Taxpayers

League of Minnesota Announces

Best Friend, Friends of the Taxpayer Awards



Contact: Ted Lillie
September 15, 2015
Ph: (651) 789-0092

ST. PAUL The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is today releasing its 19th annual Legislative Scorecard.
The 2015 Legislative Scorecard rates legislators on their votes for the prosperity of Minnesota families and
businesses, to reduce government spending, promote government efficiency, less onerous regulation and free
markets.

The scorecard features on its front cover one legislator who was awarded Best Friend of the Taxpayer by
scoring 100% by voting against wasteful spending and government growth which lead to increased spending and
taxes during the 2015 legislative session, and signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which promises to their
constituents that they will oppose any and all efforts to increase taxes.

The 2015 scorecard is available online at taxpayersleague.org/scorecard along with links to past scorecards. It is
being sent to all of the Leagues members across Minnesota this week.

Best Friend of the Taxpayer

Senator Dave Osmek R-Mound 33


100% Scores

Senator Roger Chamberlain R-Lino Lakes 38

Senator Dan Hall R-Burnsville 56

Senator Dave Thompson R-Lakeville 58


The scorecard also contains a brief summary of the 2015 legislative session. Notable is the absence of House
members on the cover of this years scorecard. I think this year was a test for the new leadership in the
House. said Ted Lillie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. Like previous Republican Legislative
leadership, of which I was a part back in 2011-12, they met a wall of intransigence known as Governor Dayton
who thinks that Minnesota should be a state with high taxes across the board and a high cost of doing business.
Lillie continued But what they chose to do in response to the Governors position led to a sense of frustration
and disappointment among grassroots activists as well as ordinary Minnesotans who are struggling in this
sluggish economy and who are worried about the future.

Inside the scorecard six Representatives are featured as getting an honorable mention for achieving passing
grades: These are Rep. Eric Lucero R-Dayton (75), Rep. Pat Garofalo R-Farmington (68), Rep. Jerry Hertaus R-
(68) Rep. Jim Newberger R-Becker (68) Rep. Jim Nash R-Waconia and Rep. Cindy Pugh R-Chanhassen (68). We

www.taxpayersleague.org

do want to highlight their effort and encourage them and all members of the House and Senate to focus more
on changing the unsustainable budget trajectory we are on next session, said Lillie.

The scorecard also includes a copy of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge that asks legislators to promise not to
increase taxes and a second pledge is also included asking legislators to promise not to increase the Gas Tax, an
issue that came up last year and will probably come up again next session. We recognize that some legislators
may want to go on the record to specifically reject that possibility and focus instead on reprioritizing
transportation needs. We are affording them an opportunity to do so with this pledge concluded Lillie.

The Taxpayers League has been standing up for Minnesota taxpayers by championing lower taxes, limited
government, local control, and free enterprise through nonpartisan grassroots advocacy since 1996.
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www.taxpayersleague.org