News
In new web ad, Clark hits Bachmann on Social Security
The Minnesota Independent reports:
The campaign of Tarryl Clark released a web ad Monday that criticizes Rep. Michele Bachmann for her past stance on Social Security privatization and her February comments about wanting to "wean" future generations off the program.
Bachmann's campaign has disputed the characterization that she supports privatization of Social Security. In an interview with Politifact, for example, Bachmann spokesman David Dziok said, "She's never once used the word ‘privatize.'"
But Clark's team backed up its claims with references to Bachmann advocating Social Security privatization in 2005.
Clark helps MnSCU students transfer credits
The St. Cloud Times reports:
Michael Jamnick learned it can be tricky to transfer colleges, even for students going from one Minnesota school to another.
Students like Jamnick, who goes to St. Cloud State University, would find it easier to transfer within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system under a proposal from state Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud.
Clark's bill would require MnSCU officials to draft a five-year plan to simplify the transfer of course credits between MnSCU schools, and to make students more aware of which credits can be transferred.
A state Senate committee gave the bill a favorable reception Tuesday, though its path forward in the House is not yet clear.
A report last month by Minnesota's Legislative Auditor said "more work is needed" to create a "seamless" process for credit transfers within MnSCU.
Star Tribune: Clark leads bill to honor Combat Wounded Vets
State Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, is sponsoring legislation that would allow active-duty members of the military who have been wounded to display "Combat Wounded Vet" license plates. The measure passed the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday and is being referred to the Senate floor.
Under current law, the license plates are available only to combat-wounded veterans, but not to active-duty service members. "It's unjust that soldiers who have been wounded in action have to wait until they leave the military in order to qualify," said Clark in a statement. "We should honor their continued service to our country."
The license plate would be available to any active-duty Minnesota service member who has been awarded the Purple Heart. The bill is supported by the Minnesota National Guard, the Stearns County Veterans Service Office, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. The plates cost an additional $14, including a $10 special plate fee and an additional $4 filing fee.
State Rep, Larry Haws, DFL-St Cloud, is sponsoring the measure in the House.
Tarryl and Doug celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary
My Grandmother always told me, marry your best friend. Twenty-five years ago today, I did.
Doug and I first met back in high school. The first time we hung out, Doug thought it would be funny to toss me into a pond at the State Fair. We spent years having fun and spending time together and, though we were rarely able to find a song on the radio we both liked when driving in the car, we did find we were much more than just friends.
Twenty-five years ago today, we were married. 
As we were planning our wedding, our ongoing discussion was about how there had never been an official proposal.
As I was getting ready for the ceremony, putting on my mom's wedding dress, a rose and scroll was delivered to me.
The scroll was a certificate Doug had earned as an all-American steeplechaser at St. John's University. He had never filled it in. But on our wedding day, he had it delivered to me with a calligraphed message:
Will you marry me, Tarryl?
Bachmann Admits She's Done Nothing For Her 6th District Constituents
Calls herself ‘fairly new freshman' legislator who hasn't passed any ‘substantive bills'
In a rare interview with local media, published in the St. Cloud Times on Sunday, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06), calling herself a "fairly new freshman" -- after two terms and almost four years in Congress -- admits she's passed nothing of substance during her time in Congress.
Reporter Dave Aeikens asked the Congresswoman; "Tell me about three things, you're in your fourth year now, tell me about three bills or amendments that you've done in your time in Washington, that you've gotten passed, that are most beneficial to the people of the 6th Congressional District?"
Congresswoman Bachmann, in her own words:
"I am in the deep minority in Congress and a fairly new freshman, so I don't have substantive bills that I have been able to pass."
Pioneer Press: Clark, Fobbe urge pay for Minnesota National Guard's Red Bulls
State Sens. Tarryl Clark, of St. Cloud, and Lisa Fobbe, of Zimmerman, have introduced a resolution in the Minnesota Senate urging the Pentagon to issue overdue payments to members of the Minnesota Red Bull Infantry Division.
About 2,700 members of the 1st of the 34th Infantry Brigade have been owed $10 million since then-President George W. Bush extended their 2007 deployment in Iraq by four months.
"We have members of the Minnesota National Guard who had their tours of duty extended to nearly two years - longer than any other U.S. military unit," Fobbe said in a statement.
The legislative resolution doesn't have the force of law, but Clark explained that it would reinforce efforts in Washington to persuade the Pentagon to release the overtime payments. The state Senate is expected to take up the resolution on the floor today.
To see the story on Pioneer Press, click here.
Clark Says Bring an End to Bachmann Agenda to 'Wean Everybody Off' Social Security, Medicare
Clark joined by seniors, workers to say no to Bachmann's efforts to pull the plug on their retirements
State Senator Tarryl Clark, joined by Minnesotans who have spent a lifetime paying into Social Security and Medicare, today launched a grassroots effort to stop the Bachmann agenda to end Social Security and Medicare.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, speaking to the conservative Constitutional Coalition's annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri this weekend, called for an end to Medicare and Social Security, saying we must "wean everybody off."
"What Congresswoman Bachmann is talking about, plain and simple, is bringing an end to Social Security and Medicare," says Clark. "Michele Bachmann has decided to yank the proverbial retirement rug out from under her constituents - just when it's needed the most."
Tarryl on KSTP's At Issue
Senator Tarryl Clark sits down with Tom Hauser on KSTP to discuss the 6th District congressional race. Watch the video to see Clark talk about the work she is doing for Minnesotans while Rep. Michele Bachmann is off pursuing her own personal agenda.
City Pages: Bachmann hypocrisy on monster AIG bonuses
By Hart Van Denburg
Wed., Feb. 3 2010 @ 4:57PM
Those poor AIG executives. So bailed out under Bush by taxpayers. So persecuted. Yet somehow, so much richer today: The company's going to slather them with $100 million in bonuses.
Last March, the Obama administration, and most members of Congress, expressed outrage that a similar package was paid out to the insurance monolith's executives because of contractual obligations. In frustration, Congress approved a tax on the bonuses.
Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee wasted no time in reminding Minnesota voters that Rep. Michele Bachmann -- a member of the House Financial Services Committee -- complained about those bailouts, yet voted against punishing AIG's for its tone-deafness.
Clark works while Bachmann grabs limelight
[Letter to the Editor, Stillwater Gazette, 1/27/10]
So, Sarah Palin is coming to help fellow rightwing extremist Michele Bachmann.
Once again, Bachmann is excited about being the poster child of the ultra-conservatives. Too bad she has never been excited about doing the job the voters of the 6th District elected her to do.
While Bachman is busy getting her smiling face in the headlines, DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark has been getting down to business. Two examples: she has worked to get financial help for those seeking an education. She has co-chaired The Warrior to Citizen campaign, helping veterans and their families. This is why I will be supporting Tarryl Clark at the upcoming precinct caucuses.
Bill Cutler,
Stillwater
