[rant] I just noticed that Governor Tim signed into law another TAX to be placed upon the citizens of Hennepin County in order to make Carl Pohlad richer.

This coming from a Governor who pledged no new taxes!

No new taxes, huh? Let's see, a "health fee" on cigarettes. Money for the Hiawatha Line when he didn't support it when in the House. Support for the North Star Line. No property tax relief. I'm surprised he didn't extend the tax moratorium on the MOA and tax us to build a casino as well.

I told the Republican Party they aren't getting a dime from me this year. I'm so PO'd about the Republicans turning into RINO's (Republicans In Name Only).

The only thing politicians understand is no money and no votes. Therefore, Tim is not getting my vote this year and if I find out that my state representative and/or my state senator voted for the stadium they can kiss my vote good-bye as well.

I don't care if the DFL takes over. I know what to expect from them. I'm tired of getting the same thing from the RINO's. They need to be diciplined and the only way I know to do it is to put them in the penalty box (in the minority) for a few years. [/rant]

Well. Tim has disappointed you, and now it's OK that the Democrats can have control of the state government.

Should be interesting to hear what might bother you, when Democrats control the House, Senate and Governorship.

Can you say "Repeal Conceal and Carry"???

I agree with your thought process JDR, but looking at your information, it looks like your pocketbook is not being affcted by this travesty of justice.

I hope you won't be using MY stadium, nor any of you other folks outside of Hennepin County.

Continuing in a different vein... (RANT coming)

The whole thought process of "Hennepin County being the richest county so they should pay for it" is just another form of Democratic thought process turning into accepted Socialist behavior.

I for one would like to sue the State of Minnesota House, Senate & Governor for breaking the law. If any one has any ideas about how to initiate this with having it cost me more than $500, let me know.

(Rant off)

JDR, if things that happen to be illegal like this happen with who we currently have controlling the Capitol, don't you think it's well within reason that a repeal could happen without a Metrocratically controlled Capitol?

MM

a911, a couple of points:

First, I think that the Twins stadium bill was a travesty. That said:

* There is a state law (passed by the Legislature, that is) that prevents counties from raising sales taxes without a referendum. YOUR Hennepin County commissioners asked the legislature to write them an exception to that law, which is certainly within the Legislature's powers. So, no lawsuit would be possible.

So, the Legislature didn't stick it to Hennepin County -- Hennepin County leaders did, with the approval of the Legislature.

* The thought process was never "Hennepin County being the richest county so they should pay for it." The logic (not that I agree) was that Hennepin County would be seeing economic boost from the stadium, so it should be seen as an investment.

* Don't blame the Democrats -- this was a bipartisan shafting.

- http://www.startribune.com/587/story/445587.html

Well...........someone can always take it to the Supreme Court. It's been done before.

And with the current crop of legislators, there is always a chance, but with the Dem's in full control, it's a certainty!

With former Dems like Norm Coleman, it's no wonder the GOP is failing us. Reagan may have been a great president as he cleaned up the mess left behind by Nixon, Ford & Carter, however, his amnesty program for illegals set a very bad precedent.

As far as the stadium goes, I think corporations need to start picking up the tab. The taxpayer burden is heavy already and every time something comes up, it's let zap the taxpayers. Then they want to put stuff in downtown, where parking is at a premium and the roadways aren't really conducive to good ingress and egress. (Kind of like 494 & 694, how those highways were so poorly planned and constructed and with little or no foresight to the future)

And while it's likely that Pawlenty will not get my vote, it's hard to say because we don't know who the candidates are going to be. He hasn't impressed me this term.

I have heard this same statement from others about the national level politicans and just do not get it. Are the Republicans bad and have they done things that I disagree with? Yes, but in no uncertain terms do I think that allowing the Democrats to gain a majority in 2 of the 3 branches, let alone all 3, is a good idea and will serve to "punish" anyone. If you want to change something, become active in the caucus or write letters and make calls. Voting for the Democrats, either locally or nationally is even worse.

1> I agree wholeheartedly. I was watching a reporter interviewing an illegal Alain on a news show the other day. The reporter was asking him some questions. The answer to the question of "why was he crossing over now", was that he wanted to be part of the new amnesty that was coming. No follow up, no conversation or comments from the news desk, network etc., nothing, nada!

2> As far as the corporations picking up the tab, that won't happen as long as there are other cities that are willing to spend what ever it takes to attract (or keep) a team. What is a national sports team worth to a city?
Don't know, but some cities think it's work every penny. The city that refuses to "Play Ball" can loose a team that someone else wants. It's called free market, capitalism as far as the corporation is concerned.

3> The freeways in Minnesota suck!

I'm originally from California. There, the freeways were built from the beginning to be freeways. Here they are converted from little county roads. The "on ramps" here are pathetic. In California they are called "acceleration lanes", which is exactly what's needed to merge. That is why you can have eight lines of traffic in each direction, and still have traffic move. (rush hours, (and hours, and hours) exempted).

I have been! And the party platform states what many conservative republican believe, but there are at least 2 major problems in the party.
1 - No matter what the platform states there is no binding on "susposed" republicans who are elected to office to actually follow and adhere to the party platform.
2 - "Big Tent" policy of the party... This concept is going to hose the party. We - the party don't want everyone to be a republican by watering down what we believe in to the point which the message is palatable to everyone!
3 - Elected officials who believe "I represent all in my district" - WRONG! You and your SUPPORTERS elected you to represent them! Others voted for the OTHER guy! Your supporters beliefs are the ones which put you in office - They ARE your district as you won by a preponderance of the votes! THE OTHERS LOST! they will get over it. Some of these morons think "well if I just cater to the losers sometimes, then maybe they will vote for me next time" - this thought process totally eludes me. The elected officicals need to listen very carefully. If a conservative official is elected it is to act like a conservative other wise the liberal would have won.

Norm Coleman, and Mark Kennedy have been a HUGE disapointment!

Love Normy - We need to expand our domestically produced oil (not an exact quote but pretty close) BUT NORM! you voted against drilling in ANWAR!
Mark is but a Bush lap dog.

I have told people in the party my beliefs (all the way up to Ron Carry), with no affect - and I know I'm not the only one thinking this way. Maybe time to switch parties, think maybe the Dems could be changed from within????

Andrew:

The Legislature could have, and should have, said no...we will have and abide the referendum as state law commands. They didn't and so, in bipartisan cooperation, they did stick it to us and Tim signed it!

JDR:

I am also. Remember Pete Wilson, the mayor of San Diego who became governor. He was spoken about moving on to a possible national spot. One term I believe. In the end his arrogance and the arrogance of his supporters was unbelievable. I have some friends in CA who were commanded to give money to his campaign because "who else do you have?" Pete lost the election and has become little more than a footnote in CA political history. When I now look at Tim I think of Pete.

MOSTLYLAWABIDING CITIZEN:

I couldn't have said it better myself. I voted for Tim because of his track record and his position as stated in his campaign speeches as I do any candidate. To have them reverse themselves in the hopes of gaining whatever it is they hope to gain is unacceptable. Tim has lost my support because he has shown me that he is not a man of principle.

Do you really think the priviledges that come with the MPPA are safer with folks like these in office than with DFL'ers? I don't think so.

Look it. The issues are integrity and principle. When a candidate gives his/her word to stay true to a position I expect him/her to stick with it. To stick with it regardless of the outcome is principle. When they allow themselves to be tossed too and fro by the winds of public opinion then I can't trust them and I have to look elsewhere.

The Twins stadium isn't the only issue for me. It was, as they say, the straw that broke the camel's back. Just because I support the MPPA and have my permit doesn't mean I'm a slam-dunk supporter for any politician who supports right to carry.

(Green Bay Packer fan here)

When GreenBay went to renovate the packer's stadium, the county green bay is in (Brown?) got a sales tax increase. Even though half of the season tickets go to the people of milwaulkee.

No taxpayer money should have gone to the Twins, no taxpayer money should go to the vikings. Also, not that the taxpayers should pay the UofM, I think they need their own on campus stadium.

I think the people of Hennepin county are rolling over on the Twins stadium getting approval because: the vikings aren't getting their stadium.

This year! Soon to be jammed down your throat next year... or the year after, remember the good people of MN have said a resounding NO to tax payer funded Statiums for a good what 9 years or more?

Ya know the Twins stadium doesn't bother me as much (it does just not as much) as the law was followed, the good "elected" county representatives of Henapin county did this to themselves. The State enabled them to do it. But it is not the first time the state has said "we don't care what the people of the county want, the state thinks this is a good idea" I should really be more troubled them I am... There are many places which have used this to get things build, normally not to benefit rich folks, normally it is for th community in the form of Community Centers, and the like.

Pawlenty hanging out with that liberal scum in Republican clothing (McCain) REALLY bothers me... If McCain gets the nomination for the Republican party for Pres in the next Presidential election, I believe it will be the end of the republican party for me at least and for many others.

Seems Pawlenty's biggest problems started when people started considering him a contender for president... His eyes seemed to get all wide and he opened up the good people of MN pocket book... Seems like... I can't prove nothing, but...

Mostly-

You people actually believed what a politican said?? --No new taxes bs??

I thought you were all smarter than that

Many Republicans consider McCain a viable candidate, but anybody with any sense can see he ain't exactly right anymore.

The "health impact fee" is not a "tax"

My, is that the understatement of the year.

I appreciate his service, but he hasn't impressed me at all since then. Amazing how one who fought for their country is so itchy to piss all over it.

Mostly-