If you’re interested in comparing the voting records of the two front runners for the GOP endorsement for Governor, Tom Emmer, and Marty Seifert, you owe it to yourself to do much more than just look at the Tax Payer League scorecards. While the Tax Payer League is a notable lobbying group, it’s positions on issues may or may not represent your positions, no matter how fiscally conservative you might be. It’s perfectly reasonable to differ from the Tax Payer League on a vote here or there and still claim the mantle of fiscal conservative. Neither Marty Seifert nor Tom Emmer have scored 100% over their career. If you’re really interested in voting records, rather than just reading claims of higher scores, it would serve you well to look deeper at the issues and circumstances of each vote.
I’ve compiled a list of votes from the Tax Payer League scorecards, where Emmer and Seifert have voted differently. I’ve included links to the House Journal page and also to the actual legislation or amendments under consideration. Follow the link, look at the votes, and make an informed decision on each issue about which candidate closer matches your views on this issues.
2009
8) FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY — HJ 5858 referring to H. F. 1298 (Bill passed 125-7)
Emmer No <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert Yes
2008
5) THE ECONOMIC WAR OF HOUSE FILE 1812 — HJ 12723 referring to H.F. 1812 (Bill passed 115-19)
Emmer No <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert Yes
9. A HEALTH CARE BILL IN NEED OF EMERGENCY TREATMENT — HJ 12431 referring to S.F. 3780 (Bill passed 127-7)
Emmer No <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert Yes
11. NOT PROPERTY TAX “REFORM,” PROPERTY TAX RELIEF — HJ 11303 Olson amendment to H.F. 3149 (Amendment failed 19-112)
Emmer Yes <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert No
2007
8) REJECT HIGHER ENERGY COSTS — HJ 446 referring to S.F. 4 (bill passed 123-10)
Emmer No <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert Yes
2006
2) LET THEM VOTE! – HJ 7119 referring to Lenczewski amendment to H.F. 2480 (failed 64-66)
Emmer No
Seifert Yes <- Tax Payer League Position
5. Bonding Bill – HJ 8531 referring to H.F. 2959 (passed 111-21)
Emmer No <- Tax Payer League Position
Seifert Yes
2005
6. KILL NORTHSTAR RAIL. — HJ 592 referring to the Vandeveer amendment to H.F. 3 (failed 29-104)
Seifert Yes <- Tax Payer League Position
Emmer No
9. DON’T BAN SUDAFED. — HJ 2598 referring to Olson amendment to S.F. 51 (passed 115-19)
Emmer No <- Tax payer league Position
Seifert
10. NO CHEESEBURGER LAWSUITS. — HJ 4751 referring to H.F. 118 (passed 75-59)
Emmer No
Seifert Yes <- Tax payer league Position
These 10 votes don’t represent all of the voting record differences between our two candidates, only those chosen by the Taxpayer League as important to their issues. Please take some time to study these votes and the issues behind them. But if you like to keep score, please note, that on issues where Tom Emmer and the Taxpayer League differed from Marty Seifert, the total votes were 828 – 102 against the Tax Payer league position. On issues where Marty Seifert and the Taxpayer League differed from Tom Emmer the vote was 243 – 154 in favor the Tax Payer League position. Some may read this as an indication of Tom Emmer’s abundance of fiscal conservatism, others might be concerned about how this lopsided voting record will hurt his electability. Independents and moderates don’t value the Taxpayer League scorecard as a voting guide as much as conservatives.