Brian Gruber
for House District 60A
Careers. Sound Economics. Civil Liberties.
The people of Minneapolis come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us spend our weekends enjoying the beautiful chain of lakes, while others prefer to hit the town. Many of us enjoy the convenience of living downtown, while others prefer the quiet neighborhoods surrounding our lakes and parks. Our lives are as different as our communities. Some of us enjoy comfortable careers, while others wait tables or stock shelves to make ends meet. We are a community of families, as well as a community of individuals. Regardless of the differences in our lives, there are a few things upon which we all can agree:
1. The personal and private lives of all people should be free from unnecessary government interference.
2. The most effective way to create long term careers for Minnesotans is to attract and retain quality employers.
3. Our budget should determine our spending. Our spending should never determine our budget.
These are the principles for which I stand. In the house, I will be your strongest advocate for returning decision-making power to your hands. I will be the best friend of those who are currently looking for work. I will work together with all reasonable representatives to pass a budget which preserves funding at all times for the things we need, and allows - when possible - for the things that we want.
I understand that the role of a representative is to be your voice in the government. As your representative, I will seek input from those in the community. I will make myself available to all those who wish to be heard. You have good ideas, I want to hear them. Send me to St. Paul, and you will have elected the most responsive representative you have ever had.
District 60A Map
Brian's Story
Brian Gruber is a local attorney and entrepreneur seeking your support in the race to represent the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Minneapolis in the Minnesota House.
We do realize that he entered this race as an overwhelming underdog. His opponent has been helping politicians get elected since before Brian was old enough to vote. Prior to January, Brian had never even entertained the thought of throwing his hat in the ring for public office.
Before becoming a candidate for the House, he was many other things: a paperboy, a software engineer, a Peace Corps Volunteer, an executive search consultant, a husband, attorney, entrepreneur, and overnight truck-unloader and shelf-stocker. From each of these roles Brian has learned lessons that help him relate to a wide variety of people. He understands the challenges of starting and running a small business. He understands the stress of unemployment and under employment. He understands the issues facing employees the working-class. He understands the concerns of those who are concerned with maintaining their current quality of life. Brian understands each of these groups because at one time or another he has been a member of each of these groups. Although Brian is a new entry into the political scene, looking back at his history shows that his experiences have formed him into exactly the type of person we want representing the people of our district.
Brian grew up just across the Red River in West Fargo, North Dakota. He learned the lessons of hard work and accountability at an early age. While he was in 5th grade, Brian began his first job. For the next seven years, he woke up before dawn every day to deliver the newspaper. He used the proceeds from his paper route to buy a fancy car with racing stripes and a really big engine. This extravagant purchase depleted the fruits of years of hard work, teaching Brian a key lesson in financial responsibility.
Brian began his career in the software industry, working on the development of a financial reporting software package for a large software company. Brian's career as a computer guy was short lived. A sense of adventure & service led him to join the United States Peace Corps. Brian went from the comfort of a burgeoning middle-class career to the daily adventure of living in a tin shack in a tiny village on a tiny island in the middle of a very large ocean. While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga, Brian worked with local village community groups to develop self sustaining businesses. This time in the Peace Corps had a profound effect on Brian. Living as an newcomer in the tight-knit village, Brian quickly learned that although he originally came to help the people of his village, it was he who relied upon the help of his new neighbors. In order to get things done in the village, Brian had to bring the people of the community together to decide for themselves what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, and what was important to them. Brian was not a leader, but a servant and helper. This lesson will help him to be a successful representative of the people. While Brian has firmly-held beliefs, he also understands that the prime role of a representative is to serve the people of the community. Brian will be accessible and responsive to the people of his district.
Following Brian's time in the Peace Corps, he moved to Japan. He lived and worked in Tokyo where he helped American and European companies attract and hire Japanese executives. In this role, Brian sat across the conference table from the leadership of multi-national corporations, negotiating deals to get things done. Living in Tokyo taught Brian the value of efficient public transportation and the benefits to society when a high priority is placed on education and technology.
Brian moved to Minnesota after receiving a full scholarship to attend the University of St. Thomas School of Law in downtown Minneapolis. He now lives in the Loring Park neighborhood with his wife Junko and their two cats, Pancho and Mucho. Brian is all too familiar with the difficulties caused by Minnesota's slumping economy. After passing the Minnesota Bar Exam and receiving his license to practice law in the state, Brian began building a small law firm. While attempting to get the business off the ground, he made ends meet by working nights at the downtown Target store, where he unloaded boxes and stocked shelves. One of Brian's main priorities in the legislature will be creating an environment which encourages employers to hire educated people in Minnesota.
Living among the regular folks of three vastly different cultures has shaped a rather unique insight into the human experience. Brian has seen that the vast majority of people are quite similar; we all wish to make our own decisions about our personal lives, we all try to do the best we can with what we have, and we all have the ability to achieve success if given a chance.
These principles will shape his actions in the legislature. Brian will protect individual liberties. Brian will champion fiscal responsibility. Brian will work to create an environment where the people of Minnesota all have a realistic opportunity to succeed in their chosen field.
The Issues
The Budget
Careers
Your Rights
Legislative Priorities
Minnesota Greatness
We Want to Hear From You
Share general comments, concerns, or ideas by using the form below.
Specific inquiries will be addressed somewhat quicker if directed to one of the following email addresses:
allison_briangruber.org
seth_briangruber.org
robb_briangruber.org
brian_briangruber.org
The primary task of the Minnesota State House is to develop a balanced and sustainable budget. In recent years, the House has failed in this task. My number one priority while in the house will be working to create a budget which limits spending to a sustainable level while maintaining essential programs. In recent legislative sessions, the budget was created by compiling a list of programs we wanted to fund, then either raising taxes or borrowing money in order to 'balance' the budget. I believe that our budget should determine our spending; our spending should never determine our budget.
In February of this year, House Taxes committee chair Ann Lenczewski introduced a proposal which would have solved the 1.2 billion dollar deficit without raising taxes. We know it can be done. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher dismissed the proposal stating "Thats an individual bill of hers, not a caucus bill in any way, shape or form." The budget mess will only be solved when representatives are elected who will stand up to the House leaders. I will not be a timid and shy freshman representative. I will take on the irresponsible, free-spending leadership to ensure we have a budget that funds worthwhile programs at a sustainable level without increasing our debt or driving up the tax burden on Minnesotans.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the February 2010 Minnesota Unemployment rate at 7.3%. Estimates including the underemployed and 'discouraged workers' who have quit seeking employment are as high as 14.2%. While the numbers are better than the national average, they do show that we have fallen well behind most of our neighbors. The Dakotas and Iowa rank 1st, 2nd, and 6th nationally in unemployment figures, while Minnesota lags behind in 13th. We need to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses. We need to attract employers who will provide jobs for workers in all fields.
• I support reforming the state personal and corporate income tax codes to provide incentives
to create careers for Minnesotans.
• I support the recently passed tax credits for 'angel investors' and improved R & D tax credits.
I will fight to keep these incentives in our tax code.
• Regulation of local businesses must be as unobtrusive and efficient as possible.
You are in the best position to make informed decisions about your personal and private lives. Lately there has been a trend towards increased government involvement in many aspects of your every day lives - this needs to stop. I will be a staunch supporter of individual liberties for all people, free from unnecessary government interference. As your representative I will fight against any proposed legislation which erodes your constitutionally guaranteed rights.
• Marriage - I fully support same-sex marriage rights.
• Property Rights - Security of property rights is one of the pillars of any ordered society. I
will fight to protect your right to the use and enjoyment of your property.
• Privacy - The more personal and private a matter, the less the government should be
involved.
• Sensible reform of drug laws - Patients should be free to benefit from doctor prescribed
medication without fear of criminal prosecution.
The main function of the House of Representatives is preparation of the state's budget. Over the course of the session other issues do arise - some worthwhile, some which are better addressed outside of the legislative body.
Since the beginning of 2009, the legislature has spent considerable time contemplating such hard-hitting statewide issues as:
• Requiring unprocessed cocoa bean shell mulch retail sellers to post visible notice of
the level of toxicity to pets.
• Modifying payments to agricultural producers whose livestock were killed by a gray
wolf or so crippled by a gray wolf that the animal had to be destroyed
• Requiring licensure of wine educators (HF3002)
• Requiring schools to use certified mail to notify parents of student suspensions
(HF2711)
• Requiring public school students to complete service learning hours as a
condition of graduating from high school.(HF0065)
• Requiring dog owners to take responsible dog owner classes and pass certain
tests. (HF0115)
My time in the legislature will be devoted to creating a sustainable budget, creating career opportunities for Minnesotans involved in all professions, and protecting your civil rights.
While I will focus my energies on budget, jobs, and individual liberties, there are a number of principles which will guide my votes on other important issues to preserve the greatness of Minnesota and our quality of life.
• Public Transportation - Increased development of commuter rail lines will continue to be
an important issue in Minneapolis. I support the installation of energy efficient and
financially sound public transport. I will seek input from Minneapolis residents on all
issues involving construction of rail lines in their neighborhoods.
• Technology - Technology drives business. I will support initiatives to improve
Minnesota's technological infrastructure, including investigating the possibility of state-
wide broad band and promoting funding of scientific research in Minnesota Universities.
• Environment - Regardless of where you stand on the climate change / global warming
issue, I think we can all agree that our environment is important. Minnesota's beautiful
environment is a driving factor of our tourism industry and a point of personal pride for
many Minnesotans. I will support legislation which protects our lakes, forests, animals,
and air.
• Education - Education of our students must be excellent, affordable, and accurate.
When contemplating issues regarding the education of our children, I will listen to those
most involved - teachers, parents, and students.
Make A Difference
You can help shape the future of Minnesota. Voting for Brian Gruber helps; spreading Brian's message of careers, fiscal sustainability, and liberty will help even more. A contribution to the Campaing Committee for Brian Gruber will help our message spread through the community If you have more time than money, there are many ways you can help us reach your friends and neighbors.
I'd like to make a donation.
Great! Click on the button below to donate using Paypal or your debit/credit card. Checks can be made payable to Campaign Fund of Brian Gruber and mailed to:
Campaign Committee for Brian Gruber
2644 Idaho Ave. S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
I would like to volunteer.
There will be many opportunities to help the Brian Gruber for House campaign team. We will need people to knock on doors, make calls to Get Out The Vote, and show their support at community events. Right now, we are looking for people to host events where Brian can meet your friends and neighbors.
For more information on how you can help, please send a message to our campaign manager - robb_briangruber.org
Paid for and provided by Campaign Committee for Brian Gruber
2644 Idaho Ave. S. St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Treasurer: Seth Doorn
