Governor Dayton, vetoes are in order.

Posted May 26, 2017

May 26, 2017

Honorable Governor Mark Dayton

130 State Capitol

75 Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Governor Dayton:

On behalf of the 67,000 supporters and 28 member organizations of TakeAction Minnesota from across the state, we ask you to veto the following bills: H.F. 470 Public Safety, S.F. 3 Labor Standards, S.F. 1456 Jobs & Energy, H.F. 2 E-12 Education, and H.F. 1 Taxes.  We also ask for a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss both our opposition to these bills and hour our statewide network of activists can support progressive legislative alternatives.

The purpose of our state government is to serve Minnesotans through a robust democratic process that is inclusive, fair, and focused on the future.  Provisions in each of these five bills fall far short of this vision; they contain policies or approaches that violate these basic principles, and the values we hold as Minnesotans. The Legislature’s bills harm ordinary citizens, while blatantly prioritizing the financial interest of corporations and wealthy individuals.

The anti-immigrant driver’s license language in H.F. 470, the Public Safety Finance bill, is pointless and mean-spirited.  It is an effort to slam the door shut on new Minnesotans, rather than welcome and include them. … Continue reading »

Taking Stock of Session

Posted May 26, 2015

We can change who benefits in our economy when we change who decides in our democracy.  It is because we believe in this simple idea that we as members of TakeAction Minnesota spend so much time, attention and energy at the State Capitol during legislative session.

Because we want a state where all of us can thrive, prosper and live life to the fullest, TakeAction Minnesota and our member organizations work on a number of issues that are the essence of what we all need to be whole people, fully alive.  Each of us needs health care we can depend on and work that is dignified.  We need a voice in the decisions that affect us and a criminal justice system that is just that – just – for all people regardless of the color of our skin or class.  We need quality schools, clean water, and healthy food.

Contrary to what we read in the paper or see on TV, there is more to what happens at the legislature than what Republicans and Democrats say about each other.  Legislative session is where the people’s interests – our interests – collide with those of powerful corporations and wealthy elites. Since legislative session wrapped up last week, now is a good time to take stock of how we – the people – fared in the decisions that our elected leaders made.… Continue reading »