Mid-day cooperation edition: rural development, war powers, and Walz's Saturday district events

Albert Lea Tribune: Freeborn-Mower Grant to Aid Hospital Growth
Sarah Light reports on a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program to the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services to be used for upgrades and expansion at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

While most Americans think "subsidies" when they hear about the Farm Bill, one important element in th mix is rural development.  Here's how this particular $300,000 will be used:

Under the REDGrant program, the Department of Agriculture provides grant funds to local utilities which use the funding to establish revolving loan funds. Loans are made from the revolving loan fund to projects that will create or retain rural jobs.

The $300,000 will be like a loan to the ALMC to expand eye care services, which include moving the Albert Lea Eye Clinic and Vision Plus to ALMC’s main site and adding a new ophthalmologist.

Eye care programs are one component of the medical center’s current patient services expansion project that will create close to 100 jobs when it is completed.

When the ALMC returns the money to Freeborn-Mower, it will stay in the revolving loan fund to be used for future economic development projects in the area . . .

Representative Walz remarked in the press release announcing the grant:

“I am proud to represent a state so renowned for its quality health care ... ” Walz said. “The people of southern Minnesota know that one of the keys to a healthy population is maintaining quality facilities. Rural communities face additional challenges in meeting their health care needs. I am pleased to see that Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services and the Department of Agriculture recognize these unique needs.”

The Agriculture Department’s Rural Economic Development programs provide funding to rural communities for economic development, job creation, affordable housing, clean water, emergency response equipment and other infrastructure projects. The agency has invested more than $4.5 billion throughout Minnesota since 2001.

Freeborn-Mower has been instrumental in securing $2.2 million of those funds for regional economic development projects, helping to create more than 400 jobs in the region.

Minnesota Campaign Report/Minnesota Monitor: Walz: No Cooperation from Bush
Joe Bodell reports that Walz believes Bush has been uncooperative on Iraq:

Walz called the House measure "the right way to go" and decried an Iraqi parliament that plans to take a months-long recess.  He also mentioned a change in mindset occurring among House moderates, including Jim Ramstad of Minnesota's third district, some of whom recently visited the White House to air their Iraq policy grievances directly to President Bush.  However, Walz indicated, there has been no sense of cooperation from President Bush on the issue of drawing down the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

The comments mirror those about Bush's inflexibility in an earlier AP report.

Walz's Saturday schedule: Saturday Store Stop and more
Walz's communication office released the Congressman's schedule for a busy Saturday in the district. Rep Tim Walz will hold a seniors' health care listening session in Rochester at 1:30 p.m., as well as a morning stop at the Austin Hyvee and late afternoon open office hours at his mobile office in Owatonna:

Walz Saturday Store Stop
Saturday, May 12th
10 a.m.-noon
Austin Hyvee Store
1001 18th Avenue NW
Austin, MN
507-437-7626

By positioning himself in local grocery stores during peak shopping hours, Walz hopes to hear from constituents who might not otherwise request a meeting or submit their opinion on policy topics. 

"I hope that people will take a few minutes Saturday morning to stop by and express their thoughts and concerns.  My staff and I will have voter registration forms available, as well as information on how we can assist constituents who are having difficulty with a branch of the federal government," said Walz.

Constituents can find Rep. Walz and his staff at a table near the HyVee
dining area.

Senior Citizens' Health Care Listening Session
Saturday, May 12th
1:30-3 p.m.
Rochester Public Library Auditorium
101 2nd St SE
Rochester, MN
(507) 285-8000

The senior listening session will include a panel of experts, including representatives from the Senior LinkAge Line of the Southeastern MN Area Agency on Aging and a local pharmacist. Congressman Walz is particularly interested in hearing about seniors' experiences with the Medicare Prescription Drug program.

The session is open to the public and press.

Owatonna Mobile Office with Congressman Tim Walz
Saturday, May 12th
4-5 p.m.
The Kitchen
329 Cedar Ave
Owatonna MN
507-451-9991

Staff from Rep. Walz's office began monthly Walz Mobile Office stops in Owatonna earlier this spring.  Congressman Walz will be present at Saturday's stop and hopes constituents will stop by to express their policy concerns.  Walz staff will also be on hand to take comments and provide assistance to constituents who are having difficulty with any federal
agency.

Does any other Minnesota representative make himself or herself this available to constituents?