There are some indications and trends happening in 2009, this "off election year" that the public in general is holding Republicans and conservatives in higher regard than in the past two election cycles. Go to this post at East Central Truth Detector to get the details.
PAWLENTY CHOOSES NOT TO RUN FOR 3RD TERM
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today (June 2nd) that he will not run for a 3rd term. A number of DFL candidates have already filed campaign committees, and others are being mentioned as potential candidates. No doubt the talk will heat up about potential Republican candidates, and we will begin to hear announcements within weeks. The East Central Truth Detector Blog has a brief description of potential candidates from both parties.
Regardless of your opinion of Governor Pawlenty, he should be thanked for his service to our state. His legacy will be one of unwavering support for our military members and veterans, and his protection of the hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota. Thank you Gov. Pawlenty!
Keeping the Governor's seat in Republican hands is vitally important, not only for the taxpayers and job providers for the next four to six years, it is important for the next decade. With redistricting looming in 2011 or early 2012 following the 2010 census, a Democrat governor with Democrat majorities in the legislature can re-draw legislative and congressional districts any way they want, which will potentially spell doom for the electoral chances of GOP legislative candidates. Let's examine and choose our candidate carefully.
THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER
Check out some of the House Floor speeches that lay out the differences between Democrats and Republicans. Take a look at descriptions of some of the major spending bills passed by the legislature at the Minnesota House Republican Caucus website.
FIGHTING BIG GOVERNMENT - PRESERVING OUR FREEDOMS
If you're a Minnesota resident, there is only one person who stands between you and enormous tax increases :
Governor Tim Pawlenty and his veto pen are protecting taxpayers from the tax-and-spend Democrats who run the Minnesota Legislature.
Of course, Gov. Pawlenty can't do it alone. The House Republican Caucus is working to protect your pocketbook as well. During the 2009 Legislative session, the small but mighty House Republican Caucus stood firm and united in upholding the Governor's vetoes of DFL tax and spend initiatives. By standing together, the Governor and House Republicans protected us from tax increases and government intrusion into our lives and our businesses.
The 2009 session turned out to be a clear illustration of the differences between Democrats and Republicans. A projected $6.4 billion deficit should have been a historic opportunity to change the way government operates in Minnesota. However, in the face of this historic deficit, Democrats offered more of the same old tax and spend "solutions". They can't help themselves.
Republicans on the other hand, offered bold and innovative reform in the areas of health care, education and state asset management that would have saved the state billions of dollars. But the Democrat majority in the Legislature said "no". Even the smallest of reform measures, such as the Governor's proposal to fold the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) into the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) and merge two divisions within the DNR were spurned by the Democrats. Not only did they say no, the Democrats passed legislation essentially prohibiting these steps to streamline government.
One GOP legislator proposed the phasing out of state ownership and operation of tree nurseries and fish hatcheries by the DNR (after all, aren't these the kind of enterprises that belong in the private sector?) Again, the Democrats moved to protect their political interests in the public employee unions, rather than protect the best interests of the taxpayers.
In the end, the needed reform is lacking, but the Governor and House Republicans were successful in protecting the taxpayers' pocketbooks from DFL tax increases.
