From the Desk of Tom Emmer

I received this letter from Tom Emmer on Friday, 7 September, 2007. We the people of Minnesota are continuously bombarded from all the various media outlets with the opinions of special interest groups. This letter from Rep. Emmer tells it like it is.

Earlier this year, during the 2007 session, we had the pleasure of hearing our esteemed Governor on the radio airwaves remind us that we did not need to raise taxes when we had a deficit, so why should we raise taxes when we have a surplus? Good point Governor! At this very same time, on KQRS radio was a group called "Progress in Motion" telling us that our Governor's policy of borrowing to finance our road construction was going to cost our children as much as $900 million in interest alone! This very same story was told buy the "Coalition of Minnesota Working Families" on 102 FM.

One thing I find fishy about these special interest groups is that no one knows who they are until it's too late. I gave a call to the Campaign Finance Board and this is what I was told. A special interest group does not have to register until they hire a lobbyist. They do not have to file a report until the end of the year, well after the session is over and sometimes well forgotten. So it comes down to this, anyone with the money can run ads to influence you and you will have no idea who is financing their agenda! The two special interest groups I mentioned are partially funded by the Transportation Alliance as well as some other special interest groups that only care about you shelling out your hard earned dollars to fund their dreams.

The following letter is written by a good Minnesotan who is well aware of the influence of the media and special interest groups and their desire to gouge us. I must remind you of this great quote,

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed."
Mark Twain


Tom Emmer
State Representative
District 19B

Minnesota
House of Representatives




September, 2007

Dear Friends:

As we know, our state has been hit hard in the last several weeks. First by the tragic I-35W bridge collapse and more recently by the flood disaster in southern Minnesota. Our hearts and prayers go out to those directly impacted by these events. During times of extreme challenge, we can’t help but be reminded of the strength and courage of the human spirit.

The American people - and especially we Minnesotans - have a tradition of overcoming adversity. I have no doubt that our state will meet the challenge that these tragic events have laid before us. We will rebuild and we will be there for our fellow Minnesotans who need our help.

We cannot, however, in times like this, be divided. We must be united behind our governor to help us help ourselves. We cannot, under any circumstance, allow politics to play a role in facing the challenges before us. Recently, you have no doubt heard the politicians and the editorial pundits crying out for a special session of the legislature. These cries are based on the false premise that the legislature must convene to get the bridge rebuilt and lend disaster relief to our southern Minnesota citizens.

The legislature does not need to convene in order to accomplish anything in regard to these tragedies. Our governor has the authority to rebuild the bridge and in cooperation with the federal government lend assistance and disaster relief to our friends in the southern part of the state.

As his recent actions demonstrate, our governor has the character and leadership skills necessary to implement an effective and efficient emergency response. While he maintains an “open door” for input from the legislature, the Governor clearly recognizes that calling a special session to bring the politicians back to St. Paul will only bog down the recovery and relief process.

Unfortunately, our media has been complicit and encouraging our self-aggrandizing politicians to demand a special session to deal with non-emergency matters; for instance, taxes and bonding. We must keep in mind that this is how these folks make their living. If the legislature is not in session, they have little if anything to do.

Over the past year we have constantly been reminded how special interests can corrupt the democratic process. From my perspective, the media special interests and attention seeking politicians are no different than any other special interest attempting to move a personal agenda. Remember, now is not the time for politics. Now is the time for action!

We do not need 201 legislators getting in the way of efforts to rebuild and recover. Please call our Governor and encourage him to refrain from calling a special session of the legislature and to continue to exercise his executive powers to help those in need immediately.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Tom Emmer
House Republican Deputy Minority Leader