Here's an Assignment for Kalin and Olseen

Since the illustrious and ambitious team of Kalin and Olseen are so busy working on behalf of Chisago county that Kalin wears out dozens of shoes - oh, that's right, that was while he was campaigning (we don't hear how Olseen is faring in the shoes category!) - we could task them with the responsibility to make a personal inspection of the North Branch/95 bridge to see what freeway hazards may currently exist and report back to the public because even a casual look at the bridge while driving over it suggests real deterioration of the concrete deck and support and there could be a hazard for freeway drivers from pieces or chunks of concrete that could fall. And could we have that report before the election so due credit is afforded?

REFUTATION OF ALLEGED "PERSONAL ATTACK" POLITICS

This is in response to "anonymous" who declares without citing the source of his certainty that "I am sure that most of the public would consider referring to individuals as kooks because you disagree with their policies as personal attacks."

Cite the source of your certainty. Have you polled "most of the public" to get such a certain answer that you rely on in your angered disagreement?

Or are you engaging in hyperbole?

Or worse, would you now seek to censor us from using even a simple acronym derived from listing Kalin, Olseen, Oberstar, Klobuchar and Swanson as the top leaders of the DFL (another acronym!) for this District and the State?

Look up the dictionary definition of an acronym and be informed!

Wherein are we dishonest? Wherein are we untruthful?

WHERE IS THE "PERSONAL ATTACK" YOU ALLEGE?

You cannot cite it because, friend, it is not there!

Lack of Documentation

Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) wrote his most recent editorial, taking an earlier letter writer to task. In it he appealed to an editorial by the Pioneer Press, attempting to refute that writer. However, he did not provide any documentation so his readers could examine that Pioneer Press piece.

He talked about ". . . $1.6 billion in property taxes spent last year on state highway projects." He has mentioned this figure several times, but has never offered documentation. He failed to point his constituents to the source for this assertion so we can study it for ourselves.

He wrote, "Without the new funding in the Transportation Bill, North Branch would have been forced to ask city residents to pay the $4.5 million (earlier he said $4.2 million) funding gap from property taxes. . ." Again, Kalin failed to give his source for this claim. Certainly the taxpayers of North Branch would benefit by looking at the numbers for themselves.

Kalin defended himself, claiming, "But to say that a bill was drafted to take advantage of the tragedy is mere mud-throwing not supported by facts." He didn’t offer any facts to disprove this just as he claimed the letter writer ". . . relied on personal attacks and absurd exaggerations of fact" without offering any proof of his charge. His mere pronouncement is apparently sufficient in his mind.

In previous pieces he has written about $15 million coming to Chisago County for roads and bridges, but never provides his source for his postulate. He claims to have secured property tax relief, but never gives the numbers or the documentation for those numbers.

Some time ago he claimed, "According to MnDOT's own projections, Minnesota is $2.4 billion behind every year in keeping up our current system." We looked at that here. He threw it out there without directing us to any source. If Mn/DOT truly made those projections, then he should be able to link to documents on their web site.

Some time ago, he declared, "HF2800 [the recently passed transportation bill] will allow MnDOT to repair or replace all of the 13 bridges in worse structural condition than the I35W Bridge." We looked at that statement here and asked for documentation. He did not identify those 13 bridges nor provide his sources.

Examples could be multiplied, but this is sufficient to show he doesn’t think his readers need anything more than his word.

Kalin wants us to work with the ". . . real facts. . ." But he has little or no interest in giving the sources of those "facts." As a representative of Chisago County downtown, he needs to tell us the facts and provide the Internet links and documentation to support his claims. While many readers are unconcerned about evidence and are willing to accept his claims without proof, many of us are not. My high school teachers would have given him a failing grade on a report that did not provide documentation. I hereby give him an F for his failure to document his assertions in his communications with us.

"BAWL-BABY" POLITICS REJECTED HERE!

Representative Jeremy Kalin has morphed into a political "bawl-baby" who cries out in the media with letters-to-the-editor alleging that he is the victim of "personal attack" yet he does not cite valid specific substantiation of his "victimhood" while he tries to use the dodge as a clever device to "shame" people for having the temerity to disagree in the media with his votes and viewpoints. I cite Kalin's letter in the ECM Post Review for Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

In short, if you disagree with Jeremy Kalin he claims you indulge in "personal attack." Nice try Jeremy Kalin but that is a bunch of baloney! There is a world of difference between "personal attack" and "vigorous disagreement" with your political viewpoints, votes and ideas. And you know it! And we know it! And we will not be silenced when you are wrong!

An Empty Hand and a Lid

Rep. Kalin claims on his web site on August 12, 2008,

". . . [W]e took significant steps toward Property Tax Reform, limiting property tax levy increases to just 3.9% a year, and increasing the direct property tax rebate fund by $25 million."

With his vaunted property tax reform, Kalin came to the 10 Chisago County cities with an almost empty hand, bringing a mere $122,093 more LGA for all 10 cities.

Six of the cities, Harris, Lindstrom, North Branch, Shafer, Taylors Falls and Wyoming, will lose LGA under the new 2008 LGA law, because Kalin’s empty hand swooped in and swiped money from these municipalities.

But that is not all he did. He then voted to clamp a 3.9% lid on local levy increases. So now those 6 cities that lost some LGA, are limited to a 3.9% levy increase for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Talk about a straight jacket! Taxpayers may like the imposed levy cap to keep their tax load down, but it could be tough for a city to fund needed projects, effectively causing taxes to mushroom after the 3 years.

Kalin calls this scenario property tax reform. He doesn’t trust local elected council members to hold the line on property taxes, so he thinks the state legislature should dictate their actions. Kalin and Olseen substituted their decisions for every elected official and every citizen who attends Truth in Taxation hearings to hold a council accountable for its proposed budget.

Kalin can vote to spend $6.6 billion on transportation (and raise taxes the same amount), but he can’t trust locals to make a responsible levy.

He can brag about giving Chisago County $15 million for roads and bridges, but then hog tie local governments so they may be restricted from doing street reconstruction.

He tells us how wonderful he’s been to give out $42 million in LGA (and tax us for that money) and then tells locals they have a lid on how much property tax they can raise.

Kalin’s version of property tax reform is you pay property taxes and you kick in other taxes to the state so he can give it back to you as a wonderful gift called LGA which was reduced for 6 cities in Chisago County.

This rookie legislator has demonstrated his ardent belief in statism and socialism—depend on the state to redistribute wealth and don’t trust the locals with their own money. In his desperate attempt to foster state control, he ended up hurting those whom he represents by swiping LGA and then slamming a lid on our own ability to raise our own local taxes.

This is not the actions of a fiscal or responsible conservative. It’s time to replace him with a true conservative, Don Taylor.

A Distinction Without a Difference

Source

Property Tax Relief: Kalin Style

One of Rep. Jeremy Kalin’s (D-17B) legislative goals was to secure property tax relief. Looking at his literature, updates and press releases reveals property tax relief and property tax reform is a dominant theme, for example, here, here, here and currently, where he says:

"And we took significant steps toward Property Tax Reform, limiting property tax levy increases to just 3.9% a year, and increasing the direct property tax rebate fund by $25 million."

His own campaign manager exulted in finally gaining property tax relief through Kalin’s efforts. The new 2008 local government aid (LGA) law provides $42 million more for Minnesota cities that will be payable in 2009. $42 million is a significant amount. Why, to hear Kalin and Vitalis tell it, Kalin gave us RELIEF!!

But that relief is not all what it is cracked up to be, as we have previously noted. In that post we noted that 4 cities in Chisago County gained LGA while 6 cities lost LGA for a combined gain county-wide of $121,093. That’s not much relief!

So what is the 10 Chisago County cities’ share of the new LGA? Our 10 cities will receive $121,093 of the $42,000,000. That is 0.29% of the total increase in LGA. That’s not much relief! That’s not worth writing home about. That’s not any cause for celebration. That’s not worth all the hoopla from Kalin’s campaign manager.

Kalin and Olseen did not bring home the bacon. The Sugar Daddy didn’t come through. And Vitalis is crowing about little or nothing.

And don’t forget—all the $42,000,000 classified as "tax relief" is paid by you, the taxpayer. Kalin takes your money and hands it back to you as if the state paid for it. And then Vitalis crows that Kalin gave you "tax relief." Some deal!

Does This Make His Followers "Airheads?"

B Obama "blows" into town to inform us of his "energy policy" which consists of "adding air to our tires!"

Come to think of it, hot air does make things rise so after that "uplifting" message Obama's gas guzzling entourage zooms him away with several million dollars gathered, we assume with tongue in cheek, from the local "little guys" who have always been the object of DFL concern!

But, sadly, the old saying still applies: "A fool and his money are soon parted." And that saying is valid in this instance too for you, my DFL friend, have been played for "the fool" and Obama has "parted" you from your money!

LESSON TO BE LEARNED? A smart person changes his mind - a fool never!!

On the local legislative level you have choices to make too - "hot air" promises made by campaigning officeholders will try to fool you into letting the same bee sting you twice!"

POLITICAL TRICKY TACTIC

When a Legislator is criticized publicly and cannot defend the votes he makes in the legislature some Legislators resort to the old tricky tactic of complaining that his critics are launching a personal attack.

Mr. Kalin, you totally kid yourself if you think the blistering criticism you (and Senator Olseen) are receiving from the constituency about your vote for the terrible transportation bill is a personal attack - it is most certainly a vigorous and considered disagreement with your vote for a bill that became law which clearly does not serve the best interests of the people of 17b.

It Could Not Have Been Said Better!

"As usual, Jeremy Kalin has no answer other than to raise taxes and blame the Governor."

"Jeremy, gas is already costing my family enough - thank you for the extra tax."

----Signed - "Todd" in a letter-to-the-editor, ECMPost Review newspaper, July 27, 2008

Get a real job Mr. Kalin!

'In Minnesota, members of the Legislature are "citizen legislators" and most have jobs outside the Legislature.'

This is taken directly from the Minnesota State Legislature web site. There exists certain provisions that protect the jobs of our 'citizen representatives' while they serve us at the capital so they can act as 'citizen legislators' and go back to their career jobs after the work at the capital has been completed.

Mr. Kalin does not need these provisions since his full time job is that of a member of the State House. He even lists this as his job on his blog site among other places.

When I asked Mr. Kalin about this last week when he knocked on my door asking for my support this fall, he became very defensive and actually beligerant as he stormed off down the sidewalk. He did admit that he hasn't collected a paycheck other than that paid by us to him as a member of the state legislature since becoming elected over two years ago.

I for one am tired of career politicians like Mr. Kalin and others, it is time to send these types packing and take great care in those that we select to serve as our elected representatives. We as the GOP in this district need to take great care to vett our prospective candidates both now and in the future.

We need to assure that we have good candidates like Don Taylor, a candidate who knows what it is like to hold a job, someone who knows what it feels like to pay property taxes in this district, and someone that will go to St. Paul to represent this district, get the job done in the best interest of the taxpayers of this district and the State of Minnesota, and then go back to his regular job when the work is done.

I am suspect of anyone who wants to be a politician so bad that they put getting elected before a real career. Politics was never supposed to be a career and too many have made careers of it. It is time for these career politicians to hear our call, it is time for you to get a real job!

LGA--Democrat Style

In a letter to the editor, Kalin’s campaign manager, Wade Vitalis, asked and answered a question and made an assertion,

What happened when they [former Republican legislatures] voted to cut local government aid (LGA) to our cities? You got it – our property taxes went up and up and up.

That was then – this is now.

The Democratic legislature has increased LGA to our cities. . . Finally – property tax relief.

Did former Republican legislatures vote to cut local government aid (LGA)? Look at the statewide totals found here on page 30 of the state document for a history from 2002 to 2007.

Cert. 2002 LGA.....Cert. 2003 LGA.....Paid 2003 LGA
$564,982,145........$586,848,950.......$464,941,977

Cert. 2004 LGA.....Cert. 2005 LGA.....Cert. 2006 LGA
$437,466,461........$436,718,087.......$484,558,200

Cert. 2007 LGA
$484,558,200

The 2003 LGA was certified by a Dem controlled legislature, if I remember correctly. The paid 2003 LGA was greatly reduced by a Rep controlled legislature to help offset the $4.6 billion deficit inherited from the Dems.

The Republicans pulled the state back from a deficit to a reserve, which is also reflected in the 2004 and '05 numbers. This was wise stewardship. Then the Republicans increased LGA for 2006 and '07. If Vitalis wanted a fatter LGA check for cities in this time period, then the state’s financial house would have been much poorer.

So yes the Republicans cut LGA to rescue the state from the $4.6 billion deficit that the Dems helped create by overspending.

The above is for the statewide LGA figures. Click here for the LGA certified to each of the 10 cities in Chisago County between 2002 and 2007. Some cities lost and some cities gained. Click here for the history of any city during this time period.

Next Vitalis claims the 2007-2008 Democrat controlled legislature has increased LGA to the cities and thus given property tax relief. Is this true? Yes it is (see page 25 here). The total statewide LGA was raised from $484,148,487 for 2009 to $526,148,487 which is still short of the $586,848,950 LGA for 2003 certified by a Dem controlled legislature.

So how did the 10 cities of Chisago County fare under Kalin’s and the Dem’s new 2008 LGA law which provided for increased LGA statewide?

..................2008....2009 projected..2009 new law
Center City....$46,226......$42,999.........$46,226
Chisago City...$111,816.....$69,501....... $124,501
Harris...........$156,013.....$171,700.......$156,013
Lindstrom......$156,606.....$172,388.......$169,483
North Branch..$349,538.....$431,592.......$429,229
Rush City.......$518,419.....$562,892.......$674,075
Shafer..........$136,520.....$172,878.......$141,622
Stacy...........$224,356.....$237,376.......$280,592
Taylors Falls...$195,970.....$211,708........$195,970
Wyoming......$22,560....... $22,584........$0

Center City, Chisago City, Rush City and Stacy gained a combined $212,626 from the Dem’s new LGA law. All the rest of the cities lost a combined $90,533 of LGA money compared to the 2009 projections based on the old law.

This is nothing to brag about. Vitalis’ unqualified "yes" is disingenuous. Kalin and Olseen did not "bring home the bacon" for all the cities they represent. They lost for the majority of the cities in Chisago County, while gaining a total of $122,093 county-wide. For all the work the Dems did on the new LGA law, this is nothing for Kalin and Olseen to write home about.

Meanwhile, Vitalis will not be paying state aid money from his left pocketbook to his right property tax pocketbook because he did not benefit from the new LGA law. In the end, he still didn’t get relief! What a shame!

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh, What a Relief It Is

In the Post Review, Kalin’s campaign chair, Wade Vitalis, declares he has relief! Let’s celebrate with him!

He doesn’t like his property taxes going up. He likes state gas tax increases and increased LGA payments from the state because they offset his property tax increases.

Let’s not tell him since he has relief, but the rest of us know he is paying for his property tax and his gas tax and kicking into LGA as well (to keep his property tax down). It must feel good to him that his left pocket book pays to reduce the taxes his right pocket book pays.

This is an example of the Dem’s propensity to support statism. Keep the local government decisions funded by local tax dollars and we will actually reduce taxes in many cases, because there will be far more accountability.

Another Response to the Editor

A July 24, 2008 letter to the editor of the Chisago County Press (not available online) is posted here on this blog. The editor of the Chisago County Press responded to the original letter writer who made an excellent response to the editor on July 31 (posted here).

Here is an additional thought. The Chisago County Press editor complained that the state aid for road construction and maintenance in North Branch barely increased in 10 years. This was blamed in part on the merging of townships and cities resulting in a population of at least 5,000, making them qualified for state aid for roads. The Press editor argued the solution is to increase the gas tax. Consider another angle on this.

The state Constitution was amended in 1954 to give 9% of the gas tax to cities of 5,000 or more people (See MN Constitution, Article XIV, Section 5). Conditions have changed in the last fifty years. Perhaps the 5,000 number should be revisited and be changed to limit the number of cities receiving state aid or the state aid eliminated all together.

Cities smaller than 5,000 must pay for their local streets through property taxes, not the gas tax, even though they pay the gas tax just like those in cities over 5,000. What is fair about this arrangement? If a smaller city can and must pay for its local roads through property taxes, then why cannot it pay for them when its population exceeds 5,000? What is magical about that number?

Consider a city and a neighboring township. Residential development occurs in both. In each case, plats with streets are constructed at the expense of the developer. Maintenance, repair and replacement of those streets eventually become the responsibility of the local government, which pays for it through property taxes.

When these two entities merge and exceed 5,000 in population, why cannot the street work continue to be paid through property taxes without state aid? The street length stays the same. The tax base is still there. Why should the larger, merged entity now receive state aid for city streets?

I suspect some politician(s) back in the 1950s saw the opportunity to get state money for cities. People voted for the constitutional amendment without thinking about the consequences, believing that state aid is always a good thing. More importantly, the people thought it would not cost them—afterall, the state pays for it (not realizing the state has money only because we taxpayers give it to them). Furthermore, over time, more and more demands are placed on the tax arrangement that those voting for the constitutional amendment did not envision.

Now the state aid program is expected. Larger cities are addicted to it. Then when the state fund is cut into smaller pie slices, cities complain there is not enough to go around, which is a driving factor in raising the state gas tax, to fund the share that some cities receive.

The lesson? Keep funding as close to the local level as possible. Whether it comes from your property taxes or from the state gas tax, it is your money, but there are strings attached to the state’s money. Fight statism. Keep government as local as possible. That is a foundational principle of Republicanism.

KALIN/OLSEEN SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION BILL NOT WISE

The Chisago County Press editor quoted N.B. city engineer favorable comments on the Transportation bill supported by Kalin.

It is accepted and understood that CC Press editor wishes to shelter Kalin and Olseen but substantively any bill should be judged by its total impact rather than finding one single favorable item and ignoring the negative remainder.

On balance one "cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" from the bad legislation called the Transportation bill and both Olseen and Kalin are justifiably severely reprimanded by the voters of this district for supporting this kind of legislation.