While the nation's economic woes are creating greater need, First District residents are stepping up to help when they can. The Owatonna People's Press reports that local high school students raise over $11,000 in Food on the shelf: Annual Cash Drive benefits local food shelf.
The New Ulm Journal says that the New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf accepts donations of over 2,500 pounds of food in the last week, but the group will be serving a greater geographic area since the food pantry in Lafayette has recently closed.
In Giving thanks, giving back, the Waseca County News tells the tale of the Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center teaming up with the Lions and Thrivent to provide Thanksgiving meals for 200 families.
Private charity is a good and blessed thing, but we're hoping that Congress moves on President elect Obama's plans for an economic stimulus package that focuses on jobs creation. CQPolitics says that's exactly what's in the works in Congress Will Work Through January to Send Obama Economic Stimulus Package:
Democratic leaders intend to break with tradition and put members of the new Congress to work as soon as they arrive in Washington, in order to prepare the huge economic stimulus plan President-elect Barack Obama intends to request.
Normally, a new Congress convenes on or shortly after Jan. 3 and then leaves town until the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. In 2001, when President Bush took office, the House didn’t cast its first vote until Jan. 30. And in 1993, when President Bill Clinton took office, the first vote was on Jan. 26.
But not this time. The 111thCongress will officially convene on Jan. 6. “It is my hope that the new Congress will begin work on an aggressive economic recovery plan when they convene in early January so that our administration can hit the ground running,” Obama said at a Chicago news conference Monday.
Senators have already been told they will be in Washington throughout January. The House also plans to get to work right after its swearing-in. Aides confirmed Monday that the House hopes to have the stimulus ready for Obama around the time he takes office.
“We are already tired, and he hasn’t even been inaugurated yet,” one aide said.
The 110th Congress isn’t necessarily through yet, either. Leaders have told members to prepare to return around Dec. 8 to discuss aid to the Big 3 Detroit automakers in a continuation of last week’s lameduck session.
In Minnesotans disagree over Obama’s team, the Bemidji Pioneer reported that Congressman Walz looks for investments in infrastructure, modernized schools, energy-efficient cars and alternative energy technologies:
“People in southern Minnesota and around the nation are suffering and they are nervous about the future,” Walz said. “Congress, working together with the Obama administration, will address that crisis with bold and effective action.”
Walz said the Obama economic team is “an impressive group of intellectual heavyweights with a healthy diversity of views about how our country can best move forward.”
But the congressman said he is awaiting details of the Obama economic plan, which the president-elect said on Wednesday would come only after his new advisors have a chance to weigh in.
Walz said he expects the plan to rebuilt the economy “by investing in infrastructure, modernizing schools and building more fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy technologies.
The nation's automakers have asked for a bailout, and many critics are suggesting that conservation and alternative fuels should be proscribed as part of the funding mix. Consumers in Southwestern Minnesota are ahead of the curve; the Jackson County Pilot looks at soaring demand for flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels in the War on ethanol, part 2.
The Winona Daily News reports in State budget deficit outlook bleak; Ropes predicts ‘a bloody mess’:
As the financial sector started crumbling this fall, state economists worried the state of Minnesota budget deficit might be as high as $4 billion.
But on Monday, one government source pegged the number, officially scheduled to be released Dec. 4, at $4.7 billion.
“This is going to be a bloody mess,” said Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona.
Read the rest at the WDN.
The Worthington Globe says that Local shopping encouraged by think tank. See the list of Minnesota-made products here at the Minnesota 2020 site.
Thanks to PW at Mercury Rising for Rule Number One: Do Not Mess With Ollie Ox. and Jeff at the Twin Cities Daily Liberal Eric at LILOCfor including our media criticism in his Daily Romp. Grandma always said that you could sleep in the barn, but don't bother the cow. To those readers who have inquired, none of those involved in this accident are among our relatives. Thanks for asking.
A poignant Dylan tune for today. we especially like the way he pirated a couple of lines from the old, old poem, "O Western Wind"
"Jeff at the Twin Cities Daily Liberal for including our media criticism in his Daily Romp."
I take it as the highest of compliments at being mistaken for Jeff at Twin Cities Daily Liberal. ;)
Ollie replies: D'oh, I'll fix that.
Posted by: Political Muse | November 25, 2008 at 07:48 PM