News
Clark Issues Wake Up Call to Stop Unfair Insurance Practice Against Veterans
State Senator Tarryl Clark today called on Congress to issue a wake up call to big insurers who are holding onto billions of dollars in death benefits, including payments owed to military families who have lost loved ones in combat.
A recent article in "Bloomberg Markets" magazine exposed a multi-billion dollar insurance scheme being used by many big insurance companies. In the scheme, the insurer contacts a bereaved family and offers to hold the life insurance payment for a deceased loved one in a mutual fund or money market account. The accounts typically pay the beneficiary .5 percent interest, though the insurance company makes much more than that reinvesting the money.
To add insult to injury, these accounts are not FDIC insured, provide lower interest than similar FDIC-insured accounts, and are difficult for beneficiaries to access. Though the families are typically given checkbooks to use with the accounts, the checks are not accepted by businesses.
Clark Calls on BP to Fund the Fund and Forgo $10 Billion Tax Giveaway
Responsibility means paying your bill and not passing the buck
Tarryl Clark today called on British Petroleum to immediately deposit money into the $20 billion Victims' Relief Fund and forgo a $10 billion tax break.
Thus far, BP has not deposited any of the $20 billion it pledged to victims' relief into the fund. As a result, the fund cannot compensate victims. Kenneth Feinberg, who oversees the relief fund, said Friday, "I can't write checks to victims because they will bounce."
Additionally, it was revealed yesterday that BP will write off losses from the Gulf oil disaster and qualify for nearly $10 billion in tax breaks.
"BP has an obligation to clean up its own mess. The Gulf Oil Spill has destroyed lives and livelihoods," Clark said. "There is no excuse for victims of this spill to go a single day without compensation. Tomorrow marks 100 days from the Deepwater Horizon explosion. It is time to get the fund they have agreed to set up."
Minnesota police officers group endorses Tarryl Clark
MinnPost reports [7/26/10]:
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said this morning that it is endorsing Tarryl Clark in the 6th District Congressional race.
Clark, a state senator,is challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in what will be a wild and free-spending campaign.
The MPPOA release said the group represents 8,500 police officers throughout the state:
"[Clark] is dedicated to working with and advocating for Minnesota's law enforcement officers in Congress, just as she has in the state Senate," Executive Director Dennis Flaherty said.
The group says over the years it has endorsed candidates from all parties and sometimes doesn't endorse anyone. Both Clark and Bachmann were screened for this endorsement.
Clark's brother-in-law is a veteran Arizona police officer with SWAT experience, the release said.
Clark Rallies Support In 6th District, Bachmann Rallies In New York
Campaign shows grassroots strength by knocking on nearly 4,000 doors in 1 day
Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District today announced that it knocked on the doors of nearly 4,000 voters Saturday, showcasing the energy and enthusiasm surrounding Clark's candidacy. Meanwhile Congresswoman Michele Bachmann rallied Tea Party members over a thousand miles away in Long Island, New York.
Over 100 volunteers participated in the 14 simultaneous door-to-door canvasses in Blaine, Andover, Woodbury, Stillwater, Buffalo, Becker, Big Lake and St. Cloud. Surrogates to help launch the events included RT Rybak, Rep. Paul Thissen, and area legislators.
"The energy surrounding Tarryl and her campaign is something I've never seen before in this area," said Bill Usher, Chair of the 6th District DFL. "People are excited at the thought of having a representative who is going to work for and care about the people of the District. They are excited about Tarryl Clark."
MinnPost says that Clark got it right on Michele Bachmann and BP
The MinnPost reports [7/12]:
Now Michele Bachmann is claiming that her opponent for her seat, Tarryl Clark, is "brazenly and blatantly" lying about her, according to Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent. "I have never once said that BP is not liable or that they shouldn't be 100 percent of what they owe or that the taxpayers should pay a dime," Bachmann complains.
And of course she didn't. What she said was this: "They shouldn't have to be fleeced and made chumps to have to pay for perpetual unemployment and all the rest - they've got to be legitimate claims. 'The other thing we have to remember is that Obama loves to make evil whatever company it is that he wants to get more power from. He makes them evil, and what we've got to ask ourselves is: Do we really want to be paying $9 for a gallon of gas? Because that could be the final result of this.' "
Unprecedented 24,000 Donors Propel Clark Past $2 Million Mark
Clark breaks own challenger record in 2nd quarter with $910,000 raised
Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress today announced that it surpassed $2 million in fundraising in its efforts to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, having raised just over $910,000 in the 2nd quarter of 2010.
Today's announcement marks another record-setting quarter for Clark's challenger campaign. To date, the campaign has raised over $2 million from an incredible 24,000 donors contributing an average of just $54. Clark's thousands of low-dollar donors create a grassroots army that can continue to support Clark all the way through November, on the ground and with their checkbooks.
Clark continues to set an unprecedented pace in the 6th District race - no previous Minnesota congressional challenger had even topped the million-dollar mark by this point in the campaign.
Clark shared the news with her supporters via video this morning. "We have built an unprecedented campaign together," Clark said in the video.
Clark Takes Campaign To The Internet: Makes First-Of-Its-Kind Online Media Buy
Supplements broadcast and cable ads with online ads holding Bachmann accountable for her defense of BP
Tarryl Clark's campaign announced today that it has launched a first-of-its-kind online advertising buy in the race for Congress in Minnesota, continuing its efforts to hold Congresswoman Michele Bachmann accountable for her defense of BP in the wake of the largest environmental disaster in our nation's history.
Two online ad campaigns - a 15-second video version of the television ad and a Flash ad -- are currently appearing on computer screens across the 6th District. The online version of the ad can be viewed here, and the flash ads can be viewed at http://tarrylclark.com/webads.
The online ads supplement Clark's television ad, now in its third week on broadcast and cable. The full 30-second television ad can be viewed here.
Bachmann votes against Main Street twice in one week
Once again, Bachmann votes against hard working constituents that cannot find a job
Twice this week, the House of Representatives voted on extending unemployment benefits. In both cases, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann voted against the extension of these benefits.
On Tuesday, the extension vote failed with Bachmann's assistance, placing unemployment benefits for 14,400 Minnesotans on the chopping block. However, despite Bachmann's no vote yesterday, the extension passed.
"At a time when Main Street is still waiting for the economic recovery, Congresswoman Bachmann had the opportunity to throw unemployed Minnesotans a lifeline," said State Senator Tarryl Clark, Bachmann's opponent in the 6th Congressional District. "Instead, Bachmann decided to cut this important lifeline once again."
Clark Increases, Then Smashes Online Fundraising Goals
Outpouring of thousands of low-dollar online donations demonstrates grassroots strength
State Senator Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District today announced that they shattered their online fundraising goals for the 2nd quarter of 2010. The initial goal of $125,000 raised online was surpassed a few weeks ago, and the increased goal of $175,000 shattered yesterday.
The campaign finished the quarter earning $189,720 from 3,812 online donors - an average donation of just $49 per person.
Online donors not only shattered the campaign's goals, but helped to air the first television ad of the Congressional race. Clark's donors were asked to be part of an online campaign to buy airtime - the ad is now in its second week of broadcast across the district.
"I am thankful for the tremendous outpouring of support that allowed us to raise, meet, and surpass our goals," said Clark. "It is clear that the people of the 6th district want a voice that speaks for them in Congress."
Statement From Tarryl Clark On Unemployment Benefits Vote
Once again, Bachmann votes against hard working constituents that cannot find a job
The U.S. House of Representatives' failed to extend unemployment benefits for nearly two million Americans today. 14,400 Minnesotans will run out of unemployment insurance on Friday, July 3 as a result of this decision. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann voted against extending these benefits, while 30 of her Republican colleagues voted in favor of the measure.
"At a time when Main Street is still waiting for the economic recovery, Congresswoman Bachmann had the opportunity to throw unemployed Minnesotans a lifeline today," said State Senator Tarryl Clark, Bachmann's opponent in the 6th Congressional District. "Instead, Bachmann decided to cut this important lifeline. Unemployment insurance not only helps thousands of Minnesotans who are willing to work but can't find a job; it provides a $1.63 return for every dollar spent. This is a good deal, both for the taxpayer and for hardworking Minnesotans - and Americans - who are unemployed through no fault of their own."
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