Jamie Delton for State Rep

2011 Internet Tax Freedom Year in Review

2011-12-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

Your support of the Minnesota campaign for Internet Tax Freedom has paid off.

Starting in July 2010 or earlier, the Streamline Sales Tax organization (SSUTA) introduced the small seller exemption or small seller exception, which exempts both buyers and sellers from collecting tax for member states at various levels, including $500,000.
This is better than the proposed Minnesota Internet Tax Freedom Act level of $250,000.
Better still would be the level federal agencies define as the annual revenue of a small business, $10m. The $10m small seller level is supported by eBay. *

It is important to remember the various interests involved sharply contrast both each other and others in their group.
The interested parties include states that want revenue and small US e-commerce professionals.
Of the 50 revenue-seeking states, some like Texas and possibly Tennessee have foolishly counted on some imaginary revenue boon due to internet sales tax revenue to offset their lack of corporate or income tax.

Note also states rights are often defended not by the revenue-seeking states but by the e-commerce professionals or citizens like you and me.
For example states interested only in revenue might have no interest in preserving state-rights, common sense, constitutionally correct thinking reflected in the 1993 Quill decision because a federal law streamlining sales tax or dictating rates would not only ensure state revenue but share or scapegoat each state's political fallout for a decision to adopt new tax.

One of our accomplishments in highlighting tax freedom is that it is becoming less likely that every state will become a member of SSUTA, supported by the Retailers Association.
Of the 50 states, about 20 have not become member of the SSUTA.
This is important because the SSUTA is sometimes it's own worse enemy when it forgets or delays important legislative components like the small seller exemption.

2011 Tax Freedom bills

Highlights

Durbin finally joined Enzi bill
Enzi bill leaves option to not join. But does it allow SSUTA members to not collect sales tax? If not, MN should withdraw from SSUTA.
Womack may be strong on states rights but the rates are dictated and there are other issues

2011 Tax Freedom bills in order of preference

1)
HR 95 (eBay) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr112-95
Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and 30 cosponsors that reject new Internet tax burdens on small businesses with their bipartisan resolution, H.Res. 95.

2) Enzi SF Marketplace Act http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1832
(introduced Nov 2011 - includes $500k small seller exception) (Amazon supported)
Durbin came around and finally co-sponsored this bill, lending bi-partisan support.
Downside: Contains streamlined streamline sales tax verbiage, which applies even to those 20 states not members of SSUTA. Starts us down path of standardized internet tax at a level too harmful to too many small businesses. The Small Seller Exemption may actually be a refund, not an exemption. It is uncertain whether SSUTA members can opt out, which is unfair since when most states joined the SSUTA, much of the current SSUTA policy did not exist.

3) Womack Marketplace Equity HR (introduced Oct 2011 - includes 100k default State Small Seller exception and $1m Federal Seller exception)
Complicated. Not good for states rights because it dictates rates.

4) Durbin SF Mainstreet Act (introduced July 2011; 1st to include small seller exception but did not include any detail or the exemption qualification level)

SSUTA 2010 and 5/19/11 amendments including $500k small seller exemption (really a refund?)
http://www.streamlinedsalestax.org/index.php?page=modules
http://www.streamlinedsalestax.org/uploads/downloads/Archive/SSUTA/SSUTA%20As%20Amended%2005-19-11.pdf page 93-94
Compiler’s note: This section was adopted on October 7, 2010 and became effective upon its adoption. 25
Compiler’s note: On December 13, 2010 this section was amended as follows: 26
A. For purposes of this section the term “small remote seller” shall mean a new remote seller which has gross 27 national remote sales of no more

than five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) as calculated pursuant to Section 610 of

this Agreement and shall include sellers which would be “new remote sellers” but for the fact that they had gross 1 national remote sales of less

than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) as calculated pursuant to Section 2 610 of this Agreement. 3
4
B. Member states shall begin paying compensation to a “new remote seller” upon submission of the seller’s initial 5 return filed after the effective

date of the member state’s authorization for compensation that meets the standards of 6 Section 608. Notwithstanding the rates of compensation

established by a member state pursuant to Section 608, 7 to a "small remote sellers” may elect to receive

twenty percent (20%) of the tax collected and due(except for the compensation amount to be 11 retained by the small remote seller) to a state in a

month not to exceed compensation of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) 12 in any month in lieu of compensation calculated using the rates of compensation

established by a member state 13 pursuant to Section 608. Such election shall be for a six month period beginning with the first month that such 14

seller collects a member state’s tax. After such six month period, the rates used to calculate compensation for such 15 sellers shall be those rates

established by the member state pursuant to Section 608.
20
The increased amount of 16 compensation allowed by this subsection shall be available to a “small remote seller” which begins collecting tax 17 for

a member state within the first 12 months following the date of the member state’s authorization for the 18 collection of taxes on remote sales. 19
A seller subsequently found not to meet the qualifications of a “new small
23 remote seller” may be denied and 21 assessed, including any applicable penalties and interest, for any compensation it was not qualified to

claim. 22
26
The provisions of this section shall apply to each state which is currently a full member of the Agreement and to 24 each state which becomes a full

member of the Agreement after the adoption of this section. 25
B. C. If a member state determines that a "remote seller” had previously been registered in that state, 27 compensation for that seller may be

delayed until the state is required to pay compensation for all “in-state sellers” 28 as set forth in subdivision 3 subsection D of this section
31 ” The remaining subsections were 29 renumbered. 30
Section 610: SMALL SELLER EXCEPTION

*We need to ask each states' revenue dept for statistical sales tax data from companies reporting <> $10m in total sales.
It is currently estimated that 75% of state revenue is from companies reporting <$10m in total sales but I'm not so sure it is that high or that each state is like that.

Jamie Delton GOP-endorsed; to square off with Mariani for 65B seat

2010-02-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

2010 campaign for 65B State House www.JamieforStateRep.com in St. Paul Minnesota against 20 year incumbent non-profit director Carlos Mariani.
Delton is GOP-endorsed!
http://www.facebook.com/jamiedelton
Become a fan of Jamie for State House http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=10150104402125468# (linked to www.Twitter.com/jamiedelton)

January 2010 Republican Party of MN Volunteer of the Month
www.DeltonDigest.com
http://representativedelton.blogspot.com

We can draft policy that doesn't bankrupt future generations.

Glenn Beck:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4881432

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/25/AR2010022503943.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

Delton's Campaign for Mariani's State House seat begins

2010-02-15T21:22:00.000-08:00

Part of the purpose of metro Republican legislators is to hold all legislators accountable eyeball to eyeball and to inspire and support conservative, Tea Party inspired, forward looking legislation statewide.

Promoting conservatism statewide by being a strong local proponent is the third of 3 themes in my campaign.
The first is energy policy for Minnesota jobs.
The second is bringing business to St. Paul specifically in order to employ people and help the underprivileged which Carlos Mariani might pay homage to at poor people rallies but whose jobs and self-interest are undermined by Mariani's Democratic policies.

Part of promoting conservatism involves sticking up for MN investors who see their wealth dwindle as a result of the Democrat-inspired institutional greed of our government.
This includes federal and state level concerns a good friend mentioned to me on 2/13/1010:

Consistent attempts by the Democrats in the MN State House to impose additional taxes - see the 1999-2009 reports at http://www.taxpayersleague.org.

Rollback of Reagan tax breaks by Obama which affect working, investing, middle class people.

New Site! http://representativedelton.blogspot.com

2010-01-17T18:56:00.001-08:00

New Site!
www.JamieforStateRep.com
(no blogspot)

Ended - Jamie for State Rep Campaign for House Seat 65B (Mariani) - Lisa Murphy takes reins

2008-03-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ended - Jamie for State Rep Campaign for House Seat 65B (Mariani) - Lisa Murphy takes reins

The Jamie for State Rep Campaign lost the Minnesota Republican endorsement to Lisa Murphy Thursday February 28 at the 65B BPOU meeting. As promised in my September 11 2007 letter, I will now end the campaign and I will not seek, independently, the 65B seat. Thanks for your support.

Lisa Murphy's website:
http://citizens4murphy.com

At the BPOU meeting we each voted for 6 of the 42 or so self-nominated delegates to advance to the April 5th CD4 convention in South St. Paul. Those ballots were sealed and will be counted up later.

4th CD Convention updates:
http://www.fourthdistrictgop.com/

April 5 South St Paul Hotel and Convention Center - 701 Concord St - So St Paul Hwy 494 and Concord St- Mark your Calendars!!

Hopefully I will have video soon of our two Feb 28 speeches for post-mortem analysis. In the meantime what I had hastily written in preparation is available upon request. I ad-libbed a little and skipped over some parts. Also available are
11x17 district maps and extra promotional packets.

Again thank you for your support. We'll be seeing eaching other at Republican events.

Jamie Delton
Jamie for State Rep

Minneosta Income Tax Removal

2008-02-26T04:12:00.000-08:00

I challenge Democrats - and Republicans - to propose radical income tax cuts or to support the MN Fair Tax (aka MN income tax removal or ITR) as a counter attack to the recent assault on fiscal responsibility, consensus-based policy-making, and purpose-driven policy-making by House File 2800, vetoed last week and over-ridden by the House on February 25, 2008, thus making it law.

Income Tax Removal embraces non-MNChamber small business owners and their children and is in the spirit of the state and federal Fair Tax proposals. Let's review Mr. Jason Lewis' MN Fair Tax introduced in the fall of 2007. The MN Fair Tax abolishes the income tax and phases out the entire MN income tax collection process. All deduction schemes and deduction-based incentives are made irrelevant. To replace the funds a 8.94% sales tax across the board (including, for the first time in MN, food and clothing) is imposed. According to House Research, such a sales tax will adequately replace funds lost by abolishing completely the MN income tax. The downside is large families are hurt because of the many individual items they buy to protect and feed their kids. However the parents' work will counter the effect. Also border-retailers and dealerships are hurt because potential customers will visit the neighboring state for the products they buy. However, 8.94% is not that much more than many states' sales tax and 9 other states share the belief that work should not be taxed.

The sensibilities of the Minnesotan people, having proven resilient in the face of HF2800, would likely survive and our state would be the better for it. MN Income Tax Removal (ITR) would help move working families from welfare to work. Consumption is taxed while Work is held high and encouraged for all MN to benefit from in the form of new products and services, jobs, and apprentice-style education.
As Baby Boomers age, a disturbing trend can perhaps be seen in the regressive HF2800 - the movement to seek job security in government. The ITR is a crucial component to caring for Minnesota's aging population and dealing with the current demographic trends. The ITR will help retain Minnesota's vigorous business climate.

Note that expansion of the sales tax into the internet realm is not what the ITR movement is about.

Winning the HF2800 Transportation Tax battle was critical to the conservative movement. However if Minnesotans are as impervious to radical change as we saw demonstrated yesterday, then why not pursue the MN Fair Tax?

The spectacle of Senator Steve Murphy prowling the House floor cramming HF2800 down our throats should scare you to DEATH! This is a call to ACTION! Let's support the MN ITR!!

GOP Endorsing Convention - 65B Downtown St. Paul, West Side

2008-02-21T13:25:00.001-08:00

Hi,

If you are a delegate or alternate in 65B, I ask for your support Thursday February 28 at 7:00PM at the

HD 65B GOP Endorsing Convention
Thu Feb 28
7:00 PM Capitol Hill Magnet School
560 Concordia Ave
St Paul MN 55103

http://www.mngop.org/bpouconventions/

Mapquest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=560%20Concordia%20Ave&city=Saint%20Paul&state=MN&zipcode=55103

Thank you for your support of my campaign for State Representative.

Watch http://www.looktruenorth.com/ for updates to all things GOP this year!

Best Regards,
Jamie Delton

Real ID for Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and South Carolina - Uh Oh. What do we do now?

2008-02-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

Uh Oh. What do we do now? - Real ID for Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

65B House Rep (downtown St. Paul and the West Side) Carlos Mariani's bill would put us in the same boat as these 5 states.

http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/24522

Five states have passed legislation absolutely refusing to comply with the new federal guidelines. At this date, they are: Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. As the Real ID program is presented now, travelers from these states will be denied boarding at the nation's airports using a drivers' license as identification.

In addition to the inconvenience foisted on the travelers from the five states that have rejected the program, Gurley foresees other difficulties at the airport. These include:

Delays at the gate caused by travelers who will not have gotten the word and who will be denied boarding.
Confusion on the part of personnel who must determine at a glance, or computer reference whose license can be accepted.
Further stress on the already overburdened passport process by travelers who must now get a passport to travel domestically.
The REAL ID program will rely on yet another government data base comprised of information taken from state drivers' license data bases.

Minnesota need NOT become one of these few misguided victim states at the hands of Carlos Mariani.
Minnesota must NOT pass any restrictive Real ID proposals limiting the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (DVS).
The Minnesota DVS is a national example of how Real ID upgrades can be achieved in an economical, well thought-out way.

Another example of pointless opposition to Real ID which includes routine technical upgrades to the nation's infrastructure:
http://howtheneoconsstolefreedom.blogspot.com/2008/02/freedom-warriors-continue-battle-for.html

Sept 11, 2007 letter to 2007 Caucus Attendees

2008-02-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Below is a letter sent out last year

Dear 2007 Caucus Attendee,

Thank you for your participation this year in the 65B GOP caucus and convention.
Next year at least two Republican candidates will vie for the delegates' support at the GOP convention for the November 2008 65B Minnesota House of Representatives race.

The Republican Caucus next year is at 6:00 PM Tues Feb 5th 2008 at St. Paul Technical College.

I, Jamie Jeffrey Delton, 40, a 1987 St. Paul Technical College Alumnus and Database Specialist at IQ in Edina, am challenging Lisa Murphy, owner of Park View Cafe in St. Paul who won the 65B GOP endorsement last year and ran unsuccessfully against the democratic incumbent, Carlos Mariani.

If elected with your support, I will help preserve the core Republican values - Home, God, and Country. If not I will fully support the endorsed nominee.

A short biography is below.
I've been a Minnesotan since the 6th Grade at Hancock Elementary in the Midway neighborhood.
My mother and father married in St. Paul and eventually settled in the Wisconsin town of Tomah (Fort McCoy, Camp Douglas) where my father got a job as a school counselor. By that time he had finished his Doctorate in Psychology. My mother's roots go back to various 1870's German farmsteads in the Randall and New Ulm regions through the Alfred Jaschke and Gertrude Walsdorf families, my mother's father and mother. My father, an orphan, had changed his name at 16 from Quintero to Delton in Boys town, Nebraska for the purpose of getting a better job. My mother Judy, taught elementary school at St. Luke's in St. Paul and elsewhere. After a 1973 separation from my father my mother moved to Hudson WI and then back to her roots in St. Paul where she supported my 3 older sisters and me by writing children's books, including the Pee Wee Scouts, for which she was named a defendant along with the publisher in a trademark infringement case brought by the Boy Scouts of America.
My mother passed away December 31 2001 and my father on August 4 2005*.
I was always interested in computer work and finally got my chance in 1996 with Dahl Consulting where I contracted with various Tech firms doing programming work.
I joined IQ, a Minneapolis marketing firm, in May of 1998. Prior to that time I was on the maintenance staff at St. Paul Academy while attending various courses at the University of Minnesota to go with my Electronics Technology Certificate obtained at St. Paul Technical College in 1987.
My hobbies include digital photography, snow boarding, roller-blading, writing blog posts, and reading history. I maintain a private computer lab on Como Avenue for programming and ebay activities.
I have attended Unity Unitarian Church on Holly since 1985 despite the left-leaning politics of the Unitarian national board. It is my one concession to liberalism and I must say I enjoy the challenging conversation. However Unity may be the most conservative Unitarian Church in the metro area. Until recently Unity had deliberately separated itself from the national board by not meeting the contribution requirements.
I bought my condo at 385 Laurel Ave #108 in February of 1993 and served on the board. I eventually was elected president of the Tazewell Homeowners Association Board of Directors and served for the period 2003-2007.
In 2007 I underwent rigorous training at the Leadership Institute for two days in preparation for this campaign.

An issue close to our hearts is the largely unheralded sacrifices being made daily by our brave soldiers for the security of our nation in Iraq, and their successful execution of Bush's global strategic vision (the War on Terror).

...

Needless partisan legislation such as Democrat Carlos Mariani's SF984 and HF1438 prohibiting Real ID from being implemented is counter-productive. The senate bill that remains in committee may very well go to the governor next year or in 2009. Either scenario would unnecessarily restrict the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services - DVS.
I will work with DVS to make implementation of the Real ID mandates, which includes important infrastructure upgrades, possible. If necessary I will affirm legislatively Minnesota's commitment to the spirit of the May 2008 Real ID mandates.

Locally, I will work hard to ensure adequate healthcare for seniors and ensure benefits for Iraqi veterans while at the same time helping to restore financial accountability. I will educate on flood plain and river issues and help revitalize downtown St. Paul still further. I will take steps to attract people and businesses to downtown St. Paul by working within established guidelines with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, building groups, and others on a bi-partisan basis.

Although this is a state race, let me list the issues of the National Republican party which I will be cognizant of: Life issues, Gun Rights, Homeland Security, healthcare for seniors, benefits for Iraqi veterans, Real ID, Middle-East foreign policy, Immigration, fiscal responsibility, Ethanol, dependence on foreign oil, global electronics issues, and conservation of Minnesota wilderness.
Minnesota Republican bloggers are the voice of reason in the immigration issue and hold others accountable for abetting weak immigration enforcement. We must educate others on the immigration enforcement problem, enforce the borders, and regain trust. If elected I will work with local companies that have come to depend on the labor of illegal immigrants. I have always been anti smoking-ban.

Visit my campaign blog at www.JamieforStateRep.com for the latest details on the Saturday counter-protest and other issues I am posting about somewhat regularly. Email me anything at Jamie.Delton@GMail.com or call my cell at 651-224-6564.

I respectfully ask for your support at the Republican convention next spring should you seek and be appointed a delegate by Lori Windells, the BPOU head, on February 5th. Please let her know of your support for me or contact me with any concern. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Jamie Delton
Summit University neighborhood, St. Paul, MN 55102
Tel. 651-224-6564

* Corrected Date of Death

February 5th, 7:00PM sharp - Caucus!

2008-02-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

February 5th, 7:00PM sharp - Caucus!
Lookup your caucus and go!
www.mngop.com

February 5th Caucus in House District 65 A & B combined

2008-01-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

Caucus!

If you live in the downtown St. Paul and West Side area remember to attend the Republican Caucus Tuesday February 5th 2008 6PM at Capitol Hill Magnet School 560 Concordia Ave St. Paul MN 55102. See http://www.fourthdistrictgop.com for the local Republican platform, agenda and other details.

If elected I will:

Encourage and vote for Pro-Marriage and Pro-Life legislation such as a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
See my discussions of this on http://www.e-democracy.org/, in the local forum on Minnesota issues.
Propose legislation to outlaw ALL Sanctuary City declarations.
Support Fred Thompson's idea of withholding federal funding to those cities that declare themselves sanctuary cities.
Support veterans and ensure they receive adequate benefits.
Reduce Property Taxes by supporting Initiatives and Referendums that cap property taxes.

Allow State agencies to implement Real ID mandates. See my previous entries on Real ID.

I am strongly Pro-Privacy especially in regard to any State and medical info such as the state info Secretary of State Mark Ritchie recently shared with his campaign committee.
Preserve the sanctity of marriage including it's definition as between a man and a woman.
Promote Free Market, Small Government Conservatism in our state and through out the world through Bush Trade Agreements.
Challenge government expansion and funding efforts that cite a Weather crisis that most scientists agree on. These efforts must be evaluated on merit.
Challenge conventional Democratic mantra that continued expansion of Medicare brings social, economic justice.
Challenge conventional Democratic mantra that continued expansion of government leads to prosperity.

Support our partner in Wind Power, Governor Richardson of New Mexico, in progressing in other areas as well such as building the federally approved wall on our southern border. Enforce existing law in workplace and at the border. Regain trust.
Instead of working to raise wages of noncitizens it would make as much sense to lower the minimum wage requirements for certain sectors such as family -owned farms for certain job positions. At least that benefits the American middle class.

Caucus!

2008-01-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

If you live in the downtown St. Paul and West Side area remember to attend the Republican Caucus February 5th 2008 6PM at Capitol Hill Magnet School 560 Concordia Ave St. Paul MN 55102. Thanks to http://www.fourthdistrictgop.com

Jamie Delton's 2008 Minnesota State Rep Platform

2007-12-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Thank you to all who have contributed in 2007 to my campaign for Minnesota State Representative in downtown St. Paul (65B). There are still a few days left to contribute the maximium $500 for 2007. Our 2008 fund raising effort will be even more ambitious than our 2007 fund raising effort. If you live in the downtown St. Paul area remember to attend the Republican Caucus February 5th 2008 6PM at ***UPDATE from http://www.fourthdistrictgop.com **** Capitol Hill Magnet School 560 Concordia Ave St. Paul MN 55102. There you can become a delegate. You will then receive instruction on when the spring-time Republican convention is.

There you can vote to endorse me, Jamie Delton, as the Republican candidate against Carlos Mariani, the long-time incumbent Democrat.

Please consider contributing up to $500 via my paypal link at the right. For instructions email me at Jamie.Delton@gmail.com or contact my campaign manager, Craig Lien, at (651) 314-4491
Thank you!

My platform contains the following items:

Sanctity of marriage
Sanctity of Life
Reinstate Capital Punishment in Minnesota
Support police and corrections funding and stronger sentences
Healthcare Reform
Dept of Health and Human Services Reform
Education Reform
Cap Property Tax through Initiatives and Referenda
Identify clearly the purpose AND philosophy of all government subsidies
Privacy/data issues
Foreign policy/ Vet's issues
Immigration/id cards
Evaluate on merit all government expansion and funding efforts that cite a Weather crisis
to justify public expenditures and new public programs.

If elected I will:.

Encourage and vote for Pro-Marriage and Pro-Life legislation such as a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
See my discussions of this on http://www.e-democracy.org/, in the local forum on Minnesota issues.
Propose legislation to outlaw ALL Sanctuary City declarations.
Support Fred Thompson's idea of withholding federal funding to those cities that declare themselves sanctuary cities.
Support veterans and ensure they receive adequate benefits.
Reduce Property Taxes by supporting Initiatives and Referendums that cap property taxes.

Allow State agencies to implement Real ID mandates. See my previous entries on Real ID.

I am strongly Pro-Privacy especially in regard to any State and medical info such as the state info Secretary of State Mark Ritchie recently shared with his campaign committee.
Preserve the sanctity of marriage including it's definition as between a man and a woman.
Promote Free Market, Small Government Conservatism in our state and through out the world through Bush Trade Agreements.
Challenge government expansion and funding efforts that cite a Weather crisis that most scientists agree on. These efforts must be evaluated on merit.
Challenge conventional Democratic mantra that continued expansion of Medicare brings social, economic justice.
Challenge conventional Democratic mantra that continued expansion of government leads to prosperity.

Support our partner in Wind Power, Governor Richardson of New Mexico, in progressing in other areas as well such as building the federally approved wall on our southern border. Enforce existing law in workplace and at the border. Regain trust.
Instead of working to raise wages of noncitizens it would make as much sense to lower the minimum wage requirements for certain sectors such as family -owned farms for certain job positions. At least that benefits the American middle class.

Challenge Single-payer healthcare and similar plans as endorsement of socialism which this country has rejected consistently for over a century. Expand employees' choice of Providers to a nationwide cafeteria and remove the corporate role in healthcare. This will relieve the corporation of the healthcare burden and foster growth of start-up companies. Companies wishing to retain their competitive advantage by offering health benefits may do so by paying the employee a lump yearly sum ($10,000-$15,000) equal to the 2007 group cost.

Halt expansion of Pay or Play. The most recent MN Pay or Play legislation (see http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?

bill=H0039.0.html&session=ls85) requires companies with 10k or more employees to fund MinnesotaCare (different rates for for-profit and non-profit).

Sec. 5. [175.43] PAYMENT TO THE FAIR SHARE HEALTH CARE FUND.
Subdivision 1. For-profit employers. An employer with more than 10,000
employees in the state that is not organized as a nonprofit organization and does not spend at least ten percent of total wages paid to employees in

the state for health care costs shall pay to the fair share health care fund an amount equal to the difference between what the employer spends for health care costs and ten percent of total wages paid to employees in the state.

Request from the authors a definition of noncitizen for the following recent legislation:

256J.575 FAMILY STABILIZATION SERVICES Subd. 3. Eligibility: item 3, " a participant who is a noncitizen who has been in the United States for 12 or fewer months."

House Authors:
Thissen; Walker; Tschumper; Hosch; Huntley; Abeler; Bly
Bill Name: SF0559
Companion: HF0746
House Search Revisor Number: 07-1713
Senate Authors: Berglin; Higgins; Marty
http://ros.leg.mn/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF0559&ssn=0&y=2007

Even the legislative researchers can't answer what the definition of noncitizen is here.

Challenge spiraling education costs. Allowing costs to rise in education is an endorsement of socialism which this country has rejected consistently for over a century.

Preserve healthcare and education by reducing cost.
Let's be clear the failed cost projection and consumer cost are two separate things:
http://www.reason.com/news/show/29339.html
Projected costs include vendor costs. Vendor costs payable by the federal government may be where most Medicare inflation has taken place since 1965.
Hard work, good research, and finally bold reform are required to continue low-cost healthcare for the Baby Boomers, the first of whom came online this year.
Preserve existing education and healthcare by making them self-sustaining within standard budget increases and eventually accounting for unfunded liabilities.

Reduce crime.
Reinstate Capital Punishment in Minnesota
Support quality-of-life and tough-on-crime bills

I like to highlight St Paul Police Chief John Harrington's educated and disciplined police force as an example for other cities to follow - and encourage the major cities to increase police funding without increasing taxes.

Work to highlight and possibly eliminate all unnecessary farm subsidies and healthcare inflation.
Support Governor Pawlenty's Ethanol initiative.

I will evaluate sub-prime mortgages in our district and take all necessary steps.

In my 9/11/07 letter to Caucus Attendees, I said:

Locally, I will work hard to ensure adequate healthcare for seniors and ensure benefits for Iraqi veterans while at the same time helping to restore financial accountability. I will educate on flood plain and river issues and help revitalize downtown St. Paul still further. I will take steps to attract people and businesses to downtown St. Paul by working within established guidelines with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, building groups, and others on a bi-partisan basis.

Although this is a state race, let me list the issues of the National Republican party which I will be cognizant of: Life issues, Gun Rights, Homeland Security, healthcare for seniors, benefits for Iraqi veterans, Real ID, Middle-East foreign policy, Immigration, fiscal responsibility, Ethanol,
dependence on foreign oil, global electronics issues, and conservation of Minnesota wilderness.
Minnesota Republican bloggers are the voice of reason in the immigration issue and hold others accountable for abetting weak immigration enforcement.

We must educate others on the immigration enforcement problem, enforce the borders, and regain trust. If elected I will work with local companies that have come to depend on the labor of illegal immigrants. I have always been anti smoking-ban.

Part of the promised research on the riverfront reveals these startling photos:

This shows how high the water was in downtown St. Paul MN in 1997. Note the condo site in the background.
http://www.stpaul.gov/leisure/history/flood/gallery/18.html
This shows the new West Side Riverfront Floodwall is 33" - only 7 inches higher than the 1965 flood.
http://www.stpaul.gov/leisure/history/flood/
The West Side floodwall will raise the level of the surging river for those parts of downtown St. Paul that are not protected by a 33 inch high floodwall, including the new condos on Shepard Road. And here is what Shepard Road looks like under 22 inches of water:
http://www.stpaul.gov/leisure/history/flood/gallery/12.html

http://www.freedomfoundationofminnesota.com/content/events.php

Jason Lewis wrote a paper for the Freedom Foundation of MN which hosted the State of MN Conservativism Conference Mpls Marriot.
Here is AAA's report:
http://www.residualforces.com/2007/12/01/freedom-foundation-of-mn-state-of-conservatism-conference

This candid discussion below is one of the reasons I love this state! Remember they are talking long term about Minnesota's highest levels of government. In what other state does this level of candor take place?
Jason Lewis The Big Show Friday 11/30/07

Friday 11/30/07 4PM

Marty Seifert:
I want to bring up some offensive discussion for next year we have Initiatives and referendums in alot of cities in mn - If the legislature and local cities and counties are not going to live within their means on for example property taxes let's start putting Initiatives and referendums out to have caps on property tax growth.

We do have it in a lot of cities - Mpls, St Paul [4800 signatures required - Ed.] - and we have it in Ramsey county. ...
Let's not raise taxes or this and that but let's actually put some limitations on these things.
The liberals go absolutely bananas trying to stop these things - and they won't have as much money to use against my folks running for the legislature.

Jason Lewis:
Marty Seifert I agree with you but my point is we need to be bold and visionary and ELIMINATING income taxes which seems like a fairy tale right now -
9 other states do it 14 states have a flat tax or no income tax at all - we're getting killed in the capital markets in Minnesota -
I truly think that's what the slow down in the state is due to - that capital is mobile.
we need to think boldly here ....
Now I agree it's utopian but we need to start thinking big here.

You get so demogogic when you try to cut the taxes that need to be cut for the most productive Minnesota citizens that its almost an impossible due to the politics of envy around here.

Marty Seifert:
Before we even go into the discussion on sales tax or anything else at least
Abolish and combine two cabinet departments.
See a net decrease in state employees.
Have an absolute commitment to privatize certain government services [Healthcare providers? - Ed.]
And then in the welfare area going down and totally overhauling our entitlement programs.
All of those things have to take place first - because if we just shuffle the deck around ... I'm just not sure that would be real attractive - i think we really need to get back to the message that government wastes money and the private sector does a better job.

Jason:
Well I agree with you 100% on the spending side but as soon as you can convince the local media and Democrats and the populace that we can cut taxes at the TOP bracket I'm all on board - but I've been waiting for quite some time for that - that gets demogog - that's a greater leap [than eliminating the income tax - Ed], it seems to me. ...

Marty: Although we did do it in 1999-2000 I have to say we had the will to cut all 3 tax brackets and ... And sadly that's the last time we were actually able to have a tax reduction on income taxes but ...

[Edwin] in Vadnais Heights from South Dakota
[Edwin] says 25 cents on bread won't hurt poor. If they don't have money they won't pay the tax.

Jason Lewis:
Who - if you want to encourage a tax on work and move people from welfare to work, who would be against removing a tax on work - an income tax is a tax on work; a sales tax is a tax on what you take out of society - consumption. We ought to be encouraging production and in some cases discouraging consumption - here's the thing - the figure from House Research is 8.94% - if we broadened the sales tax based and raised it to 8.94% - which is pretty hefty - over 8.5% - you could raise the same amount of revenue - now that's a static analysis. I happen to think you would see a flourishing economic climate in Minnesota - and with some spending cuts that Marty Seifert identified the sales tax in actuality would be closer to South Dakota - [Edwin] - you could get down to the 7% range probably pretty easy and all of the sudden you would elim this - I think it going to be an easier sell than trying to ask for tax cuts to the people who pay the taxes because that gets demogogue.

Marty Seifert got me thinking Saturday Dec 1 at the HRCC New Candidate Capitol tour that the Democrats push through bills that secure their base - including Jason Lewis' 395,000 government employees and their unions, who we need to win over - at the first indication of a surplus such as the multi-Billion surplus last session. The democrats immediately max-ed out the surplus on narrow self-interest things like needlessly expanding Health and Welfare. Then later (in the 2007-2008 session) the voters are asked to support broad-base fundamental needs and more taxes are needed. This is a calculated formula the Democratic party uses. Seifert and others thwarted most of the Democrats destructive efforts to raise taxes last session and we need to continue the vigilance.
We must hold the line across the board this session. We must set aside any future surpluses for a rainy day. And we must discourage the 395,000 government employees and their public unions from politicising the community need to bring balance to the budget. We must abolish the destructive Democratic formula. It is a destructive cycle that has the support of many state government employees. The myth that expanded Medicare and expanded government eliminate racism, and even the playing field for poor communities in regard to hospitals and other investment is a myth identified by Shannon Brownlee (who is with former Republican legislator Dave Durenburger at NewAmerica.net) in her book Overtreated about how the estimated cost of Medicare was indexed to wages and not inflation. By the way Overtreated by Shannon Brownlee includes a great history of Medicare. We need to elevate the discussion in 1965 of Medicare and teach a respect for history.

I stand with Jason Lewis and Marty Seifert as a Free Market Small Government Conservative.

Best Regards,
Jamie Delton
Jamie.Delton@gmail.com
(651) 314-4491

Representative Seifert!

2007-07-18T04:41:00.000-07:00

7/17/07

Liffey's rooftop, downtown St. Paul near Xcel, with St. Paul Cathedral above my head.

Thanks to Joshua, Mike, Natalie, Chance, Dan (Beltway YR's http://www.minnesotayr.com) for a very informative evening with the Minority Leader in the House, Representative Marty Seifert (http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/gop/welcome.asp). What a beautiful evening in St. Paul to spend with good friends after a hot, humid, sunny afternoon. Marty is an inspiration to all new candidates. Thank you Representative Seifert!

Defeat HF1438 SF0984 - Real ID in Minnesota -

2007-07-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

The graphic above is a screen scrape from http://www.realnightmare.org/news/105, which did an excellent job mapping the most recent status on this issue. 17 states actually enacted anti-Real ID acts similar to the above Minnesota proposed act which will hurt their people badly:
17 states where counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort were enacted:
WA ID MT NV ND NE CO AR OK MO IL TN GA SC NH ME HI14 Hero States - States that have not endangered their citizens by enacting counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort:
CA SD KS IA MS AL FL NC VA IN DE NJ CT DC
10 States where Harmful counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort were introduced but are being repelled:
TX WI MI KY OH NY MD MA RI AK
10 States where harmful counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort passed one chamber (at-risk states!)
OR AZ NM UT WY MN LA WV PA VT
Below is Minnesota Senate's 4/18/07 SF0984 (companion to my opponent Carlos Mariani's HF 1438) denying Minnesotans' gaining the benefits of Real ID. Gratefully HF1438 has not yet passed the House and neither has been approved by the Governor. http://ros.leg.mn/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF0984&ssn=0&y=2007
1.5 Section 1. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH REAL ID ACT.
1.6 In order to promote the security and well-being of the people of Minnesota, to avoid
1.7 unneeded expense to the people, and to preserve the principles of federalism embodied in
1.8 the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the commissioner of public safety
1.9 is prohibited from taking any action to implement or to plan for the implementation by
1.10 this state of those sections of Public Law 109-13 known as the Real ID Act.
1.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
The commissioner of public safety is Michael Campion.

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/
To "promote the security and well-being of the people of Minnesota" we would cooperate and lead the nation in this important Real ID effort as we have been doing by showcasing our DMV and the company we used to create a card that complies with the federal standards, http://www.digimarc.com/.

But perhaps the phrases "unneeded expense to the people" and "preserve the principles of federalism " most rankle.
The expense will only grow with each passing day the nation is divided on this issue.
The principles of federalism are in danger here not at the hands of those cooperating with Real ID but at the hands of those promoting divisive, defiant legislation. Real ID implementation is a national security issue addressed by 9/11 legislation in 2005 the principles of which must be implemented.
All states should cooperate with our president on this. 10 states including Minnesota have proposed legislation similar to that above. None have proposed alternatives.
Our own Pat McCormack of the DMV has already successfully implemented the standards.
Below is perhaps the strongest critic, EPIC, a technical website often quoted in the techy website slashdot.org, and involved in many electronic rights issues. http://www.epic.org/privacy/id_cards/

EPIC:
The residential address requirements set out in the draft regulations endanger the ability of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes to hide from their abusers. Currently, many States allow domestic violence victims and others to protect the confidentiality of their residential addresses. States have created formal Address Confidentiality Programs and States have also provided general measures of residential address privacy. The proposed regulations override these substantial protections, and the overrides must be removed from the final regulations. The government must not make it easier for abusers to find their victims. For more information, see EPIC's REAL ID and Domestic Violence page.
Jamie's analysis:

Minnesota worked around this. Possibly not as big a problem as heralded. I will update.

EPIC:
Under the draft regulations, the REAL ID card would include a 2D barcode as its machine readable technology. To protect privacy and improve security, this machine readable technology must either include encryption, which is recommended (pdf) by the DHS Privacy Office, or access must be limited in some other form. Leaving the machine readable zone open would allow unfettered third-party access to the data and leave 245 million license and cardholders nationwide at risk for individual tracking. In its Privacy Impact Assessment of the draft regulations, the Privacy Office supported encryption "because 2D bar code readers are extremely common, the data could be captured from the driver's licenses and identification cards and accessed by unauthorized third parties by simply reading the 2D bar code on the credential" if the data is left unencrypted.
Jamie's analysis:
This may be an insincere Red Herring meant to be confused with the other Red Herring, The RFID concern. In Real ID draft regulations, the 2-D barcode (currently on all new Minnesota driver licenses) includes probably only the license number printed on the card, or item 4 of the Real ID requirements.(1) The person's full legal name.(2) The person's date of birth.(3) The person's gender.(4) The person's driver's license or identification card number.(6) The person's address of principle residence.
The magnetic stripe may have all 6 items.In other words the barcode and mag stripe probably contain info the card holder physically controls. No additional info is obtained from a bar code reader or mag stripe reader. The card holder not only controls who gets the card info but they also KNOW what info is available via a bar code reader or mag stripe because it is probably the same info (and no more) as is printed on the card.And by law if there were additional info it could never be the social security number because it is forbidden in Minnesota by http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&num=171.07

EPIC:

DHS contemplates using the REAL ID system as part of its Federal border security program and requested comments on how States could incorporate long-range radio frequency identification ("RFID") technology into the REAL ID card so that it could be used as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Many groups have urged against the use of RFID technology in identification documents. There are significant privacy and security risks associated with the use of RFID-enabled identification cards, particularly if individuals are not able to control the disclosure of identifying information. The Department of State recognized these security and privacy threats and changed its E-Passport proposal because of them; the Department of Homeland Security has just abandoned a plan to include RFID chips in border identification documents because the pilot test was a failure; and both the Department of Homeland Security's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (pdf) and the Government Accountability Office (pdf) recently cautioned against the use of RFID technology in identification documents.

Jamie's analysis:
The DHS (Dept of Homeland Security) CONTEMPLATES and REQUESTS COMMENTS on RFID. In other words, the DHS has not included RFID in any REAL ID regulations or guidelines. EPIC engages in self-serving alarmism.
Are you more concerned with the remote possiblity of a private individual's RFID-reader obtaining your RFID card's ID number (not any additional info) at 20 feet at the airport, or with people you trust (employers, relatives) possibly typing your Social Security number into a new convenient website and obtaining your credit or medical records? Perhaps a device such as Paypal's new Security key may be adapted by medical record aggregators' technical engineers https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/cps/securitycenter/general/PPSecurityKey-outside.

These are the hard questions we should be asking ourselves in the coming months as the principles of Real ID are implemented for the safety, security and privacy of everyone.Please comment below on your concerns for privacy and security.

Update:

The magnetic strip on a Minnesota driver license card contains the same information that is found on the front of the card, less the picture and signature.
The barcode on a Minnesota driver license card contains name, driver's license number and date of birthinformation.
RFID is not embedded on Minnesota cards.
The DVS has only implemented the card standard portion of Real ID that has been published which calls for a PDF417 2D barcode and anti-fraud items. The anti-fraud items are provided by Digimarc.com.
The portion of Real ID which directs the various Motor Vehicle Services across the nation which identification documents to remove has not yet been published nor has agency building security guidance been provided for re-negotiating the contracts for the Minnesota agency sites.The portion of Real ID which calls for flags on warrants has not been implemented.
The DVS dislikes encryption for magnetic strips. And "the encryption of any data in the 2D barcode would not enhance real privacy of the card holder".
When we cross the RFID (Radio Frequency identification systems) bridge we will need to be careful and possibly implement encryption. But RFID need not be implemented with Real ID and can be considered a separate issue.
Real ID can work. The hurdles across the nation are a technical challenge. But we can do it.

2007-07-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

17 states where counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort were enacted:

WA ID MT NV ND NE CO AR OK MO IL TN GA SC NH ME HI
14 Hero States - States that have not endangered their citizens by enacting counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort:

CA SD KS IA MS AL FL NC VA IN DE NJ CT DC

10 States where Harmful counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort were introduced but are being repelled:

TX WI MI KY OH NY MD MA RI AK

10 States where harmful counter productive laws defying the federal Real ID effort passed one chamber (at-risk states!)

OR AZ NM UT WY MN LA WV PA VT

Below is Minnesota Senate's 4/18/07 SF0984 (companion to my opponent Carlos Mariani's HF 1438) denying Minnesotans' gaining the benefits of Real ID. Gratefully HF1438 has not yet passed the House and neither has been approved by the Governor. http://ros.leg.mn/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF0984&ssn=0&y=2007

1.5 Section 1. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH REAL ID ACT.

1.6 In order to promote the security and well-being of the people of Minnesota, to avoid

1.7 unneeded expense to the people, and to preserve the principles of federalism embodied in

1.8 the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the commissioner of public safety

1.9 is prohibited from taking any action to implement or to plan for the implementation by

1.10 this state of those sections of Public Law 109-13 known as the Real ID Act.

1.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

The commissioner of public safety is Michael Campion. http://www.dps.state.mn.us/

To "promote the security and well-being of the people of Minnesota" we would cooperate and lead the nation in this important Real ID effort as we have been doing by showcasing our DMV and the company we used to create a card that complies with the federal standards, http://www.digimarc.com/.
But perhaps the phrases "unneeded expense to the people" and "preserve the principles of federalism " most rankle.

The expense will only grow with each passing day the nation is divided on this issue.

The principles of federalism are in danger here not at the hands of those cooperating with Real ID but at the hands of those promoting divisive, defiant legislation. Real ID implementation is a national security issue addressed by 9/11 legislation in 2005 the principles of which must be implemented.

All states should cooperate with our president on this. 10 states including Minnesota have proposed legislation similar to that above. None have proposed alternatives.

Our own Pat McCormack of the DMV has already successfully implemented the standards.

Below is perhaps the strongest critic, EPIC, a technical website often quoted in the techy website slashdot.org, and involved in many electronic rights issues. http://www.epic.org/privacy/id_cards/
EPIC:

The residential address requirements set out in the draft regulations endanger the ability of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes to hide from their abusers. Currently, many States allow domestic violence victims and others to protect the confidentiality of their residential addresses. States have created formal Address Confidentiality Programs and States have also provided general measures of residential address privacy. The proposed regulations override these substantial protections, and the overrides must be removed from the final regulations. The government must not make it easier for abusers to find their victims. For more information, see EPIC's REAL ID and Domestic Violence page.

Jamie's analysis:
Minnesota worked around this. Possibly not as big a problem as heralded. I will update.

EPIC:

Under the draft regulations, the REAL ID card would include a 2D barcode as its machine readable technology. To protect privacy and improve security, this machine readable technology must either include encryption, which is recommended (pdf) by the DHS Privacy Office, or access must be limited in some other form. Leaving the machine readable zone open would allow unfettered third-party access to the data and leave 245 million license and cardholders nationwide at risk for individual tracking. In its Privacy Impact Assessment of the draft regulations, the Privacy Office supported encryption "because 2D bar code readers are extremely common, the data could be captured from the driver's licenses and identification cards and accessed by unauthorized third parties by simply reading the 2D bar code on the credential" if the data is left unencrypted.

Jamie's analysis:

This may be an insincere Red Herring meant to be confused with the other Red Herring, The RFID concern. In Real ID draft regulations, the 2-D barcode (currently on all new Minnesota driver licenses) includes probably only the license number printed on the card, or item 4 of the Real ID requirements.
(1) The person's full legal name.
(2) The person's date of birth.
(3) The person's gender.
(4) The person's driver's license or identification card number.
(6) The person's address of principle residence.

The magnetic stripe may have all 6 items.In other words the barcode and mag stripe probably contain info the card holder physically controls. No additional info is obtained from a bar code reader or mag stripe reader. The card holder not only controls who gets the card info but they also KNOW what info is available via a bar code reader or mag stripe because it is probably the same info (and no more) as is printed on the card.And by law if there were additional info it could never be the social security number because it is forbidden in Minnesota by http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&num=171.07
EPIC:
DHS contemplates using the REAL ID system as part of its Federal border security program and requested comments on how States could incorporate long-range radio frequency identification ("RFID") technology into the REAL ID card so that it could be used as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Many groups have urged against the use of RFID technology in identification documents. There are significant privacy and security risks associated with the use of RFID-enabled identification cards, particularly if individuals are not able to control the disclosure of identifying information. The Department of State recognized these security and privacy threats and changed its E-Passport proposal because of them; the Department of Homeland Security has just abandoned a plan to include RFID chips in border identification documents because the pilot test was a failure; and both the Department of Homeland Security's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (pdf) and the Government Accountability Office (pdf) recently cautioned against the use of RFID technology in identification documents.
Jamie's analysis:

The DHS (Dept of Homeland Security) CONTEMPLATES and REQUESTS COMMENTS on RFID. In other words, the DHS has not included RFID in any REAL ID regulations or guidelines. EPIC engages in self-serving alarmism.

Are you more concerned with the remote possiblity of a private individual's RFID-reader obtaining your RFID card's ID number (not any additional info) at 20 feet at the airport, or with people you trust (employers, relatives) possibly typing your Social Security number into a new convenient website and obtaining your credit or medical records? Perhaps a device such as Paypal's new Security key may be adapted by medical record aggregators' technical engineers https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/cps/securitycenter/general/PPSecurityKey-outside. These are the hard questions we should be asking ourselves in the coming months as the principles of Real ID are implemented for the safety, security and privacy of everyone.
Please comment below on your concerns for privacy and security.