2015 scorecard announcement
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Scorecard AnnouncementTRANSCRIPT
www.taxpayersleague.org
Taxpayers League of Minnesota Announces Best Friend, Friends of the Taxpayer Awards
Contact: Ted Lillie September 15, 2015 Ph: (651) 789-‐0092 ST. PAUL – The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is today releasing its 19th annual Legislative Scorecard. The 2015 Legislative Scorecard rates legislators on their votes for the prosperity of Minnesota families and businesses, to reduce government spending, promote government efficiency, less onerous regulation and free markets. The scorecard features on its front cover one legislator who was awarded “Best Friend of the Taxpayer” by scoring 100% by voting against wasteful spending and government growth which lead to increased spending and taxes during the 2015 legislative session, and signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which promises to their constituents that they “will oppose any and all efforts to increase taxes.” The 2015 scorecard is available online at taxpayersleague.org/scorecard along with links to past scorecards. It is being sent to all of the League’s members across Minnesota this week. “Best Friend of the Taxpayer” Senator Dave Osmek R-‐Mound 33 100% Scores Senator Roger Chamberlain R-‐Lino Lakes 38 Senator Dan Hall R-‐Burnsville 56 Senator Dave Thompson R-‐Lakeville 58
The scorecard also contains a brief summary of the 2015 legislative session. Notable is the absence of House members on the cover of this year’s scorecard. “I think this year was a test for the new leadership in the House.” said Ted Lillie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. Like previous Republican Legislative leadership, of which I was a part back in 2011-‐12, they met a wall of intransigence known as Governor Dayton who thinks that Minnesota should be a state with high taxes across the board and a high cost of doing business.” Lillie continued “But what they chose to do in response to the Governor’s position led to a sense of frustration and disappointment among grassroots activists as well as ordinary Minnesotans who are struggling in this sluggish economy and who are worried about the future.” Inside the scorecard six Representatives are featured as getting an “honorable mention” for achieving passing grades: These are Rep. Eric Lucero R-‐Dayton (75), Rep. Pat Garofalo R-‐Farmington (68), Rep. Jerry Hertaus R-‐ (68) Rep. Jim Newberger R-‐Becker (68) Rep. Jim Nash R-‐Waconia and Rep. Cindy Pugh R-‐Chanhassen (68). “We
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do want to highlight their effort and encourage them and all members of the House and Senate to focus more on changing the unsustainable budget trajectory we are on next session,” said Lillie. The scorecard also includes a copy of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge that asks legislators to promise not to increase taxes and a second pledge is also included asking legislators to promise not to increase the Gas Tax, an issue that came up last year and will probably come up again next session. “We recognize that some legislators may want to go on the record to specifically reject that possibility and focus instead on reprioritizing transportation needs. We are affording them an opportunity to do so with this pledge” concluded Lillie. The Taxpayers League has been standing up for Minnesota taxpayers by championing lower taxes, limited government, local control, and free enterprise through nonpartisan grassroots advocacy since 1996.
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