Letter: Drazkowski gets D for his work at Capitol

To the Editor:

As a constituent of House District 21B, I give Rep. Drazkowski a D. He would have received an F had it not been for the few bones he threw to the average folk in his district.

He mentions ameliorating LGA funding cuts for smaller municipalities (R-E, May 26). Somewhat ironic, since he and his “Independent” Republican colleagues would like to see it done away with altogether.

He references passage of the environmental permitting process. Gov. Mark Dayton supported this and was willing to compromise. He vetoed tax relief to business without benefits for homeowners and renters.

As to Drazkowski’s so-called “job creators,” employers expand and hire when the economic conditions are optimal and when there is increased demand for goods or services; that they participate in commerce to create jobs is bogus.

I also prefer local control over school districts as opposed to needless interference by state and federal governments. I think many of us parents (as well as principals and teachers) have had it up to here with the MCA testing. The “last hired” legislation Drazkowski and his colleagues supported was unnecessarily divisive. School districts already have the ability (and do) to eliminate or mediate seniority in layoffs. I support Dayton vetoing any redundant legislation.

I also question Drazkowski’s making claims about what “any economist” will tell us. He’s no economist himself. What he has proved himself to be is an extreme ideologue who owes more allegiance to national groups that operate (should be illegal) to influence state and local legislation to their benefit, i.e., the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Personally, I would be satisfied with the truly “Independent” Republicans of past years; but they are no longer welcome in what has become of the party.

Tessa Schweitzer

St. Charles, Minn.

Tags: letters, opinion