Senate District 40 Speakers' Forum

Bloomington

September 20, 2005

This forum followed a meeting of the Senate District 40 Republican Committee, including the following speakers:

Dan McElroy, on behalf of Governor Pawlenty
Senate District 40 Senator Bill Belanger, Jr.
House District 40A Representative Duke Powell
Republican Party of Minnesota Deputy Chair Eric Hoplin
Vern Wilcox, on behalf of endorsed Bloomington City Council candidate Loren Klassen
Endorsed Bloomington City Council candidate Jim Algeo

Dan McElroy

Duke Powell

Dan McElroy outlined the successes of the Governor Pawlenty's leadership this year:

Solved state budget deficit without raising job-killing taxes.
Passed Conceal Carry for the second time.
Growth in spending was less than growth in economy.
Performance pay for teachers.
Health care reform.
Passed 11 of 14 proposals from the State of State Address.

McElroy emphasized that Republicans need to start organizing now for the 2006 election to:

Re-elect the Governor.
Win U.S. Senate seat.
Keep four Congressional seats, or gain one.
Rebuild State House majority.
Gain three State Senate seats needed for majority.

State Senator Bill Belanger cited his and Duke Powell's accomplishments:

Authored Burnsville water treatment plant bond, saving $3.27 million of property tax in Bloomington alone.
More money for schools.
Nobody removed from Minnesota Care.
No new job-killing taxes.

State Representative Duke Powell didn't apologize for the government shutdown, blaming the Democrats for digging in their heels. Although Powell didn't vote for the cigarette "fee", he didn't blame the Governor for having to give up something that was the least objectionable.

Eric Hoplin

Jim Algeo

Eric Hoplin said his greatest pleasure as State Party Deputy Chair is traveling all over the state organizing the re-election of our great Governor Pawlenty. The state legislature is a virtual tie between the parties, and Republicans need to break the tie. The battle for Minnesota Senate seat will be one of the three most watched contests in the nation, and the people from MoveOn.org are coming.

Bloomington City Council candidate Jim Algeo spoke. Although he's not pro-smoking, he said the smoking ban hurts charitable organizations.

Duke Powell, Senator Belanger, and Dan McElroy answered questions from those in attendance. The hot topic was immigration.

Wilcox, Hulting, VanGerpen, McElroy, & Belanger

Vern Wilcox, Tom Hulting, Jean VanGerpen, Dan McElroy, and Bill Belanger talked about something.

Everyone present considered the evening a success.