Bob Zick
for Minnesota State Senate
Know The Real Chuck Wiger before you vote!
Democrat Senator Chuck Wiger has represented District 43 in the Minnesota Senate since 1996. Before casting your vote this November, make sure your candidate’s voting record matches the values and best interests of your family. Here are some key votes taken by Sen. Wiger in the last four years verified with a link to the official Senate Journal.
Self-interest over public interest
Sen. Wiger voted to build himself an unnecessary new Senate office building[1] at taxpayer expense. After voting for a plan to raise his own pay[2] (which failed), Wiger voted for a constitutional amendment to create a commission with the sole purpose of raising legislator pay[3]. He voted to give Gov. Dayton’s commissioners exorbitant raises of more than $30,000[4], while people in his district struggle to make ends meet.
Taxes, taxes, taxes
· Sen. Wiger never met a tax increase he couldn’t support, voting for the entire suite of Gov. Dayton’s tax increases in 2013.
· He voted to raise the income tax[5], creating a new fourth tier giving Minnesota the 4th highest income tax rate in the country.
· He voted to raise the cigarette tax[6] by $1.60 per pack, more than doubling a tax that falls mostly on low-income Minnesotans.
· He voted to expand the sales tax to warehousing and storage[7], driving Minnesota businesses out of the state.
· He voted to expand the sales tax to farm equipment[8], hurting Minnesota farmers and agribusiness.
· He voted to add a new 10% gift tax[9] on top of Minnesota’s current estate tax.
· He even voted to increase the sales tax on Internet downloads.[10]
· He voted to raise the state gas tax[11] over 16 cents per gallon, a 50% increase, just as Minnesotans were starting to appreciate $2 per gallon gas at the pump.
· He voted to raise the sales tax in the metro area[12] by .75 cents.
· He made owning a car more expensive for every Minnesota family by increasing the vehicle registration tax[13] or “tab fee,” the vehicle transaction filing fee and the vehicle title transfer surcharge.
· He voted to raise property taxes[14] on small businesses.
· He voted against giving seniors tax relief[15] by exempting their Social Security income from Minnesota income taxes.
· He voted against fixing the marriage penalty[16] in the Minnesota tax code.
· He voted against giving veterans tax relief[17] by exempting their pensions from Minnesota income taxes.
Out of control spending
In addition to taxes, Wiger voted for over $500 million in fee increases for large and small businesses, including many new fees for agribusiness. He also supported boondoggles pushed by the Met Council like the Southwest Light Rail[18] project that will require an ongoing subsidy from property tax payers. Speaking of the Met Council, Sen. Wiger voted against amendments to abolish the Met Council[19] outright and to reform the council by allowing local city councils to approve the members.[20]
During the last four years with Sen. Wiger’s party controlling the Senate, the state general fund budget grew $6.3 billion, from $35.4 billion to $41.8 billion – an 18% increase in just four years.
Bad for business
Wiger also supported the Women’s Economic Security Act[21] (WESA), which sounds good but includes new fees, regulations and onerous paperwork for small businesses across the state. One WESA provision supported by Sen. Wiger places so many new barriers on Minnesota businesses to get state contracts that the contracts will likely go to companies in Wisconsin and Iowa! He also voted to increase the state’s minimum wage[22], raising costs for small businesses and decreasing employment opportunities for seniors and students.
The Obamacare-MNsure disaster
While healthcare costs for families in Minnesota continue to rise, Sen. Wiger joined his DFL colleagues in the Senate supporting the full adoption of Obamacare [23] in Minnesota known as MNsure. Wiger voted against common sense amendments in 2013 that would have prevented many of the problems that have plagued this failed government takeover of healthcare.
Family values
Sen. Wiger does not protect children or support traditional Minnesota families. As chair of the Senate Education Committee he killed Senate File Bill 1837. This legislation would have prevented the building of schools on former super fund toxic waste dump sites (Mahtomedi Wildwood elementary, e.g. Love Canal NY) and required parental notification. He voted to make gay marriage[24] the law of the land and voted to force a one-size-fits-all anti-bullying program[25] on our local schools. Wiger also voted against common sense measures to keep high school boys who “identify”[26] as girls out of the girls locker room and off the girls athletic teams. After Planned Parenthood spent thousands of dollars to get Democrats elected in 2012, it’s not surprising he now refuses to investigate their activities in Minnesota. Wiger also voted against common sense bills to include abortion clinics in regular inspections[27] by the Department of Health and to ban taxpayer funded abortions.[28]
Special interests or your interests?
Sen. Wiger’s campaign was funded with contributions from unions and special interests and he rewarded them again and again with his votes.
· Wiger received funding from SEIU and AFSCME and rewarded them with his vote to force unionization on private childcare providers[29], many of whom are independent small businesses run by women.
· Wiger received funding from Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union, and rewarded them with votes to weaken teacher accountability[30] and eliminate graduation requirements[31]. He also refused to support common sense changes to teacher tenure rules, such as getting rid of the last-in-first-out model used for layoffs[32] and voted against a school choice initiatives[33] for children with special needs.
· Wiger received funding Dr. Robert Haselow, a prominent radiologist, and rewarded him with his vote to keep a moratorium on cancer treatment centers[34] in place.
________________________________
[1] SJ 3132 – Monday, April 29, 2013
[2] SJ 1868 – Thursday, April 16, 2013
[3] SJ 5234 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[4] SJ 456 – Thursday, February 26, 2015
[5] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[6] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[7] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[8] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[9] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[10] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[11] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[12] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[13] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[14] SJ 3234 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[15] SJ 3246 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[16] SJ 6510 – Friday, March 21, 2014
[17] SJ 3232 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[18] SJ 5193 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[19] SJ 2069 – Monday, April 20, 2015
[20] SJ 1921 – Monday, April 20, 2015
[21] SJ 8991 – Thursday, May 8, 2014
[22] SJ 8015 – Wednesday, April 9, 2014
[23] SJ 1055 – Monday, March 18, 2013
[24] SJ 3584 – Monday, May 13, 2013
[25] SJ 7385 – Thursday, April 3, 2014
[26] SJ 3167 – Wednesday, April 29, 2015
[27] SJ 3066 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[28] SJ 3067 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[29] SJ 3695 – Wednesday, May 15, 2013
[30] Evaluations – SJ 3059 – Thursday, April 25, 2013, Skills Exam – SJ 5147 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[31] 5146 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[32] SJ 3046 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[33] SJ 3163 – Wednesday, April 29, 2015
[34] SJ 1782 – Thursday, April 11, 2013
Democrat Senator Chuck Wiger has represented District 43 in the Minnesota Senate since 1996. Before casting your vote this November, make sure your candidate’s voting record matches the values and best interests of your family. Here are some key votes taken by Sen. Wiger in the last four years verified with a link to the official Senate Journal.
Self-interest over public interest
Sen. Wiger voted to build himself an unnecessary new Senate office building[1] at taxpayer expense. After voting for a plan to raise his own pay[2] (which failed), Wiger voted for a constitutional amendment to create a commission with the sole purpose of raising legislator pay[3]. He voted to give Gov. Dayton’s commissioners exorbitant raises of more than $30,000[4], while people in his district struggle to make ends meet.
Taxes, taxes, taxes
· Sen. Wiger never met a tax increase he couldn’t support, voting for the entire suite of Gov. Dayton’s tax increases in 2013.
· He voted to raise the income tax[5], creating a new fourth tier giving Minnesota the 4th highest income tax rate in the country.
· He voted to raise the cigarette tax[6] by $1.60 per pack, more than doubling a tax that falls mostly on low-income Minnesotans.
· He voted to expand the sales tax to warehousing and storage[7], driving Minnesota businesses out of the state.
· He voted to expand the sales tax to farm equipment[8], hurting Minnesota farmers and agribusiness.
· He voted to add a new 10% gift tax[9] on top of Minnesota’s current estate tax.
· He even voted to increase the sales tax on Internet downloads.[10]
· He voted to raise the state gas tax[11] over 16 cents per gallon, a 50% increase, just as Minnesotans were starting to appreciate $2 per gallon gas at the pump.
· He voted to raise the sales tax in the metro area[12] by .75 cents.
· He made owning a car more expensive for every Minnesota family by increasing the vehicle registration tax[13] or “tab fee,” the vehicle transaction filing fee and the vehicle title transfer surcharge.
· He voted to raise property taxes[14] on small businesses.
· He voted against giving seniors tax relief[15] by exempting their Social Security income from Minnesota income taxes.
· He voted against fixing the marriage penalty[16] in the Minnesota tax code.
· He voted against giving veterans tax relief[17] by exempting their pensions from Minnesota income taxes.
Out of control spending
In addition to taxes, Wiger voted for over $500 million in fee increases for large and small businesses, including many new fees for agribusiness. He also supported boondoggles pushed by the Met Council like the Southwest Light Rail[18] project that will require an ongoing subsidy from property tax payers. Speaking of the Met Council, Sen. Wiger voted against amendments to abolish the Met Council[19] outright and to reform the council by allowing local city councils to approve the members.[20]
During the last four years with Sen. Wiger’s party controlling the Senate, the state general fund budget grew $6.3 billion, from $35.4 billion to $41.8 billion – an 18% increase in just four years.
Bad for business
Wiger also supported the Women’s Economic Security Act[21] (WESA), which sounds good but includes new fees, regulations and onerous paperwork for small businesses across the state. One WESA provision supported by Sen. Wiger places so many new barriers on Minnesota businesses to get state contracts that the contracts will likely go to companies in Wisconsin and Iowa! He also voted to increase the state’s minimum wage[22], raising costs for small businesses and decreasing employment opportunities for seniors and students.
The Obamacare-MNsure disaster
While healthcare costs for families in Minnesota continue to rise, Sen. Wiger joined his DFL colleagues in the Senate supporting the full adoption of Obamacare [23] in Minnesota known as MNsure. Wiger voted against common sense amendments in 2013 that would have prevented many of the problems that have plagued this failed government takeover of healthcare.
Family values
Sen. Wiger does not protect children or support traditional Minnesota families. As chair of the Senate Education Committee he killed Senate File Bill 1837. This legislation would have prevented the building of schools on former super fund toxic waste dump sites (Mahtomedi Wildwood elementary, e.g. Love Canal NY) and required parental notification. He voted to make gay marriage[24] the law of the land and voted to force a one-size-fits-all anti-bullying program[25] on our local schools. Wiger also voted against common sense measures to keep high school boys who “identify”[26] as girls out of the girls locker room and off the girls athletic teams. After Planned Parenthood spent thousands of dollars to get Democrats elected in 2012, it’s not surprising he now refuses to investigate their activities in Minnesota. Wiger also voted against common sense bills to include abortion clinics in regular inspections[27] by the Department of Health and to ban taxpayer funded abortions.[28]
Special interests or your interests?
Sen. Wiger’s campaign was funded with contributions from unions and special interests and he rewarded them again and again with his votes.
· Wiger received funding from SEIU and AFSCME and rewarded them with his vote to force unionization on private childcare providers[29], many of whom are independent small businesses run by women.
· Wiger received funding from Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union, and rewarded them with votes to weaken teacher accountability[30] and eliminate graduation requirements[31]. He also refused to support common sense changes to teacher tenure rules, such as getting rid of the last-in-first-out model used for layoffs[32] and voted against a school choice initiatives[33] for children with special needs.
· Wiger received funding Dr. Robert Haselow, a prominent radiologist, and rewarded him with his vote to keep a moratorium on cancer treatment centers[34] in place.
________________________________
[1] SJ 3132 – Monday, April 29, 2013
[2] SJ 1868 – Thursday, April 16, 2013
[3] SJ 5234 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[4] SJ 456 – Thursday, February 26, 2015
[5] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[6] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[7] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[8] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[9] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[10] SJ 5750 – Monday, May 20, 2013
[11] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[12] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[13] SJ 2912 – Monday, April 27, 2015
[14] SJ 3234 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[15] SJ 3246 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[16] SJ 6510 – Friday, March 21, 2014
[17] SJ 3232 – Monday, May 4, 2015
[18] SJ 5193 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[19] SJ 2069 – Monday, April 20, 2015
[20] SJ 1921 – Monday, April 20, 2015
[21] SJ 8991 – Thursday, May 8, 2014
[22] SJ 8015 – Wednesday, April 9, 2014
[23] SJ 1055 – Monday, March 18, 2013
[24] SJ 3584 – Monday, May 13, 2013
[25] SJ 7385 – Thursday, April 3, 2014
[26] SJ 3167 – Wednesday, April 29, 2015
[27] SJ 3066 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[28] SJ 3067 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[29] SJ 3695 – Wednesday, May 15, 2013
[30] Evaluations – SJ 3059 – Thursday, April 25, 2013, Skills Exam – SJ 5147 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[31] 5146 – Sunday, May 19, 2013
[32] SJ 3046 – Thursday, April 25, 2013
[33] SJ 3163 – Wednesday, April 29, 2015
[34] SJ 1782 – Thursday, April 11, 2013
