Yesterday, in Farm Bill Could be Back on Track, KEYC-TV talked to Congressman Walz about the revived chances of the Farm Bill in the U.S. Senate:
Representative Tim Walz says, "How do we keep prices stable, how do we keep people in agriculture and how do we feed the people in this nation and world and do that [in a] responsible manner, and how do we protect the environment." Walz says by revising the 2002 bill, they'll be able to keep producers happy and it will take our environmental standards to the next level.
There's video at the station's site. Klobuchar's efforts to cap payment levels is mentioned.
Thursday's St. Peter Herald featured, "Fighting for a common cause," a column by Congressman Walz. It's not online yet. Walz discusses veterans issues, small business tax relief, and Highway 14:
. . .Highway 14 is another investment that is long overdue. According to one study, 70 percent of the largest employers in southern Minesota--who together provide jobs to over 45,000 people--rely on Highway 14 to move their supplies and finished products to market. The upgrade of Highway 14 will help these companies to grow and prosper and will benefit all communities in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.
Together with Minnesota's Senators, I've fought to ensure money is appropriated to upgrade this critical piece of our rural infrastructure. The current version of the Transportation Appropriations bills contains almost a million dollars for this project, and I am hopeful we will see this bill become law in the near future. . . .
According to the Fairmont Sentinel article, Programs seek mentors, funding, Walz and Coleman staff pledged support for progrmas supported by state Rep. Gunther and Sen. Rosen:
Five mentoring programs across three counties met with state representatives and local decision-makers Wednesday to seek supportive funds.
Rep. Bob Gunther, Sen. Julie Rosen and representatives for Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Tim Walz attended, pledging their support of mentoring programs.
The Mankato Free Press editorial board gives a thumbs up to improved CAFE standards:
To Democrats and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for negotiating for the first time in 30-plus years mileage standards for the auto industry that will go a long way to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The standards also are a must for reducing greenhouse gases. . ..
I see that the Senate is finally moving forward on a number of amendments to the Farm Bill … one by Klobuchar and number by Coburn (I think he leads with number of rejected amendments in the 110th Congress). Coburn wants to eliminate “wasteful Department of Agriculture spending on casinos, golf courses, junkets,” (duh … isn’t that redundant … is there any productive spending on casinos, golf courses, and junkets … of course it’s wasteful) and to “limit the distribution to deceased individuals” which got a good exposure by the media earlier this year.
Looks like the floor debate will begin Monday morning.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | December 08, 2007 at 01:28 PM