A Bluestem Prairie

Saturday morning digest: Luverne listening sessions

Over at Cornerhouse Comments, Dale provides a first-person account of Congressman Tim Walz and the Economic Stimulus Tour stop in Luverne:

Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District Congressman Tim Walz drove to the end of the world district today (a few minutes more and he would have been in South Dakota)  for a listening session about the economic stimulus package recently passed the the U.S. House of Representatives. One of several throughout the 1st district over the last couple of days, the event in Luverne was well attended.

Local elected officials, school administrators, business people from the private sector, ag interests, social workers, organized labor and concerned citizens were there to hear what the congressman had to say and to ask questions and share their concerns. . .

. . .I continue to be impressed with the Congressman’s willingness and eagerness to constantly get out and meet with the people he represents. There may be more voters  in Rochester and Mankato but he also came to Luverne because he sincerely wants to represent all the people of the 1st District.

Read the whole thing at CHC. The Worthington Daily News reports on the listening session as well in Walz vists Luverne; talks economy:

“The economy is on a crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Credit is frozen, consumer purchasing power is in decline. In the last four months the country has lost 2 million jobs and we are expected to lose another 3 to 5 million in the next year.”

So reads the first few lines in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Legislative Summary, handed out by Rep. Tim Walz’s staff during a stop in Luverne on Friday afternoon.

Walz had stopped to gather questions to take back to Washington D.C., about the proposed bill, which is supposed to be voted on in the next two weeks. . . .

Read the rest at the globe.

Photo courtesy of CHC>

"Termindaytor" files termination report with FEC

With FEC  year-end reports due on Saturday, the committee for state senator Dick Day has filed a termination report. This action matches what we've been hearing: that Senator Day, a.k.a the Termindaytor, is more interested in running for state senate again in 2010 and having a hand in redistricting than in meeting the fate handed Brian Davis in November 2008 by the disciplined Walz grassroots campaign.

Day's committee took in $11,670.00 from October 1 until the end of 2008, but refunded $2300. Day's committee ended up owing the candidate under $1500, having paid back most of the $23,000 the Owatonna legislator lent to it.

Not quite the generosity Brian Davis showed in repaying himself $124,000 immediately after the election, but not a Demmeresque level of debt, either.

The brief summary page:
5. Covering Period 10/01/2008 Through 12/31/2008

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	11670.00	232773.46
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	2300.00	0.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	9370.00	232773.46
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	3285.39	240605.25
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	0.00	0.00
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	3285.39	240605.25
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	0.00
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	1493.27
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

Davis' committee has filed its year-end report as well, and it's quite curious. While Davis had his committee pay its $124,000 debt to him in November after the 2008 election, we see that it again has obiligations to the candidate.

Between November 25 and the close of 2008, the Davis committee took in $1775, with a total of $3380 gathered in the new cycle; it has spent $4724.47, while reporting $2922.13 cash on hand at the end of the year. However, it owed $7379.00, mostly to Davis himself.

Congressman Walz's committee reports zero debt and $30528.16 cash on hand at the close of 2008. The committee did very little fundraising in the final five weeks of the year, taking in $7295.00 ($10857.02 for the new cycle).

Walz's closing cash-in-hand is between of that held by Erik Paulsen in MN-03 , whose report is in, showing about $36,000 in the bank at the end of December and the nearly $23,000 in MN-02 John Kline's bank account. The Fifth District's Keith Ellison, who did not face a serious challenge, had nearly $62,000 in his year-end kitty, while Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum banked just over $77,000.

All look like paupers compared to 7th CD Blue Dog Collin Peterson who banked $497,343.88 at the end of 2008.

At the time of this posting,  the Sixth District's Michele Bachmann ($30,502.26 COH reported in her post general report) and her DFL challenger El Tinklenberg ($483,630.37 COH in his post general report) had yet to file, as was the case with 8th CD Jim Oberstar ($773,735.13 COH in post-general report). Post-general reports were due December 5.

Stimulus bill listening sessions: Mankato and Rochester media coverage

For the last two days, Congressman Walz has been conducting listening sessions about the stimulus bill. Yesterday, Walz met with local leaders and concerned citizens in Mankato and Rochester; today's stop was in Luverne.

KEYC-TV reported on the listening session at South Central College in Walz Discusses Stimulus Vote:

Representative Tim Walz was in Mankato today talking about President Obama's economic stimulus package. Walz hosted a listening session at South Central College with local school district, city, township and county officials. It's all in an effort to raise awareness and support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill, which plans to spend 819 billion dollars. The bill passed the house yesterday in Washington with Walz voting in support. He says it's what needs to be done in a time of economic crisis. Tim Walz says, "It was meant to be a life preserver to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs we've seen across this country, build up the confidence in the system. Provide relief to taxpayers...and also give our small businesses some breaks so they can get going again." Walz is also in Rochester today and heads to Luverne tomorrow.

From the looks of the audience shots (video at the link above), attendance was respectable. KAAL-TV in Rochester attended the session at that city's public library and reports in Tim Walz on Stimulus Package:

Representative Tim Walz, held a listening session about the stimulus package so he can include them in his arguments on Capitol Hill.

820-billion dollars is a large number to wrap your head around and people from all across Southeastern Minnesota came here to do just that.

"I don't know all the details, I'm hoping to find more details. That's what I really want to know," said Lyle Tjosaas.

Lyle came from Dodge Center and is fighting for industry investment and the housing market.

"Sometimes I think we're spreading ourselves too thin. We need to be careful."

A couple seats to his right, Mary Kay Feltes from Owatonna is fighting for her employer, the public library.

"We're getting crowded out too and we're definitely a big part of the infrastructure in our town."

And Representative Tim Walz is here to carry their fight to the White House.

"These are experts that know far more about the delivery than anyone in Washington, myself included. We need to take back their consideration. This bill's not done yet," said Walz.

Walz says while the stimulus bill and Minnesota’s four and a half billion-dollar share of it helps it isn't the solution.

"What we have to do is get the trust of the American public going again, we have to invest in innovations, and the private sector," said Walz.

Investments that are going to take bi-partisan support adjustments and most importantly time.

The Post Bulletin's Heather Carlson focused on a different angle to the story in Cities put in a word for direct funding. :

A day after voting in favor of an $819 billion federal stimulus package, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz made two stops in the district to listen to local officials worried about having those dollars sent to the state instead of directly to cities, counties and schools.

Officials said they were worried that the state might use some of the money to plug its own budget gap.

Walz, at a meeting in Rochester, said he agrees that giving the money directly to local governments makes sense, but he added that the idea probably wouldn't win support because of concerns about controlling the funds. Yet Walz said he believes that local government officials are more accountable because voters can get rid of them easily.

"I thought for this stimulus for impact, accountability and the biggest bang for the buck for our local constituents and taxpayers was to do the model the mayor is asking for. I don't think they are going to do it," Walz said. "I think they are making a mistake." . . .

The Post Bulletin also ran the same article under a separate headline:Walz listens to concerns about stimulus funds. Read the entire article at either link.

Walz Praises Nomination of Colleen Landkamer to Head MN Office of Rural Development

Blue Earth County Commissioner Colleen Landkamer has been nominated by Senator Klobuchar to serve as Director of USDA Rural Development for Minnesota. Congressman Walz has issued a statement:

(Mankato, MN) – Today, Congressman Tim Walz commended U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar on her nomination of Colleen Landkamer to serve as Director of USDA Rural Development. The Office of Rural Development promotes economic development in rural areas, supports public facilities and services like health clinics, water and sewer systems and electric service and provides technical assistance to rural communities.

“In these trying economic times, we need someone who can champion successful rural economic development initiatives that create jobs and build a stronger economy,” said Walz. “Commissioner Landkamer is just that person. She has extensive experience working with all levels of government to achieve results and build for a better future for generations to come. I applaud her nomination as USDA Rural Development Director.”

According a biography at the National Association of Counties, Landkamer brings a strong background in rural affairs to the position:

Colleen Landkamer, Commissioner, Blue Earth County, Minn., completed her 2006-07 term as President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) on July 17, 2007 at the association’s 72nd Annual Conference in Richmond, Va.

Landkamer was first elected to represent Blue Earth County’s 1st District in 1988 and was elected as an officer of NACo in 2003.

A member of NACo’s Board of Directors since 1996, Landkamer is Executive Committee Liaison to NACo’s Financial Services Center Board of Directors and serves on the Information Technology Committee, Sustainability Leadership Team, and Methamphetamine Action Group. She is past chair of NACo’s Rural Action Caucus and Finance Committee.

Landkamer is an active public servant in Minnesota. She chairs the Minnesota Counties Research Foundation, and serves on the Rural Policy Center Board of Directors, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund Board, Minnesota Transportation Alliance Board, Minnesota Rural Partners Board and State Community Health Advisory Committee. In addition, she represents Minnesota’s elected officials as a member of the state’s Economic Summit. Landkamer co-chaired the Minnesota Health Improvement Program, served on the Children, Families, and Learning Planning Committee and the Delivery of Correctional Services State Committee.

In 2000, Landkamer was named “County Leader of the Year” by American City & County magazine for her local and national leadership.

She is a 2001 graduate of the Harvard Senior Executives in Government Program. Prior to being elected county commissioner, she worked as a Congressional aide to former Congressman Tim Penny.

Landkamer and her husband, Jack, reside in Mankato and have three sons, John, Michael and Patrick.

Tim Walz on Almanac tonight

We're told that Congressman Walz will be a guest on Almanac tonight. Click here for times and stations across the state.

Senate Minority Leader Senjem: "Rochester has put together a gang-bang package"

A friend sent us a note saying the State Senator Dick Day talked to U.S. House Transportation Committee chair Jim Oberstar about "foo foo dust" today during a MN Legislature joint transportation committee meeting.

While we're waiting for the tape of the meeting to be posted online, enjoy another Great Moments in Minnesota Senate Minority Speechifying from earlier in the week, wherein Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem boasts about how "Rochester has put together a gang-bang package" for a reception yesterday. A friend in Rochester tweeted about the special announcement; the moment begins around 9:30 on the video archived here for January 26.

We have to wonder what's in the punch mixed up for First district Republican Senators--and why we keep being told that Al Franken is a joke.

Photo: Dave Senjem, Senate Minority Leader or orgy impresario? You make the call.

Upgrade?: After voting against jobs, Bachmann flies home First Class

Rumor has it A reliable source tells us that after voting against the economic stimulus package that would preserve and create jobs, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann sat in First Class on her way home on a Northwest flight from Washington to Minneapolis, via Detroit.

Upgrade with frequent flyer miles? Self-indulgence?

Or maybe just an illustration of the truth underlying the headline in today's Washington Post: GOP Faces Misshapen Identity--and this paragraph in that feature article:

But what do Republicans do?

Who are they?

"That all needs to be sorted out," Czwartacki says. "Are we the party of fiscal responsibility? Are we the party of small government? Are we the party of smarter small government? Are we the party of property rights?

Or the party of First Class and misinformation on Glenn Beck?

Thursday digest: life preserver edition

The New Ulm Journal takes note of the "life preserver" metaphor in its headline, Walz likens bill to a ‘life preserver":

First District Congressman Tim Walz isn't a big fan of mammoth government spending or economic bailouts. He voted against the financial industry bailout bill, and the auto industry bailout because of bloat in the proposals and lack of protection for taxpayers who pony up the funds.

But with tens of thousands of job layoffs announced on almost a daily basis, the nation is badly in need of an economic "life preserver," he said. That's why he voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act proposed by President Barack Obama that is speeding through Congress this week.

"I never thought I'd use the word 'depression' in anything other than a historical context as it applied to the United States," said Walz in a conference call with reporters Wednesday.

"I think many of us over the past few months have come to very sobering conclusion that our failed economic policies of the past have put us in a serious situation. We lost 70,000 jobs just yesterday; we lost over 2 1/2 million just in the last year of President Bush's administration; and we've run our national debt up, doubled it to $11 trillion. We've seen pain across southern Minnesota and across the country in terms of people who have already lost their jobs, of businesses that are contracting, and people who are worried about what's next." . . .

The congressman will be listening to local officials over the next two days, the Journal reports:

Walz said the implementation of the stimulus is a big concern for him. He wants to see oversight of the details.

Walz will be hosting listening sessions on the economy today and Friday in Mankato, Rochester and Luverne. He'll be meeting with school district, city, township and county officials to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Mankato Economic Recovery Listening Session will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the South Central College, Conference Center A, 1920 Lee Boulevard in North Mankato.

The Rochester session will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rochester Public Library Auditorium, 101 2nd St., SE, Rochester.

The Luverne session will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Blue Mound Conference Center in Luverne.

The Mankato Free Pree reports Walz affirms House spending package:

An enormous spending and tax-cutting package that aims to revive the flagging U.S. economy passed the U.S. House Wednesday with the support of Congressman Tim Walz, who said the legislation was imperfect but necessary.

“This isn’t the solution to the economic situation we’re in,” Walz said. “This is the life preserver.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is the first major initiative of the Obama administration, passed the House 244-188 and would provide $819 billion for a range of tax credits and spending.  . . .

. . .Walz said he wasn’t comfortable with the enormous level of deficit spending in the bill and wished more of the spending was aimed at transportation projects and other construction.

“I think we would have been better served by having a lean and mean and understandable bill,” the Mankato Democrat said.

Instead, it’s a 670-page piece of legislation that aims money at health care for the poor and jobless, relief for cash-strapped state governments, funding for K-12 schools, grants to employ police officers and upgrades to the nation’s energy infrastructure. And there’s hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts and credits including $500 for all middle-and-lower-income workers, $1,000-per-child tax credits for the poor and $2,500 tax credits for college tuition.

But Walz, citing mounting layoffs nationwide including 75,000 announced in a single day this week, worried that the nation appeared to be headed toward a depression if Congress didn’t act.

“Our economy is in crisis and people are hurting,” Walz said in a statement released after the vote. “... This is one of those times in our history when doing too little poses a greater threat than doing too much.” . . .

KEYC-TV reports House Passes Stimulus Plan. The Winona Daily New says in Walz, Kind support $819 billion bill:

Walz, a Democrat who represents southern Minnesota, said he is “disappointed” that the stimulus plan will help boost the federal deficit to more than $1 trillion in fiscal-year 2009. Walz also admitted the measure doesn’t fund enough transportation projects and contains provisions that don’t belong in a stimulus bill, like an expansion of Medicare entitlements. But the bill would provide $685 million for transportation projects in Minnesota as selected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, according to a Walz statement.

Blueman Hal Kimball, who works as a cable guy, reacts to  Walz Votes Against DTV Date Change.

Walz in USA Today: Spat stalls eye-trauma treatment center

A 24-year vet of the Army National Guard, Congressman Walz has made vets issues a priority. In Spat stalls eye-trauma treatment center, USA Today's Gregg Zoroya reports:

A military center devoted to finding new treatments for combat eye injuries has been delayed for a year by an ongoing squabble between the Congress and the Pentagon over who will pay the $5 million needed to get it started, according to interviews and Pentagon records.

"I'm the named leader of a concept," says Army Col. Donald Gagliano, an ophthalmologist and retina surgeon chosen in November as director of a "Vision Center of Excellence" that doesn't yet exist. "I don't have a computer."

The delay comes as roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to take a toll on the eyes of servicemembers: 13% of all casualties suffered eye damage ranging from distorted vision to blindness, according to military research.

And a new category of impaired vision has emerged for soldiers suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI) from blast, according to research by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These victims have eyes that no longer work together properly, says VA researcher Gregory Goodrich. . . .

. . .

In a letter to Murtha last May, three House Democrats — Tim Walz of Minnesota, Zack Space of Ohio and Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania — urged appropriation of $5 million for the center and $5 million for vision-wound research. Congress provided only $1 million in supplemental funding in 2008. Walz says he was disappointed.

The Pentagon "needs to find the money one way or another and has to move forward with the project," he says.

For this fiscal year, Congress has appropriated $4 million for eye-wound research. The Pentagon has budgeted $3 million to help create the vision center. Gagliano says he may have it up and running in three to four months.

Read the whole article at USA Today.

Frozen innertubes: Star Tribune reports on Walz signing on to pay freeze

Update: A friend pointed out how misleading the Strib's headline is. Having refused and returned two years' worth of autmatic raises--about $9000 for this year--Walz gets paid  less than $175,000. He's actually freezing his own pay at a lower salary.[end update]

More proof that we're having a cold, cold winter: the slow pace of news about rural representatives reaching the under-heated innertube connections at the cash-poor Star Tribune.

Right now, the lag time is two weeks.

As loyal readers of Bluestem Prairie know, we've posting since December 23 about how Walz has returned two years of automatic pay raises--each time when district papers editorialized against the automatic pay raises without mentioning than their own congressman had not taken the raise himself--and had continued to return an earlier hike,

On January 14, we noted how he had signed on to the bill to block an automatic raise for 2010. The Minnesota Independent picked up on the story that day, and other blogs noted the news as well.

Earlier tonight, the Star Tribune reported Two Minnesota Democrats sign up to freeze their $174,000 salaries. Excerpts:

Minnesota Democrats Tim Walz and Collin Peterson have added their names to a small but growing contingent of U.S. House members moving to block automatic congressional pay increases.

In a call for members to share the burden in what may be the deepest economic recession since the Great Depression, Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., introduced the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act earlier this month. The bill would halt the scheduled pay increase for 2010.. . .

. . .Walz, who has returned his salary increases to the U.S. Treasury each year since he was first elected in 2006, said he realized a few thousand dollars wouldn't fix the economy or pay down the country's $10 trillion debt. "But every little bit helps," he said.

"We're all in this together and now is not the time for a pay raise," Walz said. . . .

Nothing like breaking news, or molasses in January.

Photo: It's slow going to haul the news in with this rig during a winter like this one.

Walz votes for stimulus bill

We received this statement from Walz's congressional office, as well as the pdf file that follows:

WALZ VOTES TO CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS THROUGH HOUSE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN

ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH LOCAL LEADERS TO GET ADVICE, COORDINATE NEXT STEPS

(Washington, D.C.) – With economists projecting that unemployment will continue to rise into next year hitting 8.8 percent, Congressman Tim Walz today voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1, which economists from across the political spectrum agree will create millions of new jobs in the near future. Walz, a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee worked with his congressional colleagues to make job creation through investment in public infrastructure like roads, bridges and clean energy the cornerstone of the economic recovery plan.

“Our economy is in crisis and people are hurting,” said Rep. Tim Walz. “We’re going to turn this crisis into a job-creating opportunity, putting 3-4 million people back to work rebuilding our country and preparing America for the future. This is one of those times in our history when doing too little poses a greater threat than doing too much. Clearly, it won’t be easy but America’s better days are still to come.”

This legislation will create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, rebuilding America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy for long-term growth; give 95% of American workers an immediate tax cut; and invest quickly in the economy – with 75% spent in the first 18 months. For example, the plan provides $45 million to Minnesota in Byrne grant funding, which would keep police officers on the beat all across the state. It will also provide about $685 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for “shovel-ready” construction projects that can be up and running quickly.

“This recovery plan puts Americans back to work fixing our roads, bridges, and schools,” said Walz. “At the same time it calls into action our entrepreneurs, engineers, mechanics, electricians, and other laborers to transition our country to energy independence and bring the power and opportunity of high-speed internet to all corners of rural America. What’s exciting is that southern Minnesotans can benefit greatly from this strategy. Experts say more than 90 percent of the jobs created will be in the private sector.” added Walz.

“The Congress and President must act quickly because the situation continues to worsen by the day. Most importantly, this must be done in an open and transparent way, inviting people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum to become a part of the solution,” said Walz.

Also today Walz announced that he will hold listening sessions with school district, township, city and county elected officials on Thursday and Friday to brief local leaders on the House recovery package and to hear from them on the types of jobs that can be created in southern Minnesota if local projects receive funding when the state of Minnesota distributes its portion of federal recovery dollars. Walz has invited Governor Pawlenty and his staff to join the discussion since the recovery package is likely to direct funding through state government and into local communities.

“After this becomes law, a part of my job in Congress will be to hold the new Obama Administration accountable as they implement the plan and to make sure they are being fiscally responsible with these precious taxpayer resources,” concluded Walz.

The House-passed recovery bill does not include earmarks and leaves most funding distribution decisions around local projects up to state leaders. It does include significant accountability measures to ensure public reporting on where and when recovery dollars are spent. A detailed summary prepared by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey of Wisconsin is attached.

Download the pdf of the file hee.

Blunt again: Walz votes against digital TV transition extension

Earlier today, we had mentioned the Albert Lea Tribune's editorial urging Congress to Get the digital TV change done with:

We urge U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, members of Congress and President Barack Obama to implement the changeover to digital television on Feb. 17 as planned. Do not pass a measure to delay the switch.

No matter how far this country puts off the switch, there will be people who are not ready for it.

Let’s go ahead and get it accomplished. If some people are without their aerial TV reception, what harm can come from that? It’s just television.

Maybe they will go outside, take a walk and visit the parks. Maybe they will begin a project, such as piece together a puzzle or paint a room.

A Senate bill calls for postponing the switch to June 12. What TV viewer really wants to watch four more months of those annoying commercials, tickers and self-promoting TV news stories about the switch?

Enough already. It’s called the idiot box for good reason. Already too much fuss has been made over switch to digital television. Vote no.

The Strib reports that the vote was a Republican victory in House defeats bill that would have delayed digital television transition by 4 months to June. In a noon press call, Walz said that he voted against the extension because he thought enough time and publicity had been given to the issue; moreover, he noted that he wanted legislation--like funding the Veterans Administration--to get done in a timely fashion

We're going to have to side with the minority, Walz, and the Tribune on this one.

Wednesday digest, part 1: from Albert Lea to DC edition

The Albert Lea Tribune reports on local DFL stalwarts' trip to DC in Inundated in inauguration. The caption for the photo accompanying the article notes that the couple sat 250 feet away from President Obama:

It’s been a year of dreams come true for Freeborn County DFL Party Chairman Art Anderson and his wife, Rose, the vice chairwoman.

Not too many people can say they’ve been able to host a district caucus and convention, to attend the Democratic National Convention, to be an elector for a president and even to attend an inauguration all during one year. But the Andersons can.

During 2008, Art and Rose, along with the Freeborn County DFL Party, became the host for the 1st District caucus and convention, where Art was elected to be an elector for the state convention.

In August, the couple got the chance to go to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver after Rose was asked to be on the credentials committee. There, they had the opportunity to see many of the country’s Democratic leaders and to see for the first time the man elected as the nation’s new president.

In December, Art became one of 10 electors for the state of Minnesota to cast his ballot for President Barack Obama. And because of that honor, he received two tickets for the inauguration.

At the end of last week, the couple came back from attending their crowning event of the year as Obama was sworn in as the country’s 44th president.

“We’ve had the most exciting year we’ve ever had,” Rose said.

Read the rest of the article at the ALT. The article includes another 2008 accomplishment for the couple: their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Tribune editorial board is tired of foot dragging in the conversation to DTV and calls for Congress to Get the digital TV change done with.

Securities Law 360 posted a squib on Bill Targets Insider Trading By Government Officials. Walz is a co-sponsor. We note the bill yesterday in Walz co-sponsors H.R. 682 to prohibit congressional "insider trading".

The New York Times reports Stimulus Plan Would Provide Flood of Aid to Education and Relief Seen for Jobless and States in Health Care Plan..

More news later in the afternoon

Stimulus bill: some reading at the Rules committee

The House will be taking up The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 today. The Rules committee has posted the text of the bill, the committee report, including amendments and the rules proposed for today's general debate on its web page.

The bill is quite long, so we're not posting it here; follow the links above to read it and the amendments

Tuesday digest: skating away on the thin ice of a new day

One of our fondest childhood memories is of ice skating with our cousins at the outdoor public rink in Madelia. One icy day, we decided that the streets were slick enough to skate back to Avis and Mac's place.   We carried our boots back as we raced through the small town streets.

A story in today's Caledonia Argus, Ice skating brings back memories, inspires effort to renew interest, made us recall this instance. Seems others share fond memory of the old town rinks--and in Caledonia, have worked to bring back the healthy pasttime. Used skates are available in the warming house for those without their own to use. The paper also reports that snowmobiling is giving the local economy a boost.

The paper notes that Houston County [is] ‘sitting good’ to have highway complex project funded by federal stimulus program:

While millions of persons around the globe listened intently to President Barack Obama’s inaugural speech last Tuesday, Houston County officials had a keen interest in economic stimulus packages being proposed. One stimulus package in particular could be of major importance to all Houston County taxpayers.

That package is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Economic Development Administration, called Fast Start Projects. Fast Start Projects is a national economic stimulus program the Obama administration is proposing, designed to put people back to work.

Houston County Financial Director Casey Bradley informed the county board in mid-December he learned of the proposed program that could fund up to 100 percent of the construction costs of the new county highway complex.

Bradley and County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski put together the preliminary application and had it ready for submission Dec. 16 to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission in Duluth.

The U.S. EDA has asked the Duluth-based commission to submit a list of projects eligible for federal funding under the EDA’s Investment Programs that could be started by July 1, 2009.  

“If the President gets the stimulus programs going, I feel we are sitting very good as far as getting approved for Fast Start Projects,” Bradley told the county board Jan. 20. “The county has met all the criteria for the program and should be able to meet the deadlines.”

Secretary of State Ritchie reflects on Senate recount, according to the Fairmont Sentinel. Ritchie was in town as the guest of the local AAUW chapter in the evening. Earlier in the day, he was in Blue Earth County to listen to Area election officials vent about recount, the Mankato Free press reports.

eQualityGiving put together the Same Sex Marriage Quiz. Go read the answers from representatives from across the country, including Walz. Who knew a clueless press release from Ron Carey could summon such pride?

The Winona Daily News' Mark Sommerhauser reports in Region’s mayors lobby Walz for high-speed rail:

Winona leaders are pressing U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., to support upgrading a rail line along the Mississippi River to run high-speed trains from St. Paul through Winona en route to Chicago.

But a spokeswoman said Monday that Walz isn’t rushing to take a position on the high-speed rail plan, which recently gained endorsements from St. Paul-area leaders, including Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-Minn. Leaders in Rochester are urging consideration of a different line that would include their city, possibly running along Highway 52 to Minneapolis or St. Paul. . . .

. . .Spokeswoman Meredith Salsbery said Walz likely won’t endorse a high-speed route until the Minnesota Department of Transportation completes a statewide rail plan. MnDOT officials are drafting that plan now, and will accept public comment on it at a public hearing on Feb. 13 in Rochester. . .

The PB's Political Party blog says that Walz will be in town on Thursday:

First District Congressman Tim Walz is expected to come to Rochester on Thursday to discuss the stimulus package.

The Waseca County News reports that State Senator Dick Day, State Rep. Kory Kath, a millipede, a possum and a falcon were classroom guests in Kindergartners get a visit from the Minnesota Zoo. Write your own joke.

And now, a lovely old Tull tune for the skaters:

Photo: Ice skaters in Fulda, ca 1908. MSHS.

Walz seeks constituent input on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

This request was passed along to us; please note that Walz is seeking feedback from his constituents:

Dear [name redacted]

As you know, this is challenging time in our nation's history. The economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, the crisis in the financial markets is hitting our local businesses hard, government budgets are tight, and everyone is uncertain about what's next. The need for sound economic policies that create jobs and get our economy moving again has never been greater.

Later this week, the House of Representatives will vote on an $875 billion economic recovery package called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides an historic, one-time infusion of resources aimed at creating jobs by modernizing roads, bridges and transit systems, boosting funding for our schools, and providing additional resources to upgrade our healthcare system. The recovery package will also include tax breaks for middle class families and businesses, relief to states so they can maintain vital services, and funds to increase renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient.

The economic experts project this plan will create or save 3 to 4 million American jobs. The legislation is designed to get the American economy moving in the short term and make investments for a stronger economy in the long term.

I went to Washington to make sure that Minnesotans have a place at the table when their government makes important decisions about their future. As Congress prepares to act on this historic measure, I hope that you'll take a moment to review the attached legislative summary  [download American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Legislative  summary] and provide me with your input on whether this legislation meets the needs of southern Minnesota by Noon on Wednesday, January 28th.

Please send your feedback to me by responding to this message or by calling 1-877-TIM-WALZ.

Your feedback is an important part of the legislative process and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Tim Walz
Member of Congress

Photo: Walz  visitng a grocery store to find out what's on First District voters' minds. Since the stimulus package's scheduling won't allow for a trip home for face-to-face visits, Walz is soliciting comments from his district. If you live in the First, check out the pdf above and give the representative your feedback.

Walz co-sponsors H.R. 682 to prohibit congressional "insider trading"

Via Govtrack.us, we've learned that Congressman Walz is a co-sponsor of H.R. 682, along with Louise Slaughter. Introduced by Washington State's Brian Baird, the legislation is intended

To prohibit securities and commodities trading based on nonpublic information relating to Congress, and to require additional reporting by Members and employees of Congress of securities transaction, and for other purposes.

Essentially, it's an anti-corruption, good government measure. The text of the bill is not yet available online, though we're guessing that it's probably close to the Baird bill introduced in 2007, H.R. 2341.

Monday digest: egg money edition

Congress is likely to take up the economic recovery package this week. How tough is this economy for Southern Minnesota small towns? Not as tough as the incredible tales in today's Mankato Free Press feature, Depression survivors recall tough times. 

The paper talked to a number of Mankato residents who lived through the Depression, from a 102-year-old grad of St. Olaf to Leona Birk, a mere pup at 90 years old. She recalls:

Leona Birk, 90, remembers a man who showed up on their farm northeast of Blue Earth asking for work. Her mother fixed the starving worker breakfast. After shocking oats all day, her father paid him one dollar. “He was tickled pink,” Birk said. . . .

“We lived on a farm, so all we needed was flour and sugar,” Birk said. “We raised everything else. Mother took eggs to town to exchange for the few groceries we needed.”

Times are tough enough now, though.

 The Faribault County Register asks Will runway expansion get axed? The Blue Earth City Council has some difficult choices to make:

With the Blue Earth City Council studying places to make cuts to the budget, one item getting a closer look is a runway expansion project at the Blue Earth Airport.

The council has previously voted in favor of the multi-year, $7 million project.

Now, several city councilmen, including Dan Brod and Les Wiborg, have expressed concerns about the cost, especially in view of cuts in state aid. . . .

. . . Most of the $7 million would be covered by federal money, they said.

“The city’s share is going to be $360,000, or about five percent,” Roetzel explained. Bailey added that the city would probably have to bond to pay for their share.

Currently the city receives $150,000 each year of federal money. It comes from transportation funds, mainly a tax on aviation fuel.

“You have $570,000 of this money built up, and if it goes over $600,000 you won’t continue to receive it,” Roetzel explained.

That money is planned to go towards the project, but cannot be used as the city’s share.

Councilman Brod asked if the money could be used to resurface the existing runway, without going with the expansion. Roetzel said the answer lies with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“If we change the project, we need to run it past them,” he said. “They already have said OK to the expansion to 4,600 feet.”

Roetzel also pointed out that federal economic stimulus money is going to come down the pike, and aviation is getting $3 billion in the transportation section.

“Blue Earth has been on the list for federal discretionary dollars since 2005,” Roetzel said. “That means your project is earmarked for those funds.”

Mayor Rob Hammond asked what would happen if the project was halted. Roetzel said the $574,000 the city already has gotten from the federal government would still be there, but the city would lose out on the other discretionary funds, and the stimulus money.

“The project would move to the bottom of the list, and would take at least 10 years to get back to the top,” Roetzel said. “Sometimes it takes 15 to 20 years to get a one-time shot at these funds.” . . .

Read the whole story at the FCR.

The editors of the Owatonna People's Press make a good case for locating one of thirty-one new vets clinics (two of which are to be opened in Minnesota) in their town in City is ideal for veterans clinic.

Government clinics must be one of those reasons why the Political Muse frets so in his Weekly Romp Through The MN Blogs:

I learned this week that Tim Walz is obviously a secret socialist menace. Why else would he get excited to be "called into service" by the Socialist-in-Chief? Come on, Mr. Walz, no one who isn't a full blown communist sympathizer would want to hear about the "common good".

Oh noes! And here we thought Congressman Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years because he loves this country. Boy, do we feel silly now!

Image: "Eggs for Sale" by Stanford Fenelle, 1934. Image from MSHS.

And here's a tune for our friend Hal, who recently informed hundreds of friends that he loves gravy:

Atmosphere and the zeitgeist: putting C.J. into perspective

The Inaugurobloggers that we wrote about last week had tickets from Walz's office and were able to get in.to see the inauguration, but not everyone was so lucky.  In today's CJ column at the Strib, we learn that Walz's chief of staff wasn't able to get in to see the show::

Count the Kaplans among those underwhelmed with the organization of the inauguration. More alarming than media with credentials, like me, who did not make it past inaugural security check points, were people with precious tickets to the swearing-in.

"I know Josh Syrjamaki [a staffer for Congressman Tim Walz] didn't get in," said Sylvia Kaplan. "My kids in D.C. all had friends with tickets who didn't get in. The cops did not know anything, they didn't seem to have any walkie-talkies. It's really hard to explain, isn't it? I guess you could say it was a great [example of] democracy because having tickets didn't do you any good."

CJ may find not getting into the inauguration alarming, but we rather like Sylvia Kaplan's take on this.

The situation kinda reminds us of what Atmosphere had to say about guarantees (the rant puts the spectacle into prospect--and the cravings for change and solutions for real problems as well):

Via MuseTube: Tim Walz floor statement on TARP Amendment

Congressman Walz worked to include more transparency to the Wall Street bailout bill, part 2, although he remained opposed to releasing the remaining TARP funds. Correction to earlier version of this post: Walz voted for H.R. 384.[end correction]

Bluestem readers can thank Eric at Liberal in Land of Conservative for this Youtube of Congressman Walz' statement on the transparency amendment he wrote for the new TARP bill:

Those who really wish to lend Eric a hand wth the work he does can donate to LITLOC here.