Pawlenty Agenda Includes More Gambling, Public Money for Sports Stadiums,

[Eric J in MN]

and Cuts to Health Insurance for the Working Poor


Currently Minnesota has gambling on Indian casinos, but not in the Twin Cities area.

The Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, wants to bring casinos to the Twin Cities area in order to raise money to provide rich sports team owners with a new stadium. One location he's suggested is the Mall of America, which is the largest mall in the US ("Lenders bet on casinos" by Chris Serres, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jan. 31, 2005),

Governor Pawlenty also wants to cut the state's health insurance program, limiting its availability to the working poor. Pawlenty defends his proposed cuts to MinnesotaCare by saying "The welfare-health care system is growing so fast we have to do something" ("Weighing in on Pawlenty budget plan" by Patricia Lopez, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jan. 27, 2005).

These issues are brought together in a recent letter to the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jan. 31, 2005):

Pawlenty's journey

How did Tim Pawlenty, who grew up in working-class South St. Paul, end up endorsing gambling to fund the frivolity of sports stadiums while cutting $200 million to MinnesotaCare, the state-sponsored health care program for low-income individuals?

One more Minnesota politician who's sold his soul.

Lisa Johnson, Stillwater

Tim Pawlenty was elected in a three-way race in 2002. The next gubernatorial election is in 2006.


I'll add this to my blog at http://moveleft.com eventually.

[Lindacooks]

1. I HATE THAT S O B !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is the scum of the earth. PLEASE, Green party of Minnesota, DO NOT RUN A CANDIDATE IN THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have GOT to get this pig out of office.

[Eric J in MN]

2. The bigger question is whether the Independence Party will

run an ex-Democrat again, like Tim Penny in 2002.

Anyone here have contact with them?

Ask them to run an ex-Republican this time.

[Lindacooks]

4. Yes, you're right

NO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES AT ALL, if Minnesota is to survive.

[Eric J in MN]

3. I updated the article I wrote above for my website.

Check it out at:

http://MOVELEFT.COM