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State Representative Tom Hackbarth
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2439
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
LET'S GET BACK TO THE BASICS
As I sit on the House floor, some days I just shake my head. We spend hours debating the rules of the House, motions to refer bills to certain committees, and comparably little time debating the big issues.
This past fall many democrats across Minnesota campaigned on reform, respect, and bread and butter issues. But just two months into the new legislative session they seem to have left all of their campaign issues at the door.
They have increased the number of committees by 50%. That means there is 50% more bureaucracy for good bills to go through before they can come to the House floor for a vote. Because of this bureaucracy many great Republicans, myself included, will not have bills heard. A bill that would return the majority of the $2 billion surplus, which came from you the taxpayer, in the form of property tax rebates will not be heard because of the bureaucracy. That was one of the bread and butter issues that the Democrats campaigned on, cutting property taxes and rebates.
They said they would focus on health care, reduce tuition costs, and dedicate funding for outdoor habitats, wetlands and waters. They said they would stay away from the "decisive" social issue. But where have we gotten?
We have a proposal to let non-citizens vote in local elections. We have 5 hour committee hearings discussing same-sex partner benefits. We have bills that want to out law "light pollution". And that’s just a beginning.
Looking at some of the other proposals we see:
THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET-TOGETHER AND GAMBLING: Rep. Phyllis Kahn wants to require the State Fair to allow lottery tickets to be sold on the grounds. (H.F. 1055)
CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF KETCHUP?: Rep. Andy Welti wants to impose severe criminal penalties if you "carry, use, or possess" a glass container on a watercraft or along Minnesota’s public waters. You could get 270 days in jail if you have a picnic on the lake and bring glass bottles of ketchup, mustard, and relish.
NO IN-STATE INCENTIVES FOR MINNESOTA COLLEGE STUDENTS: Rep. Diane Loeffler wants to eliminate in-state tuition advantages for Minnesota citizens at MnSCU colleges and universities. (H.F. 1032)
WILL THERE BE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THIS?: Rep. Erin Murphy (D-St. Paul) wants to create grants for "family, friends, and neighbors" to gather pre-school children together to read them books. (H.F. 796)
WHAT PART OF "VOLUNTEER" IS UNCLEAR?: Rep. Tom Tillberry (D-Fridley) wants a $2,400 tax break for parents who volunteer at their children’s schools. (H.F. 477)
This my friends is just a very small list of all the crazy bills that the DFL has authored this year that are detracting from the true business which we should be debating here at the capitol. Let’s get back to the basics of government, and not become a nanny-state.
News Items
- Our state is pointed in a better direction - (Posted: 2012-05-17 00:00:00)
- DNR's implementation of new wolf season falls short - (Posted: 2012-06-13 00:00:00)
- Gov. vetoes good bills - (Posted: 2012-05-09 00:00:00)
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