Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Time to respond to David. I've let a 40 hours go by. I've been working. >I don't want to dis Craig and Connie, who are giving us bottom-line >politics. We don't elect Republicans, so Republicans spank us. >However, as citizens, we should expect politicians to have a concept of the >collective public interest as well as self-interest. If by this, that public interest is served by taxing people in Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Richfield, Bloomington, and all over the metro to fund programs that eleaviate social distress, almost all suburbanites and republicans agree. Problem is, the NRP was not doing much poverty reduction. NRP was missing it's housing goals. What the NRP was doing is as follows. Gentrification and upgrading working class neighborhoods to middle class (King Field) or upgrading middle class to exclusive (Lynnhurst, Linden Hills all of SW) Exclusive to Elite (Kenwood). Does this sound like pork (see below)? I know there was, is and will be plenty of good that NRP will do. I still support NRP and look forward to it re-direction. Under lets get the facts strait business. NRP was not killed or maimed. It's funding was never debated implemented or touched by the legislature. The overwhelming funding for the NRP comes from the City of Mpls revenue sources. It is now time to find the new source. From what I read in todays log, people are moving fast to come up with new ways. Maybe people need to blame people or someone for their misfortune before they get on with their tasks. >I'm baffled by the implication of GOP posters that Minneapolitans should now >elect Republicans because the Republicans hurt us financially this session. >That sounds like blackmail, and also "thank you sir, can I have another?" I >don't think rewarding Minneapolis's political enemies with more political >power is logical or sane, except for a masochist. I'd rather campaign to >elect a majority of people who are pro-Minneapolis to the legislature. And >the GOP has to demonstrate those people exist within their party, not expect >us to respond to negatively motivation. Here's another reason. When the Repubs took over the house Rep. Skoglund lost the chairmanship of the all important judiciary committee. The Rep's appointed a member of the MPD to the chairmanship. Some in the city were not pleased with that at all. Another reason 2. Ethonal has wide political support (is it pork?) Doesn't matter, because rural Dems and Repubs have wide differences on many issues, but they protect whats important by having rural types in both parties. Failing to see one of the side effects of a one party town is hurting my hometown. > >David Brauer >King Field - Ward 10 > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Rosalind Nelson takes note of Duke Powells comment: > >Over the years local governments have found that, instead of retiring the TIF District after 10 years, it was quite attractive to "re-up" it and treat the resulting revenues as "found money." These monies have been used to fund pet projects that have frequently involved beautification projects. >> and asks: > Do other people agree with this evaluation? Ever since Kathy Thurber said in her withdrawel letter Tax Increment Financing funds the NRP. It's that simple," I've been trying to figure out the relationship >. [TB] I dont think Dukes comment and Kathys remarks are entirely related. Yes, municipalities have extended TIF districts and used money well outside the purpose of the original district. This is nowhere unique to Minneapolis, it happens all over the state. It is one of the reasons that the life of the districts needs to be limited. TIF is intended to be a development tool, not a development tool plus anything else that you can sneak in. There was specific enabling legislation for NRP, the relationship being that it is funded by a specific TIF district(s). The enabling legislation included a requirement that 50-some percent (54% sticks in my mind, but Im not sure on that) of the total program be spent on housing or housing related items. The first half of the 20 year NRP program did not meet the percentage minimum so the 2nd half needs to make it up, one of the reasons that money wouldnt have been available for some of the things that had been done with NRP money before the tax changes. What I havent seen anywhere is anything saying if the 54% requirement still exists and that basically all of the 2nd half money needs to be spent on housing and housing related items. Im all for NRP being a housing program, Im much less excited about using NPR money to fund rehab of someones garage in one of the neighborhoods around Lake of the Isles because they couldnt find a house that needed/qualified for the rehab money. Even in Minneapolis there are neighborhoods that dont need to be revitalized and the money is much better spent in those that do. The Policy Board (Mark Stenglein, Chair) needs to be sure that the money is spent where it is needed. (BTW, why wasnt the Policy Board Chair over at the legislature talking with the legislative committees that Mayor Sayles-Belton didnt bother to visit with?) Terrell Brown Loring Park [EMAIL PROTECTED] PS Can anyone explain to my why a person who owns multiple condominium units in a single downtown building and rents those units to various tenants is able to homestead those units thus receiving the much lower homestead tax rate? __ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
At 10:39 PM 7/2/01 -0500, Duke Powell wrote: > >Over the years local governments have found >that, instead of retiring the TIF District >after 10 years, it was quite attractive to >"re-up" it and treat the resulting revenues >as "found money." These monies have been >used to fund pet projects that have frequently >involved beautification projects. > Do other people agree with this evaluation? Ever since Kathy Thurber said in her withdrawel letter "Tax Increment Financing funds the NRP. It's that simple," I've been trying to figure out the relationship. Rosalind Nelson Bancroft neighborhood ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
I am going to jump in here because there are some glaring misunderstandings about why the Legislature did what it did with Tax Increment Financing in the just completed legislative session. TIF is a complicated subject and I do not pretend to understand it. What I do understand is that a great many Legislators have been very upset over a perceived misuse of TIF by many metro area cities. Specifically, the complaints I have heard involve suburban areas - most notably Burnsville, Apple Valley and St. Louis Park. Over the years local governments have found that, instead of retiring the TIF District after 10 years, it was quite attractive to "re-up" it and treat the resulting revenues as "found money." These monies have been used to fund pet projects that have frequently involved beautification projects. Legislators have been chagrined at the large loophole that has allowed what many say is one of the many successful schemes cities have used to thwart their efforts to reduce local property taxes. The changes the Legislature made in TIF is just one of the ways to deliver property tax relief and pre-empt the local units from stepping in and diverting it for their own uses. Now I know less about the NRP than I do about TIF. What I do know is that the legislature was not targeting Mpls in a mean and vindictive way. Rep. Wolf and McElroy were upset with Burnsville. Rep Ozmet is mad at Rosemont. Rep. Abrams is really angry with the cities in his district. Consequently, I know for a fact that the Burnsville City Council is so pissed that they could collectively bite through a box of 10 penny nails. The projects they were funding with TIF monies includes the Heart of the City development. It is now in peril because now they will have to budget it through the general fund where it can't be hidden from from those pesky citizens who like to ask a lot of stupid questions. Duke Powell Burnsville ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Minneapoliticans feel the city is being persecuted by Republican legislators because this city elects no Republicans. Though I didn't spend this session at the Capitol I'm sure there is more to it than that. When I campaigned for Denn Evans for State Rep 60B last year I tried to point out to voters that the city needs the good will of Representatives from other parts of the state, especially with the upcoming redistricting and further shifting of power from the city to the suburbs. We need Representatives who understand suburban legislators' perspectives and who can effectively communicate ours to them. Party is less important than mutual respect tolerating other's perspectives. Unfortunately the hyperpolarization at the Legislature and in this city make that practically impossible. Look at the suburb-bashing posts on this reflector; suburbanites are stereotyped as SUV-loving, community-shunning, nature-despoiling, uncompassionate self-seekers. Maybe racists and homophobes too. If our city legislators carry those stereotypes and an accompanying smug self-righteous to the Capitol, small wonder they don't win us many friends there. I chatted today with the Ben Bowman, the young Republican who challenged Phyllis Kahn last year. He pointed out that had he had been elected to the 59B seat then he could have been a youthful, energetic voice for Minneapolis in the House Republican caucus--where the power was. Maybe he would not have sought the same accomodations that a DFLer would have, but he would have had a voice for us where it counted and he might have helped find resolutions less disruptive to our programs and tax situation--assuming, of course, that our city officials would have deigned to talk with him! The tragedy of the pressurized bell jar we call Minneapolis DFL politics is that participants don't realize how off-norm and out of touch it is with much of the state. It invites caricature and--because of its adversarialness--it invites adversarialness back. Alan Shilepsky Downtown ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Just imagine for once that you are someone who lives in the suburban, exurban or rural area of the state. You have an opportunity to reduce your property taxes by between $500 and $1,500 per year. And the biggest sacrifice is a program in Minneapolis called NRP. First of all, do you actually know what those letters stand for. I bet you don't. And why? Because nothing has been done by political leadership to educate the rest of the state on the program and it's benefits to the entire state. And if per chance you do know something about the NRP program, you probably have limited or even second hand knowledge. But for the moment, let's assume you actually know something about the program. You have a dilemma - you have a chance to save this huge amount on your property taxes, perhaps enrolling your child in a better preschool, or to continue a program in Minneapolis that essentially institutionalizes volunteerism. You look around - where in Minneapolis is the Jaycees or the Lions Clubs. If you lived in Minneapolis you probably never saw those civic organizations doing something in your neighborhood because they have been essentially displaced by a government program called NRP. So you wonder? Whatever happened to just do it because it's the right thing to do instead of do it because the city will help us pay for it? Then you look at things that have been funded by NRP - you know, those historic street lights next to the graffiti wall and the overflowing garbage cans next to the beat up newspaper stands at the falling down bus stop on the corner where the weeds are 4 feet tall, or the house renovation in front of the street that is falling apart, or the neighborhood organization who's offices sit in front of crumbling curb and gutter. And then you remember all that diverted tax money Minneapolis spent on big wealthy corporations. You know the ones on Nicollet Mall who just made billions last year touting the Sign Of The Times while they actually helped displace The Times, or that Steven Spielberg subsidy on the block they moved that old theater from, or better yet those high end stores at 50th and France that sell the $200 designer vases that you just saw advertised in MPS/St. Paul magazine. And does it make you feel good that you have subsidized with your tax dollars a $200 vase sitting on the grand piano of a wealthy entrepreneur on a lake next to the country club who just had a few moments to pick up a some things at 50th and France after her manicure. Oh, but remember they bought it on the Minneapolis side! And then you ask yourself the big questions - Minneapolis can't even keep it's basic infrastructure together, but can spend millions of dollars on wealthy corporations and government programs to institutionalize civic activity creating a very large and expensive bureaucracy. And help subsidize wealthy shops and profitable billion dollar corporations with taxpayers dollars and then they want more. So tell me, why should I spend $1,000 of my hard earned money a year supporting NRP? This would be the big question of the day. The question that Minneapolis leaders forgot to ask themselves and then never answered. This is why they got caught short changed at the end of the legislative session. Unless we can truly understand the other side, we are destined to fail. Russ Peterson St. Michael former Standishite ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Constance Sheppard wrote: > perhaps NRP isn't in the interest of the majority of > Minnesotans, and was thus destined to fail. The house and senate were brought into the NRP planning early on. The voted to an encoded that they would support it to the tune of $20 million/year for 20 years. In order to vote against NRP on the tax bill, they had to go back and write out the committment they made. It was hateful, spiteful, and etc. I could make an argument that NRP is good for Minnesota, that it has wasted far less money than many a government driven program, and that neighborhoods got some things done to improve the city. > > I'm not making a value judgment about the NRP > situation, because I frankly don't know enough about > the whole thing. What I AM trying to do is point out > that our house Republicans are, in fact, human beings > who try to do the job they were elected to do, just > like the Democrats. In the instance of the NRP, I argue, they were not "just doing their job." What I was saying was that, in times past the Democrats have not behaved all that splendidly either, arrogance being one of the faults they have displayed. I also argued that unless some different form of discourse or whatever is undertaken in the legie, it will always be acrimonious and spiteful and decisions made that way cannot be good decisions. WizardMarks, Central > > It sure ain't for the money, anyway! > > Connie Sheppard > Ward 6 - Ventura Village > > __ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail > http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ > ___ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Oh yeah? Just listen any afternoon to Jason Lewis, am1500 KSTP, 5-8, as he fires up conservatives for their assaults on affordable housing, public transportation, Minnesota Care, NRP, and a host of other issues. Lewis is able to have plenty of influence because republican lawmakers receive angry e-mails and phone calls from "movement" conservatives who hate Minneapolis. Don't be naive. Gene Martinez Minneahaha, Ward 12 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Rich Chandler Sent: Monday, July 02, 2001 4:23 PM To: Mpls list Subject: RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls >I have heard ad nauseam from DFLers of >every stripe >that Republicans hate Minneapolis. > >It's as if they >feel that if they say it often enough >it will become >true. >The Republicans and the GOP House > >caucus don't hate >Minneapolis. They have a different > >view on public >policy. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
I have heard ad nauseam from DFLers of every stripe that Republicans hate Minneapolis. It's as if they feel that if they say it often enough it will become true. The Republicans and the GOP House caucus don't hate Minneapolis. They have a different view on public policy. It is a very immature view on the world in which you decide that people who disagree with you must hate you. Minneapolis would be far better off if the mayor and council had tried the standard stop by and carefully explain their plans and goals and needs. But they didn't. Or maybe they did and the outstate DFL reps told them not to show up as they didn't want to piss money down a rathole. Rich Chandler - Ward 9 -Original Message- From: David Brauer However, as citizens, we should expect politicians to have a concept of the collective public interest as well as self-interest. As parents, we tell our kids "two wrongs don't make a right." Does that change when we become adults? David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 -Original Message- From: craig miller Finally some commons sense strikes. Pay heed one and all. Craig Miller -Original Message- From: Constance Sheppard This point has been referenced earlier, but I see a need for it to be spelled out: Republicans are in the majority in the House. We in Minneapolis did not elect a single one of them. These folks try to do what their constituents will like, so they can preserve their seat. Why WOULD they be chomping at the bit to do things which specifically benefit Minneapolis? They are politicians... not a bunch of Saints. __ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Great points Connie! At 01:41 PM 7/2/01 -0700, Constance Sheppard wrote: >Without getting too far into minutiae, I'll say for >the record that it was Wizard Marks, and not our >esteemed moderator who used the adjectives to which I >referred. It is not surprising to hear bigoted statements about Republicans coming from this source. Personally, I think it's rather bad form, when folks in the city didn't even talk with Abrams, chair of the house tax committee. It rather suggests that there was more interest in blaming the Republicans than really solving the problems. >Perhaps our Minneapolis delegation didn't fight hard >enough. Maybe they were just outnumbered. Or, >perhaps NRP isn't in the interest of the majority of >Minnesotans, and was thus destined to fail. I think the anti-Minneapolis sentiment is from more than the Republicans. There are plenty of rural DFLers who share this sentiment. However, I'm not sure that it is fair to say that a vote against NRP is a vote against Minneapolis. The house vote, I found much more anti-minneapolis was the one, where NWA and the Mall of America were given tax exemptions, while other businesses within a mile of the light rail were going to be paying for the light rail by increased property tax. >I'm not making a value judgment about the NRP >situation, because I frankly don't know enough about >the whole thing. What I AM trying to do is point out >that our house Republicans are, in fact, human beings >who try to do the job they were elected to do, just >like the Democrats. I don't approve of the methods >used by many Democrats in this state, but I understand >their reasoning, and I know that most of them (like >their conservative colleagues) get into the field of >public service because they want to make this a better >place for us to live. - There are problem solvers in both parties in both the senate and house -- and there are partisan demogogs. Eva Eva Young Minneapolis ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
> > Elected politicians, when faced with a large-scale > common sentiment about something or other in their > district, ARE NOT going to ignore that, plain and > simple. Right or wrong, we all have different > perspectives, which are colored in part by where we > live and who lives there with us. Suburban > Republicans are, by and large, representing their > districts. > This is partly true, yet many times it is a matter of turnout. With a few notable exceptions, if the turnout is very high, even the most affluent suburbs can go Democratic. North Oaks elected a Democrat a few years back. What I see as a large problem is the failure of the state party, city activists and city legislative candidates to realize the value and importance of get out the vote efforts in the suburbs. Whether through fundraisers, help with mailings, doorknocking or whatever there are lots of things city DFLers can do to help suburban candidates. Perhaps the cities "safe" legislators could band together to do more to encourage donations and volunteering in the suburbs? Perhaps each of the city SDs could find a sister SD in the "Republican" (Roseville, North/South St. Paul and Richfield don't count) suburbs? Evan Schnell Roseville [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Without getting too far into minutiae, I'll say for the record that it was Wizard Marks, and not our esteemed moderator who used the adjectives to which I referred. No Matter. I was not (neccessarily) trying to suggest that we elect Republicans in Mpls and that will solve our problems. I was pointing out what I always thought was obvious. Here's an example: Representative Chris Gerlach, (R-Apple Valley) and Senator Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington/Lakeville) both have constituents calling them up about stuff on a regular basis. I have done a lot of work in Dakota County, and I know this is a fact. Those constituents, by and large, feel over-taxed, and cranky about what they perceive as their money being siphoned off and poured into "the Cities," for this or that "program." Now look, I live in Mpls, I don't want to see it get "screwed." I do, however, understand what drives suburban reps and sens to vote the way they do. I really hate it when I call Karen Clark about something, and she totally ignores me. That's one of the reasons I'll never vote for her. (Too bad I'm outnumbered in my district.) Elected politicians, when faced with a large-scale common sentiment about something or other in their district, ARE NOT going to ignore that, plain and simple. Right or wrong, we all have different perspectives, which are colored in part by where we live and who lives there with us. Suburban Republicans are, by and large, representing their districts. Perhaps our Minneapolis delegation didn't fight hard enough. Maybe they were just outnumbered. Or, perhaps NRP isn't in the interest of the majority of Minnesotans, and was thus destined to fail. I'm not making a value judgment about the NRP situation, because I frankly don't know enough about the whole thing. What I AM trying to do is point out that our house Republicans are, in fact, human beings who try to do the job they were elected to do, just like the Democrats. I don't approve of the methods used by many Democrats in this state, but I understand their reasoning, and I know that most of them (like their conservative colleagues) get into the field of public service because they want to make this a better place for us to live. It sure ain't for the money, anyway! Connie Sheppard Ward 6 - Ventura Village __ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
I don't want to dis Craig and Connie, who are giving us bottom-line politics. We don't elect Republicans, so Republicans spank us. I don't think this needs to be spelled out, but it shouldn't be accepted either. This is self-absorbed politics - what cultural conservatives would probably criticize in another context as the "Me Generation." I am NOT suggesting DFLers haven't played this game - enough people I respect have complained about the high-handedness of DFL legislators when they were in charge isn't coming back to haunt them. However, as citizens, we should expect politicians to have a concept of the collective public interest as well as self-interest. As parents, we tell our kids "two wrongs don't make a right." Does that change when we become adults? Personally, I do think the Connie is over-dramatizing the criticism of the GOP caucus. In my original post on this matter, I did not use the terms "hateful," "spiteful," or "mean-spirited." However, Connie writes: >Republicans are in the majority in the House. We in >Minneapolis did not elect a single one of them. These >folks try to do what their constituents will like, so >they can preserve their seat. How can this not be fairly called "anti-Minneapolis?" Maybe it has its excuse, but that's what it is. And is it "whining" for a Minneapolitan to criticize the me-first politics, or is it reasonable criticism (and not also hypocrisy if you admit your side does it too.)? I'm baffled by the implication of GOP posters that Minneapolitans should now elect Republicans because the Republicans hurt us financially this session. That sounds like blackmail, and also "thank you sir, can I have another?" I don't think rewarding Minneapolis's political enemies with more political power is logical or sane, except for a masochist. I'd rather campaign to elect a majority of people who are pro-Minneapolis to the legislature. And the GOP has to demonstrate those people exist within their party, not expect us to respond to negatively motivation. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of craig miller Sent: Monday, July 02, 2001 2:20 PM To: Constance Sheppard; jorovsky; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls Finally some commons sense strikes. Pay heed one and all. Craig Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] Former Fultonite -Original Message- From: Constance Sheppard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: jorovsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, July 02, 2001 1:29 PM Subject: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls >This point has been referenced earlier, but I see a >need for it to be spelled out: > >Republicans are in the majority in the House. We in >Minneapolis did not elect a single one of them. These >folks try to do what their constituents will like, so >they can preserve their seat. > >Why WOULD they be chomping at the bit to do things >which specifically benefit Minneapolis? They are >politicians... not a bunch of Saints. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
Finally some commons sense strikes. Pay heed one and all. Craig Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] Former Fultonite -Original Message- From: Constance Sheppard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: jorovsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, July 02, 2001 1:29 PM Subject: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls >This point has been referenced earlier, but I see a >need for it to be spelled out: > >Republicans are in the majority in the House. We in >Minneapolis did not elect a single one of them. These >folks try to do what their constituents will like, so >they can preserve their seat. > >Why WOULD they be chomping at the bit to do things >which specifically benefit Minneapolis? They are >politicians... not a bunch of Saints. > >As (I think it was) Karen Collier pointed out, there >has been no effort by the powers that be in Mpls to >sway Republican leadership. > >The House Republicans are not "hateful," "spiteful," >"mean-spirited," or "anti-Minneapolis." They are >simply politicians. Come on guys, they taught these >principles in Junior High civics class. > >Please, let's stop the whining and the name-calling, >and instead ask ourselves how we can affect a change >of view at the capital. > >Connie Sheppard >Ward 6 - Ventura Village > >__ >Do You Yahoo!? >Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail >http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ >___ >Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy >Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: >http://e-democracy.org/mpls > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Legislature & Mpls
wizardmarks wrote: > (snip) However, I was appalled by the hatefulness of the reps and > sens against Minneapolis. These folks knew they had the > power and the numbers to "opt out" of supporting anything > the city of Minneapolis wanted and they did just that out of > what appeared to be pure spite of the kind 11-year old boys > do to be nasty. So saying, what has Minneapolis done just > lately that cranked that spite tighter? What has Minneapolis > done traditionally that fuels this attitude? It always > takes two to tango. (snip) Minneapolis hasn't done anything wrong, and it was not "the reps and sens." The anti-Minneapolis fervor at the Legislature lies squarely in the House Republican majority. The Senate DFL has treated Minneapolis fairly (they perhaps don't get everything they want at the Senate, but no one gets everything they want). The House Republicans have worked hard to "get" Minneapolis at every turn and it's not going to change. You have to get three more DFLers elected out of 134 in the House, and a new DFL majority will be better to Mpls. The mayor of Mpls worked with DFL legislators from Mpls on numerous issues, but could not overcome the anti-Mpls sentiment coming from the GOP. Sidebar: the Governor's line-item vetoes are extremely "anti-St. Paul." I know we can't discuss St. Paul on this list, but I'm just including it for reference & comparison. Don Jorovsky Committee Administrator, Senate Committee on Jobs, Housing & Community Development > > > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
