Media Advisory - Charter Amendment sought on Vikings stadium

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Monday, 15 August 2011 00:00

MEDIA ADVISORY – August 15, 2011

The Minnesota Voters Alliance (MVA) will address the Ramsey County Charter Commission at its Monday, August 15, 2011, 7:00 p.m. meeting, AMC Building, 125 Charles Ave, St. Paul, MN.

Download the memorandum here.

MEDIA ADVISORY – August 15, 2011

The Minnesota Voters Alliance (MVA) will address the Ramsey County Charter Commission at its Monday, August 15, 2011, 7:00 p.m. meeting, AMC Building, 125 Charles Ave, St. Paul, MN.

The MVA will encourage Commission Members to propose amending the Ramsey County Charter to require a referendum before sales taxes can be raised in the county for a Vikings stadium.

The purpose of the charter amendment would be to ensure that Ramsey County citizens preserve their referendum right in the face of any "special law" enacted by the Governor and Legislature.

The basis for amending the Charter resides in Article XII of the Minnesota Constitution, the same Article that authorizes the kind of special law being contemplated for the Vikings stadium funding. Amendments to home rule charters are explicitly empowered to "supersede" special laws.

"The Minnesota Voters Alliance does not have a position on whether the Ramsey County sales tax should be increased or, indeed, on whether a Vikings stadium should be built," says MVA president, Andy Cilek. "We are, however, committed to seeing that Ramsey County voters retain their right to have their voices heard on the issue. Fortunately, the Ramsey County Charter Commission has the power to preserve that right for the citizens of the county."

In short, the MVA is asking the Ramsey County Charter Commission to protect the Charter from any attack by the Governor and Legislature that seeks to strip Ramsey County citizens of the referendum rights granted to them in the Charter.

An analysis summary will be distributed to the Charter Commissioners at the meeting, and be available for news media.

PRESS CONTACT: Andy Cilek – info@mnvoters.org 763.432.3213

Download the memorandum here.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 September 2011 15:43

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In The Media

Andy Cilek appeared on the Jason Lewis Show on 8/24/2007.

Andy Cilek spoke with Joe Soucheray, on October 14th -2nd hour.

Andy talked with Don Shelby in December 2008.

Photo ID Support

Andrew Young “I support a photo ID requirement. ... Requiring one and giving it free of charge gives those at the poverty level a tool that enables them to independently participate in the economic process and the election process.”

- Andrew Young, former US State Rep, GA; Atlanta mayor and United States Ambassador

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