What’s Up

Fusion ballot question at caucus

 

We just joined up with the New York Independence Party in the new IP of America. Maybe it’s time to consider fusion balloting again. New York does not recognize candidates as the wholly owned property of single parties, and allows for candidates to appear on multiple ballot lines (Independence, Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal). The impact of this is that candidates have to reach out to support the reform minded policies of the Independence Party. In a state with the most polarized entrenched parties, is it time to consider this option. You get to decide at caucus this year.

 

Nominate Courage Award Recipients!

 

At its annual convention this Spring, the 5th CD Independence party will award three courage awards to local leaders in non-partisan office who have set an example of  accountability, service improvement, and ethics in government. We are borrowing this idea from the New York County Independence Party, which has promoted reform in government by providing this award annually.

 

Independence Party to cross-endorse like-minded candidates from other parties

 

At its Saturday, January 26th convention, the Independence Party changed its constitution to allow cross-endorsement of candidates from other parties. This marks a return to a practice discontinued after 1998. When the party does field a candidate of it’s own, cross-endorsement will allow the party to give a boost to candidates from other parties who support our values, beliefs, and positive campaigns. It is a take off the New York Independence Party, which has an impact in fusion elections, where a candidate can appear on more than one parties ballot line (maybe something to consider?).

 

Independence campaign for more cops brings 18 more officers to Minneapolis… the fight continues

 

Starting in September the 5th CD Independence Party led an effort to hold Mayor Rybak to his 2006 promise of hiring 50 more police officers. By 2007 the Mayor had back-peddled on his promise and the police force had actually declined in number. We invited the moderate Minneapolis Republicans to jump on board and reminded the Mayor of his promise with over 700 lawn signs placed throughout Minneapolis.

 

Usually political fights when they only involve the two entrenched parties yield no results. Not so when we get involved….the Mayor has made partial progress by agreeing to hire 18 more officers.

 

We aren’t stopping with that. Mayor Rybak has confused Minneapolitans in blaming the problem on state aid cuts alone. What he did not admit was that his history of state aid only starts in 2002, when the aid had a blip as a result of the generosity of the Ventura Administration. He also forgot to mention that property taxes have gone up disproportionately when compared to cuts. Finally, he relied on year to year fluctuations in crime to suggest that crime was trending down over a longer term.

 

We had a tangible result...but we still have those yard signs packed away for when the snow melts!

 

 

 

Independence to start charter reform on city government

 

The Independence Party will be launching a charter reform amendment campaign in the Spring. Our goal is to collect over 8000 signatures to put a referendum on the ballot to create a strong Mayor and reduce the size of the City Council. We will provide more information as our campaign develops.

 

A lot of dollars go into suburban sports….shouldn’t more kids play?

 

Why is it that our suburban high schools have such beautiful athletic facilities but so few students get to compete in competitive sports? Former Lt. Governor Mae Schunk raised that point several times during her tenure. We think it deserves another look. We are requesting financial and participation data from the state and will consider lobbying legislators to “open up” and expand school athletic opportunities to more suburban students. As former Governor Ventura use to say….stay tuuuned!

 

 

 

Hey you….tell us what’s up or respond to any of these stories by emailing us at ipmannounce@visi.com today. We will put your comments on the website.

Prepared and Paid for by the Independence Party CD5 Committee, PO Box 52016, Minneapolis, MN 55402