The University of Minnesota will host a rare visit by President Barak Obama this Saturday October 23rd. Obama will speak at a rally of thousands on behalf of Mark Dayton, candidate for Governor, and other DFL candidates. The event will run from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Field House at 1800 University Ave.  SE.

A limited number of VIP tickets to see President Obama on Saturday are available to volunteers that get out Saturday morning to door knock for candidates. VIP tickets are exoected to be available for anyone who would like to come to the rally after the door-knock Saturday Morning. If you are interested, then contact Tim Burchard (206) 200-1179 -or- tburchard@dfl.org.

October 21st, 2010 | Category: Obama | Leave a comment

Some voters expect their Congressman to fight for their district. They want to see evidence that they are getting what they are paying for. They want their fair share. Tax payers in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District are beginning to wake up to the fact that they are getting the smallest return on their federal tax dollar of any neighboring district. It is not by accident. Six term Congressman John  Kline has delivered just as he has promised. He promised NOT to bring federal funding back to his home district and he kept that promise.

The result? The 2nd Congressional District is the regions largest exporter of tax dollars. For every $1.oo paid in federal taxes, Rep. Kline’s district receives only 35 cents back. That is less that half the average of 77 cents received by Minnesota’s other congressional districts.

Neighboring Wisconsin receives 86 cents back for every tax dollar sent to Washington; Iowa receives $1.10 back; South Dakota $1.53; and North Dakota receives a whopping $1.68 per federal tax dollar paid.

Why short change your own district? Other representatives fight to get funding for essential roads, bridges, interchanges, and rail projects. Such projects put people to work and help business thrive. But not in Minnesota’s Second. Observers and critics have noted that John  Kline has consistently fought for extra space funding for NASA above both the Bush and Obama budget levels. He has worked to get extra funding for military projects that neither the Bush  nor the Obama administrations had supported. Kline worked for weapons and space but left his home district short changed.

High speed rail from the Twin Cities through Hastings to Winona is “shovel ready” but awaiting Kline’s support. Projects including improvements to the Highway 52 corridor to Rochester and the 494/169 Interchange have simply been delayed.  Commuters and commercial traffic face delays and congestion. Jobs have been lost and economic growth inhibited.

Kline claims to be against “pork” or earmarks when it comes to his home district. Yet he votes for earmarks and pork for other regions and districts. And he shows special zeal in promoting excess spending (pork) for military and space contractors to the tune of billions of dollars.

Is it time to bring home our fair share? Is it time to invest in our 2nd District? Is it time we stop exporting our dollars to other communities and states? There was a time when a Congressman was expected to ‘bring it home’ to the voters. Not John Kine.  Kline has been content to give our tax dollars away. What is wrong with investing in our own communities and benefiting our neighbors and businesses?

Opponent Shelley Madore has kicked off what she calls her 35 Cent Tour to alert voters to their second rate tax status. Whether you are an Independent, as Democrat, or a Republican you should be concerned (very concerned) when our Congressman has put his agenda ahead of our needs.

After six terms, the numbers are in: 35 cents on the dollar, the lowest in the region. It should matter. We deserve better. Come on John Kline. Show us the money! We deserve it. We worked hard for it.

October 17th, 2010 | Category: Candidates, John Kline | Leave a comment

Travis Burton DFL is challenging Claire Robling GOP for the Minnesota State Senate. While Burton has the heart of a progressive, his views of tax and spending are hardly those of what some call left wingers.

Burton, responding to questions from the Shakopee Valley News, favored tax incentives to business es that create new jobs; revamping the state tax code to make it more progressive to reduce the ;tax burden; work to attract new business; and reduce political appointees to state agencies. Burton believes that  old solutions just won’t work with the size of todays deficits and the scope of our challenges.

Travis Burton in his own words:

Growing up in Madison, WI the thought of running for the Minnesota Senate never crossed my mind. Four years ago I married Amanda soon after we found ourselves moving to Jordan, MN.

Over the past few years I have met some wonderful people and many have expressed a desire to have another choice in who represents them in the Minnesota Senate. Many have expressed concerns about the future of Minnesota’s schools, the job market, the rising cost of health care, the future of transportation, the rising cost of energy, and the increasing societal cost of harvesting nonrenewable sources of energy.

Faced with the prospect of these voices going unheard, supported by my loving wife Amanda, and lifted by the encouragement of old and new friends I am running to give the people a choice to stay with status quo, or work together to find solutions today for a better tomorrow.

If you believe as I do that together we can build a better tomorrow, then join my campaign to bring people together with one common goal: A better tomorrow for everyone.

Follow Travis on Twitter, Facebook, and his website.

October 11th, 2010 | Category: Candidates | Leave a comment

The monthly meeting of the SD35 DFL board is scheduled for 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Prior Lake Public Library. Meetings are open to the public.

October 11th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oh Where Oh Where Can He Be?

Have voters in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District become accustomed to his low to no profile campaign style where he virtually ignores both his opposition and the voters of the 2nd Congressional District? It may be that the voter in CD2 thinks less contact is good. Or maybe, just maybe, voters will wake up and ask their Congressman to be accountable and visible.

This year, John Kline has consistently refused invitations to participate in that time honored tradition of public candidate debates. Shelley Madore, Kline’s DFL opponent, has asked him, FarmFest has asked him, Goodhue County Vets have asked him, the League of Women Voters/5 Eyewitness News have asked him, the Transportation Alliance has asked him, Eagan TV host Alan Miller has asked him, and the local Burnsville Chamber of Commerce– which has already endorsed him – has offered to host a debate if both candidates agree. Kline declined!

Rep. John Kline just won’t be seen debating in front of his own constituents. Instead, he has appeared outside the District at numerous Tea Party gatherings and fundraisers for other GOP candidates, most notably Michelle Bachman.

Over the years, Kline has taken the position that he will not push for Federal funding and he will not support programs and projects for the very district that he represents. The result?

The Second is the least federally funded District in Minnesota; for every dollar paid in Federal taxes, only 35 Cents returns to local communities for transportation improvements and infrastructure developments.

Opponent Shelley Madore says “John Kline’s refusal to bring tax-payer dollars back into the Second District has contributed to more than ten thousand lost jobs. Kline is shortchanging us!”

Families have faced many challenges since Kline took office in 2003. And one of those challenges has been John Klines refusal to bring our tax dollars home to the Second Congressional District. Critics say Kline has turned his back to his home district. Strangely voters don’t demand explanation.

Shelley Madore says “I want to bring back prosperity to the Second District, and I will do that by creating jobs, building transportation infrastructure, increasing business investment opportunities, and providing world class education for all.” The Second District deserves its fair shake.

October 11th, 2010 | Category: CD2, Candidates | Comments (1)

35B has a new, fresh face running for the Minnesota State House Representative. The District includes :  Savage, Jordan, New Market/Elko, Credit River Twp, Spring Lake Twp and Sand Creek Twp.

Jannaya states “I am running for office because our area is suffering as a result of education cuts, property tax increases, job losses, small businesses going under, a record number of foreclosures, budget deficits and a broken health care system.

I believe it is time for a change in our district.  Under the supervision of our current 6 term representative, all of the above has happened in our area.  I believe that with a fresh new face and new ideas, we can change our district for the better.  Current lawmakers are looking for areas where they can cut the budget all of the time.  Instead of always looking to cut something, I believe that we should be creating.”

Ms. LaFrance is running against six term incumbent Mark Buesgens whose recent arrest for drunk driving was broadly publicized. Despite the obvious negatives involved with a DWI arrest, Jannaya refused to criticize her opponent hoping instead for his recovery. She may be the first candidate in Scott County to run television ads during Monday Night Football (October 10). LaFrance offers a unique perspective and voice to a exciting campaign. TV Ad.   Jannaya’s Website.

October 11th, 2010 | Category: Candidates, sd35dfl | Leave a comment

Numerous new outlets have reported that six-term Minnesota State Representative Mark Buesgens was arrested Saturday night for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the Wright County Sheriff’s office, Buesgens was observed by a deputy sheriff driving in a ditch near Maple Lake. Buesgens was reportedly tested at a .16 blood alcohol level which is twice the legal level. (WCCO video report)

KSTP television posted the dashcam view of the arrest which also showed the deputy sheriff confiscating a vodka bottle from the front seat of Buesgen’ car.

WCCO reported in a statement, Buesgens said he has been charged with a misdemeanor.

“I do want to say that I am very sorry and that I greatly regret my actions and how they have disappointed my family, friends and constituents. I have taken immediate, pro-active steps to address this issue, including scheduling a chemical health evaluation with a certified professional”.

DFL challenger for the seat Jannaya LaFrance issued her own statement.

“I’ve chosen not to run a campaign in which I attack my opponent. We all make mistakes and most of the time we learn from them, so I’m hoping that he wouldn’t make it a habit of drinking and driving. I’m glad that he didn’t hurt himself or anyone else,” she said.

WCCO also reported that Buesgens is the second person close to Emmer’s campaign to be charged with DWI. David M. Fitzsimmons, who preceded Buesgens as campaign manager and oversaw Emmer’s successful bid to win the GOP endorsement this spring, was arrested on a DWI charge in Hennepin County in May.

Issues of drinking have dogged the GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, his staff, and his family. Emmer’s son Tripp Emmer was cited for underage drinking and his Facebook posting caused additional controversy in the media. A tough attack ad focused on Tom Emmer’s past record of DWI arrests. In 2009, Emmer sponsored a bill that would have changed Minnesota law to allow accused drunk drivers to keep their driving privileges while the charges against them were pending and would have lowered penalties for a conviction for impaired driving.

It remains to be seen if voters become concerned about what appears to be a continuing record of alcohol related violations this fall.

September 20th, 2010 | Category: Candidates, Governor 2010 | Comments (1)

Matt Christensen is running for State Representative for 35A. His focus for the people of Prior Lake, Shakopee and surrounding communities is straightforward: jobs and the economy. A fiscally conservative Democrat, Matt brings business sense and his common sense approach to this campaign.

Matt says:

“The underlying theme here is Value:  Sound investments for the future. I am a fiscal conservative. There haven’t been many of us in government during recent years.

While there are many important issues facing Minnesota, I believe that the most urgent one facing the Prior Lake area today is the economy–specifically jobs. Other issues, such as transportation, education, and taxes–all impact and are affected by the economy.”

Read the Prior Lake American interview with Matt Christensen.

September 12th, 2010 | Category: Candidates, Prior Lake, Shakopee, sd35dfl | Comments (2)

September 12th, 2010 | Category: CD2, Candidates | Leave a comment