A Bluestem Prairie

Tuesday digest: Sunlight and Recovery Act edition

Last weekend's Transparency Camp was all about making data accessible to citizens. Their use of that data can range from playing gotcha to discovering new economic development resources to predicting votes in Congress. A new tool may assist in doing the latter on a coming vote in the House. Update: The Center for Responsible Lending has apparently revised its figures. When we review the revision, we'll update our own post according [end update]

Congress Matters's David Waldman noted noted on Friday that the House will be voting on H.R. 1106 this week, and that many Republicans representing district with higher foreclosure rates are likely to vote against the bill. We have been told that the vote may be delayed.

Waldman wrote:

Forty-one districts have 9,000+ projected foreclosures for the year. Fourteen are represented by Democrats. Twenty-seven of them (66%) are currently represented by Republicans. Discounting districts represented by first or early second term Democrats -- i.e., areas that were previously and traditionally Republican -- the number approaches 75%.

Waldman's analysis is drawn from the Center for Responsible Lending that lists Congressional-District-Foreclosure-Projections.

Top districts for foreclosure in Minnesota, where all districts are lucky even to be under the threshhold that Waldman examined? They're suburban, with the Second leading the way with a projected 7,154 foreclosures in 2009. In the Third, it's 6,614 homes, while the Sixth is third with 5,734.  The least number of foreclosures are predicted in the Seventh (3,470) and the First (3,652).

We suspect that the differences in foreclosure rates in Minnesota districts reflect overall home buying and building patterns within the state, rather than the ideology of their representatives and residents. A mere hypothesis since we haven't looked at this that closely.

However, both the Seventh and the First also still enjoy fairly sound, locally controlled community banks. Late last summer, the president of my bank told me not one of the home buyers who had secured funding through his bank was in foreclosure. Not sure how the subsequent downturn has effected that figure.

The Mankato Free Press reports in Open Door to get $1.3M grant:

On Monday, Open Door officials found out that some of that money was coming to Mankato. Learning the news from a reporter, clinic Administrator Sarah Kruse declined to comment until she could verify that the funding decision was final.

“It was almost a too-good-to-believe kind of thing,” Kruse said.

The $1.3 million will be provided over two years and will result in hiring or contracting with a variety of health care providers including doctors, dentists, nurses, dental hygienists and others, she said. And it will mean the ability to serve countless people in need of care but without the means to pay the entire cost — a population that’s growing as the economy deteriorates.

“We’re already seeing more calls from people who have lost jobs and lost insurance or have lost jobs and can’t afford COBRA,” she said.

Open Door, with a budget of about $1.1 million last year, served about 3,000 people. Some received free care, while most are charged on a sliding-fee scale based on their ability to pay.

The clinic had been seeking the grant funds for years, last applying in December of 2007. Kruse said she learned that the most recent application qualified for funding but there wasn’t enough money appropriated to cover all of the qualifying grants. With the new money provided through the $787 billion economic stimulus bill, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services went through the applications that were well regarded but not funded, according to Meredith Salsbery, communications director for Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato.

. . .While Kruse wasn’t ready to estimate Monday how many jobs would be created, she said there’s no doubt that the funding would have a meaningful effect on the lives of southern Minnesotans. Open Door has rarely marketed its services because word of mouth has kept its paid staff and volunteers fully booked.

The new money will allow the clinic to reach out to those who need health care but are unaware of Open Door. Kruse said it will be a challenge for the clinic staff to deal with a sudden and unexpected increase in Open Door’s budget of more than 50 percent — one they’re thrilled to meet.

KAAL-TV also reported Walz Announces Funds to Open Door Health Center.

In TheHill.com - The Noble Warrior agenda, Indiana Republican Steve Buyer writes:

Finally, I am delighted that soon Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) will join me in introducing a bill to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving spouses of seriously disabled veterans and military personnel who died while on active duty.

The Rochester Post Bulletin Healther Carlson notes the new National Journal vote ranking in her Political Notebook:

Ranking conservatives and liberals

National Journal Magazine is out with its annual rankings of U.S. Senate and House members. The magazine ranks members of Congress on a conservative-to-liberal scale based on 2008 votes. First District Democratic Rep. Tim Walz falls toward the middle of the pack, ranked 175th when it comes to liberal lawmakers in the 435-member House. By comparison, St. Paul Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum tied for first place with 11 other House members for the most liberal spot.

Second District Republican Rep. John Kline ranks among the most conservative members of the House, according to the report. Kline is ranked the 33rd most conservative member of the House.

In the Senate, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar was in the middle of the pack. Klobuchar was ranked 37th on the liberal scale in the 100-member Senate. The publication also included Norm Coleman, whose recount battle with Democrat Al Franken in the U.S. Senate race continues with news that seems to favor Franken as the eventual winner. Coleman was 39th on the conservative scale.

Walz's 2005 participation on Camp Wellstone gets a mention in Chhis Steller's article in the Minnesota Independent. We took part in the citizen activist training track of Camp Wellstone in 2005 and recommend it to everyone, regardless of political stripe. Knowing effective methods of persuading elected officials is a useful skill for citizens. The Farm Policy blog mentions Walz's reaction to Obama's proposed changes to the Farm Bill.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's School Beat mentions the re-introduction of the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act. Walz is one of three original co-sponsors; the bill is supported by the National Geographic Society. Last year, Walz was given the 2008 Geography Legislator of the Year Award by the group's Education Foundation.

The Zumbrota News Record notes that Walz stopped at the Pine Island Economic Development Authority to hear updates about biobusiness.

In today's video, Alberta Hunter dispenses a little advice:

Quick post and on the road: education and housing

We're about to go deal with the pleasures of air travel in a snowstorm, so posting after this will be light. The Sunlight Foundation's Transparency Camp was a great experience that brought together activists from across the political spectrum to discuss a common issue. We look forward to working on and writing about these issues as the weeks roll on (we hope a flight home will leave Reagan National within that time...).

Workday Minnesota reports in Despite economy, nation still committed to education, Walz tells teachers:

Despite the nation’s severe economic crisis, lawmakers are poised to make a renewed commitment to education, Congressman Tim Walz told members of Education Minnesota. And he invited educators to take the lead. “The future will be written by you with the next generation,” the 1st District Minnesota Democrat told more than 100 presidents of Education Minnesota locals gathered Feb. 21 for the union’s annual Presidents’ Conference. Walz addressed the members at the conference luncheon, where they were joined by their spouses and children. . . .

Read the rest at Workday Minnesota. The Mankato Free Press writes in First to benefit: public housing:

Money to public housing agencies, including about $400,000 for Mankato, is the first stimulus funding to be allocated to this region.

The stimulus bill, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, gives $4 billion to housing agencies across the country, Mankato housing programs coordinator Patti Ziegler said. Three-fourths of that is allocated using normal methods, and the rest is competitive.

Ziegler said Mankato’s share of the housing stimulus will be spent on improvements to 80 of the city’s public housing units. That means new roofs as well as repairs and renovation to the units.

The 101-unit Orness Plaza may not get its long-planned repairs from the new cash because the $10 million project is using another source of money.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for working families in Mankato,” she said. . . .

. . .But it will be at least April 10 before the money is spent, Ziegler said, because local governments have to send their budgets to the federal government for approval.

Much of the stimulus money will go toward remodeling existing housing units.

Read the rest at the Free Press. The article notes that most work in the housing market by local contractors now involves remodeling. Only two new housing starts were reported in Mankato and North Mankato in January.

Saturday afternoon digest: recovery, Hmong, and housing edition

The Albert Lea Tribune reports in Tax credits will impact workers and businesses:

Money for workers in the $787 billion federal economic stimulus package isn’t set up the same way it was in last year’s $700 billion measure.

Many people used their stimulus checks last year for big-ticket items or for battling debts, rather than everyday spending.

This time, the dollars are coming in the form of a tax break. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act calls for fewer tax dollars being taken out of paychecks of 95 percent of Americans.

“The total cumulative effect of the measure makes it the largest tax cut for the middle class ever,” said 1st District Congressman Tim Walz.

The Making Work Pay credit starts April 1. The math works out to be on average of $13 a week more in your wallet if you have FICA taxes taken out of your paycheck. It lasts two years, so in January, the average amount will be $9.

Read the rest at the Tribune. The paper also reports School leaders hoping act will save teacher jobs and City awaits word on airport assistance. From the latter:

Albert Lea city staff will find out this week whether the economic stimulus funds they applied for through the Federal Aviation Administration have been approved.

If obtained, the money would be used for the runway project at the Albert Lea Airport.

City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the city already has $2.1 million of federal funds for the project and has applied for $5.15 million more through economic stimulus funds.

In the Winona Daily News, we read the article Walz, Kind, other lawmakers call for protecting Hmong in Thailand.  The LaCrosse-Winona area is home to many Hmong people. The gist:

U.S. Reps. Tim Walz, Ron Kind and 17 other members of Congress have written to the State Department on behalf of 5,700 Hmong refugees in Thailand who fear they will be forced to return to Laos.

Many of the refugees have been in Thailand since the 1970s, after unsuccessfully fighting against the communist movement that became the government of Laos. 

“Many Hmong people fought alongside us in Vietnam and sacrificed a lot for our country,” Kind, D-La Crosse, Wis., said in a statement. “Reports coming from a number of my constituents who have friends and family in Laos indicate there is still discrimination and persecution towards Laos’ Hmong population.”

Kind discussed the issue Wednesday with Damrong Kraikruan, Thailand’s acting ambassador to the U.S.

Walz, D-Mankato, and the other 18 members of Congress want the United Nations High Commission on Refugees to be allowed to screen the detainees to determine their refugee status.

The Austin Herald reports HRA to get stimulus funding and the Jackson County Pilot reports in Public housing gets $124K in stimulus:

The first economic stimulus funds allocated from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will put $124,617 into the hands of the Jackson Housing and Redevelopment Authority's board of directors, according to an announcement Friday by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn.

"We're very excited about the AARA," said DeeAnna Bakken, executive director of the Jackson HRA. "... We were hoping so and talking to our legislators about this because they keep cutting our capital fund. We're very relieved to see it in there and that it didn't get cut out."

Bakken said the local HRA board will meet next Friday, March 6, to approve a plan for how that money will be spent.

Stricter regulations for the one-time allocation require projects to be completed within a year, she said, so spending is likely to go toward projects already on the agency's five-year plan.

The Jackson HRA will still get its annual appropriation of approximately $85,000 in October, as well.

"We appreciate our legislators at the federal level who have been going to bat for us and encouraging others to approve the inclusion," Bakken said.

HRAs across southern Minnesota were the recipients of $4.5 million to modernize and develop public housing.

“I am thrilled that just two weeks after I voted for the economic recovery package we are beginning to see funds flow directly to local communities,” Walz said. “This funding will create and save jobs by investing in improvements and expansions to public housing across Minnesota.”

Back to the geekfest.

HUD recovery bill funds to makeover Southern Minnesota HRA projects

Catching a plane in Minneapolis yesterday, one of our fellow passengers remarked that he's never visited a place with so many small towns, and had I ever heard of a place called Sleepy Eye.

We trumped that with our knowledge of Good Thunder.

One of the lesser known issues those small towns face is affordable housing. Sleepy Eye's HRA is getting a boost from the recovery bill, a share of the $4,520,113 from HUD.

The Austin edition of the Post Bulletin reports in Walz: Austin will get public-housing funds:

Austin is targeted to get nearly $750,000 in federal-stimulus funds for improvements to the city's public housing.

Most of the $745,479 allocation likely will be used this year for capital improvements to the Twin Towers and Pickett Place facilities, said Jim Hurm, the city administrator who also heads the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Other funds, Hurm said, could go toward improving the HRA's 56 family housing units scattered throughout the city.

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz announced that $4.5 million overall is being allocated from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to southern Minnesota.

Those funds are the first to be allocated from the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress, according to a Walz news release. They will be distributed to local housing and redevelopment authorities for modernizing and developing public housing.

"This funding will create and save jobs by investing in improvements and expansions to public housing across Minnesota," Walz said.

Austin's money will be in addition to the estimated $580,000 already expected for this year from the federal HUD agency, Hurm said.

The HRA allocation for Austin is the highest out of the 26 agencies in the region listed by Walz. Winona's HRA gets the second-highest amount at $690,701.

And in New Ulm, the Journal reports in Stimulus funds spark makeover:

New Ulm's Economic Development Authority (EDA) is receiving $89,455 as its share of the funds. Assistant City Manager Tom MacAulay said the money will be used for upgrades on the individual apartments in the Broadway Haus Apartments.

"Over the last few years we have been doing upgrades in our public housing," said MacAulay. "We've gotten just about everything done on the outsides of the buildings, and on the public, community spaces. Now we'll be focusing on the units themselves."

MacAulay said the city has 40 units of apartments at Broadway Haus, and 10 units scattered about the city in individual houses and duplexes. The 10 units have been just about completed, said MacAulay, so the focus now is on Broadway Haus, where exterior wall siding is being replaced in a mold abatement project.

The new upgrades will focus on the kitchens and bathrooms, replacing fixtures, flooring and counters as needed.

"This money will really speed that up," said MacAulay.

The Walz congressional office press release:

Congressman Walz Announces First Allocation of Recovery Funding

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Tim Walz announced that $4,520,113 will be allocated from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to southern Minnesota. The funds, the first to be allocated from the recently-passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were distributed to local housing and redevelopment authorities and will be used to modernize and develop public housing.

“I am thrilled that just two weeks after I voted for the economic recovery package we are beginning to see funds flow directly to local communities,” said Walz. “This funding will create and save jobs by investing in improvements and expansions to public housing across Minnesota.”

Dennis McCoy with Blue Earth County EDA applauded Congressman Walz’s support of the recovery package saying, “I want to thank Congressman Walz for supporting the recovery package. The quick distribution of these funds will allow our county to begin construction of a sixteen unit public housing building in Eagle Lake. This will create construction jobs in the immediate future.”

Congressman Walz plans to continue working with local government officials to ensure that this economic recovery funding gets to southern Minnesota so jobs can be created as soon as possible.

Earlier this week, the Obama Administration announced that by April 1st, 95% of Americans will see their paychecks increase because of the tax cuts included in the recovery package. In addition, just 10 days after the bill was signed, $15 billion to help with health care for children and seniors was already on the way to states.

The following agencies in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District are receiving funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to use towards capital and management activities of public housing, including modernization projects.

HRA of Winona, Minnesota $690,701

North Mankato Housing and Redevelopment Authority $98,235

HRA of the City of Blue Earth, Minnesota $77,198

HRA of St. James, Minnesota $111,383

HRA of Worthington, Minnesota $222,012

HRA of St. Peter, Minnesota $89,461

HRA of Luverne, Minnesota $92,287

HRA of Pipestone, Minnesota $149,300

HRA of Fairmont, Minnesota $177,922

HRA of Mountain Lake, Minnesota $58,952

HRA of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota $68,340

Mankato EDA $401,365

HRA in and for the City of Albert Lea $304,578

HRA of Windom, Minnesota $118,396

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Austin $745,479

HRA of Waseca, Minnesota $86,394

HRA of Jackson, Minnesota $124,617

HRA of New Richland, Minnesota $42,603

HRA of Cottonwood, Minnesota $61,244

New Ulm EDA $89,455

Olmsted County HRA $221,120

Blue Earth County EDA $160,370

Mower County HRA $42,198

Southeast MN Multi-County HRA $178,961

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Dodge $52,810

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Janesville $54,732

Photo: Broadway Haus apartments in New Ulm.

Working families toolkit available for first district citizens

We received this press release from the congressional office late last week:

WALZ ANNOUNCES ONLINE WORKING FAMILIES TOOLKIT

(Mankato, MN) – Today, Congressman Walz launched an online working families toolkit.  Walz’s website (walz.house.gov) features links to some of the most commonly sought information on foreclosure, heating, and unemployment assistance during this hard economic time.

“All too often, individuals who need assistance don’t know where to start.  The websites of major government departments include massive amounts of information that can make it challenging for consumers to find the assistance they need. My online working families toolkit is designed to be simple and easy to navigate. It provides direct links to programs like HOPE for Homeowners that will help consumers renegotiate mortgages they can no longer afford,” said Walz.

The online toolkit includes information about and links to:
Ø       The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Ø       The Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income homeowners
Ø       HOPE for Homeowners
Ø       Credit counseling resources recommended by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Ø       The Women, Infants and Children nutrition assistance program
Ø       National School Lunch and Breakfast programs
Ø       Low-income senior nutrition programs
Ø       Unemployment Insurance
Ø       The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and MinnesotaCare

Congressman Walz’s office is also able to offer assistance resolving problems with federal agencies.  The Congressman’s office frequently handles issues involving Social Security, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS and other issues relating to the federal government.  Individuals in need of assistance cutting through red tape with a federal agency, or who do not have access to the internet, should call Walz’s Rochester office at 507-206-0643 for assistance.

The working families toolkit can be found at http://walz.house.gov/consumerassistance.shtm

Tough times are nothing new. This Dylan cover of Stephen Foster's 1854 "Hard Times,"  performed at a Willie Nelson tribute concert in 1993, goes out to remind those in better circumstances to contribute to local food shelves, some of which are struggling to keep up with the need.

Just this past week, the Austin Herald covered the local Salvation Army's call  for help stocking its food pantry's shelves. Do what you can to help your local food shelves. In Austin, the local Jaycees and the postal workers will be offering an opportunities to help "the least of these":

In addition, the Austin Jaycees and the local postal workers union are teaming up for a food drive Nov. 8. Residents can place food items near their mailboxes, while the carriers will then take them to the post office and the Jaycees then help sort them and load the up to be taken over to the food shelf. As a reminder, postal workers will be dropping off notices to households a couple of days before the drive.

“My personal belief and the belief of the letter carriers of Austin is that a person deserves to have their basic needs met, and one of those needs is food,” said Bob Rosel, president of the local letter carrier’s union.

Tuesday morning digest: Chet Edwards edition

The Rochester Democrat notes that Chet Edwards is coming to Southern Minnesota to help kick off the "Veterans for Walz" 2008 group:

Chet Edwards is coming to Minnesota to help Tim because he knows the Republican attack machine is going to keep distorting the truth on Tim’s record.

So Chet is coming to set the record straight and talk to southern Minnesotans about Tim’s leadership on veterans’ issues.

In 2006, a political operative from Virginia named Mike Spellings was press secretary for Edwards' opponent; now there's a "Mike Spellings" serving as spokester for the Brian Davis campaign. If they are one and the same, Chet Edwards is a great choice to bring in to help Walz stump.He'll certainly be hip to whatever horse apples the Davis camp may lob in Congressman Walz's direction.

KEYC-TV reports in Walz Discusses Issues with Seniors:

The economic bailout still has many people wondering when the crisis will end.Congressman Tim Walz was in town today to address that issue.Walz talked to constituents at Oak Terrace West apartments this afternoon about problems with social security and retirement.The Minnesota Representative voted no, is still hesitant about the bailout and wants to make sure the plan will work . . .

Video at the link.

Minnesota Central looks at McCain Kline Walz on Earmarks : Talk -- vs -- Walk. He observes in part:

. . .By now, we all know the “bailout” legislation has been passed.  In what the House started as the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008” designed to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system, became a “Christmas Tree” in the Senate. . . .

. . .How can John McCain “suspend” his campaign to resolve this crisis and end up voting for this legislation ? Can voters believe his "earmark" veto threat ?

Why did so-called “earmark” reformer Kline vote to approve this legislation even though he had made a promise to never vote for a bill with earmarks to the people who nominated him at the District 39 (Dakota County) GOP convention.

Yet, Tim Walz recognized that these “earmarks” were not vital to stabilizing our economy and voted NO. . . .

. . .When Tim Walz campaigned in 2006, he openly complained about fiscal mismanagement and the need to embrace PAYGO.

Creditability is an underappreciated characteristic.

Walz has demonstrated creditability and fiscal responsibility as well as a "good conscience" ... you know, he’s “walking the walk”.  . . .

In Shenanigans: The 11 worst foreclosure districts, Politico's Anne Schroeder asks,

Attention, all reps: If your district is not in foreclosure straits, step forward.

Minnesota's First is among the districts mentioned that has the lowest foreclosure rate. Some credit this to the strong presence of community banks throughout the district.

In honor of Chet Edwards coming to Southern Minnesota, a YouTube of Gary P. Nunn (you may know the song better from Jerry Jeff Walker's cover):

For another tasty treat, head over and see Nunn and the Lost Gonzo Band sing the same tune at Willie Nelson's 1974 Fourth of July picnic. Embedding code is disabled, or we'd run that clip here.

Saturday morning digest: plumb line whispers edition

The Washington Post reports GOP Strategists Whisper Fears Of Greater Losses in November. We're hearing some whispers about Brian Davis's chances--and cut backs on media buys--in Minnesota's First, and it doesn't look pretty for the GOP challenger.

Some tidbits from the WaPo's article:

The pessimism in the GOP ranks reflects a striking shift in momentum in the four weeks since the Republican National Convention , when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made her national debut and rallied conservatives, helping to fuel the perception that longer-shot Democratic targets [in the Senate] were drifting out of reach .. . .

. . .The picture in the House is similar. The generic ballot test -- a traditional measure of broad voter attitudes -- has also moved decisively in Democrats' direction in recent days. The latest NBS-Wall Street Journal  and Associated Press polls showed voters favoring a generic Democratic candidate for Congress over a generic Republican by 13 points, while a recent Time magazine poll gave Democrats a 46 percent to 36 percent edge.

GOP operatives said the party's declining fortunes are rooted in a series of events over the past two weeks, including McCain's decision to suspend his campaign in order to help broker a deal on the rescue plan and Republican opposition that doomed the bill in a House vote on Monday. Those incidents helped reinforce voter impressions that Washington is broken and that Republicans bear the brunt of the blame, the party insiders said. . . .

. . .Compounding Republican problems is a continued fundraising deficit that has left the party largely powerless to defend its congressional candidates against a televised Democratic onslaught. At the start of September -- the last time financial figures were available -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee   held a $40 million cash-on-hand edge over its GOP counterpart and was advertising in 41 House districts, compared with just two districts in which the National Republican Campaign Committee  was on the air.

An interesting column about Sarah Palin's fading star in the Fillmore County Journal.John Torgrimson writes:

Well, after the party comes the hangover. . . .

. . .Don't take it from me, take it from conservative columnists and pundits who support McCain's candidacy, but find Palin's nomination an embarrassment to the Republican party and the McCain campaign for president. . . .

Read the rest in the FCJ.

Speaking of embarrassments, we don't think that the NRCC will be wasting any money in MN-01. It's our understanding that Brian Davis's television ads will begin airing next week on Rochester and Mankato stations, but the start-up was pushed back a day. More details about his media buys as we confirm information. Davis has not aired an ad on cable or television since the September 9 primary.

In the comments section of the Star Tribune story, Davis paid taxes late on home in Wisconsin, we paused at this remark:

It's sad that First District Republicans nominated such an irresponsible candidate. State Senator Dick Day was not only a leader in our state and a good citizen, he actually had a chance at beating Walz. Brian Davis has single handedly taken out the Republican hopes in the First District.

While Davis is taking nearly a month to get on air after the primary, Walz has four positive ads running as well as an army of volunteers working on the ground.  A Walz phone bank volunteer in Rochester told us that she frequently receives compliments for the positive, "he works for us" message in the congressman's ads. And Walz has done this while facing significant votes in Washington.

One significant vote came this week with the bailout bill. Walz lists drawbacks of bailout to the Post Bulletin, which has published his statement about his second "No" vote.  Via the New Ulm Journal, the Associated Press reports in Peterson, Walz, Bachmann stay 'no' on bailout:

Walz said he had been hopeful the Senate would make improvements to the bill that was defeated in the House.

"I'm disappointed that instead the Senate sent this bill back to the House with $100 billion in unpaid for additional spending that will be added directly to the national debt," he said.

Edward Felker reports about the content of  Barack Obama's calls to Democratic congressmen in the Times, the Post Bulletin's sister paper in Illinois:

Obama returned to the campaign trail after the vote, but continued to work the phones Thursday. In a call to House Democratic freshmen, he asked them to vote for the bailout bill while also promising to pursue more broad financial restructuring if elected president, according to Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., one of the Democratic freshmen leaders and an opponent of the plan.

We hope Obama will follow through on that if elected; we're betting Congressman Walz will remind him of the pledge. Walz wasn't swayed by promises of future revisions.

Dale at Corner House Comments is happy that the Wellstone Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Is Finally Law, though he's not especially pleased that it was folded into the bailout bill. Such is the nature of all silver linings.

A letter at the Post Bulletin, CRA not responsible for crisis, takes on the new/old urban legend that blames the poor for the failings of the wealthy and powerful. It's enough to make us re-read the Book of Amos.  

The Owatonna People's Press reports $400000 earmarked for local flood projects on Owatonna. The city still has to meet certain criteria to secure the money.

KAAL reports Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits Extreme Makeover. Nice hat.

Image: Are Republicans beginning to panic?

Wednesday morning digest: finding a vein edition

At Minnesota Central, the ever-insightful McPherson Hall writes in Davis Poll Reveals Challenger’s Threat:

Dr. Brian Davis, Republican candidate for Minnesota’s First District, has commissioned a  poll that reveals incumbent Congressman Tim Walz with a commanding 50-32 lead.

The obvious question is why did Davis waste his money on a poll . . .[Ollie's note: we think the NRCC may have wasted some of its money on the poll too]

Let’s look at what Walz has going for him.

Being a former high school teacher, Walz used his “ student council ” to energize the district in 2006 and with 22% of the state’s population being between 18-29; this bodes well for Walz in 2008.

Walz has gotten the endorsement   from the NRA.  Statewide 41.7 households are gun owners.

Walz was a prime proponent in the passage of the Farm Bill (despite a veto from President Bush). The First District is primarily a rural district. Davis’ performance during the FarmFest debate was less than stellar as the crowd seemed to enjoy Walz’s defense of his support for farmers using wit and knowledge to his advantage.

Walz has listened to Veterans and brought their issues to the forefront during his first term. 10.5% of Minnesota’s households have a veteran.

Statewide, there are more DFLers (Dems) (38% in 2004) than Republicans (35%) leaving 27% as Independents. The inference is that Walz is getting support from Independents while Davis hasn’t even gotten all the Republicans ( not surprising when State Senator Dick Day amassed a third of the votes in the recent primary election. )

Over at the Post Bulletin, Matt Stolle comes as close as any journalist to drinking the Kool-Aid for Brian Davis, though even he doesn't swallow in Davis says recent poll is good news, Walz camp disagrees.

For an example of a reporter who raised this story beyond the "one said--the other said" level, we recommend that readers check out Mark Fischenich's Six weeks left, Walz leads Davis from yesterday's Mankato Free Press.  Fischenich went beyond barbs tossed back and forth, and compared an independent poll from 2006 with Davis's internal poll from this cycle. It's quite revealing.

The PB's Stolle begins:

Republican challenger Brian Davis is pointing to a new poll released by his campaign as a sign of DFL Congressman Tim Walz's growing vulnerability in a race with 42 days to go.

That survey shows Walz now polling at 50 percent, a four-point drop from a previous poll conducted a month earlier, even as Davis rose in the polls over the same period, from 27 percent to 32 percent.

The 50-percent mark is often seen as a red line by political analysts below which an incumbent is considered to be in possibly dangerous territory. But the poll still shows Walz with a significant 50 percent to 32 percent lead over the Mayo Clinic doctor. [emphasis added]

He ends:

So far, Walz, at least in the eyes of political analysts, looks to be in a comfortable position. The Cook Political Report, for instance, ranks the race as "likely Democratic." That means the seat is not considered competitive, but has the potential to become engaged.

Somewhere in the middle:

The data also suggests that if voters were given the choice between a Republican and a Democrat for Congress on a generic ballot, 44 percent would prefer a Democrat, while 39 percent would prefer a Republican, with 16 percent undecided. Given the margin of error, that makes the seat a toss-up, the pollsters at the Tarrance Group say.

Ah yes. The hypothetical "seat" is a toss-up. Here's where the bait and switch happens. The actual race according to the poll (if we're to accept a sample of 300 with a MOE of 5.8)?

But the poll still shows Walz with a significant 50 percent to 32 percent lead over the Mayo Clinic doctor.

As Walz's campaign manager pointed out:

But the Walz camp argues otherwise. Schmitter says Davis is not even polling as high as what a generic Republican is getting in the district.

The GOP likes to claim that the First is "conservative", and yet the Davis/NRCC poll shows that it's a statistical dead heat between Obama and McCain:

The poll shows GOP Sen. John McCain with a 45 percent-to-43 percent edge over Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, with 9 percent undecided. That ranks it as a toss-up, given the poll's 5.8 percent margin of error.

Davis's poll should not bring smiles to elephant faces. For DFLers, it should provide an extra incentive to get out, door knock and call. The district is not only Walz's for the taking, it may finally have turned blue on the Presidential level as well.

This isn't entirely surprising. Not only did Walz and Klobuchar win in 2006, but more DFLers represent the district in the state legislature than do Republicans. Nationally, OBama is polling better in rural areas than Kerry, Craig Crawford writes in Obama's Amazing Rural Opportunity.

Back at Minnesota Central, McPherson Hall thinks that Republicans may be more motivated, while Walz supporters will be lulled into complacency by the numbers Davis released: 

Walz’ main challenge is still APATHY. Voters may feel comfortable with Walz and not bother showing up at the polls. Conversely, the Republicans have reasons to be motivated. The anti-Obama crowd is further re-enforced by the anti-Franken voters. With the potential of budget problems at the state level where, all House seats are on the ballot, the Republicans will want to have their voices heard. The First District voted for Republicans solidly in 2004 and may do so again.
 
Davis’ publishing of this poll may have more of an impact to suppress Walz voters and give Davis a squeaker victory. Be warned … Apathy is the real challenger.

You heard the man. If you're looking to have progressive values take the day in November, get off your duff and volunteer for Walz (and Obama, Franken and state house candidates--the coordinated DFL sign up is here) and contribute as well to make sure Congressman Walz can keep getting his message to voters.

Tell them the heifer sent you.

In more serious news, it doesn't look like Minnesota's congressional delegation is going to write Bush  a blank check to bailout those Wall Street fat cats who gamed the financial system into its present dismal state while engorging their own wealth. The PiPress reports in Bush rescue proposal falls flat among Minnesotans:

Minnesota's political leaders flatly reject President Bush's call for an unrestricted $700 billion financial bailout. 

But fearing economic calamity, many remain open to some type of costly financial bailout — provided it includes tougher regulation, limits exorbitant Wall Street salaries and gives taxpayers a stake in rescued companies.

For the First:

First District: Republican Brian Davis, challenging Rep. Tim Walz, said he'd be "very unlikely" to support any bailout.

"Seems to me that Congress and the administration have hit the panic button, and this could result in a 20-year problem," he said.

Note how Davis blames Congress first for a proposal that's coming from the White House. This from a guy who, when interviewed by the Fillmore County Journal in late July, compared George W. Bush with Harry Truman.

The PiPress continues:

Walz issued a statement that didn't say whether he'd support or reject a bailout plan, but he did urge caution and said he hoped to protect middle-class Americans.

"We've seen before what happens when Congress allows itself to be backed into a corner by President Bush and forced to make a hasty decision with long-term consequences," Walz said. "We need answers before Congress votes on the bailout."

Given the quality of the answers the administration has given in the past, we hope Walz stays skeptic, and shows more of the spine he grew in this year's FISA votes.

The MinnPost reports Bailout package a slam-dunk? Far from it, state's bipartisan delegation says. KEYC-TV reports Pawlenty 'Reluctant Supporter' of Wall Street Bailout. Oh, good. CQ Politics asks: Bailout Bill: An Election Season 'Stink Bomb?'

October 2 may provide an opportunity to learn more about where the candidates stand on the bailout, when they meet for the first time since Worthington's King Turkey Day. Those who wish to attend the first Walz-Davis debate should register here. Sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the cost is $20 for RACC members and $30 for all others. The focus: 

The debate will allow our membership an opportunity to hear first-hand where the candidates stand on the national issues of importance to the business community.

The debate will take place from noon - 1:30 p.m. Ramada Hotel & Conference Center; 1517 16th St. SW.

Veterans Today picks up on a Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform press release in Historic Legislation To End Delays in Veterans Health Care Funding. The Walz nugget:

American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein, also speaking for the Partnership, praised the bill’s bipartisan cosponsors: Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Ted Stevens (R-AK), and John Rockefeller (D-WV in the Senate; Congressmen Walter Jones (R-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Phil Hare (D-IL), and Tim Walz (D-MN) in the Senate.  “We applaud all of the bill’s sponsors who have taken the lead in Congress to create a lasting legacy for our veterans by reforming the budget process to ensure that veterans health care funding is sufficient, timely and predictable,” Rehbein said.

The new legislation, called the “Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act,” would authorize advance appropriations for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs one year in advance of the start of the fiscal year, an idea favored by more than 80 percent of American voters, according to a survey released today by the Disabled American Veterans.

The House OKs plan for Great Lakes water to stay put. The bill passed 390-25. We'd like to know what was on Representative McCollum's mind when she voted against it--the only member of Minnesota's delegation to do so.

Last night on the Daily Show, former President Clinton talked about how concentrating investment in housing and mortgages in the early part of this decade helped led to the mess Wall Street is in now. He suggested that investment in new technologies and renewable energy would have left the nation stronger. The Mankato Free Press editorial board thinks it's still the time to Nurture renewable energy.

At the Mountain Lake Observer/Butterfield Advocate, editor Kris Langland looks at the economy in Which cut is deepest?

Our favorite Minuteman, Ron Branstner, held another immigration reduction meeting in Austin last week according to the Austin Herald's Media, Austin history discussed at immigration forum. A taste:

There were mirrors, but no smoke at Thursday night’s forum on immigration issues at Oak Park Mall.

Less than 30 people attended the forum in the mirrored community meeting room.

The two-hour session began with the playing of a video, which most people ignored. . . .

Since Brian Davis thinks (well, at least back in late July when he was chasing the Republican base) that Bush can be compared to Truman, we close with the Daily Show's John Oliver presenting a somewhat different analogy:

Friday morning news and netroots digest: moving forward edition

CQ Politics includes the contest in Minnesota's Second in Key House Races Shift, and it’s in the Democrats’ Favor. Despite Sarvi's middling fundraising, the race has been moved from Safe Republican to Republican Favored. THE RPM shouldn't take that one for granted.

The latest rankings at Cook's Political Report leaves MN-01 status unchanged at "Likely Democratic."

The CQ rankings change reflects a post at the Washington Post's Capitol Briefing blog, Dems Expect to Gain  a 'Whole Bunch of Seats'. In the House:

As he has in the past, Van Hollen warned against "irrational exuberance" on the part of his fellow Democrats, and cautioned that outside groups like Freedom's Watch could help the GOP compensate for the National Republican Congressional Committee's relative lack of cash. Still, Van Hollen emphasized that "the big story is that we're in offense."

In the 2006 cycle, Van Hollen said, the DCCC spent $70 million on 47 House races, 40 of which where Democrats were on offense and just seven on defense. This cycle, Van Hollen estimated that as many as 75 seats were in play, with Democrats on offense in roughly two-thirds of them.

"We will pick up seats in the next election," Van Hollen predicted. "Even our colleagues on the other side recognize that."

Capitol Briefing also says Ethics Office Takes a Step Forward. House leaders Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner have finally announced their selections for the panel:

But today there is finally some progress toward getting the OCE going, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) jointly named the eight members of the office's board -- technically six members and two alternates. The members are ex-Reps. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-Calif.), Karan English (D-Ariz.), Porter Goss (R-Fla.) and David Skaggs (D-Colo.), former House Chief Administrative Officer Jay Eagen and former Federal Election Commission Chief of Staff Allison Hayward. The two alternates are ex-Reps. Abner Mikva (D-Ill.) and Bill Frenzel (R-Minn.).

Congressman Walz was one of the handful of representatives who started the ball rolling on changing the House rules so that the panel could be created.

The Winona Daily News and its sister Lee newspaper, the LaCrosse Tribune look at the upswing in Amtrak passengers in More riders could spur more Amtrak service. The skinny:

That trend has spurred a group of mayors in Minnesota and Wisconsin who want to lobby for funds to expand rail service between St. Paul and Chicago. The Minnesota-Wisconsin Amtrak Corridor group — which includes mayors from St. Paul to Watertown, Wis. — gathered Wednesday in Winona to build support for a proposal to double service on the line.

Winona Mayor Jerry Miller, who organized the meeting, said expansion of Amtrak service is linked to Winona’s effort to renovate the city’s Amtrak station into a rail, bus and car hub for southern Minnesota. . . .

. . .Federal legislators from Minnesota say they’ll examine the viability of expanding passenger rail from St. Paul to Chicago, though some aren’t yet ready to pledge full support for the proposal.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., has long supported upgrading the Union Depot in St. Paul, which could accommodate both light rail and the Amtrak line, a spokeswoman said. Coleman “welcomes the idea of an additional train in Winona,” spokeswoman Megan Turnell said.

Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., is requesting an analysis of ridership on the Amtrak line, a spokeswoman said.

“If the passenger demand exists for a second daily train, the Congressman would be supportive of providing additional transit options for people along the line,” spokeswoman Meredith Salsbery said.

Salsbery said Walz co-sponsored the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which could provide more than $14 billion for Amtrak capital projects — including additional trains and track upgrades — over a five-year period. The measure passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate, Salsbery said.

The Mankato Free Press reports in Walz, Coleman: Housing bill necessary:

It was a tricky congressional task: restoring confidence in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, helping homeowners struggling with loan payments, giving a boost to cities facing a rash of foreclosures — all while not leaving taxpayers feeling like they were bailing out foolish decisions made by homebuyers and lenders.

Democratic Congress-man Tim Walz and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman think congressional negotiators, after months of effort, pulled it off with the bill that passed the House Wednesday and is expected to clear the Senate Saturday. President Bush also has been persuaded, dropping threats to veto the bill.

“They got it right, I think,” said Walz, DFL-Mankato. “It’s a tough one. ... My first take is, I wish we didn’t have to do this.”

But the risks to the economy of a further deterioration in the condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made it imperative the federal government act, Walz said.

“The fact of the matter is this is an unprecedented situation, and we have to stabilize the housing market,” he said.

Although fewer than one in four House Republicans backed the bill, Coleman said he will support it in a procedural vote today and a final vote he expected Saturday.

“This is a crisis. We have to deal with this issue,” Coleman said. “Between the housing crisis and the energy crisis, those are the two things that are dragging this economy down.” . . .

Read the rest at the Free Press.  In Coleman, Franken bound for Farmfest the paper yesterday reported:

House candidates, too

At 1:30 p.m., congressional candidates will take the stage at Farmfest.

First District Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato, and his Republican opponents — endorsed candidate Brian Davis of Rochester and state Sen. Dick Day of Owatonna — have said they’ll be there.

This should be interesting, since Davis has said little to the press about ag issues. Walz serves on the House Agriculture committee, while Day has criticized the new Farm Bill. In the same article, the paper looks at name calling in the race under the subheading, Sticks and Stones, while noting Walz's recent statement on drilling and oil production.

Walz has told the press in the past that the election will be A referendum on Rep. Tim Walz, and the title for Sea Stachura's dispatch from St. Charles runs with that concept. The lead:

It's Saturday morning at Mike's Food Center in St. Charles. Democratic Congressman Tim Walz holds court in front of a display of baked beans and ketchup. Ten or so shoppers form a circle around him, nodding their heads.

"Get together and compromise. Make it work. Even those who are staunchly opposed to drilling are saying if takes a little compromise on that to get them to compromise to move toward investment in renewals, do it," Walz tells the group.

One woman chimes in, "That sounds really good."

Walz talks fast. In 2006 he beat another fast talker by six percentage points. That was auctioneer and Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht. Gutknecht had served the district for 12 years, and in 2006 most political scientists said the district was too conservative for Walz. They said a tidal wave of anti-Republican sentiment was the only way he'd get into office. . . .

Read or listen to the story at MPR.

Former DFL congressman and IP gubernatorial candidate Tim Penny may be supporting John McCain this year, but his son Marcus staffed the DFL booth at the county fair, the Waseca County News reports in Fair game for campaigns.  Some snippets:

“The fair booth gives us a chance to meet and talk with people and let them know what the party is all about and hear their concerns,” said Waseca County DFL chair Bob Hunter.

Democrats’ immediate concerns are economic, especially gas costs. On the national level, the war in Iraq is a clear second and locally, it is probably education, he said.

Katie Mullen and Marcus Penny said they were excited about working the DFL booth Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s really good to see younger people behind the booth because there are so many young people at the fair and it grabs their attention,” Mullen said.

Penny said he’s a Democrat because he grew up as a Democrat. Even though his dad, former Democratic congressman Tim Penny, changed his views, Marcus Penny said he stays with “what I grew up knowing and believing.”

This year, the added excitement for Penny and Mullen comes from presidential candidate Barack Obama. They believe he has done a lot of good for the Democratic Party, drawing new voters and disenfranchised and independent voters by bringing a new tone to politics.

Penny said, “I absolutely think he can win.” . . .

There's more at the Waseca County News.

On July 12, the Wall Street Journal editorial page scolded the Walz-Graves NCLB Recess bill, falsely claiming that if the measure passed:

schools would no longer have to file progress reports that expose achievement gaps between kids of different races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Yesterday, the NEA fired back in Walz-Graves is Common Sense to Us:

Your July 12 editorial "Wrong Education Fix" is flat wrong in describing why the National Education Association supports the Walz-Graves bill, the No Child Left Behind Recess Until Reauthorization Act. In fact, what this bill does is very simple. It says that for the next school year and until Congress reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (more commonly known as No Child Left Behind), schools that fail to make adequate yearly progress will not be subject to additional sanctions.

The bill does not suspend any testing required by NCLB. It does not suspend any reporting of test and other achievement data required by the law. And it does not minimize or eliminate the consequences for schools and districts that have already been subject to sanctions. The bill simply recognizes that because Congress has not reauthorized the law, there should be a pause from subjecting schools to new or additional sanctions, since it is very likely the consequences applied against schools will be changed during the reauthorization process.

The Walz-Graves bill offers a common-sense, moderate approach to NCLB's current system of snapshot, multiple-choice tests that are one-dimensional and unfair to children -- a system that is widely believed to need modification and improvement.

The NEA and a diverse coalition of education, civil rights, and other organizations will continue to work hard for a final version of ESEA that will not only require testing, but provide resources for programs that improve test scores, such as smaller class sizes and quality pre-K programs.

Congress should get on the stick on either fixing or flunking NCLB--but since it's been sent to the back burner, Walz-Graves is a common-sense interim.  While we at BSP aren't too keen on local schools ceding control, we also think that schools should set standards, teachers should be accountable, and yes, the "achievement gaps between kids of different races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds" that concerns the WSJ is a very real problem.

How can NCLB be tweaked--or replaced--in order to better achieve those goals? As is the case for so many of the policy issues facing this country, we think finding the "sweet spot" between ideals and practicality is going to have to take more than bickering and simple talking points.

Polinaut notes:

The Pi Press, the Rochester Post-Bulletin and the Star Tribune pick up on 1st District Republican Brian Davis' late property tax payments.

Winona Radio also picked up the story in Davis-Property taxes; WCCO ran with Minn. Candidate In 1st  Dist. Missed Tax Deadlines. Minnpost's David Bauer says:

Complicating a partisan narrative, now it's a GOP Congressional candidate with tax problems. Dr. Brian Davis, the 1st District endorsee, was delinquent on his property taxes 10 consecutive times over five years, the Strib's Kevin Duchschere reports. Davis calls it an "unfortunate oversight" and says he has no excuse.

Except, of course, that he excuses himself by blaming the fact that the bill comes in the mail.

 

Update: Christopher Truscott places Davis's tax tardiness ("arrogant") in the context of Republican pearl clutching over Al Franken filing in the wrong states ("stupid") in Unintended Consequences.[end update]

The Rochester Democrat has posted Congressman Walz's summer Veterans' Newsletter.

Walz: emergency housing bill crucial step in mortgage crisis

Walz's congressional office has issued the following statement about the emergency housing bill, for which the congressman voted yesterday:

PASSAGE OF EMERGENCY HOUSING BILL CRUCIAL TO SHORING UP MORTGAGE CRISIS
"The emergency facing our nation's economy warrants extraordinary action to protect the public's interest" says Walz

(Washington, D.C.) - Yesterday, Congressman Tim Walz voted for the most comprehensive housing bill yet that will assist families facing foreclosure keep their homes and help the economic recovery of local communities harmed by abandoned houses caught up in foreclosure. The bill passed the House last night with a vote of 272-152 and is now working its way through the Senate.   

To restore market confidence, the bill gives the U.S. Treasury Department emergency and temporary financing authority for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which hold or back half of the national mortgage debt and are about the only source of money still available for mortgage lenders.  Most Americans' primary investment is their home-and home values have plummeted by a record 15% in the last year.  Ending the foreclosure crisis is vital to the American economic recovery. 

"The American people know things are very serious when a free marketeer like U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, a man who has long been a proponent of limited government, comes to Congress and the American people asking for immediate authority to step in and help address the deepening housing and financial problems strangling our economy," said Walz.   "From home foreclosures to sky rocketing gas prices, hard-working American families are being squeezed.  This emergency housing bill can help turn things around."   

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae hold guarantees for roughly $5 trillion in U.S. mortgage debt. To stabilize the housing finance market and make sure that affordable home loans continue to be available, the measure included in H.R. 3221 gives the Secretary of the Treasury stand-by authority in the unlikely case that the Government Sponsored Enterprises (Fannie and Freddie as well as Federal Home Loan Banks) require temporary federal financial intervention.

The Congressional Budget Office reports "There is a significant chance-- probably better than 50 percent -- that the proposed new Treasury authority would not be used before it expired at the end of December 2009."

"Let's hope the Treasury Department doesn't need to use this new authority," said Walz.  "But if conditions worsen the Treasury Secretary will have new financial tools to act in the public's interest."   

Additional measures in the bill would shore up the housing market and ensure the availability of affordable home loans, by putting in place a tough, independent new regulator in charge of the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, which are vital to both the financial markets and American homeowners. 

A reminder: tomorrow's Economic Summit in Mankato

If we understand the way this works correctly, those who register tomorrow morning will probably have to find their own lunch, but otherwise, those who want to participate can just register at the event:

Congressman Tim Walz will host an Economic Summit at the Alltel Center in Mankato, Minnesota on Monday, June 2.

Congressman Walz's 2008 Economic Summit will feature thought provoking panel discussions on the most important economic issues facing Southern Minnesota and the country.   The event will gather academic leaders, industry experts, the business community, local residents and policy experts to discuss and debate issues of importance to us all. 

The day-long summit will feature presentations on Minnesota's economic and demographic trends; building a competitive advantage for southern Minnesota; the future of health care system; early childhood education; workforce training and emerging industries.

"Hard working Minnesotans face sky-rocketing prices at the pump and soaring out of pocket health care costs," said Walz. "This economic summit is designed to bring together citizens and experts from a variety of perspectives to discuss solutions to get our economy back on track and to promote a long term vision for growing our economy in southern Minnesota."

ECONOMIC SUMMIT HOSTED BY CONGRESSMAN WALZ
Alltel Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, MN
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For a full schedule of the events and for registration materials, please visit the Walz congressional office web site. 

The event is free and open to the public and press (advance registration requested but not required).

For directions and parking information, click here.

Late afternoon news digest: working for the district edition

In the Waseca County News report Rep. Ruth won't seek re-election, we find this gem:

[Former Waseca City Council member Larry Johnson]   thinks it is doubtful that state Sen. Dick Day's seat will be vacated by a successful run for the seat now held by Congressman Tim Walz (D-Mankato) in the U.S. House of Representatives.<

"Dick would have a heck of a time trying to beat Walz, who has a very good base in Albert Lea and Austin," Johnson said.

That base exists regardless of whom the Republicans pick in their September primary. 

Senator Coleman is taking a victory lap following the Senate's approval of the Farm Bill, the Mankato Free Press and New Ulm Journal report. Residents haven't forgotten that Walz deserves credit for Farm Bill efforts, as a letter to the editor of the Worthington Globe notes:

. . .Rep. Tim Walz should be commended for his hard work in crafting that bill, using ideas from farmers across the district. Walz held 14 public forums around the area to gather the sentiment and views of area farmers.

Included in the bill are his Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Provision, which makes it easier for young people to get their start in farming. He also pushed to make it easier for farmers to enroll in conservation programs, which help them take care of the environment. And, he successfully led the fight to give farmers more flexibility to decide what they want to plant.

Rep. Walz is a breath of fresh air in Washington politics. He listens to his constituents, takes their ideas to Congress and actually delivers results. He is fighting for farmers and every southern Minnesotan.

A blogger at the Hill's Briefing Room picks up on the PB story in Rep. Walz: Neighbor's Home Foreclosed.

MSU-Mankato reprints a portion of the Free Press article about how U.S. Rep. Tim Walz visits campus to view alternative energy research.  Walz visited the biofuels research labs and took a look at electric vehicles.  In other energy news, the Twin City Daily Planet notes Walz's work on extending (and improving) the wind production tax credit in Owning your own power plant: Trickier than it seems.

Walz is speaking up for small town pharmacists tomorrow, according to Pharmacy Rally on Capitol Hill, a press release from the National Community Pharmacists Association, which is holding its 40th legislative convention in Washington, D.C.

 

The house next door: Tim Walz on foreclosures

The Post Bulletin's Ed Felker reports in Foreclosure crisis is challenge for Congress:

Ask Democratic Rep. Tim Walz about the housing crisis, and he will tell you he sees it out the front window of his Mankato home.

"My personal story is that the house right next to (mine) has been in foreclosure for a year and my property value dropped 20 percent this year," he said.

The article is solid reporting and includes more on Walz, as well as positions taken by Representative John Kline and Senators Klobuchar and Coleman.

MinnPost picks up on the story in Congressman Walz: the foreclosure next door:

Every so often, we're reminded the U.S. Congressfolk really are people like us. Today's example: Tim Walz.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin reports on Walz's close encounter with the foreclosure crisis: the congressman say the house next to his Mankato home "has been in foreclosure for a year and my property value dropped 20 percent this year."

Photo: Tim, Gwen, and Hope Walz outside their Mankato home in 2006. The picture was taken on Hope's first day of kindergarten.  Little Gus is in the picture, but didn't make his grand entrance until a few weeks later.

 

House passes Neighborhood Stabilization Act, 239-188

In his regularly scheduled weekly press conference this morning, Congressman Walz talked about measures designed to provide some relief for the consequences of the mortgage foreclosure crisis now sweeping the country. 

According to the Speaker's office, the House just passed

the Neighborhood Stabilization Act, H.R 5818,[which] will provide $15 billion in loans and grants to states to acquire vacant, foreclosed homes and was passed by a vote of 239-188 The legislation will allow local communities to rehabilitate foreclosed properties, which currently drive down surrounding home properties, and place these homes back on the market.

In Minnesota's House delegation, Republican Jim Ramstad joined the state's five Democratic representatives in voting for the measure. Republican Representatives Kline and Bachmann voted against the measure.

UPDATE: Walz's congressional office has just released the following statement about the vote, along with the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008:

WALZ VOTES TO ADDRESS HOUSING CRISIS, BOLSTER STATE AND LOCAL ECONOMIES
Congressman says legislative measures are key to protecting middle class families from losing their greatest asset

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Walz joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in passing a package of bills to address the housing crisis that has contributed to America's economic slowdown and is threatening millions of American families with foreclosure.

Walz said that the two bills, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, are together the most comprehensive effort by Congress to date to address the housing crisis and to help American families hold on to their homes. 

"This package of housing measures will help families facing foreclosure keep their homes, help other families avoid foreclosures in the future, and help the recovery of communities harmed by empty homes caught in the foreclosure process," said Walz.  "These bills are a way to ensure that entire neighborhoods aren't affected by the wave of foreclosures that has swamped many middle-class Americans." 

In a speech this week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke argued that: "High rates of delinquency and foreclosure can have substantial spillover effects on the housing market, the financial markets, and the broader economy. Therefore, doing what we can to avoid preventable foreclosures is not just in the interest of lenders and borrowers.  It's in everybody's interest."

Walz noted that a recent study examined ten states including Minnesota and concluded that, in those ten states alone, lost tax revenue in 2008 will total $6.6 billion due to foreclosures.  Further, an estimated 524,000 fewer jobs are projected to be created this year because of the foreclosure crisis. 

The Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 establishes a $15 billion loan and grant program for the purchase and rehabilitation of owner-vacated, foreclosed homes. The program helps working class families get into the housing market by requiring that homes purchased for resale through the program must be sold to families at or below 140% of area median income.

The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 would make middle-class families eligible to receive a tax benefit that is equivalent to an interest-free loan of up to $7,500 towards the purchase of a first home.  Existing homeowners who normally would be able to claim the standard deduction would now be allowed an additional standard deduction for property taxes up to $700 for a married couple filing jointly.

1 Remarks at the Columbia School of Business, May 5, 2008
2 Global Insight, The Mortgage Crisis: Economic and Fiscal Implications for Metro Areas, November, 2007

Photo: Foreclosed home, from MPR.