Emmer Makes False Claims on Role in DUI Legislation: Supporters of Lessening Penalties for Drunk Drivers Were Defense Attorneys, Not Prosecutors
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Emmer's campaign made false claims on Wednesday when it stated that prosecutors asked Emmer to sponsor a bill that lessened penalties for drunk driving.
In fact, records show that the Minnesota County Attorneys Association opposed the bill Emmer introduced, as well as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Office of Public Safety. The attorneys testifying in favor of the law were private attorneys who, according to their web sites, defend those arrested for drunk driving.
"Emmer is trying to run from the fact that he introduced a bill that lessened penalties against drunk driving," said Denise Cardinal, Executive Director of Alliance for a Better Minnesota Action Fund. "Minnesotans need a leader who will protect us, not lessen penalties for drunk drivers. It's insulting that he is trying to blame others in explaining his own record."
Emmer's false claims were posted on his website in response to a television ad put out by Alliance for a Better Minnesota Action Fund. The ad features the mother of someone killed in a drunk driving accident questioning Emmer’s support of the bill that lessens drunk driving penalties.
Cardinal added that Emmer still hasn’t answered some questions about his vague, and untrue, response: "When he says he’s made mistakes -- what is he talking about? The first drunk driving arrest or his second drunk driving arrest or both? Or about introducing legislation last year that would delay and lessen penalties for drunk driving? None of this is clear in his response and Minnesotans deserve to know."
< Netroots Minnesota in Saint Paul Friday-Saturday
DFL Governor candidates, New Media Activists, Progressive Politics Take Center Stage at First Netroots Minnesota Conference
Saint Paul – More than 100 Minnesota-based netroots activists will be in Saint Paul Friday and Saturday for the first ever Netroots Minnesota conference. Modeled after, and partially hosted by Netroots Nation, the conference allows participants to learn about key issues, skills for advocacy and grassroots organizing and connect with other netroots activists.
As a regional gathering of Netroots Nation, Netroots Minnesota amplifies progressive voices by providing an online and in-person campus for exchanging ideas and learning how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. Within that campus, we strengthen community, inspire action and serve as a incubator for progressive ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.
Netroots Minnesota will also feature a DFL gubernatorial forum moderated by Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Lori Sturdevant. Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will kick off the event and Congressman Tim Walz will brief participants on the latest from Washington, D.C.
Members of the media are allowed to attend the conference and the gubernatorial forum if they pre-register or bring their press credentials. For more information, contact Denise Cardinal of Alliance for a Better Minnesota at 612.269.9276.
WHAT: Netroots Minnesota WHERE:
Hilton Garden Inn City Center 411 Minnesota Street Saint Paul
WHEN: Friday, November 20 - Saturday, November 21
KEY EVENTS:
Friday, November 20
Welcoming Speech Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
DFL Gubernatorial Forum 6-8 p.m.
Saturday November 21
Representative Tim Walz (MN-03) Congressional Briefing 12:30 p.m.
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Alliance for a Better Minnesota (ABM) is a grassroots lobbying and online communications organization that works with progressive groups and working families on the issues that matter most to Minnesotans. You can find out more at www.allianceminnesota.org.
SAINT PAUL -- Alliance for a Better Minnesota is hosting a media call tomorrow, August 20th, with Paul Begala, former Clinton advisor and national pundit, to talk about Minnesota's unique role in the health insurance reform debate.
In Minnesota, and nationwide, radical right-wing rage is occupying the front pages, websites and nightly broadcast of media outlets nationwide. Begala will discuss the problems with this right-wing strategy, his experience, and the next chapter in the move to health insurance reform with a Minnesota perspective.
The call is open to Minnesota-based media and bloggers.
For dial-in information, contact Denise Cardinal, ABM Executive Director at denise@allianceminnesota.org. (TV stations wanting an on-camera interview can contact Denise).
WHAT: Minnesota Conference Call With Paul Begala on Health Insurance Reform
WHEN: THURSDAY, August 20th, 10:30 a.m. Central Time
Alliance for a Better Minnesota (ABM) is a nonprofit organization that educates the public about the negative effects of certain policies, politicians and organizations on their quality of life using earned, paid and new media techniques. The ABM home base is a state-of-the-art website designed and maintained by Blue State Digital through the national ProgressNow network of organizations.
Tomorrow at 2 p.m, the Seat Our Senator campaign will hold a brief press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol, before delivering a basket of Iowa corn ot Governor Tim Pawlenty with a simple message: "the Iowa caucuses can wait, Minnesota needs you now.
Tomorrow's press event is part of ongoing campaign by Alliance for a Better Minnesota, MN AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 5, Working America, SEIU MN State Council, Americans United for Change and others urging Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify the U.S. Senate election results should Al Franken be declared the winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The press release from Americans United for Change is below:
The latest effort by the Seat Our Senator campaign follows a recent television ad from Americans United for Change called ‘The Choice’ which aired in the Twin Cities and Rochester media markets and a billboard purchased on the SE corner of 94 and Snelling Ave. in St. Paul that both ask Governor Pawlenty if he will act in the best interests of the people of Minnesota that urgently need full representation in the U.S. Senate – or his own national political ambitions.
WHO: Alliance for a Better MN Americans United for Change
WHAT: “Seat Our Senator” Campaign to Deliver Basket of Corn and Message to Governor Pawlenty: “Iowa Caucuses Can Wait, Minnesota Needs You Now” / Effort Part of Ongoing Campaign Urging Governor Pawlenty to Do His Legal Duty and Certify the U.S. Senate Election Results Should Al Franken Be Declared the Winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court
In the wake of Governor Pawlenty's threat to balance the state budget with only program and job cuts, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron today urged Governor Pawlenty to, "step back, cool off, and put the people of Minnesota first."
The Governor’s attitude of it’s my way or the highway disrespects the legislature, working families and communities throughout the state. Hospitals are laying off workers, families are scrambling to figure out how to keep their loved ones in the nursing home, and 20,000 jobs are it risk. This is no game. Take a deep breath, think of the workers, families and communities, Governor, and then get back to work.
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