The difference in leadership that exists in House District 15B when compared to House District 15A is enormous. On the one hand you have personable and friendly Larry Haws while on the other you have the man who scoffs at dissent. While I have no expectation that everyone will agree with me on every issue, the most recent experiences I have had with Steve Gottwalt have been ones of bitterness and resentment that I and others would dare have a differing opinion.

Beyond personality, when you examine the important work of our two Representatives in District 15 it is clear who works harder and who uses their position wisely rather than using their position to push divisiveness in the public.

In 2008, Larry Haws has authored 17 bills (which happens to be ONE more bill than Mr. Gottwalt has authored since he got elected and took office in 2007).


Some of his accomplishments thus far this session:
  • HF 3877: Minnesota GI Bill per semester and annual grant amount increased for veterans.
  • HF 2769: St. Cloud Technical College; Allied Health Center design funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
  • HF 2768: St. Cloud State University; Brown Hall science renovation funding provided, bonds issued and money appropriated.
  • HF 2836: Nonmetro regional parks and trails system recommendations required, funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Larry Haws is using his influence in state government to help keep Central Minnesota students (including veteran students) gain access to the highest quality education and resources. He is making sure that our parks and trails have the funding necessary to sustain themselves thus keeping the quality of life in the area livable for all its residents.

In 2008, Steve Gottwalt has authored 6 bills.

Some of his accomplishment thus far this session:
  • HF 2965: Driver's license photographs required to show full head and face.
This is a purely divisive bill meant to demagogue new immigrants (primarily from Arab countries) whose customs require them to have their face covered at all times.

If the people of House District 15A cannot recognize that Mr. Gottwalt does little to work for them and much to keep them divided, they will continue to be represented by a politician whose sole claim to fame is wedge politics rather than improving the lives of his constituents. At first glance, the man seems to be ready to solve the problems of the district, but on further inspection it appears as though he is doing little to address the real problems.

Comments

1 Response to "A Tale Of Two Representatives..."

  1. Gary Gross On March 22, 2008 at 6:31 PM

    Eric, I consider you my friend but this crap's gone on too long. It's time you got rid of that grudge from the health care forum because it's clouding your judgement.

    Steve's bill to require full facial photographs on drivers licenses was requested by law enforcement officers that met with Steve. To them, it's a matter of being able to identify people that they've pulled over. To do anything less is to potentially put these officers at risk.

    As for the list of bills, what it shows me is that Larry Haws isn't prioritizing the taxpayers' resources. He's put a priority on spending lots of money, some of which people actually benefit from, most of which is spen paying off political allies.

    I'd further submit that Steve's been intimately involved in the most important issue in the area, specifically health care. Steve's played an important role in shaping health care policy, including the current bill in the legislature.

    It's fair to say that Steve's focused on doing alot of important work while Larry's done alot of busywork.