MN 2013 Scorecard
MN 2013 Scorecard
MN 2013 Scorecard
A Message From AFP-Minnesota State Director John Cooney The 2013 legislative session has proven to be an object lesson in why the Founders of America decided to impose checks and balances in the structure of our government: the more obstacles there are to governing, the less our legislators will be inclined to overreach. Unfortunately, when the two houses of the Legislature and the governor are of the same party, there are a lot fewer checks and balances than usual. It has been more than two decades since that has happened in Minnesota, and I guess we forgot what a bad idea it turns out to be. The 2013 session wound up looking like an episode of Animal Kingdom, with a feeding frenzy of tax increases, spending increases, new restrictions on job creators, wacky environmental regulations and blatant payoffs to union allies. We released the 2013 Economic Freedom Scorecard to grade Minnesota state legislators on key votes on issues concerning economic freedom, which includes taxes, budgets and spending, health care and more. As the nations largest and most effective advocate for economic freedom, we believe reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Minnesotans. This starts with holding our elected officials accountable for their voting records. The recent legislative session began a dangerous move toward a bigger, more intrusive government that endangers the economic freedom of all. We believe Minnesotans deserve a more responsible approach than that. Our economic freedom and future vitality depend on it. We hope you find the following scorecard an informative examination of how all of our 201 legislators voted on important issues that directly impact Minnesota families, businesses and our overall economic freedom and prosperity. Thank you for all you do for economic freedom,
AFP-Minnesotas 2013 Economic Freedom Scorecard The 2013 Economic Freedom Scorecard includes 2,500 individual votes from all 201 Minnesota state legislators on issues important to economic freedom. Priority legislative issues areas include Budgets and Spending, Energy and the Environment, Health Care and Entitlements, Labor, Education and Pensions, Property Rights and Taxes. Legislators were scored on their vote as it relates to AFP-Minnesotas stated position. All votes are weighed equally and a missed vote by a legislator does not directly impact his or her score. Final scores for each legislator are determined by their percentage of votes cast with AFPs position. We encourage our activists to review and compare how their lawmakers voted and hold them accountable for their support of or opposition to economic freedom. [Insert Grading Scale graphic] Scorecard Key
Economic Freedom In broad terms, economic freedom is the extent to which you can pursue economic activity without interference from government, as long as your actions do not violate the identical rights of others.1 Here at Americans for Prosperity, we are dedicated to advancing economic freedom and prosperity in Minnesota and throughout the country as the best means for improving our standard of living and creating a vibrant economy with opportunity for all. Studies show that societies of higher economic freedom enjoy healthier and longer life spans, less unemployment, lower poverty, cleaner environments, higher literacy rates and an overall better quality of life. Our network of dedicated grassroots activists advocate for public policies that champion entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint in the pursuit of increasing our nations economic freedom. Our continued dedication to these goals is required in order to keep Minnesota one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.
a x NV
= Voted with AFP Minnesotas Position = Voted against AFP Minnesotas Position = Did not vote
Grade Scale
60%-79%....C
www.embraceeconomicfreedom.com
House Key Votes 2013 Votes Vote 1 - Transportation Finance Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Budget & Spending Result: Passed HJ5963 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of the Transportation Bill Conference Committee report (HF1444). Vote 2 - Large-Scale Omnibus Bonding Bill Issue Area: Budget & Spending Result: Failed HJ4849 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the Omnibus Bonding Bill to borrow $800 million; a supermajority was required to pass (HF270). Vote 3 - Construction of Nuclear Power Plants Issue Area: Energy & The Environment Result: Failed HJ4388 AFPs Position: Support This was a vote on the Peppin amendment to the Omnibus Energy Bill (HF956) to end new nuclear-powered electric plants construction prohibition. Vote 4 - Omnibus Energy Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Energy & The Environment Result: Passed HJ4722 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of key energy policy provisions, which were wrapped into the Jobs & Economic Development bill (HF729). Vote 5 - Omnibus HHS Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Health Care & Entitlements Result: Passed HJ5420 AFPs Position: Oppose
This was a vote on the final passage of Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill, as amended by conference (HF1233). Vote 6 - Health Insurance Exchange Issue Area: Health Care & Entitlements Result: Passed HJ1059 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the re-passage of a bill to allow establishment of a MN Insurance Marketplace, as amended by conference committee (HF5). Vote 7 - Minimum Wage Increase Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed HJ4297 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the third reading and final passage, as amended, of a bill to increase minimum wage requirements (HF92). Vote 8 - Child Care Provider Unionization Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed HJ6345 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of a bill to allow Daycare Provider and PCA Unionization (SF 778). Vote 9 Omnibus Pension Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed HJ5587 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of the Omnibus Pension Bill Conference Committee report that has a $26M bailout for FY14/15 for the failing Duluth and St. Paul Teachers Pensions and increases the benefit for Retired Duluth Teachers (SF 489).
Vote 10 - Legalize Sunday Liquor Sales Issue Area: Property Rights Result: Failed HJ4168 AFPs Position: Support This was a vote on the Liebling amendment to the Omnibus Liquor Bill (SF541) to allow Sunday liquor sales. Vote 11 - Radiation Therapy Facilities Construction Moratorium Extension Issue Area: Property Rights Result: Passed HJ1777 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on a bill that would extend the existing moratorium on construction of radiation therapy facilities in MN to Dec 31, 2020. (HF164). Vote 12 Omnibus Tax Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Taxes Result: Passed HJ6296 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of Omnibus Tax Bill Conference Committee report, which increases taxes by over $2.1 billion (HF677).
district
representative
Abeler, Jim Albright, Tony Allen, Susan Anderson, Mark Anderson, Paul Anderson, Sarah Anzelc, Tom Atkins, Joe Barrett, Bob Beard, Michael Benson, John Benson, Mike Bernardy, Connie Bly, David Brynaert, Kathy
VOTE 1
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a x x a x x
VOTE 2
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a x x a x x
VOTE 3
nv a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a a x a x x
VOTE 4
a a x a a a x x a a x a x nv x x x a a a x a x a x x a x x
VOTE 5
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a x x a x x
VOTE 6
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a x x nv x x
VOTE 7
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a nv x a x x
VOTE 8
a a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x a a a x a x a x x a x x
VOTE 9
x a x a a a x x a a x a x x x x x x a x x a x a x x a x x
35A 55B 62B 09A 12B 44A 05B 52B 32B 55A 44B 26B 41A 20B 19B 45A 62A 23B 31A 28B 63A 38B 59B 39A 03A 14B 21B 49A 02A
Carlson Sr., Lyndon DFL Clark, Karen Cornish, Tony Daudt, Kurt Davids, Greg Davnie, Jim Dean, Matt Dehn, Raymond Dettmer, Bob Dill, David Dorholt, Zachary Drazkowski, Steve Erhardt, Ron Erickson, Roger DFL R R R DFL R DFL R DFL DFL R DFL DFL
A+ 100% 8% 0%
SCORE
PARTY
district
representative
Erickson, Sondra Fabian, Dan Falk, Andrew Faust, Tim Fischer, Peter FitzSimmons, David Franson, Mary Freiberg, Mike Fritz, Patti Garofalo, Pat Green, Steve Gruenhagen, Glenn Gunther, Bob Hackbarth, Tom Halverson, Laurie Hamilton, Rod Hansen, Rick Hausman, Alice Hertaus, Jerry Hilstrom, Debra Holberg, Mary Liz Hoppe, Joe Hornstein, Frank Hortman, Melissa Howe, Jeff Huntley, Thomas Isaacson, Jason Johnson, Brian Johnson, Clark
VOTE 1
a a x x x a a x x a a a x a x x x x a nv a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 2
a a x x x a a x x a a a a a x a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 3
a a x x x a a x x a a a a a x a x x a x a a x x a a x a x
VOTE 4
a a x x x a a x x a nv a x a x a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 5
a a x x x a a x x a a a a a x a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 6
a a x x x a a x x a a a a a a a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 7
a a x x x a a x x a a a nv a x a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 8
a a x a x a a x x a a a a a x a x x a x a a x x a x x a x
VOTE 9
a a x x x a a x x a a a x a x x x x a x a a nv x a x x a x
R R DFL DFL DFL R R DFL DFL R R R R R DFL R DFL DFL R DFL R R DFL DFL R DFL DFL R DFL
15A 01A 17A 11B 43A 30B 08B 45B 24B 58B 02B 18B 23A 31B 51B 22B 52A 66A 33A 40B 58A 47B 61A 36B 13A 07A 42B 32A 19A
83% 83% 9% 8% 0% 92% 92% 8% 0% 83% 91% 92% 55% 83% 17% 67% 0% 8%
SCORE
PARTY
district
representative
Johnson, Sheldon Kahn, Phyllis Kelly, Tim Kieffer, Andrea Kiel, Debra Kresha, Ron Laine, Carolyn Leidiger, Ernie Lenczewski, Ann Lesch, John Liebling, Tina Lien, Ben Lillie, Leon Loeffler, Diane Lohmer, Kathy Loon, Jenifer Mack, Tara Mahoney, Tim Mariani, Carlos Marquart, Paul Masin, Sandra McDonald, Joe McNamar, Jay McNamara, Denny Melin, Carly Metsa, Jason Moran, Rena Morgan, Will Mullery, Joe
VOTE 1
x x a a a nv x a x x x x x x nv a a x x x x a x a x x x x x
VOTE 2
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VOTE 3
x x a a a a x a x x x x x x a a a nv x x x a x a x x x x x
VOTE 4
x x a a a a x a x x x x x x a a a x x x x a x a x x x x x
VOTE 5
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VOTE 6
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VOTE 7
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VOTE 8
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VOTE 9
x x a a a a x a x x x x x x a a a x x x x nv x x x x x x x
DFL DFL R R R R DFL R DFL DFL DFL DFL DFL DFL R R R DFL DFL DFL DFL R DFL R DFL DFL DFL DFL DFL
67B 60B 21A 53B 01B 09B 41B 47A 50B 66B 26A 04A 43B 60A 39B 48B 57A 67A 65B 04B 51A 29A 12A 54B 06A 06B 65A 56B 59A
0% 8% 92%
SCORE
PARTY
district
representative
Murphy, Erin Murphy, Mary Myhra, Pam Nelson, Michael V. Newberger, Jim Newton, Jerry Nornes, Bud Norton, Kim ODriscoll, Tim ONeill, Marion Paymar, Michael Pelowski Jr., Gene Peppin, Joyce Persell, John Petersburg, John Poppe, Jeanne Pugh, Cindy Quam, Duane Radinovich, Joe Rosenthal, Paul Runbeck, Linda Sanders, Tim Savick, Shannon Sawatzky, Mary Schoen, Dan Schomacker, Joe Scott, Peggy Selcer, Yvonne Simon, Steve
VOTE 1
x x a x a x a x a a x x nv x x x a a x x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 2
x x a x a x a x a a x x a x a x a a x x a a x x x a nv x x
VOTE 3
x x a x a x a a a a x a a x a x a a x x a a x a x a a x x
VOTE 4
x x a x a x a x a a x x a x a x a a x x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 5
x x a x a x a x a a x x a x a x a a x x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 6
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VOTE 7
x x a x a x a nv a a x a a x nv x a a x a a a x x x a a a x
VOTE 8
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VOTE 9
x x nv x a x a x a a x x a x a x a a x x a a x x x a a x x
DFL DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R R DFL DFL R DFL R DFL R R DFL DFL R R DFL DFL DFL R R DFL DFL
64A 03B 56A 40A 15B 37A 08A 25B 13B 29B 64B 28A 34A 05A 24A 27B 33B 25A 10B 49B 38A 37B 27A 17B 54A 22A 35B 48A 46B
SCORE
PARTY
district
representative
Simonson, Erik Slocum, Linda Sundin, Mike Swedzinski, Chris Theis, Tama Thissen, Paul Torkelson, Paul Uglem, Mark Urdahl, Dean Wagenius, Jean Ward, JoAnn Ward, John Wills, Anna Winkler, Ryan Woodard, Kelby Yarusso, Barb Zellers, Kurt Zerwas, Nick
VOTE 1
x x x a a x x x a x x x a x a x a a
VOTE 2
x x x x x x a x a x x x nv x a x a a
VOTE 3
x x x a a x a a a x x x a x a x a a
VOTE 4
x x x a a x a a a x x x a x a x a a
VOTE 5
x x x a a x a a a x x x a x a x a a
VOTE 6
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VOTE 7
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VOTE 8
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VOTE 9
x x x a a x a a a x x x a x a x a a
07B 50A 11A 16A 14A 61B 16B 36A 18A 63B 53A 10A 57B 46A 20A 42A 34B 30A
SCORE
PARTY
Senate Key Votes 2013 Votes Vote 1 - Pay Increase for Lawmakers Issue Area: Budget & Spending Result: Passed SJ1868 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of the Omnibus State Government Appropriations Bill, which included a 35% pay increase for lawmakers (SF1589). Vote 2 Transportation Finance Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Budget & Spending Result: Passed SJ5193 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of the Transportation Bill Conference Committee report (HF1444). Vote 3 Eliminate Renewable and Solar Energy Mandates Issue Area: Energy & The Environment Result: Failed SJ3499 AFPs Position: Support This was a vote on the Benson amendment to the Omnibus Energy Bill (SF901) to remove a goal requirement of making Minnesota 100% reliant on renewable energy and to remove solar and renewable energy mandates from the bill. Vote 4 Omnibus Energy Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Energy & The Environment Result: Passed SJ3932 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of key energy policy provisions, which were wrapped into the Jobs & Economic Development bill (HF729).
Vote 5 Omnibus HHS Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Health Care & Entitlements Result: Passed SJ4775 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill, as amended by conference (HF1233). Vote 6 Health Insurance Exchange Issue Area: Health Care & Entitlements Result: Passed SJ1055 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the re-passage of a bill to allow establishment of a MN Insurance Marketplace, as amended by conference committee (HF5). Vote 7 Minimum Wage Increase Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed SJ3414 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the third reading and final passage, as amended, of a bill to increase minimum wage requirements (HF92). Vote 8 Child Care Provider Unionization Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed SJ3695 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of a bill to allow Daycare Provider and PCA Unionization (SF 778). Vote 9 Omnibus Pension Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Labor, Education & Pensions Result: Passed SJ4190 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of the Omnibus Pension Bill Conference Committee report that has a $26M bailout for FY14/15 for the failing Duluth and St. Paul Teachers Pensions and increases the benefit for Retired Duluth Teachers (SF 489).
Vote 10 Radiation Therapy Facilities Construction Moratorium Extension Issue Area: Property Rights Result: Passed SJ1782 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on a bill that would extend the existing moratorium on construction of radiation therapy facilities in MN to Dec 31, 2020. (HF164). Vote 11 Reconsideration of Senate Tax bill Issue Area: Taxes Result: Passed SJ3140 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the Hoffman motion to reconsider the vote on the Senate Tax Bill after initial failure to pass (HF677). Vote 12 Omnibus Tax Bill Conference Committee Report Issue Area: Taxes Result: Passed SJ5750 AFPs Position: Oppose This was a vote on the final passage of Omnibus Tax Bill Conference Committee report, which increases taxes by over $2.1 billion (HF677).
district
senator
Anderson, Bruce Bakk, Tom Benson, Michelle Bonoff, Terri Brown, Dave Carlson, Jim Chamberlain, Roger Champion, Bobby Joe Clausen, Greg Cohen, Dick Dahle, Kevin Dahms, Gary Dibble, Scott Dziedzic, Kari Eaton, Chris Eken, Kent Fischbach, Michelle Franzen, Melisa Gazelka, Paul Goodwin, Barb Hall, Dan Hann, David Hawj, Foung Hayden, Jeff Hoffman, John Housley, Karin Ingebrigtsen, Bill Jensen, Vicki Johnson, Alice
VOTE 1
a x a x a x a x a x a a x x x x a x a x a a x x a a a a x
VOTE 2
a x a x a x a x x x x x x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 3
a nv a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 4
a x a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 5
a x a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 6
a x a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 7
a x a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 8
a x a a a x a x a x x a x x x x a a a x a a x x x a a x x
VOTE 9
a x a x a x a x x x x a x x x x a x a x a a x x x a a x x
R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL DFL DFL DFL R DFL DFL DFL DFL R DFL R DFL R R DFL DFL DFL R R DFL DFL
29 3 31 44 15 51 38 59 57 64 20 16 61 60 40 4 13 49 9 41 56 48 67 62 36 39 8 24 37
A+ 100% 0%
A+ 100% 8%
SCORE
PARTY
district
senator
Kent, Susan Kiffmeyer, Mary Koenen, Lyle Latz, Ron Limmer, Warren Lourey, Tony Marty, John Metzen, James Miller, Jeremy Nelson, Carla Newman, Scott Nienow, Sean Ortman, Julianne Osmek, David Pappas, Sandy Pederson, John Petersen, Branden Pratt, Eric Ray, Patricia Torres Reinert, Roger Rest, Ann Rosen, Julie Ruud, Carrie Saxhaug, Tom Scalze, Bev Schmit, Matt Senjem, Dave Sheran, Kathy Sieben, Katie
VOTE 1
a a x x a x x x nv a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x x x a x x
VOTE 2
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x x a a x x x x a x x x x x x
VOTE 3
x a x x a x x x nv a a a a a x nv a a x a nv nv nv x x x a x x
VOTE 4
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x x x a x x
VOTE 5
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x x x a x x
VOTE 6
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x x x a x x
VOTE 7
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x x x a x x
VOTE 8
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a a a x x x a a x a x a x x
VOTE 9
x a x x a x x x a a a a a a x a nv a x x x a a x x x a x x
DFL R DFL DFL R DFL DFL DFL R R R R R R DFL R R R DFL DFL DFL R R DFL DFL DFL R DFL DFL
53 30 17 46 34 11 66 52 28 26 18 32 47 33 65 14 35 55 63 7 45 23 10 5 42 21 25 19 54
17%
A+ 100% 0% 0%
SCORE
PARTY
district
senator
Skoe, Rod Sparks, Dan Stumpf, LeRoy Thompson, Dave Tomassoni, David Weber, Bill Westrom, Torrey Wiger, Chuck Wiklund, Melissa h.
VOTE 1
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 2
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 3
nv x x a x a nv x x
VOTE 4
x x x a x a x x x
VOTE 5
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 6
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 7
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 8
x x x a x a a x x
VOTE 9
x nv x a x a a x x
2 27 1 58 6 22 12 43 50
0% 0% 0%
SCORE
PARTY
About AFP-MN Americans for Prosperity is a grassroots movement of over 2.3 million activists nationwide who advocate and promote limited government, lower taxes and more freedom. We have over 19,000 activists across the state of Minnesota who are taking action every day on behalf of the free market movement and influencing decision makers. Whether its calling members of congress or the legislature, gathering with fellow activists, or attending an AFP event in their neighborhood AFP activists are making a difference in the fight against big government on the local and national level. We encourage you to join the over 19,000 members of AFP in Minnesota and the 2.3 million activists nationwide on the front line in the fight against big government. As an AFP activist we will provide you with action alerts that allow you to contact your elected officials, updates on how you can promote limited government and provide you with the tools to make your voice heard. How To Contact Us Website: www.AFPMinnesota.com Social Media: Twitter @PropserityMN Facebook www.facebook.com/AFPMinnesota Email: [email protected]
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