It is Tuesday! You know what means, yes it is Hatch's flip-flop of the week!!!
This week it is Hatch's flip-flop on Government funded mailing's
Here is the text of the MNGOP's release:
Flip-Flop of the Week Volume 1, Issue 30Mike Hatch Flip-Flops on Government-Funded MailingsIn 1984, Hatch Violated State Law And Had To Reimburse The State For Mailings. “Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Michael Hatch said Thursday that his agency is destroying about 2,000 official brochures that include Hatch’s picture and a personal message, in violation of state law. Hatch said he personally would pay the $400 to $500 cost of the brochures, which describe how the department has changed since its reorganization was authorized by the 1983 legislature and Gov. Rudy Perpich.” (Associated Press, “Agency Kills Booklet With Chief’s Picture, Message,” Minneapolis Star and Tribune, February 2, 1984)
1987: Hatch Distributed Booklet With Consumer Advice “That May Also Advance His Political Career.” “Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Michael Hatch is distributing a new booklet of consumer advice that may also advance his political career. Hatch, a former state DFL party chairman, who hopes to run for governor in 1990, said Tuesday the booklet simply provides good consumer information about money management. He said any political benefits are secondary.” (Bill Salisbury, “Hatch Guide Funded By Trade Group Irks IRs,” St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, August 19, 1987)
1989: Hatch Accused By Fellow DFLers Of Using Underhanded Tactics To Scuttle Health Insurance Bill. “[John] Brandl and House Insurance Committee Chairman Wes Skoglund also accused Hatch of political motives and underhanded tactics in opposing a health insurance bill they sponsored in 1989. … Brandl and Skoglund objected in particular that Hatch improperly obtained lists of policyholders in the state pool and sent out letters to ‘vulnerable’ people that misrepresented the provisions of the legislation and asked them to call their legislators. Hatch, positioning himself to run for governor as the consumers’ champion, persuaded Perpich to veto that legislation, said the two Minneapolis DFLers. It subsequently was passed this year in much the same form, they said.” (Betty Wilson, “Hatch Built Image As Consumer’s Friend,” Star Tribune, August 26, 1990)
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1994: Hatch Criticized Arne Carlson Over Series Of Mailings Sent From Governor’s Office. “Brochures and letters mailed by Gov. Arne Carlson to push for legislative initiatives represent a misuse of gubernatorial power and public money, a DFL adversary says. Former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch also says the letters are ‘an obvious political mailing’ in an election year.” (“Hatch Criticizes Carlson Mailings As Power Misuse,” Hibbing Tribune, May 1, 1994)