One of the issues we posted about in the last session of Congress was the House Ag Committee's hearings into credit derivative swaps, thought by some observers to be an important factor in creating the credit crunch and subsequent economic slide.
We haven't had time to read though the bill yet, but Draft language and an outline of the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act as well as an outline has been posted at the committee's website. We'll be writing more about this and letting readers know when committee hearings on the legislation are scheduled. All ag committee hearings are livestreamed.
Congressman Walz's appearance on Almanac on Friday night is online here.
KEYC-TV notes that Landkamer Recommended For State Dir. Of Rural Development. Via another site, The Mankato Free Press reports in Landkamer tapped for federal post: Building stronger communities:
Longtime Blue Earth County Commissioner Colleen Landkamer of Mankato has been nominated to serve in the Obama administration as the Minnesota director of rural development.
The appointment, once it's finalized, will prompt Landkamer's resignation as commissioner after 20 years on the county board.
" I'm very excited," Landkamer said Friday of the job that encompasses a broad range of duties aimed at promoting economic growth in rural Minnesota. "... It's something I've been passionate about for a long time, the rural policy piece." Sen. Amy Klobuchar nominated Landkamer because " her background in all levels of government will help guide rural development during these very difficult times," according an announcement released Friday.
Klobuchar also nominated Linda Hennen, a 30-year official in the Farm Services Agency, as the FSA's Minnesota executive director and Dave Haugo, a Mahnomen County farmer, as the FSA State Committee chairman.
Landkamer's appointment could take several weeks or even months to finalize, and she said she will continue on the county board until then. But at that point, she will need to resign, prompting a special election.
" You can't do both jobs," Landkamer said. " There could be a perceived conflict of interest there."
. . .Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato, who Klobuchar said helped with recommendations for the appointments, praised Landkamer as "someone who can champion successful rural economic development initiatives that create jobs and build a stronger economy.". . .
The bill to freeze congressional salaries has gotten more attention. The West Central Tribune editorializes in Congress should halt pay raise plan:
Minnesota Congressmen Collin Peterson and Tim Walz have announced their support for the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. In fact, Walz has returned his salary increases every year since being elected in 2006.
Minnesota’s other six House members, including Michele Bachmann, have not come out in support of the stop bill. It is time they step up as well in support of this bill.
The Pioneer Press reports Bald eagles rebound in southern Minnesota. More on this good news from the Fairmont Sentinel. The paper also notes that Wema, the local shelter dog selected as a potential First Pet, has been adopted by a family in South Dakota:
Wema may not be going to the White House, but she has found a place in the hearts - and minds - of people across the country.
Although officials at the Martin County Humane Society had hoped President Obama's family would adopt Wema - one of only a handful of Portuguese water dogs in animal shelters across the nation - she is going to live with a loving family in South Dakota. The campaign to get Wema to the White House drew national attention to the plight of crowded animal shelters and the quality of the pets they house.
Wema has done her part for her fellow shelter dogs, and we are happy that she is getting a family that showed interest in her even before her 15 minutes of fame.
The Owatonna Peoples Press says Beltline project submitted for federal funding under proposed stimulus bill.
The Post Bulletin notes in Stimulus bill is both good, bad news for area schools:
The good news? Schools in southeastern Minnesota could receive $28 million from an economic stimulus bill moving through Congress.
The bad news? Area superintendents are concerned that funds will end up part of a funding shell game with the state Legislature.
Fourteen area superintendents met with 1st District Rep. Tim Walz on Thursday to talk about the proposed "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," commonly referred to as the stimulus package. The education leaders were aware that the estimates are long from final.
Dover-Eyota Superintendent Bruce Klaehn said several people are worried that the Legislature will decrease education funding once the federal money is awarded.
"I'm concerned when leaders of our education community say, 'They're not going to get this right,'" Walz said.. . .
Good story: read the whole thing.
This smells like how Smilin' Tim handled -- or didn't handle -- the light rail system that Jesse Ventura fought to bring to Minnesota. Smilin' Tim fought that sucker nearly every step of the way, then when it was shown to be a huge success tried to rewrite history to make it look like he'd backed it all along.
Similarly, he's going to make noises about how all this dirty Federal money is just dirty, but bet your boots he's counting on it so he can push his tax cuts again.
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | February 02, 2009 at 11:25 AM