Koering "Skips-Out" on Critical Vote and
Then Tries to Deceive His Constituents

Brainerd, Minnesota (September 11, 2006).  Today Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage (MCDM) held a press conference to respond to claims made by Senator Paul Koering (R, Fort Ripley) that MCDM had lied about his voting record.  MCDM recently mailed a postcard to District 12 voters presenting Senator Koering’s record on the Minnesota marriage amendment and an amendment to the 2003 Omnibus K-12 Education Bill.  The postcard stated that Senator Koering “took a walk on a vote that would have prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in our schools.”  In a television interview with Lakeland News on Friday, September 9, Senator Koering tried to discredit the postcard by claiming MCDM had lied about his record.  During the interview, Senator Koering said, “I know that, for sure, one vote that I missed out on, I was at home at my mother’s beside when she was dying of cancer; so to say that I am intentionally skipping-out on votes is just an out-an-out lie.”

“We empathize with Senator Koering over the sickness and death of his mother”, said Jeff Davis, president of MCDM.  “But we cannot allow Senator Koering’s accusation to go unanswered.  Facts are stubborn things, Senator Koering.  Your constituents deserve to know the truth about your record and MCDM deserves an apology.”  Davis went on to present the following facts:

·         The date in question is May 2, 2003, the forty-eighth day of the 2003 legislative session.

·         According to the Minnesota Senate Journal for May 2, 2003, Senator Koering registered his attendance as present at the beginning of the day.

·         The Journal shows that the Omnibus K-12 Education Bill was presented on this day and that a “Call of the Senate” was made pertaining to this bill (page 1620).  A “Call of the Senate” is a legislative procedure requiring every Senator to remain in the Chamber and record by name, every single vote of amendments and final passage of the bill.

·         The Journal shows that Senator Koering was present and cast votes relating to the bill and its amendments (pages 1619 through page 1635).

·         Senator Warren Limmer (R, Maple Grove) offered an amendment saying “A school district must not authorize or permit the promotion of homosexuality or bisexuality or allow the teaching of homosexuality or bisexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.  This promotion or teaching is prohibited."

·         The Journal shows that a vote was taken and that the amendment failed.  The record shows that Senator Koering failed to vote on this amendment.

·         Immediately following Senator Limmer’s proposed amendment, the Education Bill was given its final reading and final vote.  The Journal shows that Senator Koering was present and voted on the bill.

“This is not about Senator Koering’s mother”, said Davis.  “This is about whether voters can trust Senator Koering.  Can they trust him to keep the homosexual agenda out of our schools?  Can they trust him to defend the definition of marriage?  Can they trust him to be truthful about his record?  We believe the record shows that Senator Koering cannot be trusted on these important issues.”