Al Franken's Blog, page 40

NEW AD: Bermuda? Ireland? China? Mike McFadden is not for us.

NEW AD: Bermuda? Ireland? China? Mike McFadden is not for us.
McFadden supports tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas to places like China

ST. PAUL [10/8/14] — Today, the Franken campaign released a new TV ad that shines a light on how investment banker Mike McFadden and his company have profited by exploiting tax loopholes.

The new ad accompanied the launch of a new website — McFaddenIsNotForYou.com — where Minnesotans can find out something new about Mike McFadden every day before Election Day. There’s a lot Minnesotans still don’t know about Mike McFadden, so stay tuned.

The 30-second statewide ad, titled “Postcards,” asks Minnesotans, “Where do you go to avoid paying taxes?” and shows a series of postcards from Bermuda, Ireland and China, while highlighting Mike McFadden’s business dealings and out of touch policy positions.

First, Minnesotans learned that Mike McFadden’s company benefits from a tax loophole to avoid paying millions in U.S. taxes. Then, Minnesotans learned McFadden’s company made $11 million on a merger that moved an American company offshore to Ireland to avoid paying U.S. taxes. Now, Minnesotans are learning that McFadden supports tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas to places like China. The ad concludes: “No matter where you go, Mike McFadden is not for us.”

“Investment banker Mike McFadden’s support for tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas to places like China proves he will always put profits over people,”said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson. “He’s just not for us.”

Sen. Al Franken has voted time and again to try and eliminate these tax loopholes that reward companies for shipping jobs overseas.

Documentation of the ad can be found here.

TRANSCRIPT:

AL FRANKEN: I’m Al Franken, and I approved this message.

ANNOUNCER: Where do you go to avoid paying taxes? How about Bermuda? That’s where Mike McFadden’s company benefits from a tax loophole to avoid paying American taxes. Then there’s Ireland. McFadden’s company made $11 million on a deal to help a company avoid U.S. taxes by moving there. China? McFadden supports tax breaks for companies that move our jobs overseas. No matter where you go, Mike McFadden is not for us.

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“He’s looking out for Minnesota students AND teachers”

Sally King, Digital Intern

Katie L., a recent college graduate and elementary school teacher, continues to support Sen. Al Franken for all of the work that he has done to help students and teachers.

“In my family, college was discussed as a necessity rather than an option. With four children, my parents said that while they would work hard to contribute as much as possible, student loans were going to be the reality.”

Katie knew she wanted to be a teacher, and took out loans for both her undergraduate and graduate programs. Even with her Master’s degree and the small boost in salary as a second-year teacher, she will still be paying off her student loans for at least fifteen years.

“Going into college, I had no concept of money. I had a job and my parents told me to save, but part of the ‘college experience’ for me was figuring out how to support myself and get by with little to no income. Of course, I was lucky enough to have parents who I could fall back on if needed, but many students don’t have that option.”

As part of Senator Franken’s hard work to help address student loan debt, he introduced a bill that would allow students to refinance their public and private loans at current lower rates. Over 500,000 Minnesotans could benefit from lower interest rates.

“Sen. Franken’s support for education means so much to me. Not only are his views important for myself as a college graduate in debt, but also as an educator.”

Katie also believes that Al Franken’s work on early childhood education, strengthening partnerships between manufacturers and community colleges and rethinking the way we approach standardized testing is necessary if we want to continue to cater to the rapidly evolving needs of the 21st century.

 “My students need someone who is fighting for their future — not someone who is on the side of special interests. I believe Sen. Franken is that advocate.”

 Join Katie in her support of Al – visit vote.alfranken.com today.

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Did you see: “In first term, Franken makes tech his niche”

Sara Cederberg, Digital Director

The Associated Press took a look at Al’s hard work in the Senate, particularly his record of standing up for consumers on issues like net neutrality and privacy.

“Patting his notes for emphasis, Sen. Al Franken made an impassioned case: The Internet needs to be free for all, he said, not customized so that big corporations can optimize it.

“We’re talking about whether the Internet should remain an open platform where everyone can participate equally,” Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, said during a Senate hearing last month. “Or whether we hand the Internet over to those who can pay the most for it.”

Franken arrived in Washington known better for his past as a comedian and Saturday Night Live performer than for his politics. The senator who’s emerged is something else altogether: a techie.

Franken has steeped himself in debates like net neutrality, the idea that Internet service providers should treat all Internet traffic equally rather than moving some content faster than others. He has also led Senate hearings on so-called stalker apps, questioned big technology companies like Google, Apple and Samsung on their use of fingerprint and facial recognition technologies and loudly opposed big mergers like one that would link AT&T and DirectTV.”

Read the full article >> 

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Team Franken lawn signs are here!

Aidan Reed, Political Organizer

Big news: Team Franken lawn signs are here!

Lawn signs are a great way to tell your neighbors and friends that you’re standing with Al. Check out our interactive map below to find a pick-up location near you.

When you stop in, we hope you’ll sign up to volunteer, too. See you soon!

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Powerful New Ad Highlights Franken’s Work To Help Survivors Of Sexual Assault

Powerful New Ad Highlights Franken’s Work To Help Survivors Of Sexual Assault
Women’s advocate explains Franken’s successful fight on behalf of survivors of sexual assault

ST. PAUL [10/02/14]— Before the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013, many survivors of sexual assault had to pay for their own rape kits. It was Sen. Al Franken who successfully included a provision in the bill to end this shameful practice.

This is the story depicted by Marcia Avner, a women’s advocate, in the new 30-second statewide ad released today by the Franken campaign called “Common Decency.”

“If you’re the victim of sexual assault, it’s very difficult to go to the police. Women often have to endure four to six hours of evidence being collected from their bodies. That’s commonly called a rape kit,” Avner explains in the ad.

Until recently, in many cases survivors of sexual assault actually had to pay for their own rape kits up front, and then endure the unnecessary humiliation of seeking reimbursement. After hearing from advocates and survivors of sexual assault, Sen. Franken authored and passed a provision in the Violence Against Women Act that got this shameful law changed to ensure that sexual assault survivors no longer have to suffer the indignity of having to pay for their own rape kits.

“It was Senator Al Franken who got this practice outlawed. He understood this was a matter of common sense and common decency,” Avner says.

Documentation of the ad can be found here.

TRANSCRIPT:

MARCIA AVNER: If you’re the victim of sexual assault, it’s very difficult to go to the police. Women often have to endure four to six hours of evidence being collected from their bodies. That’s commonly called a rape kit. What’s not commonly known is that until last year, many victims had to pay for their own rape kits. It was Senator Al Franken who got this practice outlawed. He understood this was a matter of common sense and common decency.

AL FRANKEN: I’m Al Franken. I approve this message.

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RELEASE: Mike McFadden Still Playing Politics, Opposes Largest ACA Cost Saving Measure

Mike McFadden Still Playing Politics, Opposes Largest ACA Cost Saving Measure

The investment banker’s health plan would take Minnesotans back to square one

ST. PAUL [10/2/14]—Today, the Franken campaign released the following statement on investment banker Mike McFadden’s press conference where he will continue to show Minnesotans he is more concerned with playing politics than actually solving problems.

Statement from Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson:

“Investment banker Mike McFadden is once again playing politics rather than trying to solve problems. Not only would McFadden’s health ‘plan’ take us back to square one when insurance companies had free reign over consumers, but he opposes one of the largest cost-saving features in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance companies to actually spend money on health care and not marketing, profits or CEO salaries. McFadden also wants to let insurance companies sell plans across state lines, which would undercut Minnesota’s strong consumer protections and create a race to the bottom in terms of quality health care.”

McFadden would do away with the Medical Loss Ratio or 80/20 rule, one of the largest cost saving features in the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Franken’s measure requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on actual health care instead of on things like marketing, administrative costs, profits or CEO salaries. If they don’t meet that requirement they have to pay consumers a rebate. Consumers have already benefited from nearly $2 billion in rebate checks.

McFadden’s health care hypocrisy runs so deep that he doesn’t even provide health insurance to his own employees, many of them likely taking advantage of the marketplace set up by the Affordable Care Act, which McFadden would eliminate.

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FACT: SELLING INSURANCE PLANS ACROSS STATE LINES WOULD CREATE A RACE TO THE BOTTOM THAT WOULD INCREASE COSTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED GOOD COVERAGE THE MOST

HEADLINE: “Selling Insurance Across State Lines: A Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Health-Care Idea.” [Washington Post, 2/17/10]

CBO Said Legislation Allowing Insurance To Be Sold Across State Lines Would Not Mean More People With Insurance And Would Increase Costs For The Sick. According to the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, “As it happens, the Congressional Budget Office looked at a bill along these lines back in 2005. They found that the legislation wouldn’t change the number of the uninsured and would save the federal government about $12 billion between 2007 and 2015. That is to say, it would do very little in the aggregate. But those top-line numbers hid a more depressing story.” According to CBO, the legislation allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines would end up “increasing the price of coverage for those expected to have relatively high health care costs.” [Washington Post, 2/17/10]

MEANWHILE, MIKE MCFADDEN WOULD UNDO ONE OF THE LARGEST COST-SAVING FEATURES IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. According to MinnPost, “Because he is running against Franken, I asked him about the Obamacare provision widely credited to Franken, the so-called ‘medical loss ratio,’ which requires health insurers to spend at least 80-85 percent of what they collect in premiums on actual health services for their customers, as opposed to administrative costs, profits, marketing or CEO salaries. Companies that violate the provision are required to send rebates to their customers. McFadden said that provision, which he considers ‘price controls,’ would not be left standing if he has his way.” [MinnPost, 6/26/14]

CNBC: “Obamacare’s $3 Billion Windfall To Insurance Customers.” According to CNBC, “Consumers have gained more than $3.25 billion in benefits over two years from a Obamacare rule that financially compels insurers to keep a tight rein on overhead costs relative to the medical claims they pay out, a new report says. The Commonwealth Fund report issued Tuesday found that even as insurers paid out less in consumer rebates for violating so-called medical loss ratio rule in the second year of the program, they ramped up slashing of administrative and sales costs, without increasing their profit margins. As a result, consumers paid less than they might have otherwise shelled out for insurance, or received more in medical claims than they would have, the analysis found.” [CNBC,5/13/14]

McFadden Campaign Does Not Provide Health Insurance For Its Campaign Staffers.  In June 2014, City Pages reported, “A DFL source got in touch to point out the uncomfortable fit between McFadden’s comments and the fact that he doesn’t provide health insurance to his own campaign staffers.” [City Pages, 6/12/14]

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RECAP: Al Franken debates Mike McFadden in Duluth

Sara Cederberg, Digital Director

This morning in Duluth, Al squared off with investment banker Mike McFadden in the second debate of this cycle on a number of issues, including health care, foreign policy and the economy. And Minnesotans were quick to identify the contrasts between the two candidates. Scroll down to see what people had to say.

[View the story "Duluth debate reveals the choice in this election" on Storify]

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RELEASE: Northern Minnesota Leaders Praise Franken’s Hard Work

Northern Minnesota Leaders Praise Franken’s Hard Work

Criticize McFadden for playing politics with issues

DULUTH [10/1/14] – Today, Sen. Franken had his second debate with investment banker Mike McFadden at a forum hosted by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune.

Following the debate, local elected officials and community leaders praised Sen. Franken for the hard work he has done for Minnesota and the work he wants to accomplish for all Minnesotans if elected to a second term. They also called out McFadden for playing politics with the issues that matter to Minnesotans.

“Today, Sen. Franken talked about the hard work he’s done in the Senate to help Minnesotans do better, like with his bipartisan workforce training bill to get people the training they need help fill open jobs,” said Duluth City Councilor Jen Julsrud.

“In today’s debate, Sen. Franken made it clear that he’s rolled up his sleeves and fought hard for the interests of Northeastern workers and families,” said Iron Range Labor Assembly President Tom Cvar. “All McFadden showed was his interest in putting profits over people, like his support for Chinese steel.”

“Fighting to raise the minimum wage so no full-time workers live in poverty is just one example of Sen. Franken’s common-sense approach to helping families in the Northland,”said Hibbing Mayor Rick Cannata. “The fact that Mike McFadden is opposed to raising the federal minimum wage just shows he won’t stand up for working families.”

“For Sen. Franken, supporting Minnesota mining and steel jobs has always been a no-brainer, and he reiterated that in today’s debate,” said USW 1938 President Jon Malek.“Mike McFadden would build the Keystone pipeline out of Chinese steel if it were cheaper than American steel. Today, he made it clear that he’s just not for folks like us.”

“Today’s debate really highlighted the contrast between Sen. Franken and Mike McFadden on higher education,” said Duluth City Councilor Emily Larson. “Sen. Franken has introduced a bill to allow students to refinance their loans, while McFadden would rather play politics. The current system prices education for my sons, and thousands of other aspiring young people, out of financial reality. Franken is willing to work hard for Minnesota students and families, and he has my vote.”

“Sen. Franken made it plain as day just how hard he’s worked for Minnesotans in today’s debate, fighting for reforms to our education system that give all children a chance to succeed,” said State Senator Tony Lourey. “And I’m looking forward to working just as hard to send him back to the Senate this fall.”

 

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DEBATE: McFadden Can’t Make Up His Mind On Gas Tax

Sen. Franken understands that we need to make sure the Highway Trust fund is solvent. Unlike Mike McFadden, who told reporters at a campaign stop he’d be willing to support a potential gas tax increase, but “after conferring with an aide” he reversed his position minutes later, and eventually admitted he had no idea “what the right answer is.”

FACT: FRANKEN UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND IS SOLVENT

Franken: “We Can’t Let The Highway Trust Fund Go Broke.” According to KARE, “KARE 11 caught up with Senator Al Franken as he toured flood damage and asked about the transportation funding. ‘We can’t “not” do something, we can’t let the Highway Trust Fund go broke,’ said Sen. Franken.” [KARE, 7/3/13]

MEANWHILE, MIKE MCFADDEN CAN’T SEEM TO MAKE UP HIS MIND ON HOW TO FIX THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND PROBLEM

Star Tribune: “Mike McFadden Backpedals Over Gas Tax Increase.” According to the Star Tribune, “But the visit to the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce also produced a stumble that had McFadden quickly backpedaling on whether he would support a higher federal gasoline tax to replenish the nearly depleted U.S. Department of Transportation Highway Trust Fund. Under questioning from a local reporter, McFadden initially said he would support a higher gasoline tax if revenues were cut elsewhere, so that the total amount of taxes from all sources would not rise. ‘Yeah, as long as it was revenue-neutral so that in the aggregate there’s not a tax increase to the American public,’ McFadden said in response to the question. He took another question on a different topic and left with a pair of campaign staffers. Seconds later he reappeared and addressed reporters again. ‘I just want to reiterate that I will not support raising the gas tax,’ McFadden said. A reporter then said, ‘I’m sorry, I thought you said you would as long as there was a corresponding decrease …’ ‘No, I won’t,’ McFadden interjected. The reporter then said, ‘No support? So how would you …’” [Star Tribune, 8/13/14]

Bottom Line: When it comes to our infrastructure problem, Minnesotans can’t trust Mike McFadden to shoot straight. 

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DEBATE: McFadden’s Record Of Ducking National Security Issues

Investment banker Mike McFadden has a record of ducking national security issues. Not only did McFadden hide from reporters one year ago and refuse to respond to multiple requests for a comment on military action against Syria, but he also literally fled from a voter when asked a question about the Patriot Act.

FACT: MIKE MCFADDEN HAS A RECORD OF DUCKING NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES; AVOIDED QUESTIONS ABOUT SYRIA A YEAR AGO AND LITERALLY FLED FROM A VOTER WHO ASKED HIM ABOUT THE PATRIOT ACT

McFadden Did Not Respond To Multiple Calls From MPR To Give His Position On Syria. In September 2013, Minnesota Public Radio reported: “The fourth announced Republican candidate, Mike McFadden, didn’t respond to two telephone requests seeking comment about his position on military action against Syria.” [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/10/13]

McFadden Did Not Give His Position On Syria To Huffington Post. In September 2013, Huffington Post reported: “The Senate candidates’ positions are below, broken down by state… Mike McFadden (R) — NO RESPONSE.” [Huffington Post, 9/6/13]

McFadden Left A Caucus When He Was Asked About The Patriot Act, Refused To Give His Position On It To A Reporter Who Followed Him Out. In February 2014, Minnesota Public Radio reported: “Mike McFadden walked into caucus meetings a few weeks ago in Apple Valley wanting to talk federal budget and the Affordable Care Act. Then came a question about his view on the Patriot Act and its power to hold people indefinitely without being charged. The GOP candidate for Senate left the room without answering, telling caucus-goers, ‘I’ve got to run to another meeting.’ Pressed by a reporter in the hallway, he offered an answer that had nothing to do with the Patriot Act. ‘Once again, my focus is on the economy, education and health care.’” [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/20/14]

Minnesota Voter: “He Ducked. He Literally Put His Head Down And Walked Out Of The Room And Said I’ve Got To Go.” “McFadden’s initial response to the Patriot Act question at the caucus in Apple Valley still frustrates 62-year-old Larry Billson, the guy who asked the question. ‘He ducked. He literally put his head down and walked out of the room and said I’ve got to go,’ Billson recalled.” [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/20/14]

Bottom Line: Investment banker Mike McFadden never misses an opportunity to play politics with national security.

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