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State Representative Debra Kiel
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5091
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
News from Representative Kiel
First, I’d like to thank everyone who attended the town halls I hosted last week. It was great to see everyone, and I enjoy hearing from you.
In the past couple weeks, since the passage of the Voter ID Constitutional Amendment bill, I have received numerous inquiries and would like to clarify a few misleading items that have been mentioned by some folks in recent days.
The Voter ID Amendment would not eliminate same-day registration, also known as election-day registration. What this amendment would eliminate is a decades-old “vouching” system. This system is out-dated and has become the crux of voter fraud in recent years. Currently, one person can vouch for up to 15 un-registered voters without documentation. Furthermore, polling has indicated for quite some time that a majority of Minnesotans want Voter ID.
The second myth that folks are telling is that this law would disenfranchise voters. This is simply not true. The bill provides free ID that only needs to be renewed every four years. If you can fill out a form to register and to vote, you should be able to fill out an ID application. The truth is the state-subsidized ID provided by this bill will help integrate people who may be on the margins into society, enabling them to get employment, open bank accounts and do all the other things people normally do in society. Not one case of documented voter disenfranchisement has been found in a U.S. court.
Another concern that some folks have is the cost of Voter ID. This process is only projected to cost $3.5 million. $2 million will be used for voter education through hotline, targeted mailings, integration with groups like AARP, and television or radio spots. The other $1.5 million will pay for free state ID’s for those who do not already have a valid ID.
I recently visited with the governor regarding my Career and Tech bill. We talked about the importance of having instruction for students in career and technology classes to help students see the benefit in taking science and math classes that are pertinent to a future career. We also expressed our concerns regarding basic skills testing for teachers. We need to teach our children life skills and students need to further their education and that may not always look like attending a four-year post secondary school. Some students may be more adept to seeking a tech school degree or some other kind of schooling. Opening up our students to these possibilities in high school will be of great benefit to them come graduation.
We need to continue having a discussion regarding math classes. In-depth math testing needs to be discussed by all of those involved in the education system. We do not need to get rid of assessments, but rather reassess where our education system is at, and make sure that we are making sure our kids are getting the best.
On Monday the Government Operations and Elections Committee failed to pass the stadium bill on to the next committee. A 9-6 vote halted the process, with only one democrat voting for the bill.
Historically stadium bills receive bi-partisan support. In 2006, when the new Twins stadium was built the DFL put up half the votes and Republicans put up half of the required votes. Republicans and Democrats put up half of their ‘yes’ votes in all but one committee, and the bill made it to the House floor. Once on the floor, the bill was approved after the GOP majority put up 38 ‘yes’ votes, and Democrats offered 33.
It’s disappointing to see that DFL members have become the party of no, no they don’t want to pay back the school shift, no they don’t want to eliminate state wide business property taxes, and now they don’t want to advance the Governor’s number one priority of the session.
It is my hope that something can be worked out before the end of session.
If you have any concerns or legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 651-296-5091 or email me at rep.debra.kiel@house.mn
Sincerely,
Deb
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Kicks Off - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 10:11AM)
- News form Representative Kiel - (Posted: 2012-05-25 00:00:00)
- News from Representative Kiel - (Posted: 2012-05-08 00:00:00)
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