Showing posts with label District 15B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label District 15B. Show all posts

Press Release: Larry Haws
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Representative Larry Haws sent out a press release today about the passage of HF1301, Omnibus Public Safety Policy Bill:

HAWS VOTES FOR OMNIBUS PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY BILL

ST. PAUL, MN – State Representative Larry Haws joined House legislative leaders to pass the Omnibus Public Safety Policy Bill (House File 1301)134 to 0 votes.

"This is a good public safety policy bill that provides some positive provisions that will go a long way to keeping Minnesota on track with public safety issues that impact us all,” said State Representative Larry Haws.

The Omnibus Public Safety Policy Bill contains a number of provisions that would strengthen requirements on predatory offenders, ease mandates on state agencies during these tough budget times, and assist local agencies in times of emergencies.

"This bill contains some legislation I co-authored to ensure that felons have an advantage to ‘game the system’ so they can work it out to not go to prison but to a county jail," said State Representative Haws. "This is a real savings to the County taxpayer while extending justice to Minnesotans. I also authored legislation that clarifies current law that sentences imposed for assaulting a correctional officer must run consecutively, not concurrently, to any remaining sentence. Sentencing guidelines will be in place to prevent folks from taking advantage of the system and face just punishment.”

There isn't much to say about a bill that apparently everyone liked. It is nice to see though, a brief moment of pure bipartisanship...
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The NEW Minnesota Miracle
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Earlier this month I posted a DFL press conference introducing House File 2 which will drastically change the way public education in Minnesota is financed. In order to get a clearer picture of this legislation, I sent off some questions to one of the bills co-authors, Representative Larry Haws. I have taken the liberty of mixing his answers with some of my own commentary:

The key benefit of this new system will be a simplification of public school funding coupled with increases in state aid and reductions in property taxes. The current system creates a situation in which those areas that can continually raise the property tax revenue to adequately fund schools are doing so while those economically impoverished areas are left with substandard services, not because they don't care about education but because their populations simply cannot handle property tax load. It is creating a system of haves and have nots in public education.

One of the key components that I like and that Haws explained in his response email is the phase in portion of the legislation. Rather than a simple switch over and influx of money into the system, the new Minnesota Miracle is open ended and its phase in period will be determined as it travels through committee and floor analysis.

Sec. 41. PHASE-IN.
Subdivision 1. Baseline revenue. A school district's baseline revenue equals the
revenue amounts for the aid appropriations calculated under Minnesota Statutes, section
126C.20, calculated using the current year's data and the revenue formulas in place in
Minnesota Statutes 2008.
Subd. 2. New revenue. A school district's new revenue equals the revenue amounts
for the aid appropriations calculated under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.20, calculated
using the current year's data and the revenue formulas in place under this act.
Subd. 3. Phase-in schedule. A school district's revenue amounts for the revenue
formulas listed in subdivisions 1 and 2 equals the district's baseline revenue plus the
percent of the difference specified in subdivision 4 multiplied by the number of years
of the phase-in specified in subdivision 5.
Subd. 4. Percentage. The phase-in percentage equals ... percent.
Subd. 5. Years of phase-in. The new revenue under this section is phased-in over
.. years.
EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Directly from the email:

Here are a few specifics and benefits of the bill:

  • Increases formula allowance to $7500, indexed to implicit price deflator.
  • Uses a scalable blueprint that can be phased in over several years.
  • Equalizes the pupil weighting system for students in kindergarten through high school to 1.0.
  • Enhances compensatory aid and funding for English language learners.
  • Fully funds voluntary all-day kindergarten
  • Fully funds state special education costs by removing existing caps.
  • Includes a levy referendum offset of $500 per pupil in districts with levies; provides $500 per pupil to districts without a levy in place.
  • Accounts for declining enrollment in every geographic region of the state.
  • Includes innovation and accountability measures including a requirement that a district use 5 % of its basic revenue for innovative, research-based programs to improve academic performance.
  • Creates a new school bond agricultural credit equal to 66 percent of the property tax on agricultural properties attributable to school bond levies. This will help promote equitable funding to rural districts, as it will help rural districts more easily pass referenda--if school districts and voters agree that they are needed.

Unfortunately, in this economic climate I am not sure how much enthusiasm there will be to this kind of wholesale overhaul of the current system. The bill appears to be sound and take into account just this kind of issue with its phase in but only time will tell if it can gain momentum in the state legislature. My hope is that my representative, Larry Haws, will help make this bill happen.
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Legislative Update: Larry Haws
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One of the current bills working its way through the Minnesota House of Representatives, is meant to examine and possibly eliminate unnecessary or burdensome state mandates placed on lower levels of government in the state of Minnesota.

Section 1. ELIMINATING STATE MANDATES.
Subdivision 1. Intent; purpose. To ensure that public services are delivered as
cost-effectively as possible, it is the intent of the legislature to eliminate unnecessary
state regulations and mandates. By July 1, 2010, mandates or regulations that result in
unnecessary paperwork, are redundant, or contain outdated or irrelevant requirements
shall be eliminated or revised. Requirements that are necessary to protect the health
and well-being of Minnesotans or that are necessary to meet federal requirements shall
not be eliminated.
Subd. 2. State mandate review. Any county, city, school district, professional
association, or other entity affected by state mandates may submit to the legislature a
list of mandates that are required by state statute or rule that the entity determines to be
unnecessary or in need of reform. The legislature shall review the mandates that have
been submitted.


Representative Haws (DFL) has been on the state mandates kick ever since his first election to the Minnesota House and I applaud him for making good on this particular promise. Any time that we can reevaluate programs, rules, and regulations to make things run more smoothly we should do that. In fact, this bill should be more than a one time event. We should be carrying out these evaluations on a yearly basis. My only problem with such legislation is the possibility that certain mandates that are effective and useful to one part of the state will be cut entirely if another part of the state deems them unnecessary. My hope is that these mandate reviews will take this possibility into account and the result will be effective government throughout the state.
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An Education Pipe Dream?
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DFL leaders this week held a press conference to discuss the introduction of House File 2. The bill would change the system by which we finance education.



It sounds a little too good to be true and I will not be holding my breath this session hoping that this new system will be implemented. However, I did send off an email to Representative Larry Haws (DFL) to answer some of the questions I have about the bill.
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From The Inbox: Larry Haws & Economic Recovery
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I received this message from Representative Larry Haws today:

Federal-State Programs Important to Minnesota Economic Recovery

I'm honored the citizens of District 15B elected me to represent them and I'm looking forward to the challenges. This is not a time for fear; this is a time for courage, a time for reform and reinventing government, and a time to work together in the upcoming Legislative Session.

To say we have our work cut out for us is an understatement. The current state of the economy is clearly affecting our pocket books as we contend with increasing unemployment, ever-tightening credit, increasing foreclosures, weak consumer spending, and declines in the stock market.

Although we are facing a historic budget deficit and a long, deep economic recession, I am heartened by the anticipated change in national leadership. I think our President-Elect Obama will be good for the nation and good for the state of Minnesota, first and foremost because he is a leader who understands the importance of partnering federal and state governments together in these challenging times.

The federal government can help stimulate Minnesota's economic recovery by investing in existing federal-state programs. My top five picks for where federal monies should be invested include:
1) Fully fund No Child Left Behind and special education mandates so that we can continue to invest in workforce development,
2) Provide Medicaid reimbursement by temporarily increasing federal medical assistance to sustain those in need of health care coverage during this slow economy,
3) Reauthorize SCHIP to increase the reimbursement for children's health insurance,
4) Extend unemployment benefits to help stabilize our workforce, and
5) Invest in infrastructure projects that will put our skilled labors to work.

The federal government could be a very helpful partner with the state government and I think it's a key to helping us through this recession. Other keys include the state showing the same kindness to our counties, cities and schools. Let us extend the same understanding to these entities as we are asking from the federal government.

This is a time to put policy in front of politics. It's time that we're one Minnesota. Once we get through these challenges, we must have a vision for the future that includes job creation and establishing a recession proof Minnesota.

Sincerely,

Larry Haws
State Representative
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Legislative Priorities: Larry Haws
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Over the coming weeks I hope to do a series of posts highlighting state legislators in the area. Election season rhetoric is one thing but it is time to get down to the business of governance and all those promises need to be prioritized and put under the scope of practicality. I recently emailed a few legislators to find out what those priorities will be in the coming session.

Representative Larry Haws (DFL) got back to me today expressing his desire to work on education funding as well as continuing to build a coalition of legislators in the area which he refers to as the "St. Cloud Team" that will stand together on common ground issues.

Having served on the District 742 Finance Committee, Haws recognizes the need to fix the funding formula so that we as a state can move towards equity in funding.

The approach will be two fold: First, a best practice study and then a funding formula that reflects State and Federal responsibility for unfunded mandates meeting the needs of all our students. I will co-author, lobby, and give support to this effort. I was proud to have carried a bill for special education but it was small step forward we need a continue our quest fair and adequate funding.

Since arriving in St. Paul, Haws has worked to find issues that the "St. Cloud Team" can find agreement. On veterans issues, he and Dan Severson (R) have worked closely and on bonding measures he and Steve Gottwalt (R) have been able to work together. While I disagree with Severson and Gottwalt on a whole variety of issues it is through this bipartisan team effort that they deserve credit. Haws has a few goals that he would like to see accomplished with the team during this legislative session:

Goals for our Saint Cloud team:

We need to have a successful follow up year for bonding in 2010 and keep the our projects going: Airport Expansion, Civic Center, Health Partners Building Tech College, New Science Building at SCSU, and our Central Minnesota Parks and Trails projects.

A significant challenge to our Saint Cloud Team is to find common ground and work as a team for fair and adequate school funding to improve public education and prevent the use of property tax increases.

We will also need team efforts to secure a fair disbursement of state and federal dollars in transportation funding for Central Minnesota.

Finally, Haws recognizes the daunting challenge this session with the economy in a downturn and a budget deficit that makes for tough decisions:

As a past St. Cloud Park Director, I have years of experience dealing with budget preparation and controls. A primary budget reduction strategy was to lead by example; that is, reductions need to be made on an individual basis and on an administrative level. We need to demonstrate personal willingness to be part of any budget reduction.

I will lobby for a balance between revenues and spending. I'm hopeful we will be dealing with a reduced deficit projection.

In 2008 we used a variety of tools to solve the budget deficit: spending reductions, closing corporate loopholes and use of budget reserves. I would address a 2009 budget deficit in a similar way. I would also work to protect core services and the most vulnerable.


I will continue to revisit these legislative priorities throughout the session and hopefully check in with Larry Haws from time to time to see how things are progressing.
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St. Cloud Times Editorial Board: House District 15A &15B
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The St. Cloud Times recently conducted endorsement interviews with the candidates vying for the House District 15A and House District 15B seats.

In District 15A, the incumbent is Republican Steve Gottwalt vs. DFLer Joanne Dorsher. There is little doubt in my mind that Joanne Dorsher would serve the people far better than the hyper partisan Gottwalt. While Steve and his supporters would like to pretend that he has been good for education and has worked well across the aisle, the reality is that if he doesn't agree with you his response is little more than scorn and dismissal. As always, in my mind, education is the top issue and time after time Gottwalt has been an abject failure.


In District 15B, the incumbent is DFLer Larry Haws vs. Republican Josh Behling. Larry tells it like it is and has been nothing less than straight with me about where he stands even when that position is counter to my own. On the other hand you have Behling who appears to be little more than the ultra conservative drone who has little independent thought of his own (apart from perhaps a strong hatred for Hillary Clinton but that too is probably authorized by the "everything is Clinton's fault" wing of the ultra conservative coalition).

I have cut the full interview into the subsequent questions. However, you will have to forgive the same introduction being added to each question so as to give proper source attribution.

Candidate Introductions:


Question #1: What are your specific plans for education funding?


Question #2: What specifically (taxes? formula? bill? idea?) are going to do to fix education funding?


Question #3: What are your specific solutions to fix the budget deficit? This portion covers ONLY 15B candidates Josh Behling (R) and Larry Haws (DFL).


Question #4: What are your specific solutions to fix the budget deficit? This portion covers ONLY 15A candidates Joanne Dorsher (DFL) and Steve Gottwalt (R).



My predictions, for what they are worth: Both incumbents ( Steve Gottwalt (R) & Larry Haws (DFL) ) get the endorsement from the St. Cloud Times. Who do you think will be endorsed and why? Who deserves endorsement and why? Who deserves to be elected and why?
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Reading & Softball (With A Dash Of Politics)
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8:59 PM | Posted in , ,
Joanne Dorsher invited my children and myself to the Lake George Municipal Complex today for some reading time. Dorsher has a background in supporting education and educators that her opponent simply cannot match.

Community Service and Leadership:

  • 1993 Outstanding Lay Person in Education for District 742
  • Facilitated groups in Math Masters, Odyssey of the Mind, Academic Triathlon, tutored math and reading.
  • Member of advisory and site councils of Talahi Elementary and South Jr. High
  • District 742 Curriculum Committee member
  • Troop leader and past member of Land of Lakes Girl Scout Council, St. Cloud Friends of the Library, American Association of University Women, St. Cloud Area League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club and the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce
  • Great River Educational Theater Board member since 1998 and past president
  • District 742 School Board member since 2001
    • Served as Board chair and led the Communications, Community Linkages, Personnel and Legislative Committees.
    • Currently is Board Treasurer and on the Legislative Committee
She was kind enough to allow me to do some YouTubing:



Also, this evening I attended the DFL Picnic and Softball Game over at Wilson Park. While I have never claimed to be the best athlete, I have to say that I did pretty well (it might have been the lax manner of the game though). As my old basketball coach used to tell me: "The sun shines on a pig's ass every once in awhile".


Cross Posted on St. Cloud Times
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Josh Behling Response...
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2:05 PM | Posted in ,
While I disagree with many or most of the issue positions taken by Mr. Behling, I do have to respect his willingness to answer back promptly on a recent post of mine.

Here is his response:

To be honest I had forgot about that blog. I haven't posted on it for some time now. I had tried to get into blogging a while ago as a way to help keep people informed as well as a way to vent frustration. Much like you seem to do. I found however that with a new family and work, I couldn't seem to find much time to devote to the blog, so it never really went anywhere. Since it was free and there was no renewal charge, I never thought much of closing it down. I think it's great that you are able to find the time to blog as often as you do; it looks like a hobby you really enjoy.

In response to the specific question you had for me. That picture was one that was emailed to me a long time ago. I was trying to remember when I got it, and I think it was when I was still working in Buffalo, which would have been sometime before 2003. I didn't create the picture, since to be honest I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to use Photoshop. That being said, I don't teach my son to use words like that. In case you are interested my son Hunter's first word was "Dada" his second was "deer" and his third was "duck". He doesn't talk a lot yet, but he sure does try hard. As a parent I'm sure you get as big of a kick out of kids trying to learn how to talk and experience life for the first time as much as I do. I know my wife, who I am in love with more and more each day gets as big of a kick out of it as you and I do. I would like to think that we have a great family, and a very happy home. Although I'm sure every father and husband thinks that about their family. Right? I don't support kids using bad language nor do I support hitting a woman. I'm sure my wife and anyone who knows me would say I am a great father and husband. (Or at least I hope so).

In the short 18 months I have been a father I have already tried to teach my son right from wrong. He knows that throwing his food on the floor is wrong, but sometimes kids do things that they think are funny that mom and dad don't. I know we learn at a pretty young age when things are meant to be a joke and when they are meant to be taken seriously. I'm sure you know also. I am very much pro-family, but I also understand that every now and again we need humor in our lives. Is hitting a woman humor? No. Is a child using bad language humor? No. Do I know when something is meant as outside of reality humor? Yes.

Thank you again for your email, please email me any time.

Enjoy the summer!

Thank you,

Joshua Behling

www.joshuabehling.com

I too realize when something is outside of reality humor. However, in this election season where every written word and spoken word of a known humorist/satirist is being used to portray him as a "pornographer" (in the immortal words of King Banaian) it seems that the Republican Party and its candidates should realize that they have made everything fair game.

Those that know me also know that there are a variety of reasons why I may not vote for Al Franken. However, that does not mean that I will not expose the hypocrisy of attacking his humor while claiming that the off color humor of Republican candidates is perfectly acceptable. If the Republican Party would like to play a game of faux outrage politics, then they must realize that the tables can be turned quite quickly. From "It's About Freedom" videos to photoshopped images disrespecting women, the Republican Party really ought to take a good look at their humor before chastising others.
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Stay Classy Josh Behling...
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4:28 PM | Posted in ,
Josh Behling, future former candidate for House District 15B, would like you to take a look at his campaign site and believe that he is a classy individual worthy of replacing Larry Haws in the Minnesota House of Representatives. However, Behling may not want you to know that he also had a blog (not that there is anything wrong with that).

What IS wrong with that is the classless use of pictures and photoshop used by Behling to put curse words into the mouths of infants. Just below his profile you will find an image of former candidate, Hillary Clinton, with a young child and an added speech bubble reading, "A little closer b*tch... closer...".

I emailed Mr. Behling for comment and am currently awaiting his response. Perhaps he will explain to us why he feels the need to put offensive curse words into the mouth of an infant as well as advocate violence against women.

Mr. Behling,

Would you like to comment on your photoshopped image of an infant child using curse words currently found on your blog? Do you often advocate children using such language? Is it your belief that hitting women is in some way humorous?

Thank You

**********



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Larry Haws: Legislative Leader Of The Year
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11:07 AM | Posted in ,
My favorite representative, Larry Haws, received a Legislative Leader of the Year award from the Minnesota Workforce Council Association.

The Press Release:

NEWS RELEASE
Haws Receives Legislative Leader Award

ST. PAUL – State Representative Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) was a recipient of the "Legislative Leader Award" by the Minnesota Workforce Council for his dedicated support of the Minnesota Youth Program to provide workforce and academic skills to disadvantaged youth across Minnesota. Anne Olson, Director of the MWCA said, "Our members are very appreciative of the tireless effort of Rep. Haws over the past two years to ensure these critical programs retain funding."

"This investment in our youth pays big dividends," said State Representative Haws. "As the past chair of the Stearns Benton Employment Training Council I watched graduates of the youth program close the gap and prepare themselves ready for school and work challenges. I was honored to carry legislation and advocate for the youth work programs as our investment will have life changing and long term returns."

The Minnesota Workforce Council Association will hold a reception to recognize State Representative Haw' leadership on the Minnesota Youth Program. The reception will be held on August 5th at the Suites Hotel, 325 Lake Avenue South in Duluth, 5:00 pm -7:00 pm.

Haws works tirelessly for the people of his district and it is always a pleasure to hear him speak because of his passion and dedication. From his speech at the Senate District 15 Convention to his passionate demonstration at a recent DFL picnic, Larry Haws deserves all the praise that we can heap upon him.
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St. Cloud Times LTE: Larry Haws On DeSoto Bridge
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9:46 AM | Posted in ,
Larry Haws has a letter to the editor in the St. Cloud Times today discussing the closure of the DeSoto Bridge.

Letter: DeSoto closure was a much gentler wake-up
By Rep. Larry Haws, District 15B

Published: March 26. 2008 12:30AM

The closing of the DeSoto Bridge is a second wake-up call. I say it's a very lucky second warning.

St. Cloud was saved by a state Department of Transportation inspection and our citizens will be well served by a newly adopted transportation plan that works, and here is why.

Minnesota has 12,736 bridges, and until the passing of this year's transportation bill, Minnesota had a stagnant and dangerous lack of transportation funding. The new plan invests $6.6 billion over 10 years in roads, bridges, highways and transit needs in outstate Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

During the next decade, the city of St. Cloud will receive $7,252,000, Stearns County will receive $32,629,000, Sherburne County will receive $12,883,000, and Benton County will receive $7,711,000 over and above what they would have received without this legislation.

Please also note that this legislation is a property tax relief measure.

Property taxes are the single largest source of transportation funding in our state, and we must reverse this trend. As a result of this new law, homeowner property tax burdens will be eased because cities and counties will be relieved of the burden of financing area road construction projects.

The new transportation plan is also about jobs, thousands of jobs, and had we done this last year we would have made a significant impact on today's economy. The most significant benefit of the transportation bill is safe transportation for our citizens as they travel our roads and cross our bridges.

The barriers across the DeSoto Bridge detour our travel and should clear our thoughts to the benefits of the 2008 transportation bill. I'm grateful for the gentler wake-up call.

We are all grateful (well, most of us anyway), for the leadership of Mr. Haws and those that helped override the veto so that we can take care of our transportation needs responsibly rather than delaying the funding once again or putting the tab on the state's credit card for future generations to pick up.


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A Tale Of Two Representatives...
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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.
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Fisking Josh Behling...
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7:31 PM | Posted in , ,
Josh Behling, Republican candidate for House District 15B, took one more step this past weekend in his journey towards a concession speech in November to Mr. Larry Haws. He delivered a speech to the crowd at the Republican Senate District 15 Convention.

Let me start out by telling you the reasons that didn’t influence my decision to run.

I’m not running because I was sitting around one night and thought, wow, I don’t think I have enough to do.

I’m not running because I look forward to being away from my wife and son many nights at the Capital.

I’m not running to try and gain fame and definitely not to gain fortune.

I’m not running to get vacation days from work, even though I would love a vacation.


It becomes very tiresome to constantly be the grammarian for a campaign I don't support. Could someone please inform Mr. Behling that he will be at the CAPITOL or in the CAPITAL. Is someone qualified to be at the Capitol if he doesn't actually know the proper word?

However, I am glad to hear about all the reasons why Mr. Behling isn't running for the House of Representatives. It sets my mind at ease to know that he isn't one of those celebrity candidates like Mr. Haws who pulls down a six figure salary endorsing a line of fedora hats.

I began campaigning in June of last year, and have already realized how much time and dedication it takes to do this. And believe me, when I am elected I will give all of my time and dedication to making sure your voices are heard in St. Paul.

Wait! You don't look forward to abandoning your wife and child, but you are going to do it anyway? Interesting...

I’m running for State Rep. because, as a father, I want a better life for my son. I want Hunter to have a great education that focuses on core academics that he will use in the real world. I want him to grow up in a world where he won’t be held back or chastised for saying the word “God”.


As an educator, I would love to know what the term "core academics" is referencing. Also, if this is some sort of veiled attack on the public school system for supposedly taking the word "God" out of school I can assure you Mr. Behling, you have been had by the theocrats in your party and that there is no systematic effort to destroy religion. As a liberal, I cannot even count the number of times that I have referenced "God" in my classroom and witnessed students independently discussing their religion with others around them. If you could please knock off the divisive Jerry Falwell style politics, then I would be very much appreciative.

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Larry Haws Press Release
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6:45 PM | Posted in ,
Larry Haws, my State Representative in District 15B, put out a press release to announce a Bioscience Tour in St. Cloud tomorrow. It is my pleasure to tout the accomplishments and goings on of the VFW Legislator of the Year. He faces only token opposition next year so I see Larry continuing to do great things for years to come!

For Immediate Release For more information contact:
11/9/2007 Joan Nichols (651-29X-XXXX)

NEWS RELEASE
Haws Hosts Bioscience Tour in St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD, MN – State Representative Larry Haws is hosting a bioscience tour in St. Cloud on Friday, November 9th, where the Senate Business, Industry, and Jobs Committee will join the House Bioscience Committee to tour DCI, Inc.'s facilities and the College of Science & Engineering at the St. Cloud State University.

"Bioscience is an economic development priority in Minnesota," said Haws. "As a member of the House Biosciences & Emerging Technologies Committee, I am well aware of the enormous potential of bioscience-based industries. I welcome opportunities like this tour to meet with stakeholders that include bioscience experts, development leaders, and university members who have an interest in supporting emerging and established biobusiness enterprises statewide."

The biobusiness technology is a young industry in the United States with great potential to motivate states like Minnesota that possess an abundance of technological capabilities to position themselves in this globally competitive industry. Currently, Minnesota's overall biobusiness technology industry is concentrated on medical devices and Research & Development in the life sciences. It's an opportune time to explore emerging technology-related opportunities in the human health and agri-bio/bio-industrial sectors of the economy.

"We are interested in creating and retaining biobusiness jobs in Minnesota, in the private and public sector – including academic research," said Haws. "What we do to encourage and develop this sector of employment will have a profound impact on Minnesota communities like St. Cloud."

The joint committees are touring specific communities and facilities throughout the state, using the tours as an informative guide to help develop recommendations that can be used to direct the state in becoming more competitive in specific areas of biobusiness. These recommendations, based on an understanding of technologies, products and markets that exist in Minnesota, will be brought back to the Capitol and used to draft future legislation to benefit the bioscience industry.

"We are in the midst of a bioscience revolution and it is so profound that over the course of the next 20 years alone, our lives are going to be as greatly impacted as they have been by computers over the past 20 years," said Haws.

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Josh Behling: Still doesn't know the difference between EFFECT and AFFECT!
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8:25 PM | Posted in ,
This post is going to be at its core petty, yet it also speaks to how much authority someone has to speak on any given subject. I recently did a piece on Josh Behling, a candidate for the 15B House seat currently held by VFW Legislator of the Year, Larry Haws. As I was driving in to work this morning I heard Behling on KNSI 1450 with Andy Barnett (Incidentally, Josh, your chances of "riding in to work" with Gottwalt OR Clark are slim to none!). They talked platitudes about the ever oppressive tax system (please note the sarcasm) and I got to thinking about whether Josh got around to fixing some of the glaring errors on his new shiny website.

Well? It seems he figured out that abortion is not spelled aboortion (That is probably key to winning the ever popular single issue aboortion voters), so hooray for Josh! However, he didn't take my advice and fix the glaring misuse of the word 'effect' nor did he fix the Bushesque line about how "core academics IS essential to educating our children."



Petty or not, how can someone possibly be taken seriously on the issue of education when the basics of grammar escape them? Seriously, Gary, if you are out there, tell Josh he needs to fix his website!
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This is the best they can do?
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6:11 PM | Posted in , ,
Really? Josh Behling? Is the Republican Party in 15B so weak and feeble that it cannot find anyone even remotely capable of defeating Larry Haws? Well, if it is the weak and feeble they wish to bring forward, let us see what new and amazing things Josh has to offer District 15B that will bring Haws to his knees.

How about Taxes?

Josh believes...
Taxes and Spending
• Government should live within its means, just as Minnesota families have to do every day.
• Minnesota families should decide how to save and spend their money, because they know what's best for their needs.
• Taxes should be fair to all people.
• Property tax reform
• Reduce taxes on small businesses and encourage them to stay in Minnesota. (Minnesota places in the top five highest for all 50 states in it's business tax rate.)

*I am not going to take all of these because for the most part they are platitudes that few people would argue with (as we all know the devil is in the details!). However, the last bullet caught my eye. I could not find the statistic mentioned about the business tax rate, but I did find a few tidbits that seem at odds with Mr. Behling's contention that Minnesota is bad for businesses.

Check it out: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/whymn/bestInBus.htm
How about Health Care?

Josh believes...
Health Care
• Patients and doctors should make ALL health care decisions, not the Government.
• Reduce/eliminate governmental mandates on our health care system.
• When purchasing insurance allow additional pooling of small businesses to achieve more economical health care premium rates. Therefore reducing the costs employees’ pay for health care insurance.
• Eliminate fraudulent lawsuits against doctors therefore reducing the cost of medical malpractice insurance, and saving EVERYONE more money.
*My first thought, what government mandates are you proposing we eliminate? My second thought, if you feel additional pooling is a good idea, why not have the entire state of Minnesota in a state pool thereby achieving the maximum reduction we pay for health insurance?

How about Education?

Josh believes...
Education
• Children are our future. A strong understanding of core academics is essential to educating our children.
• Reform the education funding formula to make sure ALL Minnesota children have an equal opportunity to learn.
• Schools are a place for learning, let's make sure the money we pay to fund education goes to the classroom first where it can most positively effect our children's learning.
• Good educators deserve to be paid well. I support pay plans that encourage educators to teach our children to succeed to their highest potential in school.
• Eliminate excessive ascetics on schools and focus bond money on building a functioning educational environment.
• Do not extend "in-state" tuition breaks for illegal immigrants.
*Not to be a grammar Nazi, but if you are going to discuss your goals for EDUCATION, shouldn't you be able to write in grammatically correct sentences and be able to use the proper form of 'affect'?
  • "core academics ARE essential" not "core academics 'is' essential"
This is reminiscent of the Bush line: "Rarely is the question asked, IS our children learning?"

Anyway, Josh also seems to support the 70% Solution of Governor Pawlenty. Someone really ought to tell Josh that Minnesota Schools on average spend 69.2% "in the classroom" and that people deemed "outside the classroom" include librarians, social workers, and psychologists. If Josh is prepared to tell the people of District 15B that these positions are unnecessary his candidacy will be even less successful than we could possibly imagine. One last thing, we already have ATPPS (Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System) in Minnesota so it seems you missed the boat on that issue.

How about Life?

Josh believes...
Life
• Innocent human life, born and unborn, must be protected from the time a baby is conceived.
• Stop any public funding of abortions.
• Allow families to make decisions for loved ones when a living will is not present, not the Government.
• Partial birth aboortions should be banned.
• I support parental permission laws, that would require parental permission before a minor can receive an abortion.
*I don't know what a partial birth aboortion is so I am afraid I cannot address it. However, if he means partial birth abortion, I am pretty sure the United States Congress has already addressed the issue. Also, Larry already addressed public funding for abortion with HF0992. He certainly cannot be hit with the rabid Pro-choice label so you may have to do better than running on a strictly Pro-Life agenda. Do you have anything new to set you apart from a guy who received the Legislator of the Year Award from the VFW?

HAWS RECEIVES LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM VETERANS

ST. PAUL – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Department of Minnesota presented the 2007 Legislator of the Year Award to Representative Larry Haws in recognition of his outstanding support of Minnesota Veteran issues. The award was presented to Rep. Haws at the State VFW Convention by Tate Doom, State Commander of the Department of the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"We, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, took great pride in honoring Rep. Haws for his diligence and dedication to the Veterans of Minnesota," said State Commander Doom. "We gave him what to some may seem a small honor but to us he gave us the gift of hope and excitement. It was only right we honored him as Representative of the Year."

"As far as Larry is concerned, we were extremely grateful for the hard work he put forward on the Veterans Committee," said Al Loher, State Legislator Chair of the VFW. "He was the person who brought us the needed approval for legislation supported by the Governor."

State Commander Doom final words of praise concluded, "I think Rep. Haws put it best when he said, 'veteran’s issues are not and should not be a partisan issue'. Thank you Representative Haws for your unselfish dedication to the veterans of this state."

June 27, 2007


*Good Luck, Josh, you're going to need it! Oh, and fix your website so you can at least have a modicum of authority on issues of education.
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