David Gaither

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David Gaither
Born (1957-03-04) March 4, 1957
Plymouth, Minnesota
Occupation marketing, legislator
Political party
 Republican Party

David C. Gaither (born March 4, 1957) is a Minnesota resident, business and non-profit executive and a former member of the Minnesota Senate who represented District 43, which included portions of Minnetonka, Plymouth and Medicine Lake. A Republican, he was elected in 2002 and served thee years before resigning to become Governor Tim Pawlenty's chief of staff.

Gaither lives in Plymouth, Minnesota where he is the Executive Director of the International Education Center (IEC) in Minneapolis.[1]

Personal life

Gaither was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Wayzata High School with honors(NHS), and was a four time state champion and record holder in the hurdles. He served as Director of the Wayzata/Plymouth Youth Football Association and as Vice Chair of the Plymouth Planning Commission before becoming State Senator of SD43.

Political career

Minnesota Legislature

Gaither's endorsements included, Education Minnesota, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Twin West Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayer League of Minnesota and was a member of the Commerce, Capital Investment, E-12 Education Finance, Regulated Utilities, Jobs, Energy and Community Development, and Employee Relations committees.[2] In 2005, Gaither resigned from his position as State Senator to assume the role of Chief of Staff under Governor Tim Pawlenty.[2]

Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Gaither was responsible for negotiation agreements among the Democratic-led Senate, the Republican-led House, and the Governor.

Senate voting record

Education

Gaither voted to allow the teaching of creationism in Minnesota public schools.[3]

Voted in favor of $17.6 million in cuts to state agencies and departments, including $2.5 million from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.[4]

Gun control

Gaither voted in favor of the conceal and carry permit bill.

Pay equity for women

Gaither voted against pay equity for women. The bill required more frequent pay equity reporting from political subdivisions.[5] (April 22, 2004, Senate Journal Page 4004, S.F. 1782: Pay Equity Bill)

Health Care

Gaither voted for cuts to MinnesotaCare and General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) that would cause more than 35,000 to lose out on health care coverage by 2005. Many of those affected were children, senior citizens and people with physical or mental disabilities.[6]

Gaither voted against the repeal of the MinnesotaCare limited benefit $5,000 annual cap and limits on services for some working adults with incomes between 75% and 175% of federal poverty guidelines. The cap caused some Minnesotans denial of treatment, medical supplies and prescriptions even though they continued to pay their MinnesotaCare premiums, and caused some with long-term illnesses and chronic diseases to stop necessary and life-threatening treatment.[7]

Transportation

Gaither has been a staunch opponent of the Southwest Light Rail corridor, a project supported by local Chamber's of Commerce, city councils, and identified by the Federal Government as one of 10 Federal New Starts projects selected to move into Preliminary Engineering amongst over 100+ applicants.[8]

Gaither voted to cut Light Rail (LRT) expansion multiple times. The first Day Amendment cut LRT funding, restricted local match funding for LRT and limited the use of state funds available for LRT operations. The 2nd Day Amendment cut over $8 million in funding for LRT.[9]

Veterans

Gaither voted against the Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s request to fund tuition reimbursement and child care assistance for returning Minnesota military personnel, as well as to require school districts to provide active service pay differential to employees who are called to action.[10]

Gaither voted against creating “Support Our Troops” license plates, expanding the National Guard Tuition Reimbursement Program to 100% for the cost of tuition and books, and against a Reenlistment Bonus Program for National Guard members.[11]

Electoral history

  • Minnesota Senate District 43 Election 2010
    • David Gaither (R), 19,537 votes, 54.18%
    • Harold Lerner (D), 12,391 votes, 34.36%
    • Saundra Spigner (I), 4,109 votes, 11.39%
    • Write-in, 24 votes, .07%

References

  1. ↑ "IEC Website". Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Gaither Website". Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  3. ↑ "2004 Legislative Session S.F. 1774: 2004 Omnibus Education Policy Bill". Senate Journal. 2004. 
  4. ↑ "Special Session H.F. 1/S.F. 1: 2003 Omnibus State Government Finance Bill". Senate Journal. 2003. 
  5. ↑ http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/journals/2003-2004/20040422095.pdf.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Special Session H.F. 6: 2003 Health and Human Services Bill". MN Senate Journal. 2003. Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  7. ↑ "S.F. 255: Repeal of MinnesotaCare Limited Benefit Cap – Third Reading". MN Senate Journal: 1308. 31 March 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Metropolitan Council Transportation Report". Met Council. Retrieved 5 November 2012. 
  9. ↑ MN Senate Journal: 1644, 1656. 2 May 2003 http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/journals/2003-2004/20030504046.pdf |url= missing title (help). Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  10. ↑ "H.F. 2028/S.F. 1848: Omnibus Supplemental Budget Bill (Phase II)". MN Senate Journal: 3902. 7 April 2004. Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
  11. ↑ "S.F. 2266/H.F. 1481: Omnibus State Government Finance Bill". MN Senate Journal: 2283. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2012. 
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