Kelliher's Farm Roots Show in Farmfest Debate
REDWOOD COUNTY, MN – DFL-endorsed candidate for Governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s farm roots showed strong today at the Farmfest gubernatorial debate in Redwood County. Kelliher, who grew up on a small dairy farm in Blue Earth County, took on Tom Emmer for his opposition to biofuels and Local Government Aid.
“My opponent Tom Emmer has repeatedly voted against policies that would help farming families and grow rural economies,” said Kelliher. “From flip-flopping on E20 in 2005, to voting against the biodiesel mandate twice in 2008, to opposing Local Government Aid, Tom Emmer has been no friend to rural Minnesota.
“Minnesota needs a Governor who understands our whole state. Agriculture represents 20 percent of Minnesota’s economy. We can’t afford a Governor who doesn’t understand rural economic policies, or the challenges facing our farming families. Minnesota must and can do better than Tom Emmer.”
Kelliher understands the challenges facing Minnesota farmers and the state’s rural economies. A former 4H state president, Kelliher grew up during the farm crisis of the 1980s. As Speaker of the House, Kelliher consistently fought for farming families, small businesses, and rural economies. As Governor, she will invest in Minnesota’s agricultural economy. Kelliher will ensure that property taxes are low, promote energy independence, support locally-grown food and make certain that all Minnesotans have affordable health care.
“I lived through one of the most challenging times for Minnesota farming families. We almost lost our farm to foreclosure,” said Kelliher. “My family got knocked down; that’s when I learned how to stand up and fight.
“I know where I come from, and I will never forget who I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for farming families across this state. I’m fighting for working Minnesotans, students, and senior citizens. I’m fighting for Minnesota, because Minnesota is worth fighting for.”
Kelliher expressed confidence ahead of next Tuesday’s primary election, and said she is eager to face Tom Emmer in the general election.
“DFLers chose me to take on Tom Emmer in November, and I can’t wait to take him on,” said Kelliher. “This week thousands of volunteers across the state are making 295,000 phone calls and knocking on 30,000 doors. Through hard work and grassroots organizing, we are going to win next Tuesday and beat Tom Emmer in November.”
----------------------------
Asked what [Emmer] thinks of Local Government Aid, an important facet of the City of Crookston budget, the state representative and attorney from Delano didn't sugarcoat his opinion. "I don't like it, I don't like it at all," he said. [Crookston Times, 7/27/10]
In 2005, Tom Emmer voted for the E-20 mandate on 4/27/05 (SF4, House J. 3290). Just days later, he flip flopped and voted against it on 5/5/05 (SF 4, House J. 3483). The only substantive change in the conference committee was to give liability protection to motor fuel manufacturers if E-20 causes engine damage.
Emmer voted against the final bill in 2005 that raised the ethanol content in gasoline to 20 percent. [SF 4, Passed 100-32, House J. p. 3483, 5/5/05, Emmer votes NAY, Kelliher votes AYE]
Emmer voted to delay the biodiesel mandate. Emmer voted for an amendment to delay the increased B5 biodiesel mandates by 3 years. [Tschumper amdt. to SF 3683, Not adopted 48-77, House J. p. 10626, 4/24/08, Kelliher votes NAY, Emmer votes AYE]
Emmer voted against the 2008 Agriculture Omnibus bill that included the biodiesel mandate to 20% by 2015.Emmer voted against the Agriculture and Vets Policy Conference Committee. He was one of just 9 legislators to vote against the bill. [SF 3683, Passed 123-9, House J. p. 11546, 5/7/08, Kelliher votes AYE, Emmer votes NAY; he also voted against the bill on House passage, SF 3683, Passed 121-7, House J. 10633, 4/24/08]