Jon Collins has a story in today’s Hibbing Daily Tribune and Mesabi Daily News about a bill by my friend Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township)* that would allow Sunday liquor in Minnesota with tax proceeds to be directed toward budget gaps in children’s social services.
In tough times, funding for at risk kids must be acquired more creatively. Interestingly, a county social services official and a represntative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving both passed on an opportunity to attack the bill in this story.
“This isn’t about the supply and demand of alcohol or the consumption of alcohol,” Anzelc said, “it’s about finding a way to get more money into social service programs for children.”
Anzelc is looking for a Senate sponsor. We’ll see if this goes anywhere.
* I must again disclose that I am Tom’s campaign chair and that this blog presents my perspective, not his or anyone else’s.
SIDE NOTE: This is for media types, but take a look at this story from a journalistic standpoint. Collins reported on the bill by talking to the sponsoring legislator. Then he talked to a county official from Anzelc’s district and a representative of an organization that monitors alcohol legislation, neither of whom likely sent him press releases. A balanced story that weighs multiple viewpoints! In a small, local daily! More of this, not less.
I just read the side note, Aaron, and want to remind you that you can lead the horse to water, however, eliciting comment from a Baptist minister somewhere up there would have been a coup!
Indeed, the story lacked the fire and brimstone that could have been invoked, but I figured I should spread some positive feedback for the effort he put in. 🙂