Minnesota DFL News

Marty Seifert: Politics Before Principles

To appease his governor, Republican gubernatorial candidate reverses vote

St. Paul, Minn. (March 1, 2010) — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted on an override of the Governor’s veto of the General Assistance Medical Care bill. Republican gubernatorial candidate Representative Marty Seifert, who voted for the bill last week, today voted against the override. The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“The week before last, Representative Marty Seifert took a stand on principle, and voted to restore General Assistance Medical Care funding to thousands of Minnesota’s poorest and sickest citizens. But his principles have evidently flip-flopped in the past two weeks, since today he helped uphold a veto of the very same bill that he just helped pass.

“This hasty reversal, based purely on politics, raises some serious red flags — not only about Rep. Seifert’s principles, but about what would happen under a Seifert administration. After selling out the poorest and sickest Minnesotans in favor of Governor Pawlenty’s political rhetoric, what will Seifert flip-flop on in the future? Republicans deserve to know what they are getting in their candidate: a politician whose principles change from week to week, suiting whatever is politically expedient for him at the moment. And Minnesotans deserve a governor who will lead with courage and consistency when it comes to difficult issues, instead of playing partisan games with people’s well-being. Minnesota deserves better than Marty Seifert.”

A Test of Character for Marty Seifert

Vote on GAMC veto override will test GOP gubernatorial hopeful’s political courage and integrity

ST. PAUL (February 19, 2010) — Governor Pawlenty’s veto last night of the general-assistance medical care legislation, which would restore health care to 35,000 Minnesotans whose coverage the Governor eliminated last year, sets the stage for an override vote in the Minnesota House of Representatives. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

“We already know where Seifert’s leading opponent for the Republican nomination, Representative Tom Emmer, stands on general-assistance medical care: he was one of only nine representatives who voted against restoring coverage. Unsurprisingly, he will vote to uphold the governor’s veto, and push 35,000 needy Minnesotans out of the safety net. There is nothing commendable about Representative Emmer’s vote, but at least he’s consistent.

“The question now is Seifert, who joined 93 percent of the Minnesota House of Representatives in voting for the bill. But leading House Republicans, including minority leader Representative Kurt Zellers, have already begun announcing that they will switch their votes and uphold a veto of a bill that they helped pass. They were for it, but only until they were against it.

“But the governor’s terse one-page veto message from Washington, D.C., on Thursday night contained no new information that the Republican legislators didn’t have on Thursday afternoon when they passed the bill. Nothing has changed except the politics. If the bill was a good idea on Thursday afternoon, then it’s still a good idea on Friday — unless you care more about your partisan governor saving face than about saving your fellow citizens’ lives.

“Will Representative Seifert join other Republicans and switch his vote? If he does, then he needs to answer some hard questions:

• What does he know now that he didn’t know on Thursday afternoon?
• Why should another politician’s opinion change Seifert’s mind, even if the other politician is the governor?
• If Seifert is willing as a representative to be a puppet for one politician in Washington, D.C. (where Governor Pawlenty was when he vetoed the bill), who would be pulling his strings if he gets elected governor — Michele Bachmann? Rush Limbaugh? Tea Party activists?
• And finally: If we can’t trust Representative Seifert to act with courage and integrity toward 35,000 Minnesotans, then how can we expect a Governor Seifert to act with courage and integrity when all 5 million of us are under his leadership?”

Pawlenty Picks Politics over People, Ready to Phone in Veto from D.C.

Governor Pawlenty will pull himself away from his right-wing pandering to veto overwhelmingly bipartisan GAMC bill

St. Paul, Minn. (February 18, 2010) — In a move less shocking than it is appalling, Governor Pawlenty announced today that he would veto the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) bill from Washington this weekend — killing a bipartisan bill that would provide health care for 35,000 of Minnesota’s poorest and sickest citizens. The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“First, it was bad enough: Governor Pawlenty kicked more than 34,000 Minnesotans off the state health-care program. Then it got worse: the Governor proposed a budget that left Minnesota’s poorest and sickest citizens without health care indefinitely. Today was the worst of all: the Governor announced that he would veto bipartisan legislation to restore this program that so many Minnesotans depend on. And to add insult to injury, the Governor made his announcement from Washington, D.C., where he is schmoozing right-wing ideologues and big-business buddies in his quest for the presidency.

“Vice President Humphrey said that ‘the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life — the sick, the needy and the handicapped.’ Today, Governor Tim Pawlenty faced a moral test and, when he turned his back on the poorest and sickest citizens in the state that he was elected to govern, he failed.

“But he wasn’t alone.  Today, Tom Emmer failed that moral test too — as one of only nine Representatives who voted with Pawlenty and against Minnesotans. An Emmer administration would clearly continue Pawlenty’s two terms of misguided policies and be just as devastating for the people of Minnesota.”

Hypocrisy Alert: Representative Kline on the Red Bulls

John Kline touts his success on behalf of the Red Bulls after voting against funding their paychecks

St. Paul, Minn. (February 18, 2010) — In an opinion piece in the Pioneer Press this week, Representative John Kline touted his efforts to secure long-overdue checks for the Red Bulls returning home from Iraq, and said “I consider it a personal priority to ensure the federal government keeps its promises to our veterans. I will continue to pursue a resolution to this unjust treatment of our Red Bulls and will not rest until the paychecks are in our soldiers' hands.”

But his record tells a different story. In October, Representative Kline voted against the bill to fund paychecks for the Red Bulls’ hard work. Why? Because the legislation included hate-crime-prevention provisions.

“Representative Kline can say that his priority is to support veterans, but his record shows that he’s more worried about the politics of supporting conservative leaders in Washington than standing with the Red Bulls from Minnesota,” said DFL Chair Brian Melendez. “It’s blatant hypocrisy that Representative Kline would try to take credit for the funding now, after supporting an ideology of discrimination over our soldiers when it really mattered.”

John Kline voted against the final passage of the Defense Authorization bill, HR 2647, which authorized the Department of Defense to pay the PDMRA benefits to soldiers serving extended periods in combat zones. The bill would have included the Minnesota Red Bulls, serving a lengthened deployment of 22 months.

One Year Later: The Recovery Act Works for Minnesota

During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the Recovery Act has created and saved jobs in Minnesota and across the country

St. Paul, Minn. (February 17, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez on the one-year anniversary of the signing of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act :

“In the past year, the Recovery Act has funded more than 2 million jobs, led to the largest economic gain in the past six years, and saved countless jobs from being lost in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and police forces not only in Minnesota, but across the country. Our work is not yet done, but it’s clear that the Recovery Act is working.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and our DFLers in Congress, the Recovery Act has created jobs and funded projects that help Minnesotans now and for years to come. With new infrastructure projects breaking ground each day, there will be even greater impact in the future. The Recovery Act has brought us back from the brink during the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression and, come November, Minnesotans will remember the Republican representatives’ political posturing and opposition to this necessary and successful legislation.”

Pawlenty Budget Demonstrates More of the Failed Cut-Cut-Cut Mentality

Governor makes it clear that he has no intention of learning from his past mistakes

St. Paul, Minn. (February 16, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez in response to Governor Pawlenty’s budget:

“We already knew where Governor Pawlenty’s loyalties lie — we’ve seen it time and time again as he travels the country fundraising from his big-business buddies, leaving Minnesotans in a lurch. But yesterday’s budget made it abundantly clear that the Governor has learned nothing from his past mistakes.

“The Governor’s budget demonstrates more of the same failed cut-cut-cut mentality that saddled Minnesota with a historic budget deficit. But worse, the Governor keeps pushing the problems of his slogan-driven policies off onto small businesses, local governments, and the next generation as he funds big-business tax cuts costing $428 million.

“During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that we support education to build a strong workforce for the future. But the Governor’s budget has no plan to pay back the $1.8 billion he unilaterally cut from schools last session. And we must make difficult, strategic decisions on spending and revenue to provide necessary services to Minnesotans. But the Governor’s budget cuts $118 million in funding for local governments across the state that could pay for fire and police protection.

“Minnesota needs a leader in the Governor’s office, someone who will make decisions that are in line with the best fiscal and policy interests of the state, while still respecting and protecting the values that make Minnesota great. Governor Pawlenty has once again failed that leadership test. We need to elect a DFL governor, not a Pawlenty clone, in order to restore sound judgment to the governor’s office.”

Part-Time Pawlenty Is At It Again

Barely a day after delivering his final State of the State address, Governor Pawlenty’s focus is already back on his national ambitions

St. Paul, Minn. (February 12, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez in response to Governor Pawlenty’s op-ed in today’s Washington Post and interview with Esquire:

“On the day after his State of the State address, one would expect a governor to reach out to his constituents, discuss plans for the state and get to work on important state issues — especially when the state is facing a historic budget deficit. But not Minnesota’s part-time governor. Today, Governor Pawlenty was again focused on his national ambitions, with an opinion piece in The Washington Post and an interview with Esquire magazine about national politics. Governor Pawlenty should spend his time trying to explain the problems that he created here in Minnesota, and then spend a little time trying to fix them, instead of grandstanding for the national media as if Minnesota just doesn’t matter.”

DFL Response to Governor Pawlenty’s Final State of the State Address

Pawlenty leaves Minnesota worse off after two terms of misguided policies and partisan slogans

St. Paul, Minn. (February 11, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez in response to Governor Pawlenty’s State of the State address at the Capitol today:

“Governor Pawlenty’s final State of the State address today was just the latest stop in his public-speaking tour across the country, designed to help him pander to big-business CEOs and further his personal ambitions. But as usual, his record tells a different story than his rhetoric, and today’s speech was no exception.

“Pawlenty’s rhetoric is riddled with political slogans designed to make him the Tea Party’s darling and promote his personal ambitions. But his record reveals his efforts to balance the budget on the backs of seniors and children, cutting GAMC funding and K-12 education. He likes to talk about federal spending and the need to balance budgets, but his own budgets have produced a deficit in every year but two since he took office. His proposed constitutional amendment would deal an even harder blow to working Minnesotan families. And ironically, his speech comes just as the state’s credit rating may get downgraded.

“Over the past seven years, many things have changed in Minnesota because of Governor Pawlenty’s misguided policies and partisan slogans: Property taxes have risen by $3 billion and state fees have doubled, now totaling $1.25 billion. State and local tax rates have increased for 90% of Minnesotans, while tax rates for the very wealthy have decreased. The unemployment rate has increased and, for the first time in over three decades, job growth in Minnesota fell behind the national average for two consecutive years.

“After two terms under Governor Pawlenty, Minnesota families are ready and in need of a change — the change that a DFL governor will deliver this November.”

Bachmann Proposes Eliminating Debt on the Backs of Seniors

Representative Bachmann would like to “wean everybody” off of Medicare and Social Security

St. Paul, Minn. (February 10, 2010) — At the Constitutional Coalition’s annual conference this weekend, Representative Michele Bachmann advocated the privatization of Social Security and Medicare, saying that we must wean people off of the federal programs. The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“Minnesota’s most ineffective representative, Michele Bachmann, is at it again — grandstanding for the right-wing Tea Partiers and big-business CEOs instead of working for her own constituents in Minnesota. Representative Bachmann would like to kick senior citizens off of programs that they depend upon — ironically, the same programs for which Representative Bachmann has obstructed reform. On election day, the senior citizens in Michele Bachmann’s district will remember that she thinks clearing our ‘bank sheet’ is more important than helping them afford the prescription medicine that keeps them healthy.”

Bachmann would like to “wean everybody” off of Social Security in order to deal with the national debt. “So, what you have to do, is keep faith with the people that are already in the system, that don’t have any other options, we have to keep faith with them. But basically what we have to do is wean everybody else off. And wean everybody off because we have to take those unfunded net liabilities off our bank sheet, we can’t do it. So we just have to be straight with people. So basically, whoever our nominee is, is going to have to have a Glenn Beck chalkboard and explain to everybody this is the way it is.” [Think Progress, 02/08/10]

Pawlenty Skips the State as Legislative Session Gets Underway

While the Minnesota legislature gets down to business, Pawlenty is fundraising in Alabama

St. Paul, Minn. (February 5, 2010) — As Governor Pawlenty heads to Alabama to speak at the Red, White & Blue Dinner for the Alabama Republican Party, the DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“On just the second day of Minnesota’s legislative session, part-time Governor Tim Pawlenty is heading out of state and back to the campaign trail — this time fundraising in Alabama, while he again ignores Minnesota. With a historic financial crisis facing the state, and with Minnesota families facing their own economic difficulties in these trying times, the Governor’s primary concern is still his own national ambitions. That fact is disturbing. But unfortunately it’s not surprising.”

Precinct Caucuses Demonstrate Enthusiasm of DFLers around Minnesota

Strong turnout, party unity show throughout the state

St. Paul, Minn. (February 2, 2010) — Following tonight’s precinct caucuses, the DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“First, let me thank the more than four thousand volunteer DFL leaders who organized tonight’s caucuses and whose hard work resulted in a smooth and successful caucus night. These neighborhood meetings are run entirely by DFL volunteers, and this important exercise in grassroots democracy wouldn’t happen without them.

“Tonight’s turnout reflects the enthusiasm of DFLers and the strength of our candidates. The precinct caucuses are the first official step in our endorsement process. Now we look forward to the county unit and state conventions, where we will endorse our candidates for legislative, congressional, and constitutional office, all the way up to Minnesota’s next governor. And I know that the more than 21,000 DFLers who attended the DFL tonight can’t wait to get real leadership back into the Governor’s mansion.”

Pawlenty’s Ponzi Scheme

St. Paul (February 1, 2010) —The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez in response to Governor Pawlenty’s op-ed in Politico:

“Governor Pawlenty’s latest article is just the latest example of his pandering to his party’s right wing in an embarrassing effort to cash in on public concerns over the economy, and cozy up to the Tea Party movement. While the fear-mongering from the ultra-right is nothing new, associating the federal government with a Ponzi scheme takes it to a whole new level. Governor Pawlenty offers advice about federal budgeting, calls for amendments to the United States Constitution, and concludes by writing: ‘Ponzi schemes succeed because people want to believe in a free lunch as long as the easy money is rolling in. But a day of reckoning always arrives, and ours is right around the corner. The sooner we open our eyes, the sooner we can clean up this mess.’

“Tim Pawlenty giving advice about budgeting is like Bernie Madoff giving advice about investments. For seven years as governor, Tim Pawlenty has cooked Minnesota’s books so that he can pretend he has kept his no-new-taxes pledge. He has fraudulently called some taxes ‘fees.’ He has pushed many costs of state government down onto local governments. He has used accounting gimmicks to push current expenses into future budget cycles. And he has bankrupted Minnesota, which now faces the worst deficit in its 151-year history, and which must borrow in order to make payroll.

“But Governor Pawlenty isn’t all wrong: a day of reckoning always does arrive, and his is right around the corner. With precinct caucuses tomorrow, Minnesotans will be one step closer to putting a DFL governor back in the statehouse, and cleaning up the mess that Tim Pawlenty has left for Minnesota.”

Bachmann, Burgess and Quist Carry Water for Rochester Tea Party

Rochester, Minn. (February 1, 2010) — Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Michael Burgess (R-Tex.) joined the local Tea Party organization in Rochester today to call for additional roadblocks to reform of the broken health-care system. The health-care town hall was hosted by GOP candidate Allen Quist. The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“Representative Burgess represents one of the highest-cost, lowest-quality health care states in the nation, yet he came to Rochester, Minnesota — home of the Mayo Clinic — to lecture us on health-care reform? Seriously? Representative Burgess was almost as ridiculous as Minnesota’s most ineffective representative, Michele Bachmann, when she continually ignores the local hospitals warning of severe layoffs if the Medicare reimbursement formula isn’t fixed.

“Representative Bachmann’s district has the highest unemployment in Minnesota — but evidently she would be fine with even more Minnesotans losing their jobs. She and her Texan colleague are dancing the Texas-two-step of delay and inaction on health-care reform, and their strategy will hurt Minnesota’s medical institutions. And Allen Quist is eager to join them.

“We can all see how the status quo has worked for Minnesota families — it hasn’t. But in this time of economic struggle, the status quo is exactly what the Tea-Party Republicans like Bachmann and Quist are fighting for, and the status quo is unacceptable.”

A Big Night for Democrats

DFL candidates shine in gubernatorial debate, President Obama delivers State of the Union address

St. Paul (January 27, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Associate Chair Donna Cassutt on tonight’s debate sponsored by the Minnesota News Council and the League of Women Voters, and the President’s State of the Union address:

“It was a big night for Democrats in Minnesota and around the country.  Here at home, tonight’s debate provided concrete evidence of what we have been saying for months — the DFL Party has fielded an impressive group of candidates who will stand up for Minnesota values and step up to address the challenges Minnesota families are facing every day. Our gubernatorial candidates’ qualifications, vision and leadership shone through — especially when compared to the lackluster performance of the Republicans, espousing more of the same failed policies of Governor Pawlenty.

“And in our nation’s Capitol, the President spoke directly to the American people about maintaining our ideals and continuing our commitment to restoring security for middle class families after a decade of declining wages, eroding retirement security and escalating health care and tuition costs.

“With the leadership of the President in Washington and one of our DFL candidates in the Minnesota Governor’s mansion, we can feel optimistic about the future as we work to create jobs, grow the economy, and increase corporate and government accountability across the board.”

DFL Statement on SD26 Special Election Results

St. Paul (January 26, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez on the Senate District 26 special election results:

“First, let me congratulate Senator-elect Mike Parry on tonight’s victory. I also want to thank all of the volunteers who worked in the dead of winter on behalf of our DFL candidate.

“In a district with so many Republican voters, Jason Engbrecht certainly had the deck stacked against him. Steele County hasn’t elected a Democratic representative practically in the history of partisan elections, so it was an uphill climb from the start. But with hard work, good ideas and by talking directly to the voters in Senate District 26, Jason Engbrecht ran a campaign to be proud of and has a bright future in politics.

“Next week voters will turn out once again — this time around the state — for their local precinct caucuses. With lobbyist Dick Day’s seat officially in the hands of his chosen successor, we are refocusing our efforts on putting a DFL Governor back in the statehouse. We have an impressive and diverse field of candidates running for office around the state, all campaigning to address the real problems that Minnesota families are facing, and that is the kind of leadership Minnesotans will look for when they go to the polls once again in November.”

Reality Check for Representative Bachmann: Health Reform Will Benefit Minnesotans

Minnesota’s most ineffective representative has neither ideas nor the facts on health-insurance reform

St. Paul (January 25, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez on Representative Bachmann’s latest health-reform publicity stunt:

“Representative Bachmann held a media event today where she basically claimed that we don’t need health reform, and called for more talk and less action. Well, we’ve been talking for six months now — and nobody can accuse of Michele Bachmann of not grabbing her share of the spotlight. But how can she ignore the 444,000 Minnesotans without health insurance? or the 80,000 Minnesota children without access to health care? It’s time for action. Her plan is a do-nothing plan that ignores the facts and embraces the failed status quo.”

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:

Minnesotans need reform, not more obstructionism from Republican Representatives like Michele Bachmann

•    Republicans are saying no to health care reform at a time when fewer and fewer Minnesotans have coverage. Right now, there are approximately 444,000 uninsured Minnesotans - 80,000 of those are children. [Census Bureau, accessed 1/25/10]

•    In 2000, about one out of every 18 Minnesotans had no health insurance (5.6%).  Now, it is closer to 1 out of every 10 (8.8%) [really one out of every 11, but one out of ten sounds so much better]. [Census Bureau, accessed 1/25/10]

Does Bachmann Share Pat Robertson’s Views on Haiti?

Representative Michele Bachmann was featured on the 700 Club one day after Robertson’s divisive comments

St. Paul (January 14, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez after Representative Bachmann’s appearance on Pat Robertson’s 700 Club today:

“Pat Robertson’s comments are inappropriate and embarrassing, especially when so many Americans are uniting in spirit and service to help the people of Haiti. Minnesotans deserve to know whether Michele Bachman agrees with Mr. Robertson’s hurtful statements, given that she is such a frequent guest on his show. I call on Representative Bachmann to denounce Robertson’s divisive comments at the earliest opportunity.”

Pawlenty Flies South for the Winter

With no events on his public schedule, Governor heads to Texas to fundraise and campaign

St. Paul (January 13, 2010) — The DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez on Governor Pawlenty’s travel schedule:

“There he goes again. The state is facing a historic budget deficit, the Legislature convenes in three weeks, but Governor Pawlenty has nothing on his official schedule today. Instead, he’s racking up more frequent–flier miles, this time headed to Texas to fundraise for his presidential campaign. What will it take to get the Governor to stay home and help clean up his own mess, instead of traveling the country bashing those who disagree with him — Democrats and moderate Republicans alike? Evidently the plight of his constituents isn’t enough motivation.”

DFL and Veterans to Quist: Then What Did You Really Mean?

St. Paul (January 12, 2010) — Republican candidate Allen Quist defended his statements attacking Representative Tim Walz and equating America’s leaders with radical terrorists, drawing rebukes from DFL Chair Brian Melendez and veterans in Minnesota.

“Instead of spewing partisan rhetoric, Allen Quist should be thanking Representative Walz for passing the some of the most significant legislation for veterans in history,” said Chair Melendez. “Mr. Quist is backtracking and saying that his comments were taken out of context. Well, then what did he mean when he called Representative Walz and our country’s leaders a bigger threat than terrorists?”

Quist has said that in the video of his speech, which has drawn national attention and outrage over the past week, he was discussing Democrats’ efforts to health-insurance reform.

“I can’t imagine a context in which Allen Quist’s comments about Representative Walz would be appropriate, acceptable or in any way defendable — the video doesn’t lie,” said DFL Veterans Caucus Chair Trista Matascastillo. “Representative Walz has steadfastly served our country; he rose to the highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major over his 24-years of service in the National Guard and now is a leader in Congress.  Allen Quist needs to apologize for his inexcusable comments rather than trying to explain away his views.”

DFL Statement on Pat Anderson's Decision to Run for Auditor

St. Paul (January 12, 2010) — The DFL Party today released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez on Pat Anderson's decision to drop out of the governor's race and run for State Auditor instead:

"Minnesotans want a State Auditor who has the intelligence and integrity to execute her duties, spur innovation and increase transparency. But most importantly, Minnesota needs an Auditor who wants to be there, not an ambitious politician who is treating the race like a consolation prize after a failed bid for governor.

"As Auditor, Pat Anderson was an incompetent grandstander who drove up property taxes. She ran the constitutional office like a partisan hack while making hundreds of millions of dollars in errors.  “State Auditor Rebecca Otto uncovered and corrected Pat Anderson’s hundreds of millions of dollars in errors and has been a true watchdog for Minnesota state government. Minnesotans will again choose her over Pat Anderson. During these difficult economic times, strong, transparent and innovate leadership in the State Auditor’s office is more important than ever. Pat Anderson has proven once before that she isn’t up to the job.”