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Health & Fitness

Special Interest PAC Targeting Ward 13 Council Race

In the last three days, the Minneapolis firefighters union has mailed three different campaign literature pieces in support of Linea Palmisano for Ward 13 City Council.  This is especially noteworthy after reading what Mayor R.T. Rybak had to say about fire union attack pieces.

Mayor R.T. Rybak:  “Specifically, be very skeptical about attacks you may see from the Minneapolis firefighters union. Now let me be totally clear: I have a tremendous respect for the professionals in the Fire Department who protect us every day. They are heroes. However, the union that represents them is known for bombastic attack literature that often comes late in a campaign.  I saw a piece in the 13th Ward that misleadingly attacked me while encouraging a vote for a Council candidate. Bluntly: if it comes in the last week of a campaign, be very skeptical of anything you hear from the fire union and their leader, who is known for being over the top and not always accurate.”
http://rtrybak.tumblr.com/day/2013/11/01
http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/230266631.html

Palmisano, who is endorsed by the fire union, has promised to increase firefighter headcount to 4 on a rig, a cost that, on its own, would increase property taxes by 3%. This is not a request from Fire Chief Fruetel. It flies directly in the face of Palmisano’s latest campaign claim that she wants to control property taxes. 

Like Mayor Rybak and Council Member Hodges before me, I will stand up to fire union demands that would bust the city's budget and burden property taxpayers beyond the breaking point. The Star Tribune Editorial Board endorsed me this week saying in part that “we appreciate Perry’s opposition to city ownership of an electrical utility and his outspoken resistance to higher property taxes.”
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/229958221.html

As Ward 13’s City Council Member, I will put the interests of Ward 13 residents first and use my extensive knowledge of the City’s budget and debt structure to:

  • Drive the City Council to always consider both current and lifetime costs of proposed city investments
  • Say NO to investments that incur too much debt and force our property taxes skyward
  • Advocate for the public good, not special interests
  • Be a positive force for smart fiscal stewardship of the city’s finances
While personally knocking on over 9,000 doors since July and during 10 years of public service, I have learned that property taxes are the top issue in Ward 13. Keeping property taxes in line requires critical examination in order to balance priorities. I am not beholden to any special interest groups. You can count on me to make smart decisions that maintain the public safety while controlling our property taxes.
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