We've been preoccupied by chores and research, so today's digest will catch up on the news since Thursday. There's lots to post.
Friday's Owatonna People's Press reports in Council: Federal money for flood projects too slow, unstable:
Congressman Tim Walz scored a $400,000 earmark for the city in October 2008, which could count toward the $1.3 million project. However, though Owatonna no longer must compete with other cities for the money, it is essentially a grant through FEMA and there are a number of hoops the city must jump through before any of the much needed funds arrive.
All in all, if the council wants to use federal dollars they will have to wait 10 to 24 months. Another catch-22 is that if they want help from above, they cannot start the project until FEMA approves the grant, which would further delay the storm pond. The council hoped to complete the pond in fall 2008, but it has been stymied by negotiations with landowners and the question of funding.
Winona and Rochester have competing visions for high-speed passenger rail projects. The Winona Daily News tells readers High-speed rail route through Winona gets more support while the Post Bulletin asks Is Rochester out of the high-speed rail loop?
From the WDN:
Fast action on a proposal to study and build a high-speed rail line
from Chicago to St. Paul via Winona has been endorsed by another St.
Paul-area elected official.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum joins St.
Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Ramsey County commissioners pushing for a
high-speed line along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, which stops in
Winona on a route up the Mississippi River to St. Paul. The
announcement comes as Rochester, Minn., leaders campaign to ensure
they’re included in high-speed rail talks mounting as federal lawmakers
mull transportation projects in 2009.
The newly formed Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, backed by Rochester-area elected officials and the Mayo Clinic, is encouraging federal lawmakers to study a high-speed route that runs through their city. But McCollum said Friday that the Federal Railroad Administration has identified the Mississippi River route from La Crescent to St. Paul as the final leg of a potential high-speed corridor from Chicago. . . .
. . .Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., who represents both Rochester and Winona, hasn’t taken a position on what route the potential line should take. A spokeswoman said Friday that Walz supports acting quickly on the proposal if federal dollars become available, but added that “we also need to think carefully about what our state’s transportation needs will be 25 or 50 years in the future.“
The Cottonwood County Citizen and Worthington Globe report that Windom students to witness inauguration. They'll be meeting with Congressman Walz and Senator Klobuchar in their repsective offices. The students had followed te election closely in their government class, and the exchange student reports that her friends back home are deeply jealous (as are we).
Winona Radio reports on Walz and earmark reform.
Congressman Walz received nominations for the The 2008 Politics in Minnesota Politician of the Year honor, but the editors selected Secretary of State Mark Ritchie instead. We applaud the choice. One email nominating Walz is cited:
Wrote one reader about Walz, "school teacher, veteran, common person...what more can I say?"
In Southern Minnesota is a good example for the country, Leigh Pomeroy notes at Vox Verax that Congressman Walz isn't the only ordinary citizen stepping up to the plate, citing the sterling example of State Rep. Terry Morrow in a recent Capitol Report profile. Pomeroy observes:
The article . . . gives a good indication of why southern Minnesota should be a hopeful example for the nation, showing how quality people can become involved in the political process not for the sake of the political "game", for an ideology or for the desire to hold office, but because they truly feel they can can make a positive difference.
Two of our favorite bloggers are posting again. Minnesota Central believes the GOP Not Serious About Earmarks; Dems Not Serious About Reform.The Blueman is back to blogging at his own place, and the Barkley supporter scolds Republicans for trying to pain Al Franken as Public Enemy #1. Hal's on to something: we think that Franken will be more policy wonk than comedian should he serve in the U.S. Senate--as looks increasingly likely.
The DFL notices another civic-minded teacher joining the ranks of elected leaders, excerpting the Mankato Free Press profile of the young educator from Owatonna. Kath's two-year-old daughter Norah is captured in photo #7 in this MN House slideshow. The slideshow's toddler cuteness is completely nonpartisan, however since we can't resist nine-month-old Everett Sanders' little dimples (#1) or the adorable two-year-old Westrom twins (#5).
Speaking of cute, Phoenix Woman looks at Dick Day's latest star turn in Franken-Coleman Update, 01/10/09: Annals of WTF!?'
After all that material, BSP readers deserve a song. How about a ditty from The Dead 60s, in Senator Day's honor (remembering the ramp lights and everything after):
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