4th Congressional District
2006 Platform Committee Report
Section 1. Creating Jobs and Economic Security
Be It Resolved that Section 1C be amended to state that all tax increases must be approved by a vote of the taxpayers.
Be It Resolved that Section J be substituted with the following: Opposition to the imposition by legislature or any governing body of any general taxes for the construction of professional sports stadiums with public referendum approving such a tax levy.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation that eliminates the 2% Health Care Provider Tax.
Be It Resolved that government employee retirement fund deficits not be funded by taxes, fees or borrowing from the public, but must be funded by reductions for applicable retirement groups.
Be It Resolved that The Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation that prohibits state or local governments from forcing companies to fund health care benefits mandated by the government.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports banning the practice of earmarking location specific spending requirements in annual appropriations bills in Congress and replacing them with a competitive and merit-based process.
Be it resolved that the Federal Government build a strong economy with free trade and open markets by expanding free trade zones with South America, Central America, Taiwan & Asia.
Be It Resolved that active duty personnel stationed out-of-state be exempt from paying Minnesota state income taxes on their military income.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports federal legislation including a Constitutional Amendment, providing line item veto to the President of the United States.
Be It Resolved that section O be amended by adding “and 100% of motor vehicle gas tax revenue shall be used for streets, roads and highways and words “to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund” be eliminated.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the prohibition of US voluntary and assessed contributions or fees to the United Nations.
Be It Resolved that the State of Minnesota repeal state enforced minimum gasoline prices.
Be It Resolved that the state of Minnesota study and support the use of “Personal Rapid Transport” to enable movement of people, 24⁄7 365 days per year.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota legislature enact a constitutional amendment providing that growth in spending be limited to population growth and adjusted for inflation.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota legislature approve no funding of new construction until the needed repairs for existing buildings is complete, with the State Capitol Building being the highest priority.
Be It Resolved that the median wage as calculated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security be used for calculation of the prevailing wage for public work.
Be It Resolved that the State of Minnesota require Property Tax Truth-in-Taxation hearings be held no later than 30 days before each general election and no later than October 1 in non-election years.
Be It Resolved that the State of Minnesota require counties, townships and municipalities to adopt calendar year biennial budgets, changing truth-in-taxation statutes to require hearings be held in early August and final budgets and levies be adopted by October 31.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota Tax Code incorporates the full value of the federal standard deduction as it pertains to those filing “married filing jointly” and those filing as widowers.
Be It Resolved that Minnesota Tax Code be harmonized with the Federal Tax Code as it pertains to Long Term Care Insurance Premium deductibility.
Be It Resolved that the federal government be required to abolish the “Fractional Reserve Banking Practice” by the year 2010.
Be It Resolved that statutes requiring registration of purchasers of cold and sinus medicines containing pseudo ephedrine be repealed.
Section 2. Preserving Civil Rights
- Be It Resolved that the Minnesota Legislature be urged to pass the “Parental Notification Data Bill” to provide the state with information about the use and effectiveness of Minnesota's Parental Notification Law regarding abortions performed on minors.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes in-vitro fertilization because of the resulting destruction of unused embryos.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota support legislation requiring that abortionists maintain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in order to perform abortions in Minnesota.
Be It Resolved that the state of Minnesota pass a total ban on abortions in Minnesota similar to the law recently passed in South Dakota.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the protection of health care providers from being forced to provide abortions and abortion related articles or functions.
Be It Resolved that informed, voluntary patient consent is required for the electronic transfer or storage of medical record data for the citizens of Minnesota.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota advocates the provision of services to all victims of domestic abuse, regardless of gender.
Be It Resolved that HIPPA regulations concerning patient privacy be amended to allow hospitals to contact pastors of patients.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation requiring an informed opt-in consent before newborn genetic screening or testing be done.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation strengthening the Minnesota patient privacy laws, rather than abolishing them.
Be It Resolved that Sec N be amended by changing “and prohibiting the collection or release of any personal financial” to and prohibiting the collection, storage or release of any identifiable personal financial.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota State Legislature passes the Taxpayer Protection Act to prevent organizations involved in abortion from receiving state family planning grants.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes banking practices that are determined to be predatory in nature or designed to penalize a specific class of citizens.
Be It Resolved that the performance reporting law of 2005 (M.S.256B.072) be repealed to restore integrity to the practice of medicine and re-establish the confidential patient-doctor relationship.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes state and federal support of International Baccalaureate (IB) and the adoption of IB by local districts.
Be It Resolved that section l be amended by removing the language which reads “eliminating education funding or discounts based on the number of children who receive free or reduced meals” or restating it so as to not be perceived as negative to all school funding.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota legislature only enact early education initiatives that respect parents as the first and most important teachers in their children's lives and that supports parents' goals and values while remaining strictly voluntary for parents and their children.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation that requires parents to be notified far enough in advance to allow them to remove their children from any and all homosexual teaching activities such as guest speakers, lectures or field trips; and that such activities are conducted on an opt-in basis only.
Be It Resolved that section C be amended by adding that “no more than 2 days per year is utilized”.
Be It Resolved that the State of Minnesota institutes the inclusion of drug testing (including steroid use) whenever physical exams are required for participation in school activities.
Be It Resolved that any instruction under the umbrella of “multi-culturalism” and diversity must include equal time to teach the customs, traditions, literature and writings of Judaism and Christianity.
Be It Resolved that section A be amended t read Re-emphasizing a knowledge-based curriculum which includes arts, science, reading, writing, mathematics and civics to prepare our children to compete in the technology driven economy of the 21st century.
23. Be It Resolved that section P be amended to read: “Amending the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee the right of individuals to possess, carry, or use arms for defense and security, or for recreation and marksmanship training, or for lawful hunting, is a fundamental right of each person which shall remain inviolate and shall not be infringed.”
24. Be It Resolved that the following portion of section Q be deleted because it was enacted in 2005: "and a 'must issue' carry permit system, and that".
Section 3. Educating Our Children
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the independence of families providing their won early childcare and the 80% of preschool care that is privately provided while opposing the use of government defined social and emotional outcomes for pre-school programs, child care facilities and private homes.
Be It Resolved that section M be amended to limit the Department of Education instead of abolishing it.
Be It Resolved that all state colleges and universities must immediately accept and honor all education benefits due our veterans following their presentation of legitimate documentation thereof.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports requirement of school districts to spend at least 70% of their general operating funds on direct classroom expenditures.
Minority Report: Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes supports requirement of school districts to spend at least 70% of their general operating funds on direct classroom expenditures.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes universal mental health screening (sometimes called social and emotional screening) of students or minor children of any age.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the inclusion of Christmas and other traditional American holidays in Minnesota's school calendars.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports and encourages Minnesota school district and teachers of history to include original, accurate sources regarding the important role of religion in the foundation of our country.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes the inclusion of social and emotional “outcomes” in public school curricula.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota state legislature enact laws to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality, bisexuality or transgenderism when they are discussed in Minnesota public school classrooms.
Section 4. Strengthening Families and Communities
Be It Resolved that section D be amended by replacing “a child of any race” with “a child regardless of ethnicity.”
Be It Resolved that section B be amended by striking “a man and a woman” and replacing it with “one man and one woman”.
Be It Resolved that section A be amended by striking “limits on divorce” and inserting “establishing a two-year waiting period before finalizing a divorce for married couples with minor children, except when there is physical or substance abuse, desertion or adultery.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota legislature enact statutes which decree that in all cases of dissolution of marriage, separate maintenance or adjudication of paternity, both parents have an equal duty to pay for the actual cost of supplying the reasonable needs of their children in proportion to their respective incomes and other resources while holding due regard to the self-supports needs of each parent.
Be It Resolved that the state of Minnesota enact legislation upholding due process for any person accused of child abuse regardless of severity level.
Be It Resolved that the county or other government agencies not retain unfounded, unproved or false child abuse accusations as part of any official list or use.
Be It Resolved that any individual knowingly taking part in false accusations of felony child abuse be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Be It Resolved that there be mandated response times from the courts in regards to child support and parenting time for non-custodial parents.
Be It Resolved that presumptive joint custody be the standard for all divorce and adjudication of paternity cases.
Be It Resolved that the legal age for gambling in Minnesota be 21 years of age.
Be It Resolved that Section J be amended by adding the words “and should a private institution accept government funding and⁄or credits, said institution cannot later be required to submit to government control.
Be It Resolved that religious organizations, which provide adoption services, cannot be compelled to provide services in conflict with their beliefs and teachings in order to maintain eligibility for state program support.
Be It Resolved that section O be amended by deleting the words “and support the repeal of MinnesotaCare.
Minority Report to section O: Be It Resolved that language regarding establishment of a national identification system be stricken from the platform.
Section 5. Protecting the Public's Safety
Be It Resolved that section C regarding the death penalty be removed from the Platform.
Be It Resolved that section C be amended by using the following substitution: We oppose the death penalty in the State of Minnesota and support life in prison without the possibility of parole for capitol crimes.
Be It Resolved that section C be amended by replacing “the most serious crimes” with the word murder.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports mandatory life sentences with no parole for most sex offenders towards children 12 years of age and under.
Be It Resolved that any level three-sex offender released from prison is kept under constant electronic monitoring for the rest of his⁄her natural life.
Be It Resolved that all research funding for animal cloning be stopped.
Be It Resolved that safety measures in city schools be increased so children can focus on learning, not survival.
Be It Resolved that all businesses working with juveniles be required to run a Level C
background check on all employees.
Section 6. Strengthening the Rule of Law
Be It Resolved that judicial accountability be established by having the House of Representatives appoint a special prosecutor with the ability to convene a Grand Jury for the purpose of establishing a Bill of Impeachment to hear evidence of judicial corruption and oppression brought before them by Minnesota citizens.
Be It Resolved that section D be amended by inserting the word “judges and” after the word empowering.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports legislation restricting the award of punitive damages to a quarter of a million dollars, based on 2004 dollars and by CPI.
Section 7. Enjoying and Protecting Our Natural Resources
1. Be It Resolved that the existing language regarding the use of eminent domain be moved to Section 2 - Preserving Civil Rights.
2. Be It Resolved that Item N regarding Eminent Domain be moved to Item A, thus recognizing this issue's importance.
3. Delete section O as it was enacted in 2005.
Be It Resolved that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Eminent Domain not be allowed to be used on the same project. Use of the one prevents the use of the other.
Minority Report to 7Q. Be It Resolved that there be a net gain of land by the MN DNR or nonprofit land trusts and that there be no limitation on time length of conservation easements.
Section 8. Making Government Better, Not Larger
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports abolishing the non-partisan election designation in city⁄municipal elections.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the elimination of vouching for individuals at polling places.
Minority Report to 8R: Be It Resolved that section R be amended to eliminate the 30 day prior registration stipulation in favor of the current practice of same day registration.
Be It Resolved that state senators and state representatives not receive “per diem” payments during any special session of the Legislature called to complete the unfinished business of the regular session.
Be It Resolved that the Minnesota Legislature must pass a budget bill before any other order of business in the year that it is due.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the enactment of laws in which the Minnesota Legislature and US Congress can vote to bypass committees by majority rule to override the Committee and bring a bill to a vote that has passed the other house of congress or the legislature.
Minority Report to 8 - C: Be It Resolved that 8C is amended to abolish the Minnesota Senate and adopt a unicameral legislature.
Be It Resolved that section F be amended by deleting the words “while eliminating, privatizing or returning to state and local government all other Metropolitan Council functions.
Minority Report to 8-I: Be It Resolved that the state and federal governments allow only individuals to contribute to campaigns, eliminating unions, businesses or other non-voting entities from contributing to campaigns.
Section 9. Defending America at Home and Abroad
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports the construction of a fence covering the length of the US-Mexico border, and a return to levels of immigration, which existed prior to the US Immigration Reform Act of 1965.
Minority Report to sections E & G: Be It Resolved to allow immigration to levels sustainable by economic requirements and then strictly enforce immigration laws.
Minority Report to 9-E: Replace “We are against amnesty for . . . to remain in the United States” with “We are against amnesty for most illegal aliens, with the only instance they should be allowed to stay and possibly become US citizens being cases of where his⁄her spouse or sponsor's legal status would be damaged.
Minority Report to 9-H. Be It Resolved that Plank H be replaced with “Increase legal immigration, facilities assimilation and make available the resources to perform extensive background searches and issue visas in a timely manner.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports an amendment to the US Constitution eliminating the “birthright” of immigrants who are born here unless one parent is a US citizen or has legal residence status.
Be It Resolved that state and federal governments provide businesses with the necessary tools to verify right to work status while holding those same businesses accountable for their use.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota opposes efforts by Congress to thwart the ability of our government to gather intelligence on enemies of the US.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports keeping adequate forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and any other troubled regions of the work; to support and protect human rights, to combat terrorism and protect our nation's security.
Be It Resolved that the Republican Party of Minnesota supports Senator Norm Coleman's bill to limit the spending of offshore dollars for federal, state and local government contract work.
Be It Resolved that the people of Minnesota support the continued presence of the United States Military in Iraq until the President of the United States determines that the mission is complete.
Be It Resolved that police officers, in the course of their regular duties, be instructed to NOT ignore the immigration status of non-citizens when said status is not in good standing with relevant requirements as required by the INS.
This website prepared and paid for by 4th CD Republican Party of Minnesota. Not
authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.