Quoting Anderson & Turpin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > However, as Ed says above, the county can't change this law. I don't want > my representatives spending a significant amount of their time lobbying a > different branch of government. We elect county representatives to mind > county business, and State and Federal representatives for their respective > jurisdictions. It wastes time and perverts the will of the electorate to > work on issues outside one's own branch.
[BV] County Officials do spend time lobbying other government entities on behalf of County residents. It is WHAT they lobby for that determines whether it is in the interest of the citizens or not. Example: Local Government Aid. The state provides this to meet some of the expenses of County governance thus avoiding a seperate County sales tax. Tim Penny has spoken about eliminating this aid (if he is elected GOV) and suggesting that Counties add their own tax to eliminate one level of beauracracy. County officials lobbying the legislature to continue this funding (or City officials for that matter) are acting on behalf of their constituency, thus preventing the implementation of a Countywide sales tax and the administration of such that would increase County costs. Example: Stadium (again, I know, I'm sorry). The Hennepin County Board Chair has ALREADY said THIS year that he is preparing for NEXT year's legislature and a stadium funding bill that will include Hennepin County as a player. This is an example of lobbying in OPPOSITION to constituents best interests, IMHO. :-) Bob Velez Shingle Creek Ward 4-1 -- Citizen Bob Velez Green Party endorsed candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, District 1 AFSCME (Local 34) ENDORSED http://www.webspawner.com/users/citizenbobvelez/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
