Mid-day digest: cornbelt edition

Congressman Walz's choice to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee has been defeated. Reuters reports that Waxman beats Dingell to chair energy committee:

Rep. Henry Waxman unseated fellow veteran Democratic lawmaker John Dingell on Thursday to become chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

The 255-House Democratic conference voted 137 to 122 to accept the recommendation of its steering committee and agreed to replace Dingell, 82, a long-time friend of the U.S. auto industry, with Waxman, a 69-year-old Californian anxious to ease global warming, a top concern of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

"I am very gratified by the trust put into me," Waxman told reporters after the vote.

Waxman said it had been a "contentious" and close race, and offered a salute to Dingell, the dean of the House who first joined the body from Michigan in 1955.

"We will always owe him a debt of gratitude for a life-time of public service," Waxman said.

We're curious who will take Waxman's place at Oversight.  The oversight committee held an important review of the DOJ grant making process earlier this summer after Congressman Walz asked for an investigation of the department's rejection of a high-scoring grant application from the National Child Protection Training Center at WSU in favor of golf outings.

MnPublius put up an Ellison/Walz Omnibus Post that noted Walz's selection as Midwest whip.

The PB reported yesterday that one issue where Dingell and Walz parted compnay was the details on the auto industry bailout. MinnPost reports in Auto bailout divides Minnesota's congressional delegation:

Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said: "Until we see details about an assistance package for the auto industry, we're just speculating about what might be included. But I would be very hesitant about any package that does not include strong protections for the taxpayers who are being asked to foot the bill."

Minnpost also reports in Attending the inauguration: Does this sound like fun:

.  . .Your best odds [for getting a ticket] are probably in Wyoming, the least-populous state, which also happens to be pretty far from D.C. It can't hurt to call them up and see if they'll have some extras.

For Minnesota's 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, who reports requests in the hundreds, not all the requests come from southern Minnesota. "Most are from the district," says spokeswoman Meredith Salsbery. "Some are just calling every member they can think of." . . .

We're staying home and watching on television, thank you.

The imploding of the ethanol boom has left farmers in Waseca County holding the bag, according to VeraSun bankruptcy voids corn contracts, an article in today's Waseca County News:

Farmers who entered into contacts with VeraSun Energy to purchase their corn were left holding the bag after letters were mailed out telling them the company would not be able to honor their 2008 agreements.

The company, which recently finished construction of a new ethanol plant east of Janesville, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month.

Janesville area farmer Carl Guse brought the topic up with the Waseca County Board of Commissioners to see what could be done at a local level.

“The farmers need quite a bit of help around here to get things squared away,” he told the board. . . .
Chair Dan Kuhns said he agreed with the other commissioners that something had to be done in the best interest of the community. That included farmers who had grain contracts, whether they were with VeraSun or someone else.

“I don’t know how many farmers we have in the county, but I would bet 75 percent have grain contracts out there,” Kuhns said.

The sudden notice that these contracts would not be honored by VeraSun has not only affected the farmers, but has left local grain elevators like Independent Grain in Janesville scrambling as well.. . .

The ONE Campus Challenge notes that Walz has signed a letter:

. . .asking Obama for a robust FY10 International Affairs Budget, which of course is the subject of this week’s challenge.

The Albert Lea Tribune reports Vets face challenges with VA processes. Transportation is on the agenda in Regional rail coalition seeks track upgrades in today's new Ulm Journal. The Post Bulletin reports that Mayo trustee Daschle accepts HHS Cabinet post.