DOES ASHWIN MADIA STILL LIVE IN HIS PARENT’S BASEMENT?
February 1, 2012 8:00 AM
UPDATE:
Madia gave to Sharon Sund last summer and listed his Minneapolis address:
| J Ashwin Madia 333 Washington Ave N Sete 245 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 |
Madia Law | 08/19/2011 | 250.00 |
| Attorney | 250.00 |
—–
Because he claimed he still lives at home with his parents in a 2011 contribution to CD3 DFL candidate Brian Barnes. Dedicated readers located the address discrepancy when 2011 reports surfaced this week. Madia is 33 years old, after all, but has lied about his address on contribution documentation in the past.
| J. Ashwin Madia 13810 58th Ave N Plymouth, Minnesota 55446 |
Madia Law | 12/14/2011 | 400.00 |
| Attorney | 400.00 |
by Andy Post | 20 Comments »
THICK AS THIEVES: LOBBYISTS THROW MORE QUESTIONABLE PARTIES FOR FRANKEN STAFF
January 31, 2012 10:15 PM
Michael Meehan likes to host parties, a lot of parties. Meehan is CEO of Venn Squared, a lobbying and communications group in Washington with some high profile clients. Tonight, Meehan and his firm threw a cocktail celebration for Sen. Al Franken’s new Chief of Staff, Casey Aden-Wansbury. She was elevated to run his office after Drew Littman was hired by Solazyme, a renewable oil and bioproducts company which is also a major client of Venn Squared. Venn Squared is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venn Strategies, a DC lobby firm.
We first told you about Drew Littman’s move to Solazyme a few months ago because this firm is also a recipient of millions in stimulus dollars.
Here’s some more background on Meehan, the host of tonight’s party:
Meehan has had issues with parties before.
Meehan physically assailed a member of the press.
Meehan is an Obama Administration official – you’d think he’d know about ethics rules.
Meehan has fired journalists for reporting news in his position with the BBG.
Roll Call covered the Meehan party today.
MDE obtained this invitation email from Meehan about the party, which explicitly mentions the revolving door of relationships this firm, its lobbying clients, and Franken’s staff have had throughout Washington:
—- Original Message —–
From: Michael Meehan <michael@vennsq.com>
To: Michael Meehan <michael@vennsq.com>
Sent: Tue Jan 24 17:51:22 2012
Subject: Celebrate exponentially with Venn Squared
Friends,
Join us January 31st for a party to celebrate ringing in the New (squared)!
First, our favorite flack Casey Aden-Wansbury makes the big leap to Chief, when she was promoted to Chief of Staff for Senator Al Franken. Casey started as Franken’s first Communications Director. So naturally anytime a press flack hits the big chief job we all need to celebrate.
Casey and I worked together at the DNC at the turn of the century, so as they say, she’s come a long way baby.
Second, Casey succeeds our longtime pal Drew Littman. Drew recently joined Solazyme as the head of their Washington DC office. Drew and I worked for Senator Boxer in a previous century, speaking of a long way baby.
Solazyme <http://www.solazyme.com/> is the leading renewable oil maker based in South San Francisco, who went public last year. They crank out renewable diesel and jet fuel for the Navy/United etc. and, as some of you personally know, make a heart healthy cookie and cool anti-aging cream (once a flack…).
As one of our firm’s anchor clients, we couldn’t be more thrilled to be working on a daily basis with Drew and the Solazyme team. So as we like to say at Venn², we are going to have exponential fun. Hope you come toast with us to some new beginnings. Please see below invite for details.
Best, Michael
by Andy Post | 6 Comments »
RON ERHARDT CONTINUES HIS STREAK AS BENEDICT ARNOLD
January 30, 2012 7:06 AM
Dedicated readers of MDE found former Representative and former Republican Ron Erhardt attending a fundraiser for DFL CD3 candidate Sharon Sund. Sund posted photos of a recent house party on Facebook and Erhardt was spotted.
Erhardt announced he would switch parties to run as a DFL’er in 2010 after moving further and further left with every passing election cycle. Erhardt was one of the famous “override six” Republicans in 2008 that voted to override Governor Pawlenty and raise the state’s gas tax.
by Andy Post | 8 Comments »
TWO YEARS LATER, NORTHSTAR RAIL STILL NOT WORTH IT
January 22, 2012 6:45 PM
Anoka County Watchdog‘s Harold Hamilton and the Freedom Foundation have both recently covered the disappointing numbers for Northstar commuter rail in the northern metro last year and the pattern remains the same. Northstar continues to be defined by low ridership that falls drastically short of original ridership estimates when the line was approved in 2005 and usage that has done very little to reduce commuter traffic in and out of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Coverage of the adjusted estimates and shortfalls has been minimal by Minnesota’s media sources.
The Freedom Foundation reports:
When the highly touted Northstar commuter rail line debuted with 20 percent fewer riders than supporters promised in its first year of service, transit officials promptly lowered expectations for year two. Metro Transit reduced the projected number of passengers from 897,000 in 2010 to 750,000 in 2011, anticipating about 16 percent fewer riders than predicted for the inaugural year. Based on ridership results obtained by the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota for year two of Northstar service ending in November, 2011, it appears Metro Transit officials did not lower expectations enough. When it comes to overall ridership numbers, the $318 million commuter rail line continues to head in the wrong direction.
The number of passengers taking the commuter rail line through November, 2011 declined by some 18,000 customers over Northstar’s first year in business. (The first full month of Northstar service began in December, 2009.) The final tally came in at 696,790 passengers compared to 714,915 the year before, down about 2.5 percent. The shortfall was more dramatic when compared to ridership goals for the year, falling 53,000 riders and seven percent short of projections for 2011.
and Hamilton writes:
And let’s not forget that tens of thousands of riders on Northstar aren’t rush hour commuters who are freeing up highway lane space by taking the train. No, they’re Twins fans taking a heavily subsidized train ride down to Target Field to watch the Twinkies put in another inept performance despite the fact that the Pohlads told the legislature a sweet new taxpayer-subsidized stadium would mean a competitive team on the field.
On top of all that, Northstar ridership is down at a time when bus usage is UP.
So much for the argument that Northstar is a commuter travel option that will open lane space and mean a better commute.
In the car versus train battle, cars are winning big time. The expansion of Highway 10 between Egret and Hanson did more for commuters in the area than Northstar ever will, and at a fraction of the cost.
by Andy Post | 41 Comments »
NATIONAL DEMS ISOLATE WALZ AS ‘VULNERABLE’ IN 2012, BEGIN COORDINATING RESCUE MISSION
January 17, 2012 7:27 AM
The Mankato Free Press is reporting that the DCCC has labeled Rep. Tim Walz (MN-1) as vulnerable in the 2012 elections, and was classified as one of the top 15 most vulnerable incumbent Democrats by national leaders last spring. From the Free Press:
“I think it’s probably fair,” Walz said of the designation. “This is an independent district. I know that I received 50 percent of the vote last time.”
That 2010 contest against Republican Randy Demmer and Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson was the closest of Walz’s three races, but it still wasn’t a squeaker. In a year when Republicans trounced Democrats nationwide and took control of the U.S. House, Walz won 49.3 percent of the vote, Demmer 44.1 and Wilson 5.3.
Running in his first election at any level in 2006, Walz shocked 12-year incumbent Congressman Gil Gutknect, winning by nearly 6 percentage points. That was followed by a blowout victory in 2008 when Walz beat Rochester physician Brian Davis by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
Gearing up
Walz talked mainly about his work in Congress in a recent interview with The Free Press, but he provided a few thoughts about the upcoming campaign — including a hint that his 2011 fundraising totals would be strong when submitted to the Federal Elections Commission later this month.
“We probably had the most support for an off year, without a doubt, that we’ve ever seen,” he said. “Which, I think in a tough economy, is a good sign.”
…
On Wednesday, the Republican Party of Minnesota criticized Walz for holding “jobs and the economy hostage by refusing to support the Keystone XL pipeline.” That topic was also the theme of automated phone calls sponsored by national Republicans to southern Minnesotans last month, although it’s a somewhat confusing line of attack because Walz was one of 10 House Democrats to vote for a Republican proposal that required the Obama administation to approve construction of the oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas.
by Andy Post | 16 Comments »
HEDGING THEIR BETS: TAXPAYERS QUIETLY FORCED TO FUND BILLION DOLLAR NORTHERN RAIL PROJECT
January 13, 2012 9:54 PM
Liberal city and county elected officials from several municipalities across northern Minnesota have been quietly, but steadily, funding the initial engineering fees for what they hope will be a high speed express train connecting Duluth to the Twin Cities. We first told you about this project, an Oberstar legacy, and the backing it has received from Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Northern media outlets are now reporting that thousands more in exploration fees have been authorized by the Duluth City Council in order to maintain their membership in the Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail alliance.
Taxpayers have now forwarded roughly $10 million to explore and plan for this rail line, but it has yet to actually receive federal or state approval to move forward. In fact, organizers are now hoping action may come “as soon as” 2013 from Congress.
Northland News Center reports:
Former-Congressman Jim Oberstar had been a leader getting the train, but current Congressman Chip Cravaack has had different priorities.
Those running against Cravaack this year have kept the train in mind.
“The candidates that I’ve spoken to in the race for the 8th District are supporters of the Northern Lights Express, the railway between Duluth and Minneapolis. The current Congressman, Mr. Cravaack is not. He campaigned against it,” said Ken Buehler, the Depot’s executive director.
The Northern Lights Express now has almost $10-million to put toward engineering expenses.
An Environmental Impact Statement for the rail project should be completed by the end of May on time and on budget.
Buehler says if the Northern Lights Express makes it into the federal transportation bill in 2013, it should become a reality.
by Andy Post | 11 Comments »
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: INVESTIGATION FINDS EXCESSIVE RENOVATIONS AT U OF M PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
January 7, 2012 12:31 PM
The U of M has long required its president to live in the presidential mansion (known as the Eastcliff mansion) as part of his or her contract with the University. President Kaler transitioned into his role this past summer, bringing more media attention to his luxurious living at a time when tuition continues to climb and the state’s university system is more and more out of reach.
Fox 9′s Trish Van Pilsum brought an investigative team together to check into the finances of the U’s presidential palace and found its market value to be less than $3 million, while nearly $5 million in renovations have been put into the property in the last two decades. These include huge projects such as reviving the president’s private pool and bathhouse, painting and re-painting his private quarters (because of a color mishap) and even installing a second large kitchen in the residence.
Watch the whole story here:
by Andy Post | 146 Comments »
COLEMAN CALLS OUT OBAMA ON IGNORING CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
January 4, 2012 7:53 PM
President Obama’s non-recess recess appointment today of Richard Cordray as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau set off a firestorm of protests in Washington and around the country.
For those of you keeping score at home, the President not only appointed a man to an position unaccountable to Congress, but he did so through an unprecedented non-recess recess appointment. The Senate is in session currently, but to avoid the transparent confirmation hearing, the President once again stepped on the Constitution.
Former Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, now Chairman of the American Action Network, wrote the following blog, echoing the chorus of outrage emanating from red-blooded Americans across the country today:
“President Obama’s decision to appoint Richard Cordray to the head of the so-called ‘Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’ without seeking Congressional approval is beyond the pale. The decision to bypass Congress, simply to accumulate greater power within the White House, is frightening and unprecedented. The President’s abuse of power has reached new heights with his actions, and it underscores his belief that he is above the laws of the land and accountable to no person, institution or, for that matter, the Constitution. This raw play for power, does not advance the case for job creation in America, or standing up for the rights of the hard working middle class of America. It is, however, further evidence that this President seeks power for his own purposes, not to serve and improve the lives of the people of the United States of America.”
As the Senator put it, the President seems determined to grab as much power as possible.
by Andy Post | 39 Comments »
QUIST ASKS TIM WALZ TO STOP CAMPAIGNING AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE
December 29, 2011 7:47 AM
CD1 GOP candidate Allen Quist today issued a release on his website asking Congressman Tim Walz to stop mailing thousands of pieces to his constituents that clearly violate congressional franking rules and are intended to re-elect the sitting representative. Here’s the release:
Congressman Walz: Stop mailing campaign materials at taxpayer expense.
By Allen Quist on December 28, 2011
Press Release
December 28, 2011
Congressional candidate Allen Quist is calling on Congressman Tim Walz to stop mailing what Quist calls “campaign advertisements” at taxpayer expense. Quist said Walz is mailing fliers to thousands of First District constituents that are primarily political. He cited as examples a piece from last fall with a large, bold headline stating: “HOW CONGRESSMAN TIM WALZ IS HELPING CREATE JOBS,” and a more recent flier with the headline, “HOW CONGRESSMAN WALZ IS HELPING MINNESOTA’S VETERANS.”
Quist said that House rules require that Congressional mailings be informational-and not “partisan or political in fact or tone.” Quist said the Walz mailings are obviously more political than informational. “The real message of the fliers,” said Quist, is: “Why you should re-elect Tim Walz.”
To illustrate, Quist said the last two pieces mailed by Walz used his name a total of 31 times, while the word “Congress” was only used once in one flier and was never used at all in the other. “Clearly these taxpayer-funded mailings are all about Tim Walz, not Congress,” Quist concluded.
Quist stated that such mailings are an abuse of the franking privilege (sending out mailings or other materials at taxpayer expense). He said the Walz fliers, in small print, say: “This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense.”
“It is difficult to find any concern for taxpayer expense in these mailings,” Quist said. He noted that the mailings are four-color, on high quality glossy paper and printed in union shops. “No expense is spared in these mailings,” Quist stated. He also said this wrongful use of taxpayer money is especially outrageous when huge federal deficits are the order of the day.
by Andy Post | 25 Comments »
MN SENATE GOP ELECT NEW LEADERSHIP
December 27, 2011 11:57 PM
The Senate Republican Caucus today chose Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester) as the new Senate Majority Leader. Senate Majority Leader Senjem was first elected in 2002 and served as Minority Leader before the Republicans regained the Senate Majority in the 2010 elections.
The Senate Republican Caucus held a press conference to comment further on today’s caucus elections. You can watch that video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Senate Republican Caucus also elected Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd), Sen. Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo), and Sen. Claire Robling (R-Jordan) to serve as Assistant Senate Majority Leaders.
According to caucus bylaws, Majority Leader Senjem has seven days to appoint two additional assistant leaders.
by Andy Post | 22 Comments »
DID GOV. DAYTON GET HIS HAND CAUGHT IN THE SLUSH FUND JAR? (VIA GARY GROSS)
December 26, 2011 10:24 AM
Gary Gross wrote the following piece in the Minneapolis Conservative Examiner on the Governor’s recent comments that he was offended by the notion that he may be trying to return political favors to big labor through the unionization of child care providers. AFSCME endorsed Dayton very early on in the gubernatorial battle, and one even slipped up last spring when they revealed that Dayton had been planning the historical state government shutdown well in advance in order to inflict the “greatest pain possible.” Here’s the piece:
It’s been the worst kept secret that Gov. Dayton is the best governor Big Labor‘s money could buy. When Sen. Parry criticized Gov. Dayton for being bought and paid for by union money, Gov. Dayton lost his temper. This article says that Sen. Parry has it exactly right:
Minnesota State Senator Mike Parry (R-Waseca) recently caused a stir with strong accusations against Governor Mark Dayton. “It’s no secret that the labor unions helped buy the Governor’s Office for Mark Dayton. He began to return the favor, most recently by trying to help unionize some of Minnesota’s in-home, private child care providers,” said Parry in a fundraising letter.
Sen. Parry’s allegations elicited a strong reaction from Dayton, who called it “inaccurate and deeply offensive.” A review of the facts, however, shows that the real reason the governor is so upset: the truth hurts.
Since 2005, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have been trying to organize child care providers Minnesota. Associated Press found that AFSCME wrote a $125,000 check to Gov. Dayton’s Recount Fund once restrictive campaign contribution limits ceased. Combined AFSCME and SEIU PACs contributed $14,000 to Dayton during his campaign. The Minnesota Family Council calculates that Big Labor stands to gain up to $3.3 million a year in dues from unionizing child care providers.
Wouldn’t you like to make a one-time investment of $139,000, then get an annual return of $3,300,000 for the forseeable future? Wouldn’t anyone?
by Andy Post | 21 Comments »
HOLIDAY BUST: MAJOR DFL DONOR SUSPECTED OF NEARLY $300K IN FRAUD
December 25, 2011 1:41 PM
Longtime progressive activist and donor Jason Sheedy was moving from his St. Paul home to a Minneapolis condo in 2007 when he reported to his insurance company that nearly $300,000 worth of his artwork and historical treasures were suddenly stolen. His insurance company wrote him a check for nearly all of the losses he claimed in 2008, but last May, Sheedy mysteriously listed some of the same pieces on an online auction site for sale. That’s when the FBI moved in.
According to the Star Tribune, investigators entered Sheedy’s home this month on a federal search warrant only to find many of the “stolen” pieces still in his possession. Sheedy has not yet been charged, but investigators say evidence has been found of mail and wire fraud as well.
Sheedy and former Pres. Jimmy Carter via CarterCenter.org
Within the last five years, Sheedy has made major contributions (some listed below) to some of Minnesota’s finest DFL leaders, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Tim Walz, Sen. Al Franken, Maureen Reed, Patty Wetterling, and the Obama for America fund.
Contribution records via CQ Moneyline
Will Senator Klobuchar set an example for the rest of the recipients of Sheedy’s funds and return his fraudulent donations and/or donate the contributions to her favorite charity?
by Andy Post | 15 Comments »
DFL FOX IN THE LAKEVILLE GOVERNMENT HEN HOUSE
December 23, 2011 7:57 PM
UPDATE: Dedicated readers of MDE point out that Councilman Matt Little was a scheduled speaker at the DFL’s 2011 State Fair booth panel. He spoke on the topic of “DFL, the Next Generation.”
———
Lakeville City Council member Matt Little is a overtly ambitious, smooth talking, liberal DFL operative and was slick enough to be elected to that position in 2010. Now, just one year after taking office, Little is seeking the position of mayor and raising eyebrows across the south metro. Little is best known for his social media antics both inside and outside of official city government meetings. He’s also got an extremely cozy relationship with the local newspaper editors, who have been writing fluffy puff pieces for Little since he first campaigned for office.
Positioning himself as a moderate and to some voters, a conservative, Little has successfully fooled many into thinking he best represents the center-right ideology of most in this booming conservative suburb. Little owes his constituents a more honest campaign this time around, as they should know who they’re actually voting for when they choose their mayor.
Campaign reports from Lakeville City Hall reveal the following:
- The reports show he began his campaign in February of 2009, meaning he campaigned for nearly two years.
- His final report shows he raised $9,973.99 but he only lists 13 individuals (which includes the 6 unions below) giving him $100+ (and those 13 contributed a total of $3,023). So…who contributed the remaining $6,950.00 (supposedly ‘under’ $100)?
- There was a total of $1,350.00 from six Labor Unions:
- Illinois Letter Carriers PAC – Orland Park, IL $200
- IUPAT-DC82 (Political Action Together) $300
- Ben Waxman, AFL-CIO Director – Washington DC $300
- St Paul Regional Labor Federation $300
- Minneapolis Letter Carriers PAC $100
- Seth Hahn, CWA – Washington DC $150
- He lists expenses of $7,895.01
- He did not have a Treasurer. He signed his name to all reports.
Little’s social media involvement has also caused a stir. He’s utilized Twitter and Facebook to publicly bash the current Mayor, Mark Bellows, sometimes doing so during city council meetings. Little even utilizes his campaign website to bash the policies of Bellows through a third party liberal blogger. In a recent city council vote, Little was also the only dissenting vote in a common sense move to utilize a trusted private sector electrical inspector in place of a government employee, saving the city $77,000. His love for government employees was too strong for him to vote yes.
Here’s Little glad-handing with 2010 SD-36 DFL candidate Steve Quist at a DFL picnic:
Here are a few examples of Little resorting to Twitter to snipe at Mayor Bellows:
The Lakeville Patch news outlet has a tight relationship with Little, even referring to him as “dreamy” in a tweet:
Little Tweets about his plans to join a rally at the State Capitol:
Little expresses his support for public transit services in Lakeville:
Finally, DFL blogger Eric Pusey promotes Matt Little as one of his top DFL politicians:
by Andy Post | 4 Comments »
PEOPLE OF DULUTH BEGIN TO TURN ON KLOBUCHAR, SAY SHE’S ‘OUT OF TOUCH’
December 23, 2011 1:14 PM
The Duluth News Tribune today ran an opinion piece from one of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s many disappointed constituents who cites her recent failures to stay in touch with Minnesotans. The letter is one of many that have been submitted to newspapers across the state in recent months, but most never get printed. Although she polls favorably in her re-election bid for 2012, many are concerned with Klobuchar’s lack of concern for more substantive and broad-reaching constituent issues, saying she only focuses on a narrow scope of issues to her liking. Here’s part of the letter:
Many were disappointed in the University of Minnesota Duluth Kirby Ballroom, awaiting the appearance of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the Farm Forum, sponsored by Food and Water Watch. After an outpouring of calls and letters, Klobuchar indicated she’d accept an invitation to attend to discuss important issues related to her perceived corporate-friendly and anti-food consumer stances. She serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee. At the very least, she indicated she’d send a staff person from her office.
She chose the latter, offering no reason. She chose not to interact directly with her constituents.
In the recent past, she did, however, find the time to travel to Duluth to hob-nob with Norwegian royalty. Her Duluth constituents didn’t rate that same kind of attention. She also more recently took the time to attend a photo opportunity with Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Thanksgiving turkey pardoned by the president. Her constituents didn’t even rank up there with a turkey!
Photo via Governor Dayton's office
by Andy Post | 7 Comments »
DAYTON RULES OUT MEETING WITH GOP SENATOR, STILL REELING FROM UNIONIZATION RULING
December 9, 2011 12:45 PM
Gov. Dayton today sent a message to GOP State Senator Mike Parry telling him he was cancelling their scheduled meeting for today and would not hold any additional future meetings with him on the issue of home child care unionization. Dayton was rattled by a line of back-and-forth communications following yesterday’s statement by Sens. Mike Parry and David Hann about Dayton’s decision to contest a recent court ruling that his child care unionization vote would have to be put on hold.
Here’s the email sent today from Dayton’s office:
—-
>>> “Dayton, Mark (GOV)” <xxxxxxx@state.mn.us> 12/9/2011 7:48 AM >>>
Sen. Parry and Rep. Drazkowski:
After receiving a copy of the email below, which was forwarded to me by one of its recipients, I am canceling today’s meeting. Rep. Drazkowski, I apologize for the inconvenience and will reschedule a meeting with you for next week, if you so desire.
Sen. Parry, this email is inaccurate and deeply offensive. This is the second time you have falsely accused me in writing of actions which, since untrue, wrongly malign my character and integrity. It is one thing to issue a statement critical of my decision, as you and Sen. Hann did yesterday. That’s politics.
It is entirely different, however, to make malicious, false accusations about someone, who is not even up for re-election, for your own crass political purposes. I will not meet with you and provide further fodder for your political activities. If you have questions of me, submit them in writing, and I will respond in writing to them.
Again, Rep. Drazkowski, I apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Mark Dayton
—
Here’s the letter Parry sent in return:
Sen Parry Response Letter to Gov Dayton
And here is the release sent out by the GOP senators yesterday on Dayton’s decision to contest the court ruling:
—-
December 8, 2011
SENATORS PARRY AND HANN ON GOV DAYTON’S DECISION TO CONTEST RESTRAINING ORDER ON DAY CARE UNIONIZATION VOTE
(ST. PAUL) — Sen. Mike Parry (R-Waseca), Chairman of the Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee and Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to Gov. Dayton’s announcement that he will contest the temporary restraining order on the vote to potentially unionize day care providers.
“Judge Lindman was very clear in his decision to block the scheduled unionization vote, stating concerns that the governor was circumventing the legislature, the governor does not have authority to enact a law of this type through executive order, and the governor is potentially harming the thousands he excluded from the democratic process.
“With this information in hand, the governor had the opportunity to withdraw, rethink and reconsider his executive order, but he has instead decided to forge ahead while his union allies cheer him on. We agree with Judge Lindman’s statements from the bench that it is likely the providers will prevail, and we continue to stand in their support.”
# # #
by Andy Post | 93 Comments »
AFSCME DIRECTOR HAS DESPICABLE ONLINE CONDUCT AND HAS PUSHED DAYCARE UNIONIZATION FOR YEARS
December 8, 2011 8:55 PM
Minnesota’s public employee unions have worshipped him for years, and in 2010 he gave the keynote “State of the Union” address to the AFSCME Council 5 convention. But AFSCME Council 5 Organizing Director Eric Lehto has made his real intentions clear on his Facebook page, which got a lot more traffic recently given the failed attempt by unions to move child care providers into their ranks. Lehto’s respect for society is made clear by his job description on Facebook, in which he lists his duties as “I get paid to f**k with rich people”
“The providers, many of them, are put in a box, where they feel that they can’t raise their rates much more or much higher above what the current subsidy rate is, which has been frozen, or for fear that their parents won’t be able to afford to have their kids in their licensed center.” says Lehto.
Lehto says AFSCME can can help negotiate better rates with the state. He says the union can also help providers with health care and retirement. But he says, most importantly, it can help re-focus society’s commitment to kids.
“Our’s is not an effort to raise the cost onto working families,” Lehto says. “Our effort is to increase in the public committment, the same way that it is for public education, in terms of from birth to going into school. There should be a broad public commitment in terms of insuring that kids are taken care during that time frame in a good quality setting.”
by Andy Post | 6 Comments »
NEW U OF M PRESIDENT MAKES HIMSELF RIGHT AT HOME, INCREASES OFFICE SPENDING
December 6, 2011 10:15 PM
*Editor’s note: While there is a huge difference in salaries between Kaler and his predecessor, readers point out that total compensation is fairly comparable (with retirement benefit differences). Story from MPR here.
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler has only been on the job since July 1, but almost immediately after taking over for former president Robert Bruininks, sources close to the administration report Kaler has spent more on his own salary and the salaries of his closest advisors than any other leader of the state’s university system in history.
A public information request by MDE and information from trusted sources close to the University both confirm that Kaler is receiving a salary of $610,000/year, a 25% increase over Bruininks 2010 salary of $455,000. A report provided to MDE by the U’s Department of Information and Records Management also confirms that Kaler’s office employs at least three individuals earning over $100,000/year, compared to no associates or staff making that amount just last year.
Additionally, a source with information on the President’s office confirms at least two additional individuals have been working for Kaler as “independent advisors” and do not appear on regular salary reports to the public. One individual is making approximately $100k and the total spending on these “advisors” may approach $300,000 annually.
In a year of tuition increases that have compounded a decade of increased costs for Minnesotans to attend the U, will citizens and the legislature speak up against this explosion in spending? Moreover, dedicated readers of Minnesota Democrats Exposed confirm it is very likely Kaler will approach the Legislature next year and ask for an increase in state spending rather than the approach over the last few years which has been to minimize cuts.
by Andy Post | 7 Comments »
JUDGE TO DAYTON: NO-GO ON CHILD CARE UNION VOTE
December 5, 2011 8:02 AM
A Ramsey County judge this morning ordered a temporary restraining order be placed on Governor Mark Dayton’s executive decision to order a unionization among several thousand home child care providers this month. The ballots for the election were to be mailed out to around 4000 providers this week. The lawsuit was brought to the court by Minnesota Republican state senators that viewed the order as an overreach by Dayton. This is a huge decision and may have further implications into the Governor’s use of executive orders in the future (so far this year he has issued dozens). Read part of the Star Tribune story here:
Opponents, which include Republicans in the Minnesota Senate, said Dayton’s order delved into things that are beyond the scope of his power.
The Minnesota Senate’s friend-of-the-court brief called Dayton’s executive order “unprecedented and lawless, exceeding his scope of constitutional and statutory authority and usurping legislative power.’’
Ramsey County District Judge Dale Lindman, at several points during a three-hour hearing Monday, challenged lawyers for Dayton and two unions that want the childcare union election to proceed. Why not “simply submit this to the Legislature in the form of a bill (and) we don’t have this whole issue?” the judge asked.
Read MDE’s previous coverage of the executive order here.
by Andy Post | 16 Comments »
RYBAK TURNS HIS BACK ON OCCUPIERS AS THEY APPROACH HIS DOORSTEP
December 1, 2011 5:42 PM
Dedicated readers of MDE report today’s activity at Occupy Plaza downtown.
Two months ago, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak spoke loudly in support of the Occupy Wall Street camp on the Hennepin County Government Plaza. His early support was not surprising, because Hizzoner’s spokesperson John Styles is a life-partner of one of the Occupiers’ main organizers.
But when the protesters crossed the street to City Hall this morning, the Mayor flip-flopped. Protesters had set up three tents on City property and decorated the statute of Hubert Humphrey with signs, hats, and an American Flag. Rybak sent city employees down to ask the protesters to dismantle the display and move back across the street to city property.
The protesters did not budge, so Rybak sent the Minneapolis Police Department to yank down the tents, pull down the display, and “take action.” The MPD boys in blue first tackled “Panda,” a 300-pound Occupier. Then they slipped on the ice. Poor Panda was slammed to the ground, and then jammed through the door of a tiny squad car. MPD’s next target had his face shoved onto the frozen sidewalk as he was cuffed.
Where was the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union when R.T. Rybak flip-flopped on the right to peaceably assemble on the City Hall sidewalk? Where was Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Minneapolis) who had declared her support of the protesters the night before, when they were on County property instead of City Hall?
by Andy Post | 27 Comments »
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP DAYTON’S CHILDCARE UNIONIZATION THIS THURSDAY
November 28, 2011 8:17 PM
The Minnesota Senate GOP caucus announced today that the powerful Rules Committee will be holding a hearing on Gov. Dayton’s executive order that calls for a vote on whether or not to unionize the state’s 11,000 home childcare providers. This comes as conservative groups such as Minnesota Majority, the Free Market Institute, and the Minnesota Family Council are backing a lawsuit by several providers to stop the election in which there voices will be silenced. In the meantime, several Republican state senators have stated they may file their own legal injunction to stop the order.
by Andy Post | 28 Comments »