Sixth District U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer speaks to constituents at an Aug. 27 town hall meeting at the Forest Lake City Center.
Paul Rignell
Contributing Reporter
Sixth District U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer traveled throughout the district last month to discuss national issues with constituents. The freshman congressman met with a large group for an hourlong forum Aug. 27 at the Forest Lake City Center.
The U.S. House traditionally is out of session through most of August, putting those elected officials on a “district work period” schedule where many of them go home to learn more about local needs and confer with district residents. This August was Emmer’s first on the job, as he won the seat last November, and the Forest Lake stop was one of a few throughout the large district, which curves around the Twin Cities from Norwood Young America to the St. Croix River north of Stillwater. Emmer pledged this year to hold one town hall meeting in each of his counties and previously held a meeting with constituents Aug. 18 in Waconia.
The doors were open to people from outside of Washington County as well. Some residents with questions came from towns in central Anoka County, like Oak Grove and East Bethel. Other guests drove from farther away. Emmer fielded questions from a Monticello veteran and a Sauk Rapids business owner, among others.
Emmer opened the forum by saying that he had not fully grasped his calling before getting to Congress; however, he now realizes his mission is to aid Minnesota in global trade. He was tapped to serve on the House Committee on Financial Services (and a subcommittee on trade and monetary policy).
The Sauk Rapids business owner was in Forest Lake to ask for Emmer’s support in requiring equivalent sales taxes for Internet or online sales. Working in automotive parts and service, the woman said her staff can put hours of work into a job for any potential client, but often that preparation is lost when clients eventually make online orders with out-of-state companies not subject to the same taxes.
Emmer said he supported ideas in the proposed Marketplace Fairness Act that would protect local businesses and restore their level playing field.
“I’m told that it would keep states in charge,” he said of the bill. “Our federal government is way too big and way too invested.”
He said that he favors states taking more control of the tax dollars being paid by their citizens to ensure more of Minnesota’s tax revenues cover needs in the state instead of being disbursed elsewhere.
Such a plan could help local transportation infrastructure, Emmer said, including a rebuild of the State Highway 97 bridge over Interstate Highway 35 that he said is supported by officials on all levels. Area state Reps. Bob Dettmer and Tom Hackbarth are pushing for funding of the bridge rebuild at a state level.
Emmer also said he would like to see more funding for roads and bridges, joined by a cut in all federal spending for light rail mass transit projects. Previewing what Congress is likely to address by the end of 2015, Emmer said there should be votes on a six-year federal transportation bill.
Emmer believes Congress will likely be voting on an increase in the federal debt limit and on a resolution (by mid-September) to disapprove of the multi-nation deal involving Iran’s nuclear program.
Criticizing Barack Obama during the meeting, Emmer said the president has not stated a clear foreign policy and has circumvented Congress by passing more legislation through executive order without input from the Capitol.
“It shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” said Emmer. “If we had a Republican president (acting in that manner), I hope we’d be complaining the same way.”
Emmer directed the public to share future questions and concerns with his office and staff. He promised to continue support for legislation that will benefit the state and nation.
“Forgive me for being a little biased,” Emmer said, “but I believe what’s good for Minnesota is good for the United States of America.”