Events / Meetings
Wednesday, May 7 @ 9:30 am
Dillon for Congress
(CD3)
Energy Policy Press Release
Rm 181, State Office Building
Sunday, May 18th, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
State EC Meeting
State Party Office
Saturday May 31st, 7:00 pm
David
Dillon (CD3) Kickoff Event
Metropolitan Ballroom
5418 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Live music from the Recounts, Tim Penny (guitar), and
David Dillon (drums)
Tickets
required, available for advance purchase
Tuesday, June 3 and Friday, June 4
2008
Symposium on Small Towns
Topic: The Power of Small: Building Solutions for Energy
Self-RelianceKeynote speaker: Peter
Hutchinson
Center for Small Towns
University of Minnesota, Morris
Sunday, July 27th, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
State EC Meeting
State Party Office
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Governor Pawlenty “owns” this Transportation
Bill
Five years of failed Republican policy resulted
in this law
Monday, the Minnesota Legislature overrode
Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the Transportation Bill
enacting $6.6 Billion in tax increases over the next
10 years. The governor lamented the new law by
stating “I am more than happy to say this is a DFL
product and a DFL result.” He is wrong on both
counts. “This outcome is a clear derivative of the
Governor’s failure to develop a coherent
transportation plan over the last five years.” said
Independence Party chair Craig Swaggert. “He missed
his chance to promote a more efficient transportation
funding plan that addressed our overwhelming
infrastructure needs” continued Swaggert. “It should
come as no surprise once the legislature started
tilting DFL, we’d hop back on the same old
teeter-totter of ‘no new taxes’ vs. ‘more taxes’”.
“Just watch…despite all of their protests, the
cash starved Governor and Lt. Governor will feed
ravenously at the trough of new taxes.” commented
former Independence Party Chair Jim Moore.
While the Independence Party cringes at the bill’s
penchant to nickel and dime taxpayers at each turn
(the gas pump, license tab renewals, etc.), we
welcome the long overdue funding to address the
critical needs of public safety for all
Minnesotans.
More disturbing is the age old game of party
leaders strong-arming their fellow caucus members:
stripping members of committee chairmanships, staff
support and research resources. Placing partisan
advantage ahead of constituent needs is epitomized by
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert’s statement that
“We expect Republicans to follow other Republicans…”
“This back room throat-slitting highlights that no
single legislator who remains part of the two
entrenched parties can effectively be an ‘agent of
change’ if it conflicts with the agenda of their
respective parties’ leadership” observed Moore.
Some legislators courageously voted in favor the
best interest of their constituents instead of their
respective party’s agenda despite a fusillade of
threats from party leaders and criticism from
partisan commentators “Perhaps those legislators who
continually place the interest of their constituents
ahead of their political party’s agenda will find
safe refuge with us” concluded Swaggert. The
Independence Party recently adopted a resolution
allowing the cross-endorsement of candidates of other
political parties.
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The Four Main Things
Health Care - Imagine
world-class health care for Minnesotans at a
world-competitive cost per person – a system that
delivers the best health and best care at the best
price, for every Minnesotan.
Education - Imagine
doubling the odds of Minnesota students getting a
college degree or a technical education that matches
their talents, interests, and the job market.
Environment - Imagine
Minnesota as the nation’s leader in reversing the
pollution of our lakes and streams, reducing
dependence on oil, repairing and preventing damage to
the environment, and reinforcing economic
competitiveness.
Transportation - Imagine
getting to your child’s soccer game, arriving home
for a relaxed family dinner, or having a package
delivered - all on time.
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| PARTY CONTACTS
You can contact the state party office
directly by calling (651)487-9700, or stop by during our
new office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays from 10am - 4pm. (Please call to
confirm that someone will be in the office,
as we may be out running errands!) Party
leadership can be contacted by e-mail:
For other party contacts, please click here.
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GET INVOLVED!
The Independence Party needs YOU! If you
are interested in
- Campaign support or management
- Writing on political issues
- Office management and
communications
- Web design and information
technology
- Energizing and involving party
members
- Serving as an election judge
Please read more about how you can get
involved on our volunteer
page.
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