2009 Award Presentation Video

Posted on April 26, 2010 by

Below is a video of the 2009 Award Presentations at the Kelly In in St. Paul on February 11, 2010. Sen. Hann received his presentation before the dinner, so we have a photo but no recorded talk. Video was started after Rep. Anderson’s presentation. Remarks given by Reps. Anderson, Buesgens, Drazkowski, Emmer, and Shimanski. Length of video: 14 min. 12 sec.





*Video:2009 mnlea award presentations

Entire program that includes speeches by President Anderson and Erick Kaardal is recorded on a 3-disk HD video set and copies can be made for $25. Contact the Secretary.

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How LEA Reports are Prepared

Posted on April 23, 2010 by

At the April 22, 2010 meeting of the LEA Board, it was decided to post a description of how reports are prepared. First, it can serve as an example of how all citizens can employ their constitutional responsibility to hold representatives accountable to the will of the people. Second, there are often misconceptions that LEA’s report is influenced by certain members of the legislature. Understanding the report preparation process should help dispell such misconceptions.

Purpose:
The Minnesota Legislative Evaluation Assembly (LEA) is a citizens’ organization that evaluates votes on bills in the Minnesota State Legislature to score Senators and Representatives on their performance in adhering to the LEA Credo.

CREDO: The Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota (LEA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established to keep the citizens of Minnesota informed of both important legislation and the voting performance of each Senator and Representative in the Minnesota State Legislature. LEA bases its evaluation on the traditional American principles of constitutionalism, limited government, free enterprise, legal and moral order with justice and individual liberty and dignity. LEA encourages the use of the material in its Reports, in whole or in part by any group or individual.

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LEA CoFounder James Blilie Passes Away

Posted on March 30, 2010 by

LEA Co-founder James Louis Blilie

One of LEA’s founders, James Louis Blilie, 86, passed away the night of 26-Mar-2010. Blilie met Dan Pilla and Herman Hettinger in 1972 and organized an ad hoc group of citizens concerned about irresponsible state spending. They would study issues, get copies of bills, and evaluate them according to the LEA Credo. James Blilie and Mac Mahurin finalized the first LEA report in 1973, covering the 1972 session.

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Report on 2009 Awards Dinner

Posted on February 12, 2010 by

Top: Erick G. Kaardal, keynote speaker at the 2009 award dinner. Bottom: LEA Secretary Ben Hedberg presents award to Sen. Hann; Reps. Emmer and Drazkowski; Reps. Shimanski and Anderson; LEA President Anderson presents award to Rep. Buesgens

2009 HONOREES
Senate: D. Hann
House: B. Anderson, M. Buesgens, S. Drazkowski, T. Emmer, R. Shimanski.
Hon. Mention: R. Eastlund, M. Holberg, J. Hoppe, P. Kohls, P. Scott, D. Severson, S. Smith, K. Zellers.

The Minnesota LEA 2009 Awards dinner was held on February 11, 2010 at the Kelley Inn in St. Paul. The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance, and invocation by Pastor Harold Shudlick. After dinner, awards were presented to all six award winners—perfect attendance!—in front of 60 members and friends.

The topic of the evening was “Battling Bureaucracy and Holding Government Agencies Accountable.” An introduction to the topic from the perspective of an LEA member was given by Dr. Gordon L. Anderson. This was followed by the keynote speech by Erick G. Kaardal of neopoulism.org. After the speech Rep. Tom Emmer gave a response from the legislature. This was followed by other comments. After the meeting was adjourned many of those in attendance remained to engage one another in animated discussions and to take photos.

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Introduction to Battling Bureaucracy

Posted on February 12, 2010 by

Gordon L. Anderson

Government agencies can be a useful tool to carry out the will of the people. They can manage water, sewers, roads, borders, and provide many other public services. Some type of bureaucracy is essential when an agency is charged with a mission that serves thousands or millions of people. Government agencies are created for the public good. But, too often bureaucracies are a symptom of personal irresponsibility and the desire to let someone else solve our problems. They can grow uncontrollably and spend tax dollars foolishly. Once they have served their purpose, they are hard to terminate. They are hard to hold accountable.
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