NEW ULM — Flanked by New Ulm Mayor Bob Beussman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak joined local city officials from south central Minnesota Wednesday to warn local residents about the crippling effects of potential cut to Local Government Aid (LGA) under the tax bill  that Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed.

Rybak and area leaders repeatedly evoked the notion that Minnesota works best as a partnership of small towns and big cities. The big city mayor drew laughter with the example of a partnership he used to open the press conference.

“New Ulm and Minneapolis have an awful lot in common,” he said. “One of my favorite things about New Ulm is actually Nordeast beer which we get all this credit for in Minneapolis. We know where it’s made;  it’s made right here in New Ulm, as are so many other great Schell’s products.”

Rybak turned serious, though, as he pointed out that he and his wife frequently visited the Brown County town, enjoying the services that LGA helped it secure for its citizens.

“Any time you go anywhere in Minnesota, you should have that guarantee that you’ll have those good, basic services,” Rybak said. “That’s important right now, though, because there’s a proposal right now at the state capitol that would have a dramatic negative impact on all those things that those of us who come to visit us care about, and more importantly, those who [live] in New Ulm really depend on”

According to a press release issued by ThankLGA.org, a media campaign run by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, Dayton vetoed a tax bill that would have slashed LGA to Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Duluth  by over 50% in 2011, eliminating the assistance for the large cities by 2014. Greater Minnesota cities would  have seen a 19% reduction.

Chief author of the legislation, House Property Tax  Committee Chair Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines),  said in a March 16 committee meeting that “she intends the bill to begin the phase-out of aid sent to cities,” veteran Forum Communications political writer Don Davis reported. Other Republicans have denied that this is the intent of her legislation, Davis noted.

Those assembled in New Ulm would have none of the GOP demurrals and hammered home the need for the program. North Mankato City Administrator Wendell Sande said that small business owners surveyed by Greater Mankato Growth, the Mankato area chamber, favored keeping LGA.

“When they had an opportunity to look at the LGA program and the impacts that the program had … a vast majority of our businesses are in support of the continuation of the LGA program and, at some point, restoring to its previous levels,” Sande said.

Representatives from New Ulm’s Chamber  of Commerce attended the event, underscoring a widely reported split between 14 local chambers in Greater Minnesota that have passed resolutions supporting LGA and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, which supports the cuts. Rybak said that the revival of Minnesota’s economy would done by small businesses on the main streets of towns like New Ulm and Mankato.

Despite this division between the business groups, the mayors and city managers stressed how Minnesota is one state.

“‘Minnesota Nice’ was a slogan for many years,” Beussman said. “It didn’t say ‘Minneapolis Nice,’ it didn’t say ‘New Ulm Nice,’ it didn’t say  ‘Sleepy Eye Nice,’ it didn’t say ‘North Mankato.’ It says ‘Minnesota.’ And if  Minnesota can work together for the better of all of its citizens, then … the North Star State can be a very powerful state.”

Rybak traveled from New Ulm to Albert Lea for another press conference.

A video of highlights from the presser and an interview with Rybak immediately after the event:

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison toured parts of North Minneapolis and Fridley on Monday following a tornado that ripped through the area leaving two dead and two dozen injured. Minnesota’s elected officials have offered their support in the wake of the disaster, and community organizations have outlined ways that Minnesotans can help those affected.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people and communities in Minneapolis, Fridley and St. Louis Park affected by tornadoes that struck on Sunday,” said Ellison, whose district office is in north Minneapolis. “I grieve for the loss of life and the broad scale destruction left in the wake of this disaster.”

Rep. Betty McCollum, who represents the district bordering Minneapolis, said, “My thoughts and prayers are with residents of Minneapolis and neighboring communities who have been impacted by Sunday’s deadly tornado and severe thunderstorms. When families experience tragedy, all Minnesotans come together to help. My office stands ready to help as needed.”

Sen. Al Franken offered his help as well. “My staff is on the ground in the area and I’ve contacted Mayor R.T. Rybak about the damage,” he said. “I assured the mayor that I stand ready to do everything I can to help as the extent of the storm damage is assessed and we move into the recovery stage.”

Relief workers have set up a Google Page with continually updated information for those affected and for those who wish to help.

Here are some examples of ways to help:

MONEY DONATIONS

1. American Red Cross www.redcrossmn.org text redcross.

text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

*Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter at American Red Cross – Twin Cities Area Chapter, NW 5597, PO Box 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55485

*Any donation, large or small, will help. For example, $3 can provide a comfort kit for someone in a disaster. $6 can cover the cost of a blanket, $10 the cost of a hot meal.

2. Salvation Army. Financial donations can be made online at www.thesalarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or mailing a check to The Salvation Army 2445 Prior AVE, Roseville MN 55113. In addition at $10 donation can be made by texting “blessing” to 85944, the charge will be added to your cell phone bill. Make sure to reply “yes” to confirm your donation.

3. .Minneapolis Foundation: The Minneapolis Foundation has established the Minnesota Helps – North Minneapolis Recovery Fund to assist with both short-term and long-term housing and recovery-related needs on the North Side. To make a donation by credit card, visit giveMn or send checks for the recovery effort to The Minneapolis Foundation, 80 S. 8th St., Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN, 55402.

4. Urban Homeworks People can also donate monetarily via the Urban Homeworks website and designate it for “tornado relief”

FOOD, CLOTHES & OTHER DONATIONS:

1. Salvation Army. Non-perishable food, hygiene items and diapers will be accepted at 2024 Lyndale Ave N. Minneapolis, MN. Used clothing and furniture donations are being accepted at the Salvation Army Donation Center at 900 N 4th ST in Minneapolis or at other Salvation Army thrift stores. Large quantity donations should first call 651-746-3400 as storage at 2024 Lyndale is limited

2. FM 89.9 KMOJ. 89.9 KMOJ Radio, in partnership with The Ackerberg Group and Catlyst Community Partners, will be opening up the Lower Level of our On-Air Studios in the 5 Points Building at the Intersection of W. Broadway Ave and Penn Ave. N. and accepting donations of non-perishable food items, clothing, bottled water, and any other items that you may be able to contribute. 612-377-3456 for more info.

3. The Prayer Center. 21 1/2 West Broadway Minneapolis, MN 55411. Contact Jariland Spence. 612-522-3015 theprayercentermn@gmail.com

4. Wilsons image barbers 1109 W. Broadway Minneapolis, MN. Special relief drop off event on Tuesday May 24th at 6pm. Contact: Sean @ (612) 558-5588 and visit the Facebook event page.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

1. ( NOTE: AS OF 1PM Monday May 23rd, Urban Homeworks does not need any more volunteers for the day. Please continue to check their website at www.urbanhomeworks.org for updated info. Thank you ) Urban Homeworks: Volunteering: Check in at 1823 Emerson Ave N (Cross Connections building) all day. Check back for updated check-in locations. Parking: Ascension Church on18th Ave N & Bryant. Also, you can park up & down Bryant Ave, police have waived parking restrictions. ( NOTE: Parking is a problem so preferred transport is to either car pool or bike. Urban homeworks have mentioned that they may set up shuttle service. More info and updates will be on their Facebook page.

In the wake of Bradlee Dean‘s controversial prayer before the Minnesota House on Friday, a number of religious and political groups condemned Dean and urged Republican leaders to disavow Dean’s prayer and his association with the House. The Minnesota Catholic Conference, which supports a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, said that Dean should not be associated with their movement. The ACLU, the DFL, the National Organization for Marriage, Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak and several legislators all weighed in on the controversy over the weekend.

Supporters of gay marriage ban respond

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy wing of the Roman Catholic Church, condemned Dean’s prayer. “It was wrong to have a person with extremist views, like those attributed to Dean, deliver the prayer in the House,” said Jason Adkins, the group’s executive director. “Dean disrespectfully turned the prayer into a polemic and his words divided the chamber rather than brought people together.”

Adkins added that just because Dean is anti-gay he shouldn’t be lumped in with those who seek a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

“It was also unfortunate that those who are opposed to a marriage amendment to the Minnesota Constitution used Dean’s remarks to portray supporters as ‘hate groups,’ as well as state falsely that Dean was there on their behalf,” he said. “As Speaker Kurt Zellers said in an apology today, which we welcome, the mistake was due to an internal oversight. Bradlee Dean does not speak for those supporting a marriage amendment in Minnesota.”

The National Organization for Marriage echoed that sentiment on its blog:

“The suggestion of violence (if this account is true) is abhorrent, especially from a man of the cloth. But should the people of Minnesota be deprived of the right to vote because somebody in the state legislature did not vet a so-called pastor?”

The group links to a Star Tribune story which refers to a statement by Dean during his May 15, 2010, radio show.

“Muslims are calling for the executions of homosexuals in America,” he said. “This just shows you they themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible of the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians do, because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination.”

ACLU letter

The Minnesota ACLU sent a letter on Friday afternoon to leaders in both the House and Senate urging them to refrain from prayers when those chambers are in session.

“The Minnesota Legislature is designed to represent all Minnesota residents, regardless of faith,” said Charles Samuelson of the Minnesota ACLU. “While we applaud Representative Zellers for his apology, we urge you to refrain from opening future sessions with any type of prayer, so as to ensure that religious freedom is protected for all.”

“Any reasonable observer,” the ACLU letter said (PDF), “would have understood that Bradlee Dean’s prayer – featuring multiple references to ‘Jesus’ – promoted Christianity.”

Politicians speak out

And Mayor Rybak weighed in in a video interview with Capitol Conversations: “To actually invite a minister that talked the jailing of [LGBT] people to give the invocation on the floor of the Minnesota Capitol, I don’t understand that.”

Rep. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, sent an email to constituents condemning Dean.

“The emotions on this issue ran hot this morning when GOP legislators invited Bradlee Dean to deliver the opening prayer,” he wrote. “In case you are unfamiliar with Bradlee Dean, he is a hateful ‘preacher’ who has proclaimed that gays belong in jail and that he would ‘approve the death penalty for gays.’ His mere presence was insulting, but his ‘prayer’ was offensive as well.”

He continued, “I was very upset this kind of speech would be allowed inside the House chamber – or any place. Whether it is African Americans, women or the LGBT community, Republicans have sought policies that divide us, singling out minority communities for harsh treatment.”

DFL chair Ken Martin sent an email to party activists about Dean.

“Today, the Republican majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives invited Bradlee Dean, a controversial Reverend who has essentially advocated for the execution of homosexuals, to deliver the opening prayer for the chamber,” said Martin. “Governor Dayton said it best in response – there is no place for hate in Minnesota and especially not on the House or Senate floor.”

He added, “The fact that this man, who advocates for violence against gay people, was welcomed by the GOP onto the House floor with open arms is just abominable.”

As the Minnesota Independent has reported, Dean has long-running ties with Minnesota Republicans. Politicians, including U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, have been part of fundraisers for Dean’s You Can Run But You Cannot Hide; Emmer’s former House campaign donated to the group; and prominent Republicans, including Dan Severson (who recently announced he’ll be running against Amy Klobuchar for Senate) and state Sen. Paul Gazelka, have been guests on his weekly radio show.

Minneapolis will not be hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention, much to the dismay of city officials and the glee of some in the anti-war movement. Charlotte, N.C., beat out Minneapolis, St. Louis and Cleveland in its bid for the convention. In 2008, St. Paul hosted the Republican National Convention, an event which brought claims of civil rights abuses by law enforcement.

“After reviewing feedback from all these individuals, I am confident that Charlotte is an ideal location,” DNC chair Tim Kaine said in a statement on Tuesday. “I want to congratulate the people of Charlotte, their mayor, Anthony Foxx, Senator Kay Hagan, Governor Bev Perdue, and every other leader who helped to put together this winning bid. I am looking forward to working with all of them to ensure that the next Democratic National Convention is one that will demonstrate the best of our party and our nation’s political process.”

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak offered congratulations to Charlotte.

“Congratulations to Charlotte on being selected to host this great event. Any assistance they need, we’re here to help,” he said. “We’re obviously disappointed, but having been a finalist for this selection proves once again that Minneapolis has what it takes to host any major event.

He added, “Trust me, we’re going to continue to compete for them. Every time Minneapolis vies for this caliber of high-profile event, we strengthen the infrastructure needed to be competitive in attractive conventions and new business to town that in turn create good jobs that grow our economy.”

Minnesota Republicans unveiled their “Phase I” plan to reduce Minnesota’s $6.2 billion budget deficit by maintaining unallotment levels of government aid and higher education spending. The plan would direct state agencies to find $200 million in savings. DFL leaders and Mayors RT Rybak and Chris Coleman quickly criticized the plan as hurting the middle class while giving big breaks to corporate CEOs.

The GOP outlined its plan in a statement on Monday.

“We need to prevent automatic spending increases that are included in the state government budget, and passing this budget bill will keep some of state government’s expenditures at current levels,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville.

“In light of the large forecasted budget deficit, I believe most cities, counties, and public higher education institutions have been expecting these budget reductions to continue,” said Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Claire Robling of Jordan. “This action should not come as a surprise to them or to the majority of legislators who voted for these reductions last year.”

But that prediction rang hollow with many DFLers.

“The Senate Republicans’ proposal is a one-legged stool of cuts only, with no new reform and no new revenue,” Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak said. “We’ve seen this movie before: they would simply continue a deeply misguided policy that passes the State’s fiscal problems onto communities, is directly responsible for driving property taxes higher statewide and has hampered our ability to keep people safe.”

He said that cuts will lead to layoffs of police and firefighters.

“Minneapolis and communities across Minnesota are willing to do their fair share to help solve the State’s budget crisis and put people to work — but over the last eight years, we’ve already done much more than our fair share,” he added. “Minnesota’s taxpayers have a right to expect more out of the Legislature’s new majorities than just more passing the buck.”

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said the plan would create higher taxes for property owners.

“The Republicans at the Capitol are suggesting we do nothing more than continue the failed policies left behind by our previous Governor which is to shift the funding burden for police, fire and public infrastructure to property owners in cities across Minnesota,” he said.

Gov. Mark Dayton said he isn’t interested in partial solutions to the budget deficit.

“I will not agree to piecemeal cuts and partial solutions eliminating the $6.2 billion deficit in the next biennium,” he said. “I will propose a reasonable, balanced and complete budget solution on February 15th, and I ask the legislature to do the same thereafter, with citizen participation through hearings and very careful consideration of the effects of their decisions on people’s lives.”

Senate DFL Caucus Leader Tom Bakk of Cook said the GOP’s plan amounted to tax breaks for corporations and tax increases for the middle class.

It is telling… to note what is included in the first round of budget cuts offered by the Republican majorities: cuts to state colleges and universities, cuts to property tax relief programs, and cuts to health care for working families,” he said. “Despite the Republican rhetoric around ‘reform’ and ‘redesign,’ it’s clear that an all-cuts budget is going to have a dramatic impact on Minnesota families.”

He added, “It also points to the irresponsibility of the Republican proposal to offer millions of dollars in tax breaks to large corporations during these difficult times. The question is: should we really be raising taxes on working families at the same time we’re cutting taxes on out-of-state corporations?”

DFL Sen. John Marty of Roseville echoed that sentiment.

“Just one week ago, the Republicans introduced their top priority, Senate File 1, which contained as much as $200 million in tax cuts for corporations, including corporations based in other states and countries. Remember that many corporations are currently seeing historic profit margins,” he said. “I question the Republicans’ logic, and the fairness, of cutting taxes for corporations while raising taxes on homeowners and renters who are struggling to make ends meet.”

—Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL, District, 44B, Golden Valley

—Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL, District 13B, Willmar

— Kevin Watterson, public affairs director, House Republican Caucus

—U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, Republican, Sixth Congressional District

—Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak

—Tom Horner, Independence Party candidate for governor

—Stephanie Schriock, EMILY’s List president, on former Franken staffer joining her organization

—Wellstone Action on Lynda Waddington, of our sister site, the Iowa Independent

—Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio reporter

—Republican Party of Minnesota

—Colin Lee, DFL candidate for state House (District 36A), Lakeville, referencing a recent Emmer comment

—Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Tim Walz

—Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak

—The Minnesota Independent

—RT Rybak, Minneapolis Mayor

—Rep. Tony Sertich, House Majority Leader, D-Chisholm, District 5B

—Tony Sutton, state GOP chair

—Tom Freeman, House Republican Caucus

—Tom Horner, Independence Party candidate for governor

—Rep. Erin Murphy, D-St. Paul, District 64A

Got a politician you think we should be following on Twitter? Let us know at @MnIndyLIVE.

Image: Kevinzhengli

Rasmussen Reports released some of the first polling numbers on Minnesota’s gubernatorial race on Thursday, finding that for the most part Minnesotans are undecided about who they like for governor. And with a diluted field for the DFL, no candidate did well against both of the top Republican candidates, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert.

Mark Dayton and R.T. Rybak fared the best against Emmer, both beating him 38 percent to 35 percent. None of the DFL candidates bested Marty Seifert, though, but Rybak tied him at 38 percent.

Among Republicans candidates, Emmer had the best net favorable rating — 38 percent favorable and 26 percent unfavorable — but 36 percent said they weren’t sure how they felt about him. Seifert garnered the support of 41 percent polled, but 33 percent found him unfavorable. Twenty-seven percent were undecided.

Among DFLers, only Rybak (49 to 37 percent) and Tom Bakk (27 to 22 percent) had a net positive rating. Mark Dayton had the highest favorable rating with 44 percent, but an even higher unfavorable rating at 45 percent. Of those polled, 39 percent liked Margaret Anderson Kelliher, but 41 percent didn’t. Matt Entenza had similar numbers with 27 percent and 31 percent. Tom Rukavina had an even split with 27 percent approving and the same disapproving.

Clockwise from top left: Bakk, Rukavina, Rybak, Pawlenty, Emmer and Seifert

A straw poll results from Tuesday night’s political caucuses continue to trickle in, gubernatorial candidates RT Rybak and Margaret Anderson Kelliher are taking the top spot in the DFL, while Marty Seifert is garnering a large number of votes on the Republican side. Early results for the Independence Party show Tom Horner taking the lead, but voting for that straw poll will continue online until Feb. 28.

Turnout was generally low despite a large number of candidates vying for the seat soon to be vacated by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. But DFL turnout was a bit higher than the GOP’s, bucking pundits’ expectations that an energized GOP base in the wake of the Tea Party movement and a win by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race last month would deliver more GOP caucus-goers.

A number of the 26 or so gubernatorial candidates have responded to the straw poll results.

Iron Range DFLer Tom Bakk maintained a positive outlook despite placing 7th in the poll (8th including uncommitted) out of 11 candidates. “My campaign has continued to build momentum throughout the last year,” he said in a statement. “We have worked hard to gain the support of Minnesotans across the state and from Hallock to Houston County we are seeing the results. The straw poll results reinforced what we have known for months. There will be a number of strong candidates vying for the DFL endorsement at the convention in April.”

Tom Rukavina, who shares an Iron Range background with Bakk, fared a bit better in the straw poll, coming in 4th.

“I’m humbled and energized by last night’s results,” he said in a statement. “This goes to show that a little money and a big, refreshingly honest message has made me a contender at the DFL convention. When I entered this race last November, few people gave me a chance. Last night, we exceeded expectations, and I’m just getting going.”

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak said his campaign appeared to be the straw poll winner with 80 percent of DFL caucuses reporting by mid-afternoon Wednesday. The campaign released a statement saying that Rybak had done well outside Minneapolis.

“[I]t shows that people are connecting with us in every corner of Minnesota, from Duluth to Hutchinson to Minnetonka to Eagan,” said Rybak. “We’ve been out meeting folks in every corner of our state, talking honestly about what we can accomplish together when we change our politics and put people and jobs first.”

Among GOP candidates, Marty Seifert barely won a majority votes among caucus-goers at 50.03 percent.

Seifert used the opportunity to slam DFLers:

It is amazing that nearly as many Republicans turned out for caucuses as Democrats last night. Just two years ago, DFL turnout was three times higher than Republican turnout. As I travel the state, it is clear that the DFL message of higher taxes, increased spending, and more government intrusion is falling flat with Minnesotans. Last night’s DFL caucus turnout confirms this.

He doesn’t note that a heated primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may have had something to do with the record-breaking 2008 turnout.

Seifert continued, “At this point in the race, our campaign is the only GOP campaign with a statewide grassroots network and the financial resources necessary to wage an aggressive campaign for the endorsement and for the general election.”

Seifert’s primary competition, Tom Emmer, got 40 percent of the Republican vote. The Emmer campaign noted that “Emmer actually polled four points better than Governor Pawlenty did in 2002, going on to win the nomination against a better funded opponent.”

Emmer Campaign Manager David FitzSimmons said, “The race begins today. We are closing the gap and feel really good about our momentum as we head to the all-important delegate phase. These results exceeded our expectations.”