- Signatures: 1,085
- Goal: 350,000
- Deadline: 5-22-2007
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Once again it is springtime in Minnesota, and once again stadium bills are sprouting up at the Capitol. The sweet smell of taxpayer money is in the air; public money that will go greatly to increase the value of privately-held entertainment businesses.
The taxpayers of Minnesota have repeatedly told our politicians and the owners of professional sports teams, "We want the say in how our money is to be spent! We want the referendum vote that is due us by law!"
Why does it seem that our elected officials are not listening to us? Why can't these team owners graciously accept our answer? Why do the professional sports businesses come back, year after year after year, looking to get around the law that requires a referendum vote?
Well, I have had enough. I have had enough of not being listened to, and I have had enough of watching our elected officials waste their time, and our taxpayer money on their salaries, going over this issue again and again and again.
Are you are as fed up with all the shenanigans as I am? Have you had enough of the lunacy that is passing for government in this state?
If so, here is your chance to help make an impact that will not go unnoticed. Join me in demanding that "WE The People" are given the referendum vote that is required by law.
My goal is 350,000 signatures.
Ambitious? Yes indeed.
Obtainable? Certainly not outside the realm of possibility.
If approximately 10% of the total number of eligible voters in the State of Minnesota joins me, that goal can be reached. I just need one out of every ten of you to "step up to the plate."
And maybe 350,000 voices will finally be enough to make them listen. Please be one of those voices. Sign my petition and then ask everyone you know to do the same.
Thank you.
The taxpayers of Minnesota have repeatedly told our politicians and the owners of professional sports teams, "We want the say in how our money is to be spent! We want the referendum vote that is due us by law!"
Why does it seem that our elected officials are not listening to us? Why can't these team owners graciously accept our answer? Why do the professional sports businesses come back, year after year after year, looking to get around the law that requires a referendum vote?
Well, I have had enough. I have had enough of not being listened to, and I have had enough of watching our elected officials waste their time, and our taxpayer money on their salaries, going over this issue again and again and again.
Are you are as fed up with all the shenanigans as I am? Have you had enough of the lunacy that is passing for government in this state?
If so, here is your chance to help make an impact that will not go unnoticed. Join me in demanding that "WE The People" are given the referendum vote that is required by law.
My goal is 350,000 signatures.
Ambitious? Yes indeed.
Obtainable? Certainly not outside the realm of possibility.
If approximately 10% of the total number of eligible voters in the State of Minnesota joins me, that goal can be reached. I just need one out of every ten of you to "step up to the plate."
And maybe 350,000 voices will finally be enough to make them listen. Please be one of those voices. Sign my petition and then ask everyone you know to do the same.
Thank you.
| Number | Date | Name | In what city and county do you live? | Please, tell the Governor exactly what you think. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 549 | 5:51 am PST, Mar 4 | David Poplin | Monticello Wright County | Additional taxes in this already highly taxed state makes no sense to me. Let the people decide on tax increases |
| 548 | 11:49 am PDT, Aug 5 | Eura Chang | ||
| 547 | 8:49 pm PST, Dec 9 | Anonymous | ||
| 546 | 12:58 pm PST, Nov 8 | Anonymous | Rogers in Hennipen County. | This tax is a huge tax that is forced onto us. We are supposed to be a democratic society- right??! |
| 545 | 12:04 pm PST, Nov 5 | John Bergin | Bloomington Hennipen | Bergin Fruit Co.1951 to 2006 is leaving minniapolis and moving to St.Paul. No voting on stadium was the last straw.A workforce of 97 gone forever. We are looking at Wisconsin for future wharehouse planning. John Bergin. |
| 544 | 8:30 am PST, Oct 29 | Anonymous | Plymouth/Henepin | Taxation with out representation is a serious infringement on the trust given you by the electorate. By refusing to vote for me and protecting my rights to determine what major projects are funded with taxes, I seriously doubt that I will be able to give you a vote of my confidence in the upcoming election. This is not a statement that I am against the stadiums as much as it is that I am concerned with passage of a new tax without a referenduum. |
| 543 | 11:28 pm PDT, Oct 4 | Jonathan Zellmer | ||
| 542 | 12:07 pm PDT, Sep 10 | Anonymous | Anoka, Anoka | Representatives in public office do NOT have the right to bypass taxpayer referendum on Stadium issue. A 3/4 of 1% tax in Anoka County is a HUGE tax on people for a stadium. The people have the right to VOTE. Special interest groups within elected officials have no right to override citizen votes on these important issues!! |
| 541 | 6:38 am PDT, Aug 3 | Thomas Pirovano | ||
| 540 | 7:21 am PDT, Jul 25 | L Herwig | ||
| 539 | 10:55 pm PDT, Jul 22 | Amber West | ||
| 538 | 3:57 pm PDT, Jul 18 | Zoie Walden | Maple Grove, Hennepin | We DO NOT want to pay for this white elephant of a stadium. Worry about building playgrounds for under-privileged kids, not over-privileged millionaire and their billionaire bosses. |
| 537 | 12:51 pm PDT, Jul 1 | Anonymous Anonymous | Shakopee, MN | I do believe it important for the government to subsidize both arts and entertainment. Unfortunately, due to the structure of our American government system, it seems that athletic entertainment is consistently more publicly funded than that of artistic entertainment. That being said, it is crucial for the Minnesota taxpayers to have a voice in how their money is used for PRIVATELY funded enterprises. Suppose a restaurant owner wanted tax payer's money to run his business. We, as tax payers, would deem this unconstitutional. In the same way, we must acknowledge the rights of Minnesota taxpayers in respect to larger enterprises such as subsidizing athletic teams. We need an open referendum. |
| 536 | 12:08 pm PDT, Jun 28 | Brenda Schenk | Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. | Let The People Vote! |
| 535 | 6:55 pm PDT, Jun 14 | Emily Jensen | I live in Steele County in Owatonna, Minnesota. | |
| 534 | 11:36 am PDT, Jun 5 | Deanna Ruder | Isanti/Minnesota | |
| 533 | 4:06 pm PDT, Jun 4 | Kathy Thompson | Champlin/Hennepin | It is a farce what goes on down at the legislature. There is no such thing as a republican senator/representative who actually "represents" their constituents. The "ins" don't seem to think they have to actually follow the law as it is written. We will just "do what we want" is their motto. Time to do some big house cleaning come fall. Don't think those of us opposed to this tax being shoved down our throats will soon forget those who voted for or abstained from voting. Out you go!!!!! |
| 532 | 11:58 am PDT, Jun 2 | David K Allen | Minneapolis, Hennepin | |
| 531 | 1:37 pm PDT, Jun 1 | Judy Peterson | Minnetonka Hennepin | There should be a recall of this unfair bill (or whatever you would call it) |
| 530 | 8:53 am PDT, Jun 1 | Anonymous | Minneapolis | Governor Pawlenty PLease veto any legislation that denies the voters of MN a referendum vote on stadiums. |
| 529 | 8:39 am PDT, Jun 1 | Joseph Alfano | Minneapolis, Hennepin County | More transfers of wealth from working people to billionaires. Be ashamed. |
| 528 | 5:54 pm PDT, May 31 | Anonymous | st. paul/ramsey | let the people vote! |
| 527 | 7:44 pm PDT, May 30 | Theresa Schatz | Golden Valley | I want to VOTE on how my money is to be spent. |
| 526 | 7:25 pm PDT, May 30 | Katherine Bryant | ||
| 525 | 6:04 pm PDT, May 30 | John R Kolstad | Minneapolis, Hennipin | Pawlenty is a Billion Dollar Hypocrite and so is Speaker FOr the Rich, Swigum. And most of the DFL is even worse. These people are worse than whores, since whores only sell their own body. The DFL & GOP have sold out the body politic. These people are worse than common criminals. Pohlad gets a $522 million building for his business and pays NO property Taxes and no assessment for the street work around the stadium. The richest guy in the state gets to have the poorest pay for his business place and he gets all the money. |
| 524 | 4:25 pm PDT, May 29 | Anonymous | Minneapolis, MN | So much for no new taxes. |
| 523 | 8:50 am PDT, May 29 | Anonymous | Hennepin County | |
| 522 | 1:02 am PDT, May 29 | Steve Klein | ||
| 521 | 9:30 am PDT, May 28 | Matthew Sutterfield | Lakeville, Dakota | I'm sorry i did not sign this petition before the bill ceremony on Friday... makes me sick. I see this issue as an ethical issue even more than I see it as an economic one, and it is enough for me to withhold my vote from every candidate that has supported this bill in future elections (i.e. Pawlenty for President in '08)... for me to change that position a potential candidate would have to give some REAL answers (along with evidence to support ther claims) as to why they supported this bill, not just the usual blanket answers that sound nice and appease most people. |
| 520 | 9:32 pm PDT, May 27 | Seth Stennes | Baudette, MN in Lake of the Woods County (moving to Minneapolis in August) | We must stop subsidizing the lifestyles of the rich and famous! Please give this money to much more important causes such as education and healthcare. |
| 519 | 1:29 pm PDT, May 27 | Anonymous | Minneapolis, Hennipen County | NO NEW STADIUMS! Spend tax dollars where they are most needed: on schools, to help the homeless, for the poor. Stop filling the pockets of the rich. |
| 518 | 4:11 pm PDT, May 26 | Dennis Ferche | Afton; Washington | NOW we (or the Great They) have gone and done it! Stadiums Galore! We know that we, The People, will soon review and act regarding the Governor and the Legislature. I believe it is also timely to do a comprehensive review of the University of Minnesota (or the U. of Somebody) as it is evolving to be and independent, corporate institution. I realize this petition concerns mainly Hennepin County; regarding minneapolis, I am aware that some shoppers avoid making large purchases in the city because of special taxes that add to the charges or which support what they disagree with. The Stadium cost would be yet another reason for detouring. I concurr with the concerned of Hennepin County and of the State of Minnesota. Further, regarding the U; Their lobbying personnel consider getting stadium approval a success. Success? This would enable the mass cheering of intentional violence-viloence that hinders adult abilities, like walking. Such cheering even brought us a recent Governor (although elected out of disgruntlement) who stated to his football team: "Pain is good; lots of pain is extremely good." Who knows what more of the proposed same will lead to? A recent President of the U.S. of North America stated: "The World likes everything about us, especially our games." I didn't agree with the statement then (late 90's) and I don't agree with it now as the situation is more obvious to all. We are a wasteful people and we are wasting the lands of other people as we act through our 700 military bases in 120 countries. Versus the building of stadiums, ought we not take time out to answer the question of the Mom, who at the burial of her Sailor Son (killed in a bombing of the USS Cole in Oct 2000)stated: "We need to ask why all these things are happening to us around the world." Her request must be met by all the people of this land, even by those lulled by the twilight zone of sit-in-the-seats, professional sports. Let's use the money, instead, to call for a legislative audit to see what the people are getting for their investment in the U: Besides providing for the cheering of intentional violence via football (though not quit as it was when Teddy Roosevelt had to step in and form a commission to bring and end to the death causing flying-wedge of the old days)let's review other matters as well, including but not limited to: a) Students opposed the building of a coal burning plant on the campus; can't the U. generate more than burning coal? b) the role of the U. in projecting that pestecides are safe and enable a modern society--the accounts here are beyond what creative fiction could produce, c) the humanous of 8 inch needles injecting Bovine Growth Hormone into milk cows on a repetitive basis, d) the orgin of trans fats; which we have come to learn we want zero of anywhere, e) if the academia are not able to figure out how to pay the Athletic Director at least $1.00 less than the President of the U.; how about all going on a sabatical (leave of absence), at their expense, until it gets figured out. f) Is U. research enabling the potential Genetic Modification of Wild Rice posing a potential danger to our State Grain? g) A past Pres. of the U. stated: " I want the U. to work with companies to develop more new products." I asked him: "How about a review of the products that the U., and others, have already developed and to evaluate the positive and negative affects they are having on society and on Life in General." He stated that the review is already being done; maybe someone in investigative media can find the reviews or their absence, and h) OTHER...pertaining to our future, if we are to have one. Close to finally, Governor, you stated that you would support Bush even if he was at 2% in the polls; if the Stadium bill is signed, I believe you will slip to 2% and join the mudslide. Don't sign the bill. Do announce that you propose use of the saved dollars for funding the above concerns. More are seeing the reality of what has been allowed to evolve in our Situation of State. Its time to Stop the Waste and to start, anew, the review. Hope continues perpetually; however, the rational for optimism is compromised, it appears. With Hope That You Will Not Sign Onto This Waste, Dennis |
| 517 | 9:39 am PDT, May 26 | Maureen Hunt | Minneapolis, Hennepin | I want the right to vote on whether or not to use my tax dollars to pay for a new stadium. Do as the law states and put it to a vote by the people. |
| 516 | 8:31 am PDT, May 26 | Kristine Danzinger | Minneapolis, Hennepin | |
| 515 | 8:24 am PDT, May 26 | Anonymous | Minneapolis, MN | A referendum is the law and should be required for any project like this. It is a clear litmus test for any funding project's validity. |
| 514 | 5:45 am PDT, May 26 | Jeff Nygaard | Minneapolis, Hennepin County | I love baseball, but I love well-funded public services far, far more. All of the pressing human needs we have in this state, and we are spending hundreds of millions on subsidies for a billionaire? This is shameful. Shameful. |
| 513 | 5:56 pm PDT, May 25 | Jack Koepke | Your job is to represent the people that voted for you. Did you forget that? | |
| 512 | 5:24 pm PDT, May 25 | James R. Koepke | Hennepin | Veto the bill! The County Commissioners behaved despicably and you should stand up for what is right. I will never vote for you again if you don't veto this bill. |
| 511 | 4:28 pm PDT, May 25 | Michael Schonwetter | Minneapolis | |
| 510 | 2:13 pm PDT, May 25 | Daniel M. Hunt | Minneapolis, Hennepin County | You are choosing to undermine the rights of the citizens you are supposed to represent. Taxation without representation, sound familliar? If you want a new stadium, keep working to find a way that does not steal the money. |
| 509 | 11:55 am PDT, May 25 | Marie Milsten Fiedler | St. Paul, Ramsey | VETO -- Didn't you promise to do so for any stadium that did not include a vote by the people? Keep your word! |
| 508 | 11:21 am PDT, May 25 | Lynn K. Patricia | Minneapolis, Hennepin | |
| 507 | 9:43 am PDT, May 25 | john eggert | Saint Paul, Ramsey | The judgement 2/3 of Minnesotans is being ignored -- no public money for stadiums. |
| 506 | 9:06 am PDT, May 25 | Patricia A. Taylor | Minneapolis Hennepin | Civil "action" is the next planned step. There will be a recall! |
| 505 | 8:28 am PDT, May 25 | Cindy Rohde | Sherburne County | The taxpayers of this State have been held up against the majority will. The arrogance of the "yes" legislators and the team owners is unbelievable. |
| 504 | 4:56 am PDT, May 25 | Karen Regan | Minneapolis, USA | |
| 503 | 9:21 pm PDT, May 24 | Anonymous | Hennepin | Until the money that has been sucked out of the public schools since you have been in office is restored it is unconscionable to use any public money for sports stadiums. |
| 502 | 8:54 pm PDT, May 24 | George Hamm | Minneapolis, Minnesota | With so many social issues that demand government attention and resources, (education, housing, health care) they should be our priority, not stadiums for wealthy owners to build more expensive box seats. |
| 501 | 6:56 pm PDT, May 24 | Jerry Dastych | Minneapolis Hennepin | How come your "No New Taxes" pledge doesn't apply to the Stadium? |
Minnesota Taxpayers Demanding A Referendum Vote
Dear Governor Pawlenty,
We, the undersigned Minnesota Taxpayers, demand that you, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of the State of Minnesota, VETO all stadium funding bills that do not allow us, the taxpayers, the right to vote for any sales tax increases.
This is what the law requires, and we demand that you uphold the law.
Thank you,
The Undersigned Taxpaying Citizens of The State of Minnesota
Note: This Minnesota Taxpayers Demanding A Referendum Vote petition was submitted by Shar in Minneapolis. ThePetitionSite.com is a free service provided to help concerned citizens rally support for issues they believe in. The opinions expressed by this petition do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ThePetitionSite.com or Care2.com. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition nor any newsletter offers (except those from Care2.com) by Care2.com, Inc, ThePetitionSite.com, or our sponsors. If you believe this system is being abused, please contact customer support.
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