Bluestem Prairie

Bluestem remix: Chip Cravaack driving America over a cliff. . .now in New Hampshire

The SEIU MN State Council's Executive Director director sent Bluestem a press release and a URL of a Youtube for an ad the national union and Americans United for Change are running in Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District.

Looking at the ad, something seemed a little off. Congressman Cravaack is moving his family to New Hampshire, as Bluestem noted on Saturday in Teabagger turns carpetbagger: left off Patriot Program, Cravaack moves family to NH. The ad uses stock footage of a race down a coastal road in what looks to be California (and the union and AUC are running similar ads in targeted districts across the country).

Why not a cliff in New Hampshire?

Bluestem remixed the sound with more appropriate footage and some subtitles to provide a multi-level message:

Here's the original, with the press release below the fold:

It's a ploy! MNGOP chair Tony Sutton joins in Scott Hennen's public rest stop rant

After listening to a podcast where conservative talk radio personality Scott Hennen and failed burrito baron and MNGOP chair Tony Sutton agree about the politics of cleaning bathrooms, I had to hope Sutton had never been allowed to determine janitorial standards when he was CEO at the Baja Sol restaurants.

On July 5, Fargo-area conservative talk radio personality Scott Hennen ranted about the closing of Minnesota's rest stops as part of a ploy on the part of Leftists to grow government--and MNGOP Chair Tony Sutton agreed with him at the beginning of the interview. Full podcast here.

Bluestem had to laugh, since the Pawlenty Administration closed the rest stops when the government shutdown in 2005 under TPaw's watch as well. And frankly, we don't think bathrooms clean themselves or public health issues created by an absence of janitors are anything to take lightly. Both governors' administrations were using sound judgement in closing the rest stops.

The bigger question though: What's Sutton doing hanging around with this ranter at a time when citizens are asking for some real common sense, not just a club brand?

 

Tales of Hoffman: Scenes from the ideological struggle in Fergus Fall, Minnesota

As late as yesterday at 11:15 a.m., this was the line-up for Senator Hoffman's budget rally, via the Fergus Fall Daily Journal news brief, Hoffman budget rally today [UPDATED]:

Senator Gretchen Hoffman has organized a rally on the state budget at 5:30 p.m. today at N.P. Park. Radio host Scott Hennen is emceeing the event, and other speakers include Hoffman, Rep. Mary Fransen, and Danielle Saul, Fergus Falls resident and chairperson of the Minnesota State University Moorhead College Republicans, as well as others.

Speakers will be talking about the budget situation at the State Capitol. Admission is free.

However, something changed, and an hour or so later, this line-up appeared on Senator Hoffman's Facebook page:

Today is rally day! I'm looking forward to seeing everybody at the Fergus Falls rally today at 5:30 in NP Park! Scott Hennen will be MC'ing and I am happy to welcome Senators Parry and DeKruif as well as Representative Franson to SD10 for the rally. Other speakers include constituents from the district and there will be open mic time for a discussion about the Minnesota budget.

Why did Michael Brodkorb feel the need for re-enforcements  from Southern Minnesota for the rally? Do  Parry and Dekruif's constituents feel that their own senators' time is best spent in a district on the other side of the state? Shouldn't they be taking questions about the shutdown in Senate Districts 25 and 26?

I eagerly look forward to read news accounts of the rally and seeing YouTubes of what were no doubt stirring speeches.

Scenes from the ideological struggle in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Update: The Fergus Falls Daily Journal has posted A rally for conservatism [UPDATED]. Some gems:

“We have been told in our classes over and over that being successful and making lots of money is bad, while we are being shown that if you do not work, you are often rewarded,” said Danielle Saul, Fergus Falls resident and president of the Minnesota State University College Republicans. “This mentality needs to end now, with my generation, and you have the chance to show us that hard work and perseverance are two characteristics that will not be forgotten.”

Saul, who was Hoffman's intern this past session, is sounding awfully like Hoffman herself. Perhaps they both could get a bit more specific and tell the general public which classes they enrolled in on Not Being Successful. None of my college friends have shared this experience with me--indeed, one includes a statement from a professor among his Facebook quotations: "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, having money is better."

But perhaps my young friends have had very different experiences than Danielle and thus are not in a position to parrot Hoffman's view of college.

Here's more:

Though billed as a budget rally, the topics of the gathering were wide ranging. Health care advocate Twila Brase spoke about stopping President Barack Obama’s health care plan, attorney and GOP activist Peter Balega thanked the nation’s servicemen and told attendees that they were engaged in an ideological struggle, and Hennen kept the crowd laughing with his lampooning of government and the news media (including jokes that State Government Innovation Committee is “an oxymoron” and that he sometimes refers to the Star Tribune newspaper as “The Star and Sickle.”)

But one theme was woven through all of the speakers’ talks: their frustration with DFL Governor Mark Dayton.

Hoffman, Senator Rick Parry and Senator Al DeKruif all spoke of Dayton’s unwillingness to compromise and inconsistency as a negotiator, with Parry going so far as saying that Dayton has been planning for a shutdown before the legislative session ended. . . .

In short, the usual template.

Photo and screenshot: Mike Parry, Waseca, traveled to Fergus Falls yesterday as a last minute guest at Senator Hoffman's rally (top); Hoffman's Facebook posting, captured about 11:30 a.m. today, with the time stamp, "23 hours ago." Image added at 11:42 a.m.(below).

Note: the title of this post has been changed from  "Tales of Hoffman: Senate Majority Leader Brodkorb sends Parry and Dekruif to Fergus Falls rally" to improve your snark intake.

Hickster express: Walz, Hanna introduce bill to provide fair transportation voice for rural Americans

Given his birthplace in rural Nebraska and current residence in Mankato (and a spouse born in Glencoe, MN), there's no one better to stand up for hicksters than First District congressman Tim Walz.

From the Walz congressional office:

Today, Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) and Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY) announced they have introduced bipartisan legislation to give rural areas a greater voice in designing transportation policy and to ensure we invest more equitably in rural America.

“Rural citizens pay taxes just like urban citizens, but often times the voice of rural communities are drowned out when it comes to infrastructure priorities. It is time for rural Minnesotans to have a greater voice in where their transportation dollars are going.” Walz said “The decisions that are made about roads and highways directly impact our local businesses that rely on well-kept infrastructure to receive shipments and move their products to market. As states put together their statewide transportation plans, rural communities should have a seat at the table.”

“When it comes to planning for federal transportation projects, rural communities across the 24th District are left with little to no formal input at the state level,” said Hanna. “This important legislation will provide rural communities with the same level of input at the state planning level as their counterparts from larger population areas.”

H.R. 2782 would require state transportation departments to cooperate with regional transportation planning organizations. Additionally, state transportation departments would be required to disburse some of their federal funding to the rural transportation planning organizations. Walz said this revenue sharing will help ensure that rural transportation planning organizations are full partners in rebuilding America’s crumbling public infrastructure.

This bill is supported by the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Organizations of Counties, the American Planning Organization, and the National League of Cities.

Fixing tickets, unbuckling liberty: Republican introduces bill about not enforcing a law

Over at the Minnesota independent, Andy Birkey reports in GOP pushes tenther amendment to ban ‘Obamacare,’ DFLers call it the Southern Strategy that Glenn Gurenhagen introduced language that would stop a law from going into effect:

Republicans in the Minnesota House have included an amendment to the health and human services omnibus bill that would ban the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in the state of Minnesota . . .

Not to be outdone by a freshman legislator, Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) has introduced a bill to ban sealtbelt enforcement waves:

Beard’s bill would specifically prohibit saturation campaigns to nab motorists failing to buckle up. It also would prohibit sting operations that rely on using deception to catch drivers violating the seat belt law.

Supporters of seat belt enforcement argue that these law enforcement efforts are about saving lives.

“It is a painful ticket, and I understand that, but often people who get it continue to comply and we know it’s lifesaving,” said Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester.

In 2009, Norton helped lead the effort to get the primary seat belt law passed, which allows law enforcement officers to pull over motorists solely for failing to buckle up.

What's the problem? People have complained to Beard about getting tickets:

For Beard, the concern goes beyond seat belt enforcement. He said he has been getting complaints from citizens across the state who are being pulled over by the Minnesota State Patrol for things like tinted windows, gas cans on trailers and unbuckled seat belts.

“This chairman is starting to wonder if harassment is becoming a policy of the state patrol, and I think that is counterproductive,” he said.

I see. So law enforcement enforcing the law is the new harassment.

Beard doesn't see the seat belt law itself being repealed because of federal funding:

Bills have been introduced to repeal the primary seat belt law. Beard said he does not see those going anywhere since the federal government is giving the state additional money for having the law in place. As for his bill, he said the main goal is to have a discussion about how the state patrol is operating.

“I put the bill in so we can have a discussion,” he said “I don’t know that I necessarily need it to pass, but certainly we need the patrol to come in and explain to us elected representatives why we are getting this outcry from citizens.”

Citizens coming to their elected officials about tickets? Perhaps Beard could name his bill the "Ticket Fixing Act of 2011."

DL Online: "outstate cities are wise to fight back against a divide-and-conquer attack"

Yet another voice has been raised against the cyncial suburban mallrat Republican legislative mindset governing decisions on LGA.

The common sense coming out of Detroit Lakes echoes that heard about transportation earlier today in Winona.

In Going to bat for Twin Cities, the DL Online editors write:

When it comes to the battle over the future of Local Government Aid in Minnesota, outstate cities are wise to fight back against a divide-and-conquer attack by House conservatives.

In an opinion piece, Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden and Granite Falls Mayor Dave Smiglewski decry efforts to slash LGA to the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

LGA is basically state money to cities to keep local property taxes down.

“As mayors of cities that have been hit by disasters including tornados and floods, we know that we can count on Minneapolis and Saint Paul for assistance — unless the House majority succeeds in marginalizing the state’s two biggest cities,” the two write in their opinion piece.

The editors use common sense:

Minnesota’s strength lies in its diversity and in its economic interconnectedness, and those who are active in city governments in outstate Minnesota understand the benefits that Minneapolis and Saint Paul provide to rural communities.

Likewise, the mayors of the Twin Cities understand that if the whole state isn’t healthy, their communities will not do well, so it is hard to understand why the legislature is turning a blind eye to that fact.

They conclude:

We join the two mayors in hoping that House members and the legislature as a whole will continue to reflect on their actions and change their minds about reversing a policy that has led to an economically strong state.

The rural values I know are at work in that editorial.

Photo: Suburban Republican leadership. Don't take pretzel logic on LGA from these guys and gals.

Related posts: WDN: Draz anti-rail amendment "fast track to hell"

Worthington Globe tells MNGOP legislative mall rats: big cities and small, we're one state

Legislative lamprey logic; or, farmers and editors in Albert Lea know suburbs are like sucker plants

WDN: Draz anti-rail amendment "fast track to hell"

One can't blame the Republican Party of Minnesota for sticking to the beaten path of its "country mouse and city louse" rhetoric. For years, they've flattered a sense of rural injured merit, and gained seats and political power.

But we hicks are figuring it out--once again--realizing that it's one Minnesota, a state deeply connected (and not just when the GOP majorities want to steal from a local mining revenue on the Range so that their corporate pals don't have to share sacrifice by paying a penny more in taxes) where the well being of most of us rises and falls together.

And that kicking responsibility up the road is a great way to create potholes.

Once again, the editors of the Winona Daily News call out Steve Drazkowski for his divisive, us-v.them politics. This time, the suckers' game he played was transportation. In Transportation not an either/or proposition, Darrell Ehrlick notes: 

Winona — and Greater Minnesota for that matter — may be on the road to hell, if conventional wisdom is right. You know that old saying about the path to hell being paved with good intentions, right? . . .

It’s not that Minnesotans ever said, “Hey, let’s let craters the size of a moped pock our roads across the state.”

It’s not like anyone’s holding up a sign that says, “Boo roads!”

That’s why it’s so darn tempting to do what Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, did with recent legislation.

A Drazkowski-sponsored amendment to a bill would effectively halt the Twin Cities Central Corridor project and send nearly $1 billion back to road and transportation projects in Greater Minnesota.

Anyone who’s suffered through tires that prematurely wear out or incessant realignment bills can sympathize with this legislation.

But this amendment itself may be on the fast track to hell, if you’ll excuse mixing the metaphors.

. . . [the amendment] like many of his bills, misses the point completely.

Transportation isn’t a rail versus road issue. It’s not a metro versus Greater Minnesota issue.

Transportation is a perfect example of getting what we’ve paid for.

We’ve shortchanged maintenance, lengthened road life and stretched our infrastructure until it’s breaking. If you think that’s overstatement, go watch next time the Minnesota Department of Transportation takes a hammer to the rusting metal plates of the Interstate Bridge.

As much as we in Greater Minnesota would love to blame it on the Twin Cities, this has nothing to do with the big, bad metro folks robbing us hard-working farm folks.

This has everything to do with funding.

Politicians today are fond of talking about living within our means. Yet we haven’t been living within our transportation means for years. We’ve freeloaded and “cheaped out.”

. . .Now it’s time to pay the bill, and quite frankly, we don’t like the price.

. . . It can’t be an either/or proposition when it comes to transportation. Greater Minnesota relies on the economic power generated by the Twin Cities. And without the strong agricultural, manufacturing and natural resources in the rural areas, the Twin Cities would also diminish greatly.

Read the whole thing--the conclusion is that we'll get what we pay for, and "In many ways, Drazkowski’s legislation is the easy way out. It robs one area of the state to pay for another."

Since the WDN allowed mixed metaphors today, I'll run with that permission. Bluestem thinks the editors are far too kind to Representative Drazkowski when they suggest that the Draz is motivated by good intentions in offering so many bone-headed proposals.

Indeed, he comes up with so many outlandish bills--drawn from who-knows-where--that one wonders if he's hagridden like a character in one of Robert Heinlein's minor sci-fi-novels. But I needn't reach for the fiction bookshelf for an analogy.

Rather, zoology offers a useful contribution to Drazkowski discourse in the form of the Cymothoa exigua, or tongue-eating louse, pictured above. This aquatic parasite attaches itself to, devours, and replaces the tongue of the spotted rose snapper. The possessed fish soon wags the louse as if it were its own, while the louse earns its living as the imposter tongue.

The lousy sources of some of the divisive bills that set Draz's tongue wagging are well known (his anti-immigrant bill last term was a copy-cat of Arizona's SB1070 bill). In this case, the urban v. rural meme itself is the master, with Draz the carrier who--as the editors point out--simply hasn't thought things through.

Image: With that louse as a tongue, who is doing the talking when Steve Drazkowski opens his mouth on the floor of the Minnesota House? A snapper infeste by the Cymothoa exigua, or tongue-eating louse

GOP jobs & economic development bill: Mr. Whipple goes to St. Paul, squeezes job training

Back in the day, Representative Bob Gunther co-owned Gunther’s Foods in Fairmont and Elmore. A 2002 interview began:

Rep. Bob Gunther, like Mr. Whipple, enjoys squeezing the Charmin — and periodically poking a finger into the Pillsbury doughboy’s tummy. In fact, his calloused hands and fingers are into squeezing and poking nearly everything.

The family is out of the grocery business now, and Gunther has taken not just to squeezing job training programs, but downright poking them in the eye.

MPR report that Job training [are] a casualty in GOP jobs budget bill.

And why does job training need  to be cut? Because Bob Gunther thinks Minnesota has to be more like Wisconsin:

Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, said his committee put forward the best plan he could in light of the state's budget situation. But he said Minnesota needs to put more money in economic development to compete with surrounding states.

"You take Wisconsin; it has 48 job incentive programs that steals business from Minnesota," Gunther said. "We have 12 and one of them is neutered."

The Republicans keep saying that Wisconsin's programs steal business from Minnesota. Which  businesses have been stolen because of these incentives? The poster child  for their talking points seems to be a business right here in Hutchinson where I live: Hutchinson Technology, which was not eligible for Wisconsin's new tax credit/deduction incentives.

But last week in Hutchinson, HTI officials said their decision to transfer some jobs to Wisconsin (and the rest to Thailand) was due to global market demands and the types of computer parts manufactured in production lines in their Eau Claire and Hutchinson plants --and the decision of where lines were sited were made long before either Walker and Dayton were governors of the respective states. Do Minnesota Republicans want us to think business leaders are lying?

Will Gunther's proposed job training cuts have any impact on workers like those here in Hutchinson? Jeepers, apparently so. Update: I'm told by a very reliable source that Hutch's workers will not be affected. Good news!  [end update]

Looking at the budget spreadsheet provided by the committee, I spotted two likely suspects in cuts to apprentice programs  (-$122 million)  and cuts to job re-training (overall DEED cut is $3.1 million).

And on the federal level, Republicans in the United States House of Representatives want to cut job training programs by 50 percent:

Also on the chopping block is nearly 50 percent of federal job training funding (about $2 billion). Republicans recently have a had a preoccupation with gutting job training programs. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN suggested that the government simply “eliminate federal job training programs,” while Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) said on MSNBC that job training is on the list of things he could “whack from this budget and [have] nobody feel it.”

The question of job creation--and job killing--is a complicated one, but worth asking. Over at the Same Rowdy Crowd, Joe Loveland writes in Who Are Minnesota’s Most Heinous “Job Killers?”:

These days Minnesota’s GOP state legislators mutter the word “jobs” several hundred times per day — sometimes with Tourette-esque usage and timing — to assure us how very, very committed to job creation they are. Similarly, any initiative Republicans oppose earns the label “job killing” _____ (fill in the blank).

Of course, the limitation would-be Republican and Democratic job creators both face is a big honkin’ $5 billion budget shortfall. Both of the major options for addressing the shortfall – increasing taxes and cutting assistance to Minnesota families and communities – hurts the employment picture. Both are job killing, but the question is, which approach kills more?

Fair question. Loveland turns to an MPR story:

While most media coverage of this debate focuses on partisan legislators’ unsubstantiated and oh so predictable platitudes, MPR‘s Annie Baxter did something really wacky the other day. She checked in with non-partisan economists.

Who were the experts and what did they say?:

The article quotes the state’s top labor market analyst, State Economist, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and analysts at Moody’s and Macroeconomic Forecaster as saying that Republicans’ cutting of government services will hurt job creation and retention, no matter how many times they chirp “jobs, jobs, jobs” at us. Excerpts from the MPR story:

Some experts are concerned that state spending cuts would be harmful to Minnesota’s economic recovery. Their logic is that taxpayer dollars buy goods and services and pay wage. . . .

Go check it out at SRC and MPR.

Not surprisingly, Bob Gunther issued a press release in February calling Governor Dayton's budget a "job killer." Leave it to today's Republicans to love them some abstract jobs, while abandoning workforce development training for the people who might need to pick up extra skills necessary to land those jobs.

Gunther also proposes to raid $60 million from the Iron Range's Johnson Trust Fund, which mining companies pay in lieu of property taxes. Over at Minnesota Brown, Aaron Brown takes a look at the proposal in No learning curve, Melin tasked with defending $60 million in local Range money.

Update: See BSP's latest post on the proposed raid on the Johnson Trust in Rep. Gunther admits squeezing $60 million from Range's Johnson Trust Fund isn't legal. [update]

But cutting training programs for workers--while providing breaks for businesses and the wealthy-- just seems to be the GOP ethos these days. Heaven forbid taxes should be raised on the wealthiest  Minnesotans--who pay a smaller percentage of their income than middle and lower class Minnesotans (see Study shows who bears state's biggest tax burden). Let's take it out of the hide of the underemployed and the unemployed.

And Republican plans for swiping local and regional dollars isn't isolated to the House job and economic development committee. In GOP moves to cut light-rail money, Pat Doyle reports at the Strib:

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, who runs an agency that distributes sales tax money for expanding transit, said the proposal would "steal local sales tax" money to help balance the state budget.

I suppose we could start thinking of this strategy as local government aid in reverse-- with local government giving it up to the state. Sounds like a good way to stall economic recovery and growth.

Photo: From a 2002 Bizconnect interview, Representative Gunther stands by his bananas. Since those are 2002 bananas, I don't think those are the ones Representative Gruenhagen meant in his illustration for personal dietary responsibility, but with the Gruenator, one never knows.

On the GOTV trail: Rochester mayor endorses Walz at rally

I'll be posting a round-up late tonight about GOTV efforts in Greater Minnesota, but one incident on the campaign trail is striking. The Rochester Post Bulletin reports in Rochester mayor jumps into partisan politics:

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede kicked-off this morning's get-out-the-vote rally at the Olmsted County DFL Headquarters.

"As many of you know, I over the years as a nonpartisan elected officials have tried to at least publicly be private with my support (of candidates)," he told the crowd of more than 100 DFL volunteers.

But that changed this morning. Brede said he believes this is an important time and he is backing all the area DFL state lawmakers in addition to 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton. He said Walz's staff calls or e-mail him every week to check what is going on and that the congressman has supported veterans and Rochester's position on rail issues.

"This is somebody we need to have back there," he said.

There's more at the PB's blog, including Brede's support for Mark Dayton for governor. Go read the whole thing.

What a positive contrast with that expressed by a Randy Demmer supportors in the video footage below that the DFL captured during the kick-off for Randy Demmer's "Heartland Values" tour. If these are the sentiments that the Demmer campaign has shared with editorial boards, it's no wonder that Congressman Walz has received the lion's share of newspaper endorsements.

The notion that Walz "corrupted young minds" as a teacher also illustrates the poverty of ideas plaguing the Demmer campaign.

I know a lot of young people who were Walz's students at Mankato West or who trained with him as their First Sergeant in the National Guard. If inspiring young people to learn, to love and serve their country is corruption, I think I'll have little to do with the "Heartland Values" Randy Demmer's supporters espouse.

As the DFL post noted:

Representative Walz was given the Minnesota Ethics in Education award in 2002, the 2003 Mankato Teacher of the Year award, and the 2003 Teacher of Excellence award.

USDA/US DOT release rural transportation study

I'm still playing catch-up from four days in Duluth and Minneapolis, but think this press release about a study of rural freight is important. The call for the report was included in the latest Farm Bill.

From Congressman Walz's office:

USDA/US DOT RELEASE WALZ TRANSPORTATION STUDY

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Transportation released a report to study freight transportation issues facing rural America. The study focused on freight rail, particularly as it relates to the movement of agricultural inputs and commodities, renewable fuels, and coal. The study was mandated by a Walz amendment to the 2008 Farm Bill.

“The transportation of agricultural products is critical to our rural economy,” said Walz. “This study provides Congress the most up-to-date data and information about transportation challenges we face in rural America. I am pleased that this study will allow us to make informed decisions about policies that lead to more efficient transportation of commodities and goods in the future, particularly as Congress prepares to take up the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.”

The Study of Rural Transportation Issues, conducted jointly by USDA and the Department of Transportation, examined the effect of deregulation on the rail industry, the reasonableness of rates and the reliability of service, how better policies can improve the flow of freight through all modes of transportation and whether the federal grievance process for shippers is too cumbersome to be effective.

This study reaffirmed that freight rail is a critical mode of transportation for rural America. It also confirmed that decreased competition in the rail industry has led to increased rates for shippers and ultimately, consumers who are buying groceries or paying their electricity bills.

To read the study, please click here.

Last week, The Hill published an op-ed by Rep. Walz that called for open and free competition in the rail industry, while acknowledging the important role the rail industry plays in shipping goods throughout the United States. To read that op-ed, please click here.

Image: A 1880s classic cartoon depicting William Henry Vanderbilt as a bandit. Vanderbilt,  who famously said, "The public be damned" was the richest man in the world at the time of his death in 1885. Populist movements such as the Grange were spurred by farmers' concerns over freight shipping rates.

A blast from the past: former DM & E executive Kevin Schieffer resurfaces in headlines

Jeff Pieters at the Post Bulletin tweeted this article, Ex-DM&E chief: Railroad owes him $4 million more, from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader:

The Sioux Falls man who lost his job as a railroad boss to a corporate merger is locked in a bitter dispute over his severance package.

A lawsuit filed by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad against former CEO Kevin Schieffer puts a sour ending on a business relationship that turned around a failing company and almost produced the largest railroad expansion in 100 years.

Schieffer left the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad in October 2008 after Canadian Pacific bought the company for more than $1.5 billion. He wanted to lay track into Wyoming to haul coal east from the Powder River Basin. Instead, Schieffer is at least the second employee to contest his compensation after the takeover by the Canadian company was completed in September. . . .

Read the whole article at the Argus. A friend who has followed the issue since 2006 tells me there's more to the story.  Will the struggle between Mayo Clinic and the Rochester Coalition and farmers over the proposed bypass move into the headlines with this development? Stay tuned.

Photo: Former DM & E railroad tycoon Kevin Schieffer.

CD6 digest: Getting it right on student loans, transportation, economy, census

While Congresswoman Bachmann maybe bemoaning the changes made to government-subsidized student loan programs, not all of her constituents agree with that assessment. Rachel Murray, a recent Macalester College grad in Lake Elmo, writes in Your View: Congress gets it right on student loans:

. . .Yet, at a time when tuition is rising and universities are tightening their belts, student loan reform is a much-needed breath of fresh air.

This bill will end subsidies to special-interest lenders that, until now, have earned profits on the taxpayers' dime. It will double funding for Pell Grants, increasing access to educational opportunities. It will help a new generation of students earn their degree by revitalizing our community colleges. Finally, for new graduates, it will limit annual student loan repayments to 10 percent of income.

Read the entire letter in the Stillwater Gazette. 

The Clark Campaign web site looks at yesterday's transportation roundtable in Clark, Walz chart Minnesota's transportation future: relieving congestion, building to serve business and communities:

While 6th District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann today headlines yet another Tea Party rally outside her district, Clark continues to roll up her sleeves and work on the important issues facing the businesses and residents of the 6th District.

"Time and again, when it comes to the transportation needs of the 6th District, Michele Bachmann only shows up for the photo op," continued Clark. "When the DeSoto Bridge in St. Cloud was deemed unsafe and closed, Michele Bachmann did nothing to help us rebuild and reopen; she did nothing to help build Northstar; she did nothing to help us repair our roads and relieve congestion. Instead, coalitions of communities and leaders came together to get the job done. They deserve a partner in Congress who can deliver real results. I'm here today because I'm ready to do the work and be the advocate in Congress the people of the district deserve."

The Sherburne County Citizen reports Bankruptcies on the rise in that conservative central Minnesota county. Contributing writer Ken Francis reports:

Until recently, Sherburne County hasn’t really paid much attention to bankruptcy statistics. But that has changed as the number started increasing.

“It was never a huge case load,” says Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney. “Then in 2007 it started creeping up towards the end of the year. That’s when we started tracking the number. Up to that point it wasn’t an issue.”

In 2006, there were 33 bankruptcy filings in the county. A year later it was 55. And the number kept rising - to 86 in 2008 and the same number in 2009. In the first three months of 2010 there have already been 21.

This sounds like a statistic that the Residents for Accuracy and Truth PAC might want more people in the 6th  to know about. 

Meanwhile,the Woodbury Bulletin reports that Michele Bachmann's home county, Local residents big on census and are returning it at one of the highest rates in Minnesota. Perhaps her neighbors pay more attention to Republican legislators like Patrick McHenry when it comes to filling out the forms.

Polifact reports that it's "mostly true" when  Rep. Patrick McHenry claims the 2010 census is shortest in modern history while Bachmann's annoyance at its alleged length--not so much:

CD6 digest: It's the surreal thing

Since much of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District is rural & small towns, Bluestem will be digesting news and opinion about the congressional race from district sources.

DFL endorsed congressional candidate Tarryl Clark is leading transportation roundtable at the Johnsville Branch Library in Blaine. From a new release sent by the Clark Campaign:

State Senator Tarryl Clark will lead a roundtable on Minnesota’s transportation future, particularly in the 6th Congressional District where rapid population growth is placing high demands on the area’s transportation infrastructure.

While Congresswoman Bachmann spends her time traveling the country and pursuing her own agenda, Tarryl Clark gets to work, charting the District’s transportation future.

Clark will be joined by key transportation leaders including Congressman Tim Walz, a member of the House Transportation Committee, Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart; and El Tinklenberg, former Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Woodbury Bulletin reports that sWoodbury residents like Palin, Pawlenty. One certainly can't disagree with the premise that Woodbury residents interviewed at a Bachmann/Palin rally were there for the two Republican speakers.  How far remains to be seen:

Paul Hyland, a retired technology" worker from Woodbury, was impressed with Palin’s speech and has been intrigued with her since the 2008 race. At this point, he said that he probably would support Pawlenty if the two faced off . . .

Still another man wistfully yearns for a candidate from the Republican Party's past:

Dr. John Elverum, a retired optometrist from Woodbury, set his hopes high.

“We need Ronald Reagan or someone very similar,” Elverum said. . . .

Not everyone in Woodbury, however, is pleased with Bachmann. Viewpoints writer John Shirts suggests that Bachmann should practice what she preaches regarding entitlements:

Our congresswoman, once again votes against those she represents.

I watch the news daily to see what Rep. Michele Bachmann will next say that contradicts how she lives. Which foot will go in her mouth next. She is against any program that helps our citizens who have less than her, yet continues to reap the benefits of government handouts that make her life better.

She spouts vitriol about government involving itself in peoples lives, (requiring people to have health care insurance), yet says nothing about long established government requirements that we carry automobile insurance. What is the difference? She claims that this is an unconstitutional requirement for people. Where is her argument. One requirement is good, the other bad? Give me the rationale.

Her family has benefited from one of the largest government entitlements, farm subsidies, yet she votes against programs to help the indigent.. . .

Read the entire column at the Woodbury Bulletin, part of the Forum media chain.

To the west, St. Cloud Times reporter MArk Sommerhauser also covered the Republican/Fox News rally in Minneapolis. His article, Bachmann, Palin rock, rally the faithful reports:

Bachmann restated a recent claim: That after recent takeovers of banks, mortgage companies and automakers, the federal government now controls 51 percent of the U.S. private economy.

Bachmann questioned President Obama's decision to sign a nuclear-arms reduction deal with Russia, and asked why accused "Underwear Bomber" Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was given the same rights as a U.S. citizen while being interrogated after an alleged bombing attempt last year.

Wednesday's rally was as much a cultural rallying cry as an occasion for political stumping. References to patriotism and religion were ubiquitous, and a singing trio took the stage before Palin and Bachmann in USA jerseys to sing the "10 Commandments Boogie." . . .

. . .St. Cloud State University senior Adam Ulbricht shared a view of the event with Palin and Bachmann. Ulbricht, a member of the St. Cloud State College Republicans, was one of a small group chosen to be on stage.

Ulbricht had seen Bachmann speak before — but never in a setting like this. From the stage, Ulbricht saw a sea of Palin and Bachmann supporters, waving signs and roaring in adoration.

"It's a pretty surreal moment," Ulbricht said.

I wouldn't disagree with Mr. Ulbricht. Tom Scheck did a some Fact-checking [of] yesterday's political rallies and found some claims to be unreal as well:

Transparency update: Congressman Walz submits FY2011 earmarks requests

My March 11 post, Tim Walz conducts virtual hearing on district earmark proposals, looked at Congressman Walz's use of his web site to ask Southern Minnesotans for comment on 99 earmark proposals he had received from local government, public schools and college and non-profits for earmarks.

Drawing from the comments submitted by over 1,000 people and the soundness of the proposal, Walz has winnowed the 99 projects down to 42 projects (by my count) which he has forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee.

in a press release, Walz thanked those who had looked over the proposals:

“I want to thank folks for taking the time out of their day to provide me with their thoughtful, well-informed insight into the local needs of southern Minnesota,” said Walz. “Their input was critical to my final decisions and they played an important role in helping me identify projects that are good for the local economy and good for Minnesota taxpayers.”

For the second year, the reformed earmark process, which was championed by Walz, now requires Members to post all earmark requests and requested dollar amounts on their website, as well as the potential recipient, information about the necessity of the project, and contact information for requestors.

“While it is likely that only a few of these meritorious projects will ultimately receive funding, I believe it is important for residents of southern Minnesota to be able to see the list of projects I am supporting and I am proud to release this information about priorities.”

For more on the process, read below the fold.

CD1 DFL Chair: Who does Randy Demmer represent?

Recently, Rochester area leaders have concerned about whether State Representative Randy Demmer, who is seeking the GOP endorsement in CD1, is voting on behalf of Minnesota's third-largest city.

My friend Lori Sellner, Chair of the CD1 DFL, shares those concerns, though she lives in Sleepy Eye, and sent Bluestem this press release, which asks the gaggle of Republican contenders where they stand as well:

Who Does Randy Demmer Represent?
Will Republican Congressional Candidates Support Rochester Priorities?

Sleepy Eye, MN – As Rochester Area Republicans prepare to convene tomorrow and support a candidate to represent them in the race for the First Congressional District, it has become abundantly clear that State Rep. Randy Demmer is willing to sell out Rochester priorities in an attempt to get traction with the far right-wing of the Republican Party.

Lori Sellner, Chair of the DFL First Congressional District, issued the following statement:

“As a State Representative, Randy Demmer has a record of voting against Rochester priorities. In one instance, he voted to shift money away from Rochester to the Twin Cities.”

Now, as Rep. Demmer, Jim Engstrand, former Rep. Allen Quist and Jim Hagedorn vie for the support of Rochester Republicans tomorrow, where do they stand on the following Rochester priorities: Southern Rail Corridor Bypass; Pay for Value Provisions in Medicare Reform; Funding for Highway 14; and, High Speed Passenger Rail. [Editor's note: chart in original release deleted]

“Organizations from the Chamber of Commerce and the Mayo Clinic to the City of Rochester and Olmsted County have made their positions clear. Now we must know: will the Republican candidates support Rochester’s priorities?”

“It is time the Republican candidates tell us if they stand with Rochester priorities, or if they are going to work against the interests of the First Congressional District’s economic engine,” said Sellner. “Countless organizations have made their positions clear and now it is time for Republican candidates to come forward and tell us if they stand with the  community, or if they will stand with the extreme wing of the Republican Party. Where do you all stand?”

Randy Demmer votes against Rochester Priorities. Rochester Post-Bulletin, February 23, 2010 

Randy Demmer votes for amendment to state bonding bill that shifts money from Rochester to the Twin Cities.

“Assistant Minority Leader Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, proposed cutting funding for several projects in the bill, including the Mayo Civic Center, in order to fund other projects, such as a nanotechnology center at the University of Minnesota… Anderson's amendment failed 51-82. While all Rochester-area Democrats voted against the amendment, Assistant House Minority Leader Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, supported it.” (Rochester Post-Bulletin, 2/16/2010) 

Rochester Chamber of Commerce supports Pay for Value reform and High Speed Rail

Mayo Clinic's pushes "Southern Rail Corridor" at State Capitol. January 22, 2010, KTTC-TV 

Olmsted County: help push highway 14 funding

Reasons to Fund Highway 14

Mike Parry now and then: needing, wanting and bonding along the Stagecoach Trail

 On the campaign trail Mike Parry supported term limits, and said upon being sworn in, said one of his first bills would address term limits:

It is the first day of session and Republican Sen. Mike Parry's footsteps are still echoing down the halls of the capitol building, but he is already thinking of limiting his potential political career in St. Paul.

Parry was elected as the senator for District 26 just two weeks ago during the special election that ensued after six-term Republican Sen. Dick Day resigned on Dec. 8, 2009 to take up a career as a lobbyist. Parry carried the election with 43.04 percent of the vote, compared to 36.5 percent for DFLer Jason Engbrecht and 20.32 percent for Independence Party candidate Roy Srp. One of the first bills Parry plans to write will deal with term limits — if he has his way, each legislator will be confined to just three terms.

He has dropped seven bills in the hopper, most of which are bonding projects:

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Body	Bill Status	Law	Bill Text	Summary	Long Description	Chief Author	Short Description
Senate	SF2667		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Minnesota Academy for the Deaf and Minnesota Academy for the Blind trial placement authorization
Senate	SF2666		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Steele county highway #19 speed limit designation
Senate	SF2626		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Minnesota state academies bond issue and appropriation
Senate	SF2611		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Stagecoach trail segment acquisition bond issue and appropriation
Senate	SF2452		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Blooming Prairie sewer improvements bond issue and appropriation
Senate	SF2451		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Minnesota state academies technology center bond issue and appropriation
Senate	SF2450		Text	Summary	Description	Parry	Ellendale tornado siren bond issue and appropriation

Parry has signed on to other bills, but none introduced to date addresses term limits. (I've saved a screenshot of the page today in case--as sometimes in the case with Senator Parry--an item is withdrawn).

Now, these are fine projects--but that's not the problem for Senator Parry and Minnesota Republicans. instead, it's the fact that Parry campaigned on cutting spending and limiting bonding--and that Parry opposed one of these projects specifically.

Added irony--in his first floor speech (posted below the fold) Parry called for the Senate bonding bill to be sent back to committee. Apparently, he and other Republicans thought the DFL bill too bloated with excess, filled with what Parry liked to call "needs and wants" before he was elected, nor did they believe it an effective tool for job creation.

Now, not all of these projects are local, though situated as they are in SD 26. The state academies in Faribault serve deaf and blind students from throughout Minnesota; they may benefit Faribault's economy, but they're rightly considered statewide bills along the lines of funding for the University and MNSCU.

However, the Stagecoach trail, Blooming Prairie sewer improvements and Ellendale tornado siren are local bonding projects. Individual bonding projects like this very rarely pass as stand-alone items, but are folded into omnibus bills.

Since Parry's first speech brings up that he is the only state senator to have been on the campaign trail recently talking to voters, given the SD26 special election, it's not outside the boundaries of civil discourse to review what Parry said while he was conducting that campaign.

The special election occurred, after all, less than a month ago, and those statements are still fresh.

Let's review. When Governor Pawlenty announced his bonding proposal in January, the Star Tribune reported in Pawlenty: No 'pork barrel' projects in $685 million bonding bill:

Pawlenty has taken a dim view of local requests over the years, and he rejected all of them for this year.

"The expectations of the state building things like local fire halls -- we just can't do that," he said.

In a candidate forum in Owatonna, Parry said he preferred a bonding bill that was around $400 million instead, though he would look at the governor's proposal. One certainly didn't get the notion that he'd be writing bills for what the Governor would deem local "pork barrel" projects.

Indeed, at the very first candidate forum,  Parry was asked if he would support development of the Stagecoach trail. As my Youtube of his answer reveals, he invoked one of his standard campaign mantras: that we must distinguish between needs and wants when the state doesn't have enough money to go around--and that the Stagecoach trail was a want.

Below the fold, Parry's first floor speech, asking for the Senate bonding bill to go back to committee.

Getting a piece of the MnDOT pie: Engbrecht shines at Highway 14 Partnership forum

While DFL doorknockers are busy trying to win one of Franni Franken's famous pies, the Owatonna People's Press reports on the candidates' answers to the long-running question of how and when Senate District 26 will get a piece of the pie adequate for improving Highway 14.

The Highway 14 Partnership held a forum Thursday night.

The Owatonna People's Press reports in Senate hopefuls field Hwy. 14 questions:

[MNDot's] decision-making is less than transparent, leaving many residents puzzled with MnDOT’s choices. As a state senator will you allow MnDOT the final authority to determine which projects get funding in the state or will you take an active approach in setting highway funding priorities by the legislative branch?” asked moderator Gary Zellmer, the mayor of North Mankato and president of the [Highway 14]  partnership. . . .

. . . [IP candidate Roy] Srp concluded that with [a share of Indian gaming] funds, Minnesota can pay for the Highway 14 expansion. He also suggested that the Legislature could boost the gas tax.

Republican candidate Mike Parry suggested that he would try to divert funds from other projects that are “not as important,” though he was opposed to raising taxes to fund it. He also did not address the question of MnDOT’s earmarking authority. . . .

Only DFL-endorsed candidate Jason Engbrecht addressed the question of transparency, according to the paper:

Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Jason Engbrecht said he would lobby for greater transparency. Engbrecht also said Highway 14’s condition was not just a threat to public safety, but that the expansion was critical to the region’s economy.

“MnDOT controls a large amount of money and when they’re not transparent, that’s a huge problem. People start losing trust,” Engbrecht said. “We need to work towards transparency and I’m absolutely confident that if we make sure the decisions are transparent that Highway 14 needs to come to the top of the list.”

Engbrecht also said that he would author legislation to obtain funding for the road.

Photo by DJDanielson, who is knocking until her drops to win that pie

SD26 news digest: first forum coverage, PIM on special election wins

The local newspaper chain (Faribault, Owatonna and Waseca) covered last night's well attended candidate forum, and has posted 20 minute clip of excerpts from the discussion as well.

In Senate candidates meet in Faribault, special correspondent Corey Booker reports:

The state’s budget, economy and clean energy were just a few of the issues discussed at a forum featuring the three candidates vying for the Senate District 26 seat.

About 50 attendees listened to Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Jason Engbrecht of Faribault, Independence candidate Roy Srp of Waseca and Republican candidate Mike Parry of Waseca answer questions for about 90 minutes.

Questions were provided by those in attendance and the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, which sponsored the forum.

Read the rest at any of the three papers, though the Owatonna People's Press features the most lively reader discussion of the three.

The Faribault paper also includes an additional article covering the response from two audience members, Voters seize a chance to learn. Butler reports:

Alex DeMarco and Jason Hoffman both have their candidate pretty much chosen for the special election for Senate District 26.

Monday’s candidate forum at Faribault City Hall did little to change their minds, but said they left the 90-minute question-and-answer session with a better understanding of the three men vying for the seat.

“I’m more in (DFL candidate Jason) Engbrecht’s camp,” DeMarco said following the forum. “He has a hands-on experience with just about every issue mentioned.”. . .

. . .Hoffman is supporting Republican Mike Parry, who hails from Waseca, but said he attended the forum with an open mind.

“I like to listen to candidates,” he said. “I think what you have is a respectful race and you’re going to have a free exchange of ideas.” ...

...“All of them have good ideas, good opinions,” he said. “The more of those that you can adopt as your own, it means you’re going to better serve the constituents of the district at the end of the day.”

I was interviewed on Quick on the Uptake on AM950 last night before the forum. Listen here. As I predicted, the forum questions focused on issues, though Parry cracked a joke about blogs at one point. Perhaps the most surprising moment was Roy Srp's closing statement that within a few years, Rush Limbaugh would join the Independence Party.

The forum was presented live on local public access television; I called the station to see when and if it will be re-run.  Local tweep SD26chick watched from home on Owatonna channel 21-5.

 UPDATE:  Faribault's public access channel 10 will re-run the forum tomorrow Wednesday January 13 at 6:25 a.m and 3:20 p.m. and possibly at 7:25 p.m,depending how long the city council meeting goes that night. [update]

UPDATE #2: DJ Danielson looks at Srp's answer about the racino in Srp: Minnesota tribal gaming an “absolute crime” [end update]

The candidates participated in a radio forum today. Upcoming public forums (courtesy of the papers) include:

Thursday, January 14 7 p.m.
Owatonna Arts Center
Sponsored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and the Highway 14 Partnership

Monday, January 18, 11:30 a.m.
Owatonna Country Club
Sponsored by the Owatonna People’s Press, the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, the Owatonna Rotary Club and the Owatonna Early Edition Rotary Club

Friday, January 22 1 p.m.
Owatonna Elks Club
Sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union and the Minnesota Farm Bureau

How much will public forums In Republicans have fared poorly in recent special elections

Historically the district, which includes Faribault and Owatonna, has favored Republicans, with Day garnering at least 55 percent of the vote in each of the last four election cycles. But if recent outcomes in special elections are any indication, the GOP should be worried about keeping control of the post.

Democrats have won the last four special elections to fill seats in the Senate — often in districts that have leaned Republican. The winning streak started in 2005 when Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, won a special election to take a seat that previously had been held by the GOP Sen. Dave Kleis.

Stopping by New Hampshire On A Snowy Evening

Stopping by New Hampshire On A Snowy Evening

    by Sally Jo Sorensen and Robin Marty*

Whose state this is I think I know
He's going to New Hampshire, though
He will not see me struggling here
Or clear his roads now packed with snow

The GOP must find it queer
To act without a leader near
Between the Range and frozen lakes
The darkest forecast of the year.

Bloggers give his handlers a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the steep
Decline in what our families make.

The pothole's looming, dark and deep
And Tim has promises to keep,
And miles to go until he's Veep
And miles to go until he's Veep.

Adapted from a poem by New Hampshire poet Robert Frost.

Stimulus tracking: more transparency needed--and another kind of pork

On September 28, KEYC-TV reported in Keeping Track And Staying Involved With Stimulus Funding:

This highway project in St. Peter is an obvious indicator of the stimulus money at work. But finding out how the rest of the money is being spent around the state is not so clear...Tom Steward says, "Coming from Washington and being that much distance between us and the people making the decisions. Who do you go to to get those answers. Where do you turn to find out the plan, if any, specifically for one county over another. And I think that's the problem we see with the stimulus to this point."

The article doesn't mention Steward's institutional affiliation (I assume it was provided in a caption in the broadcast), but he's the Investigative Director of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota's Government Transparency Team.

The Freedom Foundation self-describes as:

an independent, non-profit educational and research organization that actively advocates the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, economic freedom, and limited government.

Its board includes such Republican stalwarts as Annette Meeks and RNC member Brian Sullivan.

Congressman Walz, a DFLer, agreed with Steward about the need for improved tracking of the stimulus dollars.

The Mankato Free Press took a slightly different approach in Mega projects tilt stimulus spending,

This week, the Winona Daily News published a more in-depth investigation into the use of stimulus funds in Southeastern Minnesota, WHERE IS THE  STIMULUS? Winona area gets more than $20 million, but dollars remain tough to track.

Mark Sommerhauser and Dustin Kass discovered:

The recently remodeled tavern got a $120,000 business loan funded by the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the federal stimulus bill.

When the measure [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] passed in February, President Barack Obama and other supporters vowed unprecedented steps to make spending transparent. That included creating a Web site, recovery.gov, to track stimulus spending. The Hei and Low Tap money is listed there.

But a Winona Daily News investigation of local stimulus dollars has uncovered $11.4 million inWinona County projects not accounted for on the federal Web site, including $7.5 million for road construction, $2.1 million for the Winona Area Public Schools and $386,210 to the county.