State of Minnesota Archives: on Government Reform

Mike Murphy: Update and modernize voter registration systems

• Update and modernize voter registration systems
• Purging voter lists and keep them up-to-date
• Require voter-verifiable paper ballots or records for every vote cast
• Replace outdated voting machines
• Require minimum cybersecurity standards for our election infrastructure
• Perform mandatory pre and post-election accuracy testing on all voting machines
• Conduct robust post-election audits
• Common-sense voter Identification that doesn't disenfranchise legal voters
• Strengthen same-day voter registration policies

Tina Smith: Restore voting rights to ex-felons

Jason Lewis: Believes voting rights should be restored to felons once they have completed parole. Says each state should decide on laws.

Tina Smith: Co-sponsored bill to restore Voting Rights Act enacted to prevent discriminatory changes to state voting laws and procedures.

Jason Lewis: Abolish FISA court which violates civil liberties

Jim Newberger: Opposes regulation of political contributions

Amy Klobuchar: Yes to both. Cosponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of advocacy groups' campaign contributions. Cosponsored amendment to overturn democracy-threatening decision.

Jim Newberger: Unknown on ads. No to limiting political donations. Opposes regulation of political contributions.

Karin Housley: Supports free market for campaigns, and Citizen United

Smith: 1. Yes. Sponsored DISCLOSE Act. 2. Reverse by Constitutional Amendment.

Housley: 1. Unclear. Said we need "adequate regulations" to ensure candidates raise funds ethically & transparently but supports "free market" for campaigns. 2. Yes. Supports Citizen United: "I would be in support of the way it is right now.

Tina Smith: Reverse Citizens United by Constitutional Amendment

Smith: 1. Yes. In 2018, cosponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring organizations spending more than $10,000 in an election cycle to disclose donors' names. 2. Reverse Citizens United by Constitutional Amendment.

Housley: Supports Citizen United: "I would be in support of the way it is right now."

Jeff Johnson: Require voters to show photo ID

Jeff Johnson (R): Yes. Supports requiring voters to show photo ID, although Minnesotans rejected that idea in a 2012 vote.

Tim Walz (D): No. Strengthen & reauthorize Voting Rights Act. Remove barriers to voting.

Tim Walz: Limit corporate campaign donations, and disclose all

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Co-sponsored 2012 DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures.

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

Johnson: Unknown.

Walz: No. Disagrees with Supreme Court decision that lifts limits on corporations' & unions' spending in US elections.

Tim Walz: Remove barriers to voting

Jeff Johnson (R): Yes. Supports requiring voters to show photo ID, although Minnesotans rejected that idea in a 2012 vote.

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Jeff Johnson: Government needs to give the power back to the people

Jeff Johnson: People make better decisions on spending than government

Karin Housley: Supports Citizens United: let corporations participate

She noted while sometimes it's necessary to spend large sums to campaign in population-thin areas like greater Minnesota, the high influx of donor and political action committee dollars complicates races.

Often, Housley said, a candidate is endorsed by a group or message they don't support themselves and this also plays out with how outside money--or money funding political campaigns or candidates by groups outside the constituency--is handled in national elections.

Housley said she is in support of the 2010 Supreme Court ruling granting corporations personhood, or similar rights and privileges as human beings--Citizens United v. FEC. "I would be in support of the way it is right now," she said.

Lori Swanson: Fight to make campaign financing fairer & all-inclusive

Paula Overby: Make voter registration easier

A: Support--I support that. Diversity of opinion is our strength. Polarization is our undoing.

Jim Newberger: No need to make voter registration easier

A: Oppose.

Karin Housley: Switch from partisan way of governing back to compromise

Tina Liebling: Require disclosure of state legislature perks

Our laws permit public officials to take trips--junkets--that are paid for by foundations or other organizations (but not by lobbyists). These organizations include ALEC, an organization of large corporations that writes corporate-friendly legislation for legislators (almost always Republicans) to introduce in their states. My amendment to require disclosure of these trips by members of the Minnesota House was voted down by Republicans.

Not all sponsored trips are bad, but the recipient should be required to disclose these perks to the public. We must make sure that the wealthy and well connected play by the same rules as everyone else.

Public money should be invested only where the public--not billionaire owners or another special interest group--will reap the benefits commensurate with the investment. This is why I voted "no" on the Vikings and Twins stadium deals.

Heather Johnson: Term limits for Congress, local officials, and judges

• I advocate term limits on Congress and limitations and elections for local, state, and federal judges including the Supreme Court.
• I advocate transparency and regular independent audits of government practices as well as the Federal Reserve, answerable to the people, by the people, and for the people of these United States.
• I advocate the acknowledgement that juries do not have to uphold legislation in situations where they feel there just reason to ignore the law.

Jim Abeler: Photo ID for voting

Abeler: Strongly Disagree

Mike McFadden: Effective but limited government, stressing "limited"

Asked how limited government should be--drowned in bathtub? Slightly smaller than current? Would he close federal departments? -- McFadden demurred, "my focus is going to be on making things more effective."

"Politics is the art of the possible not the art of the pure," he said. "And I think what's happened in Washington is we've had too much purity on both ends of the spectrum."

Mark Dayton: Make even-years "The Unsession", to eliminate laws & rules

In my campaign, I proposed making an even-year legislative session "The Unsession." Except for responding to a fiscal or other emergency and passing a bonding bill, the session would be devoted to eliminating unnecessary or redundant laws, rules, and regulations; reducing the verbiage in those that remain; shortening the timelines for developing and implementing them; and undoing anything else, which makes government nearly impossible to understand, operate, or support.

I suggest making next year's legislative session the first "Unsession." After this session is concluded, I will ask my agency heads and legislative staff to begin making lists, and working with any legislators, other public officials, and citizens, who wish to spearhead these reforms.

Jim Abeler: Require photo ID to vote

Legislative title:Requires Photo Identification to Vote

Legislative summary: Vote to adopt a conference report that submits a constitutional amendment to the voters that requires voters to present photo identification prior to voting.Highlights:

• Requires voters voting in person to present valid government-issued photo identification in order to receive a ballot.
• Requires the state to issue photo ID at no charge to eligible voters who do not have valid government-issued photo ID
• Requires that a voter not capable of producing government-issued photo identification must be able to cast a provisional ballot
• Requires the amendment be submitted to the voters for approval at the 2012 general election.

Erin Murphy: Voted NO on photo ID for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; Rep. Erin Murphy voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4, 2012; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Jim Abeler: Require photo ID for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; Rep. Jim Abeler voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4, 2012; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Kurt Bills: Require photo ID for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; Rep. Kurt Bills voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4, 2012; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Tina Liebling: Voted NO on photo ID for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; Rep. Tina Liebling voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4, 2012; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Matt Dean: Constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; Rep. Matt Dean co-sponsored bill on March 7 and then voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Mark Dayton: Vetoed photo ID requirement for voting

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID] ; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome: Equivalent bill vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.

Tim Pawlenty: Proposed 2-term limit for governor & 12 years for Congress

Tom Emmer: Limit PAC contributions, but all others ok

A: No.

Q: Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates... Individual?

A: No.

Q: PAC?

A: Yes.

Q: Corporate?

A: No.

Q: Political Parties?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?

A: Yes.

Tim Pawlenty: Keep restrictions on liquor licenses near state facilities

Summary by OnTheIssues: Allow liquor licenses near county jails, but disallow liquor licenses within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other institution under the supervision or control of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections.

Governor's Veto Message: There are many other facilities beyond hospitals, training schools, reformatories and prisons that are under the supervision or control of the Commissioners of Human Services or Corrections. It would surprise me if the Legislature intended to allow liquor sales near all such facilities. Yet, the bill seems to do just that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/13/04; Passed Senate 57-3-7 on May/14/04; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/29/04.

Jim Abeler: Keep restrictions on liquor licenses near state facilities

Summary by OnTheIssues: Allow liquor licenses near county jails, but disallow liquor licenses within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other institution under the supervision or control of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections.

Governor's Veto Message: There are many other facilities beyond hospitals, training schools, reformatories and prisons that are under the supervision or control of the Commissioners of Human Services or Corrections. It would surprise me if the Legislature intended to allow liquor sales near all such facilities. Yet, the bill seems to do just that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/13/04; Rep. Abeler noted NO; Passed Senate 57-3-7 on May/14/04; Vetoed on May/29/04.

Rebecca Otto: Loosen restrictions on liquor licenses near state facilities

Summary by OnTheIssues: Allow liquor licenses near county jails, but disallow liquor licenses within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other institution under the supervision or control of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections.

Governor's Veto Message: There are many other facilities beyond hospitals, training schools, reformatories and prisons that are under the supervision or control of the Commissioners of Human Services or Corrections. It would surprise me if the Legislature intended to allow liquor sales near all such facilities. Yet, the bill seems to do just that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on 5/13/04; Rep. Otto voted YES; Passed Senate 57-3-7 on 5/14/04; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on 5/29/04.

Tim Pawlenty: Keep approval of local rules with Governor, not Legislatur

Governor's Veto Message: The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

Jim Abeler: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message: The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; Rep. Abeler voted YES; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

Michelle Fischbach: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message: The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Sen. Michelle Fischbach sponsored HF624 and voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

Rebecca Otto: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message: The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; Rep. Otto voted YES; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

Norm Coleman: Frivolous lawsuits raise consumer prices

Jesse Ventura: Close soft money loophole, give candidates public money

• Closing the soft money loophole.
• Giving candidates the public money when they need it.
• Providing better citizen access to campaign finance information on the web.
• I believe that political parties & party caucuses should agree to limit their independent
• expenditures as a condition of receiving public money, and I encourage the Minnesota
• Legislature to pass a bill that will close this gaping loophole in Minnesota's law.

Mark Dayton: No PAC money, no soft money

Jesse Ventura: Give every new program a sunset clause to force evaluation

• We must start evaluating programs for results.
• We can't ever hesitate to reform or eliminate programs if they aren't producing results.
• Every new program should automatically have a "sunset" clause that forces proper evaluation.
• We must move decisions to the level closest to the people.no unfunded mandates from one unit of government to the next.