Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen: Unanswered Questions on why!!

I am disappointed and perplexed with Republican Senate Leadership. I am equally disappointed with Senator Ingebrigtsen on this particular vote.

This was not a new issue, and it has been out there for years. I think on the campaign trail he never mentioned he was in favor of it. He was adamantly against taxes and increased government bureaucracy.

The bonding bill is over the governor's recommendations by 250 million dollars and was supported by Senate Minority Leader Senjem and Senate Republicans. The tax increase was supported by Senator Ingebrightsen. It is not just a tax increase either...... it is a constitutionally mandated tax increase!!

I have never yet received a return response explaining why, and I wanted to give the Senator a chance to respond.

The Senator talked about the bi-partisanship down in the Senate at our Republican Convention. It gives me a lot of concern that maybe we have inexperienced Republican Leadership and Senators trying to get along to much

........meanwhile our pocket books continue to get picked. It makes you very nervous on the Health Care bills and what level of bi-partisanship exists in that area as well.

A side note: Even Mary Ellen Otremba voted "NO".

Outdoor, arts measure draws support here
By Celeste Beam, Staff Reporter
Alexandria Echo PressPublished
Friday, March 07, 2008

In November, Minnesota voters have a big decision to make – not only to decide who will be the 43rd president of the United States, but whether to approve a proposal to send a portion of state sales tax to outdoors, environment and arts programs.

In February, Minnesota legislators passed a constitutional amendment to increase taxes by .375 percent. The new revenue would be spent on a variety of outdoor programs, including improving wetlands, cleaning the state’s water, funding parks and trails, along with arts and history programs.

The amendment, if approved by voters November 4, would increase the sales tax for 25 years before it expires. Estimates of what the average Minnesota family would pay vary, but supporters say it probably would cost $56 a year.

Local state representatives Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie and Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, both voted against the amendment, while Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, voted to approve it.