. David Detert in 18B, the ticket for our area is complete.
Angvall v. Shimanski will be an interesting race. Shimanski has shown zero ability to advocate for the interests of his district, siding with an extreme partisan agenda, which earned him a 100% rating from the Taxpayers League.
Dr. David Detert is back for his third run at Dean Urdahl. Urdahl won by a wide margin in 2004 and Detert closed this gap significantly in 2006. With Urdahl's ineffectiveness at the capitol, combined with a strong year for Democrats, Detert stands poised to defeat Urdahl in 2008.
Coverage at Blueman will now shift into working to promote the great candidates we have in Wright, Meeker, and McLeod Counties.
We're poised to have a great year in the coming elections. It sure would be nice running for State Senate in 2010 with two DFL House Reps in the district!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bruce Anderson Skirting Minnesota Campaign Rules?
The story was broken by the Politcal Animal of the Pioneer Press.
Big deal? Maybe not. If Anderson is using his official state email address to campaign, solicit donors and other campaign activities, this would be a significant problem.
Perhaps we should play the games the righties like to play with Mark Ritchie and others. Let's FOIA the email accounts of these legislators.
Three Minnesota House members -- Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, Rep. Linda Slocum,
R-Bloomington, and Rep. Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo -- have registered their
campaigns with the Minnesota Secretary of State's office and given their
official house email addresses on their candidate filings.
Big deal? Maybe not. If Anderson is using his official state email address to campaign, solicit donors and other campaign activities, this would be a significant problem.
Perhaps we should play the games the righties like to play with Mark Ritchie and others. Let's FOIA the email accounts of these legislators.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Annandale on the 4th
What a great day!
It was a short nap...
Post parade and burger nap over at Miah's.
Catching my second wind and dominating at Big Buck Hunter at Tootsies in Annandale!
We got to the parade route around 8:30 ish, set up the chairs in the shade, had a few doughnuts, some drinks and anxiously awaited the parade.
Someone apparently had too much of a good time the night before. There car was still parked on the parade route and our day started by watching the Annandale PD in action. The car was towed, although I secretly wanted Homeland Security to blow it up, as a prelude to the great fireworks that would appear later.
We caught Jim Bakula riding the parade route on a segway scooter. He was working the parade crowds well, getting around to a lot of people on this neat machine.
Jim was the only candidate working the parade route before the parade. We handed out some stickers on my side of the street and promoted him as best as we could. We're anxiously awaiting walking in the Monticello parade with Jim!
Dean Urdahl made an appearance. Bluewoman's family was pleased that I had no reaction to Urdahl's presence, although I think he was avoiding us.
Urdahl didn't have the large contingent he usually has. Hmmm.
Bruce Anderson followed Urdahl in the parade and was pretty blah as well. Slapped hands with a few kids and shouted to a guy named "Dick" in the crowd. I confirmed for Bluewoman's family that Representative Anderson was not referring to me.
Eleven units into the parade and with all the politicians done, I announced I was ready to go. My plea was met with an immediate veto
The Oslo Norway band was great, as were the rest of the bands that participated. Bands are my favorite part of parades!
Bluewoman caught me taking a cat nap during the parade.
It was a short nap...Because...Da Band showed up! In case you have never heard of Da Band, they are a group of highly talented musicians who provide a great deal of entertainment at local parades.
Post parade and burger nap over at Miah's.Catching my second wind and dominating at Big Buck Hunter at Tootsies in Annandale!A few pork chops and corn cobs later, we were getting ready to watch the fireworks in Annandale. It was a spectacular show once again. It's always fun going back to Annandale, especially on the 4th!
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