Today is Flag Day. Though not an official holiday, the day is celebrated widely. Many find that this is a good time to "retire" flags that have become soiled, worn or torn and to replace them with new ones.
Yesterday, Congressman Walz, along with House Ag committee chair Peterson, held a Farm Bill forum in Fairmont. We don't know if the Fairmont Sentinel covered the event, since no news from today's issue has been posted to its site. Fortunately, the Worthington Globe was there, and the paper's ag reporter, Julie Buntjer, does her usual great work in Peterson, Walz tout farm bill
Buntjer reports:
It isn’t a perfect bill by any means, but Congressmen Tim Walz of Minnesota’s 1st District and Collin Peterson of the [7th] District say the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (also known as the Farm Bill) is “pretty good.”
Speaking before a crowd of more than 60 farmers and agribusiness people at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in downtown Fairmont Friday, the House Agriculture Committee freshman member Walz and committee chairman Peterson say there is much more work to be done.
The article cites differing opinions about the bill from corn growers and hog producers, while the Nobles County Farmers Union president praises COOL. However, the MFU president warns that if corn prices slide, the safety net base price is now lower than the cost of production, and a commodity price collapse would cause ruin for many farmers.
KEYC-TV reports in Walz Holds Farm Bill Forum:
Members of Congress met in Farimont today to discuss the passing of the Farm Bill with area farmers. Congressman Tim Walz joined House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson at the forum to listen to Southern Minnesota farmers talk about how the farm bill will not only benefit them, but how it ultimately impacts the entire country. And while Farmers understand what's involved in the complex bill the rest of the country isn't aware of all the things the bill involves. At today's forum, farmers from all industries thanked Congressman Tim Walz and Collin Peterson for their efforts toward the passage of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, better known as the ''Farm Bill''. . . .
There's more and video as well at the link.
The Post Bulletin reports Officials arrive to survey flood damage. An Austin Daily Herald columnist notes Walz's visit to Austin in Don't mess with Mother Nature. Just posted is Coleman praises Austin for flood prevention efforts. He told the press:
Coleman told Mower County and Freeborn County officials that farmers, on the other hand, did not fare as well.
“There is extensive agricultural damage in this region,” he said.
Coleman said he will push for federal funding, and enlist the help of U.S. Reps. Amy Klobachar and Tim Walz, who toured Austin Friday.
“Crises like this — in spite of the bickering you see at the legislative level — these are not partisan,” Coleman said.
City engineer Jon Erichson informed Coleman the 2008 flood is the third-worst on record; all three have occurred since 2000.
“FEMA is crunching numbers now,” said Erichson, who accompanied the agency on tours Friday.
Erichson explained the city’s future plans for flood mitigation, with the next phase being North Main Street. The project is scheduled to begin in 2009-10.
“Right now, that is our No. 1 goal,” he said. “All these projects are very expensive."
It should safe for tonight's Republican pizza party meet & greet tonight in Austin, though we caution against drinking the Kool-Aid some sipped after last August's floods.
Over at MNBlue, The Big E looks at MN implications from NRCC embezzlement scandal, sharing the implications for Walz:
So first off, the NRCC will most likely have to forget about challenging Tim Walz. Walz already has a substantial fundraising lead plus a dedicated grassroots base willing to do the same thing they did in 2006. Don't forget that many, many Republicans voted Democrat in 2006 and if anything the Republican brand has been trashed even more by the Bush Administration in the intervening months.
Then consider the Republican MN-01 challengers anemic fundraising so far. Brian Davis raised $28,000 in the first quarter and made a $8,000 contribution to his own campaign. Dick Day barely raised $16,000. Conversely, Walz raised over $350,000 during the same period.
Obviously, we'll know more in July when they file their quarterly returns, but I'm giving even odds that Walz continues to whup them in the fundraising department.
Looks like Davis may get a little change put in his plate when McSame comes to the Twin Cities next week for a fundraiser. The Strib's Bob von Sternberg writes in John McCain to visit Minnesota next week:
The Arizona senator will hold a fundraiser Thursday at the Hilton hotel in downtown Minneapolis that carries a top ticket price of $50,000.
Individuals or couples who contribute that amount will get to attend a private reception with McCain, have a photo taken with him and attend a dinner that will be the event's centerpiece.
Other tickets are available for $20,000, $2,300 and $1,000, with access to the candidate diminishing with the dollar amount.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will be shared by McCain's campaign and "Minnesota Victory '08," an umbrella effort aimed at helping other Republican candidates on the ballot, said Ben Golnik, McCain's regional coordinator.
"Minnesota Victory '08" is the same fund that benefited from Cheney's visit earlier in the month. We're curious to see how much of this cash will be funneled directly to the hapless Doc Davis's campaign and how much will go to coordinated party efforts on the part of federal candidates. After all, the endorsed First District Republican told the Post Bulletin after the Cheney fundraiser:
Reached today, Davis said he was invited and was "happy to go to venues where I can interact with the loyal party base that attend these events." He said there was no direct fundraising for his campaign. . .
We're off to a friend's farm for supper and a bonfire, and will resume posts in the morning.
The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation will be coordinating a protest at McCains fundraiser at the Hilton. For info click on the following link:
http://mn.aflcio.org/statefed/index.cfm?action=article&articleID=e784c1a7-3273-43ff-8633-190bf830d2c8
Posted by: CHC | June 15, 2008 at 09:56 PM