Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My Predictions for MN's Budget
Predictions: My guess is the deficit will be $1.6 billion, corporate, personal, and consumption as the worst revenue areas. I support Pawlenty. I think the unallotments will prove legal. Once they do I expect an hard attempt to change this executive power at the legislature which I am fine with the legislature discussing. At that point, I call on everyone who believes he exceeded his authority to step up and admit they were wrong.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Build It Without Taxpayers Dollars
I'm all for it if it can be done by private investors, the NFL, businesses, or individual shares ala Green Bay or some combination thereof. But 'just say no' needs to be the answer to more tax payer burden for a stadium. Sorry, but when our own interests and desires get in the way of our principles, we have to be honest with ourselves.
The new session is coming up on February 4th, I hope the allure of a star-studded winning season will not cloud the judgment of the few common sense players remaining in the legislature.
Options:
1) Z. Wilf opens his checkbook and builds a new stadium
2) Some form of public ownership
Not an option:
1) Any un-related tax dollars dedicated to subsidizing large private businesses (i.e. don't charge me sales tax on a vacuum to pay for the Vikings Stadium, that just plan sucks!)
What about?
The economic boom to the community by keeping the Vikings here, construction jobs, the positives on community economic development? Yes, but at what cost? Will the those dollars ever be recaptured in increased economic activity? If you can prove to me it will than, I'll go for it.
Being true?
Yes, being true to ourselves. We can't go around talking about the evils of increasing taxes all the time, if when push comes to shove on a new Vikings Stadium, our go-to position is to raise taxes immediately 'just to keep the team here.' If that's your refrain than you might as well be one of those tax raising levy supporters that says, "it's for the kids," please...give me a break!
The new session is coming up on February 4th, I hope the allure of a star-studded winning season will not cloud the judgment of the few common sense players remaining in the legislature.
Options:
1) Z. Wilf opens his checkbook and builds a new stadium
2) Some form of public ownership
Not an option:
1) Any un-related tax dollars dedicated to subsidizing large private businesses (i.e. don't charge me sales tax on a vacuum to pay for the Vikings Stadium, that just plan sucks!)
What about?
The economic boom to the community by keeping the Vikings here, construction jobs, the positives on community economic development? Yes, but at what cost? Will the those dollars ever be recaptured in increased economic activity? If you can prove to me it will than, I'll go for it.
Being true?
Yes, being true to ourselves. We can't go around talking about the evils of increasing taxes all the time, if when push comes to shove on a new Vikings Stadium, our go-to position is to raise taxes immediately 'just to keep the team here.' If that's your refrain than you might as well be one of those tax raising levy supporters that says, "it's for the kids," please...give me a break!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Coon Rapids: Down payment Assistance Program Passes
Coon Rapids: Down payment Assistance Program Passes
The Coon Rapids City Council voted unanimously to approve a Coon Rapids Mortgage Assistance Foundation recommendation for a new down payment assistance loan program.
Hats off to Coon Rapids Mortgage Assistance Foundation Board of Directors: Lyle Haney, Donna Naeve, Brad Crandall, Scott Schulte, Lonni McCauley, Tim Howe, and our own James Stanton, Shamrock Development and current President of North Metro REALTORS® Association. This program will rehabilitate housing stock and provide incentives for homebuyers to purchase and occupy a home in Coon Rapids as their principal residence.
So what are the details? Coon Rapids Mortgage Assistance Foundation (CRMAF) has allocated a total pool of $300,000 to be available for down payment assistance loans. The funds will be administered directly by Cheryl Bennett, CRMAF staff. The funds are provided in the form of a second mortgage. No payments are required; no interest is assessed unless the loan is repaid within the first three years after closing. The repayment is prorated between years 4-10 and is forgiven after 10 years. Loans are reserved for down payment assistance only at 3.5% of acquisition costs up to $6,000. Funds must be used in conjunction with an FHA 203K mortgage to purchase a single family detached property (within the city of Coon Rapids) with at least $10,000 in repairs. Rehab or renovation work must be completed by a state licensed contractor and work completed within six months of closing. The borrower must occupy the property as their principal homesteaded residence. There are no income requirements. Buyers need not be first time homebuyers. The loan is available for all properties and not foreclosures only.
REALTORS® are encouraged to learn more about this program and utilize it. More information including public announcements, public forums, and a REALTORS® forum to roll out program details are forthcoming.
More information contact, Eric J Myers, Government Affairs Director, NMRA
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Conservatives Can't Win without Moderates
Well, after reviewing some of the 2009 wins. What do I think about the chance of Republicans picking up seats in 2010 Midterms? Or better yet, what is one piece of advice I would give to the RNC, if given the chance, that would help them increase their chance of success in more races in the future.
Republican's can't continue to be a narrow 'Conservatives-only party.' They need to hold tight to fiscal conservatism but grab the middle of the electorate with the moderates. Unfortunately, the diehards that show up for endorsing conventions, prompted by Glen Beck and Rush (whom I enjoy as well), can't see the wood for the trees. They continue to endorse only the most ideologically extreme candidate whom too often ends up being seen as too far from the mainstream. Bottomline, Conservative Republicans are their own worst enemy. Conservative Republicans are going to have to realize that in most districts they are going to have to embrace the moderate candidate in order to give them a chance at success. Otherwise, they will continue to be marginalized from the Left and a larger majority of the middle will favor the D's.
Those are the risks.
Might I suggest that someone like Senator Olympia Snowe actually has a point to make with Conservative Republicans. So next time you want to win a 'leans conservative,' 'toss-up,' or even a 'leans Democrat' district, try pulling a candidate from the moderate part of your party and see if you can sell them to the general public as the most reasonable, likable, centrist, and dare I say it mainstream candidate in the race.
Or you can keep 'sticking to your principles' that's all well and good but I submit you aren't really winning the hearts and minds of too many people too often. At least not often enough to keep reversing your losses.
Give up on the idea that a Newt Gingrich or Ronald Regan style body politic will ever rise again. Step up to re-design the future of the party, reinvent yourself, and behold the power of political innovation. It's not just for the Democrats anymore.
- BE MORE BIG TENT,
- EXPAND THE BASE,
- DON'T LET ONLY THE NARROWEST VERSIONS OF CONSERVATISM BE THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWER
Republican's can't continue to be a narrow 'Conservatives-only party.' They need to hold tight to fiscal conservatism but grab the middle of the electorate with the moderates. Unfortunately, the diehards that show up for endorsing conventions, prompted by Glen Beck and Rush (whom I enjoy as well), can't see the wood for the trees. They continue to endorse only the most ideologically extreme candidate whom too often ends up being seen as too far from the mainstream. Bottomline, Conservative Republicans are their own worst enemy. Conservative Republicans are going to have to realize that in most districts they are going to have to embrace the moderate candidate in order to give them a chance at success. Otherwise, they will continue to be marginalized from the Left and a larger majority of the middle will favor the D's.
Those are the risks.
Might I suggest that someone like Senator Olympia Snowe actually has a point to make with Conservative Republicans. So next time you want to win a 'leans conservative,' 'toss-up,' or even a 'leans Democrat' district, try pulling a candidate from the moderate part of your party and see if you can sell them to the general public as the most reasonable, likable, centrist, and dare I say it mainstream candidate in the race.
Or you can keep 'sticking to your principles' that's all well and good but I submit you aren't really winning the hearts and minds of too many people too often. At least not often enough to keep reversing your losses.
Give up on the idea that a Newt Gingrich or Ronald Regan style body politic will ever rise again. Step up to re-design the future of the party, reinvent yourself, and behold the power of political innovation. It's not just for the Democrats anymore.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thank You Governor Tim Pawlenty
Dear Governor Tim Pawlenty,
I want to thank you for your personal leadership in resolving the budget deficit. DFL leaders proposed $2B in tax increases in the worst recession since the Great Depression. I really don't know how they can look at themselves in the mirror everyday. It takes courage to stand up to 'tax and spend' liberals in this great progressive state we call Minnesota.
It is truly my belief that you acted within your authority to unallot. That doens't mean the other side has to like it or that it should go without a legal challenge but those are issues for the legislature not the courts. My only hope now is that the courts don't legislate from the bench. Should the opposition wish to attempt to change MN law than they should do so in session.
Hopefully, Lori Swanson, Attorney General, for the State of Minnesota can divest herself enough from her party to actually defend the Chief Executive's Authority under Minnesota law. If not, I would advise the State of Minnesota to seek outside council.
Good luck Governor Pawlenty, we're with you!
I want to thank you for your personal leadership in resolving the budget deficit. DFL leaders proposed $2B in tax increases in the worst recession since the Great Depression. I really don't know how they can look at themselves in the mirror everyday. It takes courage to stand up to 'tax and spend' liberals in this great progressive state we call Minnesota.
It is truly my belief that you acted within your authority to unallot. That doens't mean the other side has to like it or that it should go without a legal challenge but those are issues for the legislature not the courts. My only hope now is that the courts don't legislate from the bench. Should the opposition wish to attempt to change MN law than they should do so in session.
Hopefully, Lori Swanson, Attorney General, for the State of Minnesota can divest herself enough from her party to actually defend the Chief Executive's Authority under Minnesota law. If not, I would advise the State of Minnesota to seek outside council.
Good luck Governor Pawlenty, we're with you!
Friday, September 11, 2009
My Suggestions for Health Care Compromise
(Here is what I believe a true compromise should look like)
KEEP
1) Guarantees Coverage for existing conditions
2) Prohibited from denying coverage because of a person's medical history
3) They will not be able to drop your coverage if you get sick
4) Focuses on prevention
5) Helps Seniors live independently
MAKE CERTAIN
1) No federal dollars for Abortion Services (per Obama)
2) Medical Mal Reform to keep Dr.'s practicing medicine not defensive medicine (per R's & Obama)
ADD
2) Allow buying insurance across state lines
3) Allow private insurance pooling for individuals who are otherwise uncovered
4) Allow for private health insurance portability
5) Encourage HSA's
6) Recognize and encourage high deductible catastrophic coverage for some insureds (i.e. young adults)
7.) Allow private insurance companies to pool the (47) million Americans without coverage and have them compete for that business
REMOVE
1) Drop the public option in its entirety
2) Drop basic medical insurance mandate or allow opt out for some individuals and or #6/#7 above.
Finally pass this bill by October 1st or set it aside and re-focus on job creation and the economy!
KEEP
1) Guarantees Coverage for existing conditions
2) Prohibited from denying coverage because of a person's medical history
3) They will not be able to drop your coverage if you get sick
4) Focuses on prevention
5) Helps Seniors live independently
MAKE CERTAIN
1) No federal dollars for Abortion Services (per Obama)
2) Medical Mal Reform to keep Dr.'s practicing medicine not defensive medicine (per R's & Obama)
ADD
2) Allow buying insurance across state lines
3) Allow private insurance pooling for individuals who are otherwise uncovered
4) Allow for private health insurance portability
5) Encourage HSA's
6) Recognize and encourage high deductible catastrophic coverage for some insureds (i.e. young adults)
7.) Allow private insurance companies to pool the (47) million Americans without coverage and have them compete for that business
REMOVE
1) Drop the public option in its entirety
2) Drop basic medical insurance mandate or allow opt out for some individuals and or #6/#7 above.
Finally pass this bill by October 1st or set it aside and re-focus on job creation and the economy!
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