EdAction
Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116
Chaska, MN
55318
952-361-4931
http://www.EdAction.org
E-mail
May 20, 2003
One last alert!
Right to Vote Their Consciences
You have made a huge difference this year at the legislature. Your
calls and your emails, your visits, your involvement has brought us to the
repeal of the Profile of Learning and much, much more. (The Profile
repeal update is on its way.)
But the special session is just about over and we urgently need your help.
A deal has been struck to bind all of the Republican Senators' votes on
ALL of the major legislation. In exchange DFL support for the
Governor's tax plan, no Republican Senators are "allowed" to
vote "no" on the tax bill or on any major spending bill.
The deal was made without consulting any Senators!!
Tax Free Businesses:
There is trouble in the Senate Republican caucus over the Tax Free
Businesses provision. (They call it "Tax Free Zones.") At
least one Republican may be forced to vote against the tax bill for
conscience reasons on the "Tax Free Businesses."
Is a state-planned economy coming to Minnesota? The answer is
"yes," if so-called "tax-free" zones pass in the
coming weeks. They are not zones at all, but simply tax free
businesses. They are tied to the School-to-Work (Career & Technical)
system that is being implemented throughout Minnesota.
But Senators are not "allowed" to vote no, according to a deal
between the Governor and Senate majority Leader Hottinger.
The Republican leadership cannot FORCE elected legislators to vote against
their consciences -- to vote FOR "Tax Free Businesses,"
The bill to create "tax free businesses" is rolled into the
final tax bill. That bill is now in conference committee and it will
be sent back to both House and Senate for approval ANY TIME!
You can help by acting now, before the issue comes before the legislators.
Here's how:
1. We need you to call the Governor ASAP! (651)
296-3391 (800) 657-3717 e-mail
Tell him to take the tax free businesses out of the tax bill and let it be
voted on separately. If he wants a unanimous vote on his tax bill, the Tax
Free Businesses must be out!
2. Call (651-296-9934) or e-mail
Rep. Ron Abrams , Chair of the House Tax Committee. Tell him to
tell the Governor to take the tax free businesses out of the tax bill and
let it be voted on separately.
3. Call (651-296-5975) or e-mail
Senator Bill Belanger, Republican on the Senate Tax Committee. Tell
him to tell the Governor to take the tax free businesses out of the tax
bill and let it be voted on separately.
4. If you have a Republican Senator and/or Representative, tell
them to tell the Governor to take the tax free businesses out of the tax
bill and let it be voted on separately. Find your Senator or
Representative at: http://edaction.org/legcontacts.htm
--------------------------
Excerpt from Tax Free Twilight Zone alert of April 26, 2003.
(For the whole update, see http://www.edwatch.org
/updates/042603.htm or read more on "Tax Free Businesses"
at: http://www.edwatch.org/updates/042903.htm)
Just as the radical promoters and developers of the Profile of Learning
marketed their product under the false title of "high
standards," our state legislature is about to embark on selling the
public a planned economy under the false title of "tax free
zones."
The legislation's title, "tax free zones," implies a level
playing field for all businesses in a "zone." However,
faster than you can say, "Johnny can't read but he can bag farm
chemicals," non-elected governmental appointees, by their own
admission, will be picking the "winners and losers" (which
"businesses" will qualify).
Is a state-planned economy coming to Minnesota? Will it involve
government-preferred industries, government-chosen businesses, and local
schools restructured to provide entry-level labor training to meet local
needs? Yes, if the so-called "tax-free" zones bill is
passed into law in the few remaining days of this session.
Thank you for this final urgent push to defend the right of elected
Senators to vote their conscience.