Election judges play an important role in administering elections by ensuring the constitutional rights of voters are protected.  Bloomington has specifically called out a need for Republican election judges.

Be aware that Bloomington’s deadline for filing to be an election judge appears to have been accelerated significantly.  On the Bloomington website, the filing deadline is listed as September 2.  However, a former Republican election judge was recently sent a form and asked to submit it by July 12.

Apply for Bloomington Charter Commission by July 9. The Chief Judge of Hennepin County is accepting applications to fill a vacancy of an unexpired term on the Bloomington Charter Commission. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. on July 9, 2021. Applications may be obtained by calling Bloomington Civic Plaza at 952-563-8782 or you may apply online at blm.mn/board-app.

The Charter Commission is charged with studying issues and making recommendations relating to the city’s governing charter. The commission meets annually on the first Thursday evening in May and additionally as needed, if directed by the Bloomington City Council to study a particular issue.

Other opportunities for Bloomington Community Governance involvement: 

Help shape a new Board & Commission policy – The City is developing a board and commission policy to create fair and consistent guidelines for the recruitment and appointment of new members, and to ensure transparency for the public. We are seeking feedback about leadership in Bloomington to help develop desired characteristics for board and commission members that reflect the voice of the community. Please share your ideas at https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/boards-and-commissions or reach out to Emily Larson at [email protected].

Apply to participate in the Bloomington Leadership Program – Are you interested in developing leadership skills to better your community? The City of Bloomington is now accepting applications for the 2021 Bloomington Leadership Program. The deadline is July 31.CLICK HERE to read our June article on the SD49 website.

Republican Roundtable once again has access to their equipment and is able to record / broadcast, after a year of studio closure due to Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Executive Orders,

Their first guest of 2021 was Diane Napper, a board member of TakeCharge Minnesota, interviewed by Max Rymer. She addresses some of the current myths about the black community and the country. The focus of this transformational organization is on returning the black community to its roots - faith, family, and education.

To view the show on Youtube CLICK HERE.

On Thursday, July 1, a Hennepin County judge struck a major blow to the defund movement when she ordered the city of Minneapolis to hire more police.  Hennepin County District Judge Jamie Anderson said Minneapolis leaders have “failed to perform an official duty clearly imposed by law.”

Judge Anderson ordered the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey to “immediately take any and all necessary action to ensure that they fund a police force” of at least 730 sworn officers, or more if required by the 2020 Census to be published later this year, by June 30, 2022.

Doug Seaton, President of the Upper Midwest Law Center, said: “This is a huge victory for the Petitioners and all residents of Minneapolis, especially those in the most diverse neighborhoods feeling the brunt of rising crime rates. We applaud the Court’s decision and look forward to swift action by the City Council and Mayor to fund the police and ensure the safety of all Minneapolitans.”

The City had projected that the Minneapolis Police Department would only have 669 sworn officers as of June 1, 2022, after an “exodus” through retirement, resignations, and officers taking extended leave.  As reported by AlphaNews, Minneapolis argued that it only needs 650 sworn officers, “but this figure is based on the 2010 census.  Anderson said a 2019 population estimate of 429,606 mandates a police force of at least 730 officers but likely more, depending on the figures in the 2020 census.”

Thank you to the roughly 40 volunteers who join us for Edina's 4th of July Parade, held on July 3rd.  We were also joined by MN Rep. Greg Boe (R, Chaska), David Pascoe (MN GOP Secretary), Cicely Davis (SD59 Chair), Allen Shen (Vice Chair, Asian American Republicans Affiliate), Kim Crockett (CD3 Republicans Vice Chair), and Patty Piatz (producer, Republican Roundtable). Republicans from Edina and Bloomington were numerous, we were pleased to be supplemented by our friends from Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Roseville, and Carver County.

A special thanks goes out to Carol Kerr and her red convertible (with inflated elephant) and John Ward and his vintage red Mustang convertible for helping us make an impact with their vehicles..

The City of Bloomington has created the Bloomington Leadership Program to “promote civic engagement, develop leaders in the Bloomington community, break down barriers, and increase understanding of local government.” It is an entry step for Bloomington residents that may wish to serve on city commissions and committees.

The program is intended to develop leadership skills through educational sessions that are interactive, engaging, and relational.

Applications are being accepted now through July 31, 2021 for this Fall. It is open to Bloomington residents who  are 18 years of age or older and can attend 75% of the sessions (no more than 2 absences). This year's eight sessions will be held virtually on Tuesday evenings, September 14 – October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with a graduation session Thursday October 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Space is limited. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by Wednesday, August 25. CLICK HERE to apply online.

• For questions or to request a mailed application, contact Community Outreach and Engagement at 952-563-8733 | MN Relay 711, or by email at [email protected](link sends e-mail).
• An information session will be offered on Tuesday, July 13, 6 to 7 pm (Zoom). Register on-line on or before Monday, July 12 at 4:30 pm.
• You may also contact SD49 Republicans at [email protected] and we can put you in touch with a Bloomington Republican

Two of the most dedicated Republicans in Senate District 49 have signaled that it is time for the next phase of their lives. Trish & Russ Burnison were recognized for their continued support by the attendees at the June 14 Pints & Politics event.

One of Russ’ earliest memories of political activism was doing literature drops for Norm Coleman when he ran for re-election to the US Senate. The Burnisons got involved with the local Republican organization then known as Senate District 41 in late 2008 or early 2009, when they attended their first dinner program,

They came to their first caucus in 2009 and Russ was elected to Chair of Bloomington Precinct 19 in 2011. He became an Executive Committee Vice Chair by 2013. He was elected as the Co-Chair in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. He was not shy in expressing his opinions about the performance of the Bloomington mayor and city council, even stepping forward to run for city council in 2011.

Russ pitched in to help through two office moves. He and his van were heavily used in furniture moves, lawn sign installations, and picnic provisioning. He volunteered for setting up caucuses and conventions. He was a strong leader and motivator within the volunteer ranks of the senate district. He was awarded the Senate District's Crystal Eagle in 2018, in recognition of his exemplary volunteer work.

Recent news featured a workplace dispute at a St. Cloud law firm that resulted in the firing of several people.  Articles paraphrased a firm member contending that “it’s illegal to fire someone for their political beliefs.”

Unfortunately, not true.

As we reported here in 2016 and reconfirmed just this week with the Upper Midwest Law Center, Minnesota’s protections for political activity / beliefs only apply for public employees. If you work anywhere in the private sector, you CAN be dismissed for any or no reason. This may include your political activity or stated policy positions, even if the activity is not during work hours or the stated position is not voiced at your workplace.

For this reason, SD49 does not publish volunteer or attendee lists and allows people who write for our Newsletter and website to remain anonymous if they request it.

We welcome participation at events and volunteer efforts by Republicans of all ages. And we remain keenly aware that in MN publicizing your Republican affiliation can affect employment.

It has been more than a month since the Legislature adjourned the 2021 regular session on May 17 with a broad agreement on the state's estimated $52 billion budget.

On Monday, June 14, lawmakers returned, in-person, to the State Capitol for the first special session of 2021 to continue work on the budget before the state's fiscal year ends on June 30. The Legislature has until then to complete its work or face the potential of a partial government shutdown which has not occurred since 2011.

Republicans continue to fight for our values:

•  Removal of the governor's emergency powers to bring the voices of Minnesotan's back to government
•  Use of the legislative committee process to ensure massive pieces of legislation are thoroughly vetted by members on both sides of the aisle and Minnesotan's can participate in the process
• Continuation of the Reinsurance Program to keep health insurance premium levels low and stabilize the individual insurance market

Emergency Powers

The special session kicked off with Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) bringing forward a procedural motion to take up a resolution to end the governor's emergency powers which have been in place for more than 15 months. Ultimately, the motion failed on a party-line vote with just one DFL member voting in favor. The most DFL members to vote in favor of the motion was six members nearly a year ago.

In the Senate Chamber, the Republican Majority has voted to rescind the powers eight times.

Life-long Bloomington resident and businessman Paul King has announced his non-partisan candidacy for Bloomington’s City Council At-Large seat.  His campaign website is https://www.paulkingforcitycouncil.com/

At a kick-off fundraiser June 3, King emphasized his “local common-sense” views on the role of government and many current Bloomington issues. 

Mr. King noted that in the past 10 years the city’s budget has almost DOUBLED.  Yet, the number of roads and parks is the same and several key city services have been reduced as the population has remained the same.   

He supports upgrading the Bloomington Senior Center.   

Paul supports Bloomington’s annual city-wide trash pickup, Curbside Cleanup.  Bloomington Residents who attended the June 3rd fundraiser noted that items placed curbside are actually picked up by other community members from the area before trash haulers collect what remains.  It is a highly-effective, convenient, recycling/redistribution program. 

He opposes the proposed $85 million community center, especially at Valley View Park.  Most of the features included in recent designs are sports-facility services that duplicate those offered in the (open to the public) Activity Centers at Bloomington Kennedy and Jefferson. 

Mr. King is against rezoning residential R1 (low-density) housing areas to R3 (medium-density).  He discussed the Met-Council’s goals for Bloomington to add 5000 low-income housing units, and the builder-incentives for those that Bloomington has in place.  The incentives include waiving requirements for parking-lot landscaping, reduced number of off-street parking places, and smaller on-site storage areas per unit.