Wednesday digest: kids win one edition

The Star Tribune reports in House approves children's health bill, hands Obama an early win:

The House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to provide government-sponsored health coverage to 4 million more children.

The vote was 290-135. President Barack Obama, eager for a win on health care, plans to sign it into law later in the day on Wednesday.

The legislation is designed to provide government-sponsored coverage to an additional 4 million uninsured children. An estimated 2.4 million children who otherwise would have access to private insurance are also expected to join the rolls.

The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the program.. . .

Third District Republican Erik Paulsen joined Minnesota's five DFL representatives in voting for the bill; GOP members Kline and Bachmann voted against it.

Susan Seltzer's community column in the MinnPost, Join Rep. Peterson in solving the credit-default-swaps mess, is a fine review of the issue and legislation. Go over and read it.

The Post Bulletin has posted Terry Leas: Riverland can assist in nation's economic recovery, a column by the president of the local comprehensive community colege. We think Leas is on target:

I recently wrote to Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Tim Walz to secure their support of the important role community colleges will play in helping our nation recover from the current economic downturn. Specifically, I sought their help as they and their colleagues develop economic stimulus-recovery legislation.

Federal investments on community college campuses will help us assist the economy in both the short and long term through increased training for jobs that are available now and by supporting new and emerging programs like Riverland's alternate energy programs in wind-turbine and solar technology. . . .

Read the rest at the PB. We suspect that Walz agrees with Leas, who has participated in several of the congressman's Economic Summits. Leas is one of the on-the-ground leaders in Southern Minnesota.

In County may join high-speed rail board, the Winona Daily News reports that Winona County officials may soon join city leaders in lobbying Walz for a Mississippi River high speed rail corridor. Winona and Rochester favor different routes for the new project.

The Albert Lea Tribune reports in  Sheriff gets OK to update radio system that the commissioners are looking at ways of getting local orad projects pushed forward for federal stimulus money, but the county engineer warns that the projects might not be shovel ready in time.

Speculating about the 2010 governor's race, Republican blogger Joe Repka writes:

They only way the MN DFL beats Pawlenty is if they run someone with the appeal of First District Congressman Tim Walz. Once again, it's only my opinion!

The posting of an old Politics in Minnesota Weekly Reports should help everyone remember that Walz isn't running for governor:

According to various sources, recently reelected U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (DFL-MN1) is taking a pass on contending for the DFL gubernatorial nod in 2010. Walz told Eric Black that his interests in military international issues was a compelling reason for him to stick with Congress. He told Black that his personal style and skills seem best suited for working as a Congressman. Nix one from the grand roster of DFLers potentially gunning for the top slot in 2010.

Nothing has changed for Walz since that December report. Given the congressman's penchant for developing a campaign plan and sticking to it (he entered the 2006 congressional campaign early in 2005), we highly doubt he'll change his mind.

How about a little classic reggae for a February day: