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* For their goal of increasing by 10,000 the number of low-income Minnesotans who receive a postsecondary degree, they recommend higher education scholarships, college for welfare recipients, technical education, access to on-line degrees and increasing capacity of higher education system in Minnesota.
* To increase skills of low wageworkers, they recommend "Pay-for performance" for nonprofits that deliver these services, increase in funding for the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, and part time work for those on unemployment who are in education or training programs.
* To assure youth are prepared for postsecondary education, develop tiered child care program to encourage use of accredited child care providers, and in K-12 education, fund reform that recruits, rewards and retains high-quality educators, and increase the number of students pursuing science and math careers.
"This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us." - Hubert H. Humphrey
"When people generally are aware of a problem, it can be said to have entered the public consciousness. When people get on their hind legs and holler, the problem has not only entered the public consciousness - it has also become a part of the public conscience. At that point, things in our democracy begin to hum." - Hubert H. Humphrey
Consequences: The Impact of Minnesota's Government Budget Cuts
In the 2003 Legislative Session, Minnesota faced a serious budget deficit. The $4.5 billion solution that policymakers passed for the 2004-05 biennium relied heavily on service cuts ($2.1 billion) and shifts and transfers, most notably from the Tobacco Endowment ($1.7 billion).
Although the agreement was made to address the deficit without raising state taxes, the state did raise $738 million in general fund revenues through a patchwork of fee increases, higher co-payments, and redirecting dedicated funding sources and fund balances. The $738 million does not include the increased cost of tuition at the University of Minnesota or in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, nor increases in property taxes that may arise from the increased pressure on local governments caused by significant aid cuts.
Although the final impact of the 2003 budget choices is not yet known, initial information from state agencies, research organizations, community organizations, and the press demonstrate that the deficit solution has already had a serious, negative impact on the lives of Minnesotans. Some of the consequences of service cuts for the lives of Minnesotans are compiled below.
There is more to come on this story. Some of the cuts increase in the second year of the biennium, and many of those responsible for implementing the cuts -- in local governments and community agencies across the state -- have been able to postpone the brunt of the impact through use of reserves or other one-time measures. Many expect the impact to be worse in 2004 and 2005 than what has been seen so far.
Families and Children
Minnesota's families face a range of budget impacts that make it more difficult to make ends meet and to provide high quality care for their children.
* 13,554 Minnesotans -- including parents, children, pregnant women, and adults without children -- are expected to lose their health coverage from one of the Minnesota health care programs (General Assistance Medical Care, Medical Assistance, and MinnesotaCare) in FY 2004. This number grows to 26,646 in FY 2005. Those who continue to have health care coverage face new co-payments for most office visits, eyeglasses, and prescriptions. Families and individuals on MinnesotaCare with incomes above the poverty line face higher premiums.
* 1,200 Minnesota families lost their child care assistance as a result of a 50% cut in funding for the Basic Sliding Fee program. Those who continue to receive assistance face co-payments that are an average of 57% higher for families of three or four -- an additional $936 a year for a family of four earning $32,200. Nearly 8,000 families in 46 counties are on the waiting list for childcare assistance - nearly double the number on waiting lists a year ago -- and some families are told to expect to wait at least two years before receiving help.
* Among the consequences to cuts to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency are that 450 fewer households will receive down payment and closing cost assistance from the Homeownership Assistance Program, and 300 fewer households will receive counseling to avoid foreclosure or training to become homeowners.
* An estimated 56,000 parents seeking help from the state in collecting owed child support face new fees of 1% of the amount collected.
* Minnesotans will pay a range of new or increased fees relating to the judicial system for things such as parking fines, subpoenas, deposit of wills, filing fees, and marriage licenses.
* Parents who learn how to ensure the healthy growth and development of their young children through the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program face higher fees to participate.
* School groups visiting the State Capitol or Minnesota Zoo are now charged entrance fees.
* K-12 students will no longer have access to violence prevention programs in their schools funded by state Violence Prevention Grants, as this funding sources has been eliminated.
* Funding cuts to the WIC program, which provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, and health care referrals, means that clinics are being closed, fewer women and children are being served, and less nutrition education is provided. Some people are now driving over 50 miles to receive their WIC vouchers, and waiting lists are increasing. Some increased demand is being shown among families with members in the Reserves or National Guard.
* A survey of public health departments reports reduced immunization rates in communities that can no longer afford to send immunization reminder notices. Lack of immunizations has repercussions beyond the health aspects -- without up-to-date immunizations, children cannot enroll in Head Start, childcare programs, or school.
Persons with Disabilities
While some have argued that everyone should help solve the budget deficit, the most vulnerable persons in our communities have been asked to pay for a large share of the budget solution.
* Fees have been increased for parents who receive services that enable them to care for their disabled children in their own homes. These fee increases can be several thousand dollars a year. More than 300 families appear to have stopped receiving services due to increased fees.
* More than 6,800 low-income families with disabled family members participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) have lost at least $125 per month -- a total of $1,500 a year -- due to changes in MFIP.
* Persons with diabetes who are covered by state-funded health insurance no longer have coverage for testing strips, which enable them to monitor their blood sugar levels and manage their insulin levels. This is expected to lead to serious, and more costly, complications.
Families and Individuals in Crisis
In a weak economy, many Minnesota families are just a paycheck away from serious hardship. Budget cuts have created holes in the safety net that help families weather a temporary setback.
* Cuts to the Emergency Services Program, which funds 26 emergency shelters and agencies serving the homeless, is expected to lead to hundreds more persons being turned away from shelters due to insufficient space (in addition to the 1,000 a night who already go unserved).
* Budget cuts to programs serving battered women, crime victims, victims of sexual assault, and abused children mean less access to services. Service providers in Greater Minnesota report that victims in some communities will need to travel long distances to get help.
* Legal Aid provides low-income people, the elderly, disabled persons, and children with civil legal services they could not otherwise afford. There has been a 32% reduction in the number of attorneys in Legal Aid programs since 2001, due to cuts from state funds and other sources.
Workers and Employers
Funding cuts and policy changes that make it more difficult to access education and training call into question whether Minnesota will retain the high quality workforce has been one of the keys to the state's economic success. In addition, many high quality jobs in both the nonprofit and government sector have been lost as a result of budget cuts.
* Fewer people will have access to high school diploma completion or workplace skills classes due to cuts in the Adult Basic Education program, while those who can participate face higher fees.
* Workers seeking to enhance their skills will face cuts in financial aid and higher tuition and fees. For example, students in the MnSCU system face an average increase of 12.2%, or $372, in their tuition of fees in FY 2004.
* Low-income workers wanting to enter the health care field no longer will be able to do so through the Health Care and Human Services Worker Training Program, which was cancelled despite a worker shortage in health professions.
* Parents participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program will no longer have access to education and training unless they are already working 20 hours a week.
* In a survey of nonprofit organizations that had been impacted by government funding changes, 72% of respondents had made staffing changes (layoffs, leaving positions unfilled, and cutting back hours) in 2003. 60% of respondents cited state budget cuts as a contributing factor in staffing changes, and 31% said local budget cuts played a role. Unemployment Insurance claims filed by nonprofit workers were up 3.5% in January 2004 compared to one year ago, and up 7.8% from two years ago.
* In a survey of cities, 26% of those responding had reduced the size of their workforce.
* Businesses face a range of increased fees, including for fire marshal hotel/motel inspections, boiler licenses, and food handler inspection fees.
Students
Education and training is an important element in creating our future workforce. But budget cutbacks could close off opportunities to students as the price of admission climbs higher.
* High school students striving for academic excellence through Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate face higher fees for participation in these programs.
* Students in the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems face double-digit tuition increases in each of the next two years.
* All 58,760 Minnesota students eligible for financial aid from the Minnesota State Grant program will have their grants reduced, some facing reductions of several thousand dollars. Around 9,000 students will lose all financial aid in FY 2004.
At-Risk Youth and Children
Government funding to community organizations helps make it possible to assist children who have been victimized or are at risk of abuse, or to intervene with kids who have made mistakes and help them get things straight while they are still young. Many of the critical prevention and intervention programs for this vulnerable population were impacted by budget cuts.
* Young people who are struggling with academic success and/or have been involved with the criminal justice system will no longer be able to attend community programs funded by After School Enrichment Grants. Several programs receiving this funding have closed, while others have eliminated meals and snacks or transportation.
* Funding from the Tobacco Endowment for programs to prevent use of tobacco among youth was eliminated. Between 2000 and 2002, these programs stopped 13,800 Minnesota kids from becoming addicted to tobacco.
* Hundreds of children no longer will receive extra school and behavioral assistance due to cutbacks in the Foster Grandparents program.
* In a survey of local public health departments, the majority of respondents noted that budget cuts have meant cuts in family home visiting, including prenatal and new baby visits. Prevention and early intervention services for youth and families have also been reduced or eliminated.
Immigrants and Refugees
In the coming decades, New Minnesotans will become an increasingly critical component of the state's workforce. However, budget cuts impacted programs that prepare these populations for their role in our changing economy.
* Fewer people will be able to access English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship classes due to cuts in Adult Basic Education, while those who can participate face higher fees.
* About 4,000 immigrants have lost their health care coverage through General Assistance Medical Care. Some have life-threatening illnesses such as drug-resistant tuberculosis or cancer, or are in need of transplants.
Minnesota's Communities
State budget cuts, including reductions to local governments, are eroding some of the services and amenities that make Minnesota a great place to live and work.
* State aid to cities and counties were cut by 24% for the 2004-05 biennium. In a survey of cities, 32% of those responding had reduced infrastructure spending in 2003 and 23% had reduced public safety spending. More than half are contemplating additional cuts in these areas in 2004. In a survey of counties, those responding indicated that they would be offering a lower level of service to their citizens, including longer waits and less contact with county staff.
* In a survey, local public health departments expressed concern that they no longer have any kind of cushion to address potential crises, such as blizzards, floods, or an outbreak of disease such as SARS or influenza.
* Libraries across the state have reduced staff and cut back on services, and some branches have closed altogether.
* State funding for the arts was reduced, despite a recent survey that showed that 94% of Minnesotans believe that "the arts and cultural activities make Minnesota an attractive place to live and work," and 67% of Twin Cities residents in another survey said they supported government funding for the arts. In a survey of nonprofits impacted by government budget cuts, 66% of arts organizations responding said they had made staffing changes in the last year, and 50% of the reported staffing reductions were actual lay offs. State funding cuts was the most commonly cited reason for the staffing reductions. Programs and services in the arts are being cut back in all parts of the state.
* Minnesotans will pay higher fees to enjoy Minnesota's environment, with increased costs for licenses and camping fees.
Seniors
Minnesota's seniors have spent their lives contributing to Minnesota's quality of life. As they age, many find they need some additional help in living independently. Unfortunately, these programs were also victims of budget cuts.
* The policy that allows the state to place liens on the property of seniors using the Alternative Care program has caused a 25% reduction in the number of people served by the program, which offers housekeeping, transportation, and other assistance to help seniors to stay in their homes. Of those dropping out of the program, 10% went into nursing homes, which cost more than five times more than the Alternative Care program.
* Fewer vulnerable seniors will benefit from the Senior Companion program, through which active seniors help the frail and elderly stay in their own homes and communities.
Information Sources
This document compiles information from a number of sources, including Affirmative Options Coalition, Association of Minnesota Counties, Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota and Child Care WORKS, House Fiscal Analysis, Housing Minnesota, League of Minnesota Cities, Lutheran Social Service, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, Minnesota Library Association, Minnesota News Connection, Minnesota Public Radio, and Star Tribune.
NEWS RELEASE
House DFLers Ask Senate to Remove Commissioner Yecke From Office
DFL members of the House of Representatives are asking the State Senate to withhold confirmation of Education Commissioner Cheri Pearson Yecke, citing her efforts to reduce local control over education and centralize power in the St. Paul bureaucracy, according to House DFL Leader Matt Entenza and Rep. Mindy Greiling.
"In the past year, Commissioner Yecke has led the Minnesota Department of Education in a manner that is unresponsive to the needs of public school students, their parents and public school teachers and administrators," the DFLers state in a letter delivered to Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson today. "She has attempted to centralize control over our schools in St. Paul, rather than provide for more local control over school operations."
Greiling, Lead DFLer on the House Education Finance Committee, said the letter is a reflection of statewide concern over the way Yecke has run roughshod over Minnesota's tradition of local control and her support for imposing a political agenda that has damaged the state's schools - including the first-ever real-dollar cut in school funding last year.
"This letter expresses a sense of outrage not only among legislators, but among parents and education professionals at Commissioner Yecke's high-handed and ideological management," Greiling said. "She couldn't get elected to a school board herself, but now she is trying to impose an agenda from the top down over the questions and objections of local educators."
The letter cites six reasons for withholding confirmation of Yecke's appointment:
* Her advocacy of "politically charged standards and operation directives" that rob parents, teachers and local school officials of their control over schools.
* Her injection of politics into the new Social Studies standards, which "do not reflect the views of mainstream Minnesota, but rather a narrow, agenda that does not respect the need for local control."
* The fact that Yecke has lost the confidence of teachers, administrators and parents and brought "partisan, political operatives" into power at the Department of Education.
* The fact that Yecke "does not share in the long Minnesota tradition of a strong, equitable, public school system assuring opportunity for individuals and the competitiveness of the state."
* Statements in her recent book about middle school education that are "slanted to achieve a narrow, conservative agenda rather than promoting what is really happening in our public schools."
* Yecke's 'disrespect' of the education community, evidenced by her "accusing well-respected University of Minnesota educators of promoting a 'socialist-leaning agenda' " and attacks on others who disagree with her.
"The decision on appointment of an Education Commissioner should be based on what's best for the schools and the students," Entenza said. "Commissioner Yecke's slow undoing of local control disqualifies her from any leadership position in Minnesota education. Our children are too important to be the subjects of political manipulation."
Book Review: The War Against Excellence: The Rising Tide of Mediocity in America's Middle Schools by Cheri Pierson Yecke
Publication Date: 2004-03-22
By Susan Ohanian
It's scary to think that this book's author is the commissioner of education in Minnesota, formerly holding the top post in Virginia.
Book Review: The War Against Excellence: The Rising Tide of Mediocity in America's Middle Schools. Praeger Publishers. 2004. Foreword by William J. Bennett. $49.95
It's hard to figure who will plunk down $49.95 for this book. The book is badly written and badly thought. William J. Bennett proves you don't need to read a book to write its foreword. To fill the space, Bennett quotes from one of his own books.
Nasty and inarticulate as she is, Yecke is right about one thing. She says that the middle school movement and the standards movement can't coexist. And they can't! I wonder when teachers grasping at straws will face this reality--and then defend middle schoolers.
The commissioner's book is a reflection of her thoughts, ideologies and clear political agenda. At no point in her 267-page book does she even give one example of a successful middle school operating according to the National Middle School Association guidelines. Not a single example. Apparently, according to the commissioner of education, very little good is occurring in middle schools around the nation and in Minnesota.
The role of the commissioner of education is to promote the good that is occurring in Minnesota schools and to start conversations that result in improved schools for students. The commissioner's job is not to use hyperbole, political zealotry and mystification to confuse, bewilder and obfuscate the truth.
It is clear from her book that she plans to dismantle the good that is found in many excellent middle schools throughout the state. Her ideas on middle level education will not serve to advance the quality of education that our students receive. Instead, her ideas will set middle schools back 30 years and throw out volumes of sound educational research.
The people of Minnesota deserve better.
There's never been a more important election, nationally and in the State of Minnesota. The future of our state and nation rests with the efforts we put forth. Our country and state have been taken over by a radical group of Republicans who want to undo all that has made us great. I ran two years ago because I was afraid of what they might do once they got into power. Well, they've done it and more. From union busting to loss of local control, to loss of and increased costs of services to local government and school cuts and tax increases. All this to prop up economic policies that continue to make the rich richer and drive down the middle class and close the door on the poor. Policies that started in the eighties and they wish to continue.
We must be united and have a common goal if we are going to win. Hubert Humphrey challenged Minnesotans to 'dream boldly.' And from the 1950s on, he inspired us to do that. Had we not invested in the future, invested in people, we would not be the strong economic center we are for our region. Now, they are dismantling that.
Speaker Sviggum last week gathered his leadership team around him and announced they had completed their supplemental budget. It includes further cuts and fee increases and what little government is left they want to pay for with gambling. It sounded to me like he was saying to Minnesotans 'Close your eyes and hope.' It is a continuation of government for the few, as they want to continue to protect those at the top of the income scale from taxes, wanting to carry out the plans of David Strom and the Tax Payers League. He says he liked to take us back to the fifties before taxes went up and government grew. But he must not have been there, he must not know what it was like. He would have us fall behind most other states. He would rather have government serve the interests of a few. I agree with Lincoln that government should be of the people and for the people not just for a few.
I was talking to a Republican friend the other day, coming out of a school district meeting, and he asked me about my plans to run again. He said, "An incumbent will be hard to beat." But then added, "You know I got a letter the other day from our legislator, and he was talking about all the things he was going to do. But I don't want to hear what he hopes to do, I want him to tell me what he's done after he's done it. I want him to do something about school funding." I told him how the House leadership likes to use the analogy of the family budget and say, 'when you sit around the kitchen table and look at all the bills sometimes you have to cut back on spending.' But when you cut back on income when times were good, say, took a part time job when you had been working full time, sometimes you have to go back to work and bring in more revenue. That's what we have done we cut taxes several times in the 90s and haven't raised the revenue now that things have slowed. Both DFL House and Senate plans raised revenue.
He said, "You know you're right, I'd have raised taxes in a heartbeat." He said that because he knows what this group of radicals is doing to his party, as well as to the state.
Recently, I attended a forum presented by a group called Growth and Justice who have put forth a study called, WorkforceFirst. A plan for a strong Minnesota Economy and a living wage for every family. Their goal is to have all families be able to live on the income they generate. A bold goal, but one worth striving for, a goal that puts people first. They conclude that the key to success of this goal is a strong educational system. By that they mean support for early childhood programs, support for childcare for workers and for workers getting education to return to the workforce. It includes k12 education and higher education,. not only so that students have access to affordable higher education to become the high wage workers we need, but so that institutions can continue their role in being a driver for innovation and development in our economic system.
We need to dream boldly and believe again in what we can be. We need to re-imagine the future not turn back to a past that never was. We must re-invest in what we can BE.
I think the worst thing this nation could do for humanity would be to leave any uncertainty as to our will, our purpose and our capacity to carry out our purpose.
David Morris: Folly of running government as a business
David Morris
Published 03/03/2004
Conservatives believe government should be run like a private business. They're wrong. Now Minnesota is paying a stiff price for their mistake.
By law, a private corporation must strive to maximize the economic return to a handful of owners. One might argue that a public corporation should pursue a similar objective. But in that case the owners are the entire community the government serves. To maximize the benefit to the whole community requires a different kind of decision-making calculus than that used in the private sector.
A Cure for the Common Good:
Pawlenty continues his slash-and-burn crusade to cut health care
by Britt Robson
About the only good thing that can be said about Governor Tim Pawlenty's latest round of proposed budget cuts is that this time he has spared us the specious rhetoric about everyone sharing in the sacrifice. Instead, just a few months after a blue ribbon commission Pawlenty himself convened released a survey indicating that the vast majority of Minnesotans would favor a tax increase to ensure universal access to health care coverage for state residents, the governor's proposed cuts will deny crucial and timely treatment for thousands of needy citizens.
Specifically, Pawlenty proposes raiding the entire $70 million surplus that currently exists in the state's Health Care Access Fund. This money, amassed in part from the membership fees and co-payments exacted from the working poor enrolled in the state's MinnesotaCare health insurance plan would be used to help balance the general fund budget. It would also assist in paying for a Gang Strike Force and additional prison beds, items that Pawlenty claims are vital to the safety of the general public.
Pawlenty's proposed raid again puts him on a collision course with Minneapolis DFLer Linda Berglin, who chairs the Senate's Health, Human Services, and Corrections Budget Committee. Berglin is proposing that the bulk of the health fund surplus go toward maintaining health insurance coverage for approximately 8,000 residents who would otherwise be thrown out of MnCare during the course of the year. This includes an estimated 3,000 single adults, most of them with chronic conditions such as mental illness, diabetes, and hypertension, who exceed the $5,000 cap on coverage that was imposed as a result of Pawlenty's budget cuts last year. Another 5,000 people Berglin hopes to keep insuring are the working poor whose modest pay increases--often as little as five or ten cents per hour--price them out of MnCare eligibility.
The governor's proposed budget, which seeks to wipe out a $160 million deficit, anticipates criticism of his health fund raid: He proposes greater coverage of mental health and diabetic services, and expanding MnCare eligibility for those making over 75 percent of the federal poverty limit. But the relative pittance he provides to fund these initiatives--$7 million over the next three years--amounts to a fraction of the funds he is raiding and ensures that these people will inevitably be thrown off the health insurance rolls.
Through this cynical maneuver, Pawlenty is trying to deflect responsibility for further damaging the state's health care safety net. Minnesotans battling mental illness, diabetes, and hypertension will eventually end up costing the health care system more if their conditions go untreated. Inevitably, their health will deteriorate to the point where they will require emergency care at a safety-net hospital.
Since 1976 I have been in alternative education, working in a small program helping students see the choices that they have. Watching them change the direction they are going in life. Watching as they turn failures into successes and begin to dream of a better life and reach out for it. I have seen the pride of staff in the accomplishments of their students. I remember watching students who had never won anything before in their lives receive awards and certificates with tears in their eyes and wiping a way my own tears as I watched. I looked forward to the Fall and Spring Conferences and the opportunity to see many friends from different programs and meeting new staff participating for the first time. For me my years in teaching have been about relationships. For this and all the wonderful opportunities and memories you have given me.
Feeling disconnected in the tragic aftermath of 9/11, Rik Reppe closed his thriving management consulting business and set out to re-connect with what he lost that day. He threw his clothes, a sleeping bag and a tent into his pick-up truck and left home. He began what would become an eight-week journey across America to see the Pentagon, the World Trade Center and a lonely field outside of Shanksville, PA. On the way he spoke with hundreds of people asking what it means to be an American. This quest is the basis for the play, Staggering toward America. Under Jack Rowe's direction, Reppe's storytelling comes alive with portrayals of everyday people and their selfless behavior and courageous acts as they too struggle to find meaning in post-9/11 America. Staggering Toward America was an audience favorite at the 2003 Fringe Festival.
The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is in jeopardy. A new Bush Administration proposal would effectively gut the program. President Bush signed into law at the end of January 2004, Congress has restored full, uncapped funding to the CSP for fiscal year 2005 and beyond. A year ago, at the urging of the White House, Congress capped the program at just under $4 billion over ten years, but that funding cap has now been removed.
Unfortunately, at the beginning of January 2004, the Administration issued a "proposed rule" to guide implementation of the CSP that assumed the program would be limited to a capped, very low spending level each year. In fact, the proposed rule is so restrictive and proposes such low levels of financial assistance it is doubtful whether many farmers could qualify or if any would bother trying.
The rule should be modified by removing the restrictions limiting enrollment to certain watersheds, certain classes of farmers and ranchers, and to a limited set of resource concerns. The CSP should be a nationwide program available to all types of producers in all regions of the country with all types of conservation objectives, as provided for in the 2002 Farm Bill.
The lynchpin of the [clean-up and funding] plan was a proposal to raise at least $75 million annually for clean water initiatives. Essentially, households fee of $36, while businesses would have to pony up $150. The group settled on this funding scheme after considering and discarding more than 40 other means of paying for the initiative. 'It was not necessarily the best option,' concedes Craig Johnson, intergovernmental relations representative for the League of Minnesota Cities. 'It was just the consensus option.'
'Private businesses, private landowners, and especially local units of government will be paying for all of this, which means your taxes will be going up to do it,' [Craig] Johnson argues. In other states, such as Florida and South Carolina, failure to provide state funding for restoring polluted waterways has resulted in costly lawsuits.
Scratching heads
To the editor:
Faribault taxpayers have to be scratching their heads in wonder at the action of the County Commissioners who represent them.
In supporting highway commercial zoning at Highway 19 and 35W, and now apparently wanting to rezone an area at 35W and County Road 1 to highway commercial, Commissioners Minnick, Olson and Plaisance have put the city of Faribault in direct competition with the townships for what usually is the much-sought-after commercial tax base. Don Olson, in fact, was quoted in the Northfield News saying he sees a highway commercial zone running from County Road 1 to Highway 19. The fact that the supporting infrastructure (utilities, police, fire and emergency) exists and is much closer at hand in the city limits seems to have little or no affect on their thinking.
Faribault's taxpayers would, however, share in the cost of providing these services to the townships. Lost in the mix is the possibility that existing businesses in the city of Faribault may find the area along 35W attractive enough for them to move there, further depleting Faribault's tax base.
Myself and 59 other co-signers of this letter believe that the interests of the residents of Faribault would be better served trying to bring in more tax base, not giving it away.
Chuck Von Ruden
Northfield
Late last year, a filibuster in the U.S. Senate appeared to have killed a controversial and, by everyone's account, grievously pork-laden federal energy bill. But the tactic didn't actually kill the bill. It merely sent the legislation back to committee, where some of the most outrageous provisions could be excised. Some, that is, but not all.
I remember thinking to myself: The worst thing would be to lose your dignity, to vote against your convictions and then lose the election anyway.
Eventually, I was able to kid other senators that I had cast so many unpopular votes that the Republicans wouldn't have enough money, even with their millions of dollars to run all the attack ads I'd given them. The ideal is to always vote your conviction. I try to do this.
One exception, though I'm still not sure, might be the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This legislation -- which said that if one state (in the case at hand -- Hawaii) permitted same-sex marriage, the decision could not be binding on other states -- was basically an effort to prohibit same-sex marriage.
I felt that changing the definition of marriage went too far for me. The implications were too far-reaching. My own life and life-style made me very cautious and conservative in this regard. I had a perfect human rights record and had received awards or leading the fight for gay and lesbian Americans, but I was not prepared to go this far, I thought.
When I was asked about my position on DOMA on a talk-radio show, I stated my view. It was absolutely the worst forum to do so. And while I had told some friends in the community that I could not yet support same-sex marriage, I should never have publicly announced my position without first talking to many others. It was a matter of friendship and sensitivity to a community that had given me great support . I failed miserably on this count.
The gay and lesbian community was stunned what they heard the news. In fact, that day there happened to be a fund-raiser for me sponsored by leaders in the gay and lesbian community in down town Minneapolis. Some people were very angry. Many more were deeply hurt. It was painful to see my friends disappointed in me.
What troubles me is that I may not have cast the right vote on DOMA. I might have rationalized my vote making myself believe that my honest position was opposition. This vote was an obvious trap for a senator like me, who was up for re-election. Did I convince myself that I could gleefully deny Republicans this opportunity? After all the Supreme Court in Hawaii had not made a decision in its pending case, and there certainly was no danger that other states or the federal government were about to pass legislation supporting same-sex marriage . This was all political.
When Sheila and I attended a Minnesota memorial service for Mathew Shepard, I thought to myself, "Have I taken a position that contributed to a climate of hatred?" Of course, I never believed this when I voted for DOMA. But if you deny people who are in a stable, loving relationship the right to marry, do you deny them their humanity? I still wonder if I did the right thing.
After Commissioner Yecke's talk concluded Senator Neuville, Rep. Brod and I gave brief overviews of current Legislative activities, followed by a question and answer period. We talked about local government aid formulas, the taxpayer bill of rights (TABOR), spending caps, and of course, Racino. It was good to discuss these issues with elected leaders in a relaxed setting, and enjoy a steak dinner cooked by the American Legion staff. The excess funds raised at the dinner will be sent to the Le Center D.A.R.E. drug awareness, reduction and education program.
"It is good to be among so many Democrats. I want to thank you all for coming out to begin the process of taking back the white house and the state house. Have you had enough? Have you had enough of Republican policies and Republican lies. For those who don't know me, my name is David Bly. I have been a teacher for almost thirty years in Minnesota. I ran for the state house two years ago, and I am once again running for the state legislature and will be pursuing the endorsement on March 30th.
Although the Minnesota House has a strong majority of Republicans, there is reason to feel optimistic about winning the house back. If 3% of voters had voted for Democrats instead of Republicans two years ago, there would be a Democratic majority in the Minnesota House. Had we not lost Paul and Sheila Wellstone, our standard bearers in the DFL party, to a plane crash in Northern Minnesota, there is a good chance that across the state Democrats would have increased their turn out by 10%, and the state might be very different.
There is no question we would have had the same problems, but Democrats would have dealt with them very differently. Both the House and Senate had proposals that would have avoided the shifts of taxes and increases and fees and saved cities and school districts from making horrible choices and cuts. We would not have closed the door on the poor and shut down the supports for small business and economic development. The Republicans have the advantage of being able to say "we solved the problem" because it is difficult to imagine what could have been had we been given the opportunity to solve the same problems in a more humane way. What we need are real solutions to increasing health insurance costs, real job growth, and education policies that will give us the schools we need, not shut down the schools we have.
Our country, and now our state, have come under the influence of old forces that desire to turn back the clock to what they consider a simpler time. A time before civil rights, when the majority ruled and the majority could look the other way on the rights of individuals. An earlier time when the rights of working people could be overlooked and the only people that mattered were the gilded rich. They judge the economy not by the effects it has on people but by the numbers. . . and the grosser the numbers the better. We are presented with averages that tell us that everyone is doing fine, when we know that the economic policies of those in power support the interests of a small sector of our society that shirks responsibility and tells the rest of us to work harder for less, because better times will come if we just close our eyes, hope and pass all of our debts on to our children and grandchildren.
But there is reason for some optimism because the silent masses are waking. People are beginning to believe again that we can change things -- that we can make a difference.
I came upon a thought from Abraham Maslow when I was finishing my Master's paper. Abraham Maslow is the psychiatrist who defined the hierarchy of needs. Maslow worked with young people, and he became astounded by the number of young people who, rather than forging ahead in life facing the tremendous challenges we face as a people, they demurred and said, "Oh, I could never do that. Oh, I am not strong enough or smart enough to do that." He called this the Jonah syndrome. Jonah the reluctant prophet, swallowed by the whale. Faced with overwhelming odds he gave up. Maslow put the last years of his life into helping others see that embracing the challenges of life is how every great change in human history has come about.
As I look at my life, I know I have not done much. I have not made many changes. I have not touched many people, but I have challenged myself to see myself as that person that can make change, But I can't do it alone. I need you with me, as we knock doors and pass out leaflets and take our votes to the polling places. So say with me. Overcome that voice of Jonah within you and say:
I will be that one. (I will be that one.)
That will make the change. (That will make the change.)
I will make a difference. (I will make a difference)
I will be that change. ( I will be that change.)"
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
A letter to the editor with the headline "Why is David Bly running" in the Saturday edition of the Northfield News contained errors.
The letter incorrectly stated the amount of money spent by David Bly during his 2002 campaign for state representative seat 25B. Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board documents show that Bly reported spending about $27,000 on the campaign. The letter also incorrectly stated Bly did not receive state matching funds. At the spending level he reported, Bly was within the limits permitted for candidates who receive matching funds.
The News regrets these errors.
To the editor:
I noticed that Saturday's Northfield News contained an unusually long letter to the editor by a Nerstrand resident. The writer announced, to my surprise and amazement, that I spent $100,000 on my House campaign in 2002 and took no matching funds. These are false statements. Now of course, the writer is entitled to share his opinion, no matter how odd, on economics or nuclear energy, or even ice chunks being flung a quarter of a mile. I'm a public figure and that's how it goes. However, it is a serious problem that the writer would write such a flagrant untruth about my campaign finances without apparent regard for the facts, which are public information on record with the Campaign Finance Board and available on request. I am also very concerned that the Northfield News would publish a letter with such extreme claims without checking the basis for his claim. The Northfield News must take greater care in publishing inflammatory statements of "fact" that can be easily checked. And while I certainly believe that my opponent, Ray Cox, had nothing to do with this letter, supporters like the writer do not help his campaign for re-election. I have requested a retraction and correction through my attorney, and hope that it will be placed as prominently as the writer's letter.
David Bly
Northfield
Subsidies may harm, not help
Mike Meyers, Star Tribune National Economics Correspondent
Many public subsidies to private enterprise carry more costs than benefits, according to a majority of speakers at a forum Friday at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Grants, low-interest loans, tax-increment financing, tax abatements and other devices in government's economic development tool bag create taxpayer liabilities that rarely are measured, said Peter Fisher, a University of Iowa economist.
Two factors often ignored, he said, are:
- When a subsidized company moves away or goes out of business before it starts paying taxes. Many property tax subsidies keep companies off the tax rolls for 10, 20 or 25 years.
- Subsidies to companies that would have made the same location choices without aid.
Fisher estimated in a recent study that state and local governments lose $8,700 to $33,500 annually for every job they generate through subsidies.
Another problem implicit in subsidies is that companies come to expect them, said Kenneth Thomas, economist at the University of Missouri at St. Louis.
Education Secretary Paige calls teachers union "terrorist organization"
By ROBERT TANNER
AP National Writer
(c) 2004. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Education Secretary Rod Paige called the nation's largest teachers union a "terrorist organization" during a private White House meeting with governors on Monday.
Democratic and Republican governors confirmed Paige's remarks about the 2.7-million-member National Education Association.
"These were the words, 'The NEA is a terrorist organization,'" said Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin.
"He was making a joke, probably not a very good one," said Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania. "Of course he immediately divorced the NEA from ordinary teachers, who he said he supports."
"I don't think the NEA is a terrorist organization," said Rendell, who has butted heads with the group as well. "They're not a terrorist organization any more than the National Business Organization is a terrorist organization.
Neither the Education Department nor NEA had an immediate comment on Paige's comments. Both indicated that statements were forthcoming.
Education has been a top issue for governors, who have sought more flexibility from the administration on President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law, which seeks to improve school performance in part by allowing parents to move their children from poorly performing schools.
Democrats have said Bush has failed to fully fund the law, giving the states greater burdens but not the resources to handle them.
Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, said Paige's remarks startled the governors, who met for nearly two hours with Bush and several Cabinet officials. Bush was not present when Paige made his statement.
"He is, I guess, very concerned about anybody that questions what the president is doing," Holden said.
