We had a fun meeting yesterday with speaker Mitch Pearlstein of the Center for the American Experiment. He enlightened us on the various types of school choice from private schools to vouchers and tax credits, charter schools or inter-district public school choice. Minnesota has led the way in school choice but in recent years has fallen behind. He highlighted 3 bills that are being looked at this legislative session: 1) expanding tax credits to keep up with inflation which includes cost of tuition 2) Scholarship grants for kids by individuals or businesses who receive a tax credit and 3) Education Savings Accounts for children with disabilities. He referred members to the Opportunity for All Kids website http://oakmn.org/ for more information. Thanks Mitch for an interesting talk!
Presidential Straw Poll results from Sat. Feb. 13: Ted Cruz with 15 out of 31 votes and Trump 2nd with 6 votes, and Rubio 3rd with 5 votes (Carson got 3 votes and Kasich 2 votes).
Many thanks to Andy Cilek and Susan Richardson for an interesting presentation on voter integrity challenges in MN. Andy has worked tirelessly to improve our system of voting through his work with the MN Voters Alliance. He showed that the Secretary of State actively blocks their efforts and that the law is not adequate to prevent voter fraud. Key areas where fraud occurs is people voting who are prohibited by law: felons who have not completed their sentences, non-citizens and persons under guardianship who are not able to make decisions due to mental incapacity. In addition, same day voter registrations are not confirmed eligible until after votes are counted making a case for provisional ballots. Frequently these voters have given fake addresses. Susan went over the main issues in the historic ISD #833 Bond Question #2 court challenge showing how the canvassing board and judge did not follow the law in reviewing ballots.
You’re Invited – Sat. February 13, 2016 9-11:00 am
Lake Elmo Inn, RSVP by Thurs Feb. 11, 2016
Speakers: Andy Cilek, MN Voters Alliance on Voter Integrity Efforts and Susan Richardson, ISD 833 historic referendum challenge
Come learn what voter integrity means and why it’s important to Minnesota. Also hear about the court challenge in the South Washington Co School referendum vote and why it matters too.
To make a reservation contact: Brian at: 612-462-2163 or email him at: [email protected]
Cost: $20. non-member; $15. members and $10. Students.
Join for the year: $25 and it will pay off in 5 meetings.
***We are having another membership drive this winter and spring for a $100 gift card to the Lake Elmo Inn with the drawing at our June 2016 meeting (details below):
· Every first time visitor or guest, and their host will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card to the Lake Elmo Inn. Please note: guests must be Minnesota residents eligible for membership.
· Drawing will be at the June 2016 meeting. So, visit for the first time, invite a friend, family member or neighbor and you could win! Any previous guest who becomes a member and their host will be entered into the drawing.