Posted: 7/6/06
Presidential hopeful Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana makes visit to Minnesota Capitol
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Presidential hopeful U.S. Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana appeared at the Capitol Thursday (July 6) in support of increased protections for deployed, active-duty soldiers facing financial hardship at home.
Democrat Bayh -- who will next visit Iowa after several appearances in Minnesota -- appeared at the press conference with Attorney General candidate Rep. Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, and 1st District Democratic congressional candidate Tim Walz.
All three men stressed the need for protecting deployed, active-duty soldiers and sailors from foreclosure or the threat of foreclosure on their homes.
There is no hard data, explained Bayh, on the number of soldiers and sailors that have faced illegal attempts at foreclosure -- federal and state law prevent foreclosures on the homes of deployed, active-duty military personnel, according to Entenza.
"It may not be many, but itâs so outrageous," said Bayh, who attributed his failed effort at strengthening federal law to a "knee jerk" ideological reaction.
Entenza, who if elected plans to set up a group within the Attorney General’s Office to work on veterans’ issues, said current state law makes it a misdemeanor to violate the foreclosure law.
But such a low-level crime, Entenza opined, may not even be prosecuted. Entenza wants to increase the penalty to theft by swindle.
Walz, who recently retired from the Minnesota National Guard, said spouses of deployed soldiers donât like to talk about unpaid bills to add to their deployed spouseâs emotional burden. "They hesitate to talk about bills piling up but itâs real and itâs happening in Minnesota," he said.
Rep. Jeff Johnson, R-Plymouth, Republican attorney general candidate, chided Entenza for not bringing up the issue of creditor’s preying on military families two months ago when the Legislature was in session.
"He could have easily added this to the veterans package that many of us worked hard on this year," said Johnson.
Attorney General Mike Hatch said his office, which receives up to 500 consumers calls a day, has not received reports of attempts to foreclosures on soldier’s homes.
Hatch, a gubernatorial candidate, did express concern about the financial status of deployed soldiers’ families, explaining some families are witnessing salary cuts.
“They can't get sued but they can’t buy things,” he said, speaking of the state providing small interest free loans.
Bayh met with about 60 people at a fund-raiser and also appeared in support of Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate.
Capitol Roundup
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