[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday October 18, 2006 at 12:41pm]
My Legislative Choices
There isn't much to go on in these races, but here's how I see myself voting in district 46(B). These are very safe DFL districts.
House District 46B: Debra Hillstrom (DFL, incumbent since 2000)
I admit I know Debra from her City Council days, and haven't had the pleasure of meeting her opponent, Jill Peterson. I have never had cause to doubt Hillstrom's integrity. I know she works hard, and genuinely pursues what she thinks best for Brooklyn Center.
Granted, she did vote for the Twins stadium, and she has far too much faith in the public school system for the students' own good. But I also know Debra isn't a hard lefty, either. Given the district demographics, we could do far worse.
Peterson's campaign has been non-existent so far. For all I know, she could be anywhere from a conservative to a RINO, and I consider the latter more troubling than some Democrats, including Hillstrom.
A better challenger could easily get my vote in the future, but in 2006, my choice is to re-elect Debra Hillstrom.
Senate District 46: Steve Arakawa (GOP, challenger)
Again, I haven't met Arakawa, but his web site has sufficient information to win my vote.
Linda Scheid's performance her past 10 years in the Senate has not been particularly inspiring or effective. She is basically just a party line voter. There are rare exceptions like her support to repeal the 8 cents a gallon price fixing on gasoline. But on larger issues, she has let us down.
Yes, she voted for the Twins stadium, but so did Hillstrom and an unsettling number of Republicans, not to mention the Governor. After all, as the Taxpayers League of Minnesota has documented, she is a very big spender even by DFL standards, so give her points for consistency.
Speaking of spending, Scheid has more than once demonstrated a surprising poor grasp of money and financial concepts. I have to wonder if she even understands these budget bills she votes on.
But far worse, she voted to lynch Cheri Pierson Yecke in the middle of the night. Coupling that with her continued support of serial liar Senator Dean Johnson as Majority Leader, I question Scheid's loyalty and interest in truly representing the hard-working people of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. Scheid's somewhat arrogant manner tends to confirm this diagnosis for me.
Ten years is enough. I think it's time for a change - Steve Arakawa.
House District 46B: Debra Hillstrom (DFL, incumbent since 2000)
I admit I know Debra from her City Council days, and haven't had the pleasure of meeting her opponent, Jill Peterson. I have never had cause to doubt Hillstrom's integrity. I know she works hard, and genuinely pursues what she thinks best for Brooklyn Center.
Granted, she did vote for the Twins stadium, and she has far too much faith in the public school system for the students' own good. But I also know Debra isn't a hard lefty, either. Given the district demographics, we could do far worse.
Peterson's campaign has been non-existent so far. For all I know, she could be anywhere from a conservative to a RINO, and I consider the latter more troubling than some Democrats, including Hillstrom.
A better challenger could easily get my vote in the future, but in 2006, my choice is to re-elect Debra Hillstrom.
Senate District 46: Steve Arakawa (GOP, challenger)
Again, I haven't met Arakawa, but his web site has sufficient information to win my vote.
Linda Scheid's performance her past 10 years in the Senate has not been particularly inspiring or effective. She is basically just a party line voter. There are rare exceptions like her support to repeal the 8 cents a gallon price fixing on gasoline. But on larger issues, she has let us down.
Yes, she voted for the Twins stadium, but so did Hillstrom and an unsettling number of Republicans, not to mention the Governor. After all, as the Taxpayers League of Minnesota has documented, she is a very big spender even by DFL standards, so give her points for consistency.
Speaking of spending, Scheid has more than once demonstrated a surprising poor grasp of money and financial concepts. I have to wonder if she even understands these budget bills she votes on.
But far worse, she voted to lynch Cheri Pierson Yecke in the middle of the night. Coupling that with her continued support of serial liar Senator Dean Johnson as Majority Leader, I question Scheid's loyalty and interest in truly representing the hard-working people of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. Scheid's somewhat arrogant manner tends to confirm this diagnosis for me.
Ten years is enough. I think it's time for a change - Steve Arakawa.