A Bluestem Prairie

"Not just dumped in a snow bank": Northern Engraving plant closing update

The economy is shedding jobs at an alarming rate; in the First District,  the most recent bad news is the closing of the Northern Engraving plant in Spring Grove, population 1304 (2000 census), about 350 families in Minnesota's most southeastern county. Lay-off will be on Friday, February 13, according to an area television station.

KTTC-TV reported in Spring Grove residents shocked by plant closing:

Spring Grove, MN (KTTC-TV) -- Many Spring Grove residents are suffering from a blow that came late last week. The city's largest employer, Northern Engraving announced it is closing the 209-employee plant in February.

As you can imagine, employees are upset. Many of them have worked there for more than 30 years. Steve Kemp, an employee and a Spring Grove City Council member, says many thought their jobs would be safe when their plant switched from predominately making car parts to appliances. When the company closed down the Waukon, Iowa plant, it gave the employees the option to move to the Minnesota plant.

It's also not the greatest news for the city. Spring Grove mayor, Karen Folstad says close to 50% of the plant's employees live in Spring Grove. . . .

We met Steve, a DFL activist and officer, at a public forum held just before the historic flooding that drenched Southeastern Minnesota in August 2007.

The Rochester Post Bulletin reported in Spring Grove's largest employer to close its doors:

However, Steve Kemp, a Spring Grove City Council member and the safety manager at Northern Engraving, does not see just gloom ahead.

"I don't have the attitude that the sky is falling," he said Sunday. "I have the attitude that we're in a tough spot, but we'll work our way out of it. And maybe we'll be better for it."

Northern Engraving plans to begin letting workers go on Feb. 13.

The plant has been busy:

Northern had diversified the plant beyond its automobile contracts. It was keeping two shifts very busy -- even with overtime -- making engraved name plates for household appliances.

so it sounds as if lack of work elsewhere in the company is helping to trigger this move.

The local town paper, the Spring Grove Herald, reports in Northern Engraving in Spring Grove to close its doors on Feb. 13:

Kemp noted that the union contract signed this past April had many employee concessions with the understanding that the company would keep the plant open.

The Post Bulletin notes how Lawmakers react to announced closing of Spring Grove's 208-employee plant:

Area lawmakers are scrambling to pull together state assistance and resources in the wake of Northern Engraving's announcement that it will begin closing its 208-worker plant early next year.

State Rep.-elect Greg Davids said he was planning to meet with city leaders Wednesday to discuss possible tax incentives or other benefits that could be offered to Northern Engraving to keep the plant open. If the company can't be persuaded, city leaders will discuss economic tools that could be used to attract a new business to the plant, Davids said.

"We've just got to put everything on the table and see if we can turn a negative into a positive," said Davids, a Republican from Preston. . . .

. . .Meanwhile, state Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, has been coordinating with county officials about the possibility of a forum for laid-off workers where they could find out about available resources, such as job re-training, health care and fuel assistance.

"We want to make sure the laid-off workforce knows where they can go; (so) they are not just dumped on the street in a snowbank," she said. . . .

The Caledonia Argus's Charlie Warner reported in Downturn in economy increases business at Semcac’s food shelf:

There are nearly 10.5 million Americans out of work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of the end of November, the unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, which is the highest it has been in 15 years. Word that the Northern Engraving plant in Spring Grove, which employs approximately 250 area residents, will be closing its doors in February, demonstrates how the slumping economy affects us right here in Southeast Minnesota.

As more and more people are getting laid off, they are turning to their local food shelves for help. The Semcac Food Shelf in Caledonia is no different.

According to Iyla Mulvenna, the number of households the local food shelf is serving increased from 200 families in 2007 to over 250 families through November this year…and the number continues to increase.

We'll see how things go for Spring Grove. While the National Engraving employees should be able to collect unemployment, those readers who want spread a bit of Christmas cheer to those in need can find out how on Semcac's website.

This is the second large lay-off to hit southeastern Minnesota within recent months; according to the PB, Ropes noted that 150 families were hit by lay-offs at TRW because of downturns in the nation's automotive industry.

Mid-day digest: broadband edition

Congressman Walz is part of a bi-partisan group of U.S. Representatives who are sticking up for rural telecommunications firms, according to Members of Congress Urge FCC to Postpone Election Day Vote on Telecom, a press release from the Coalition for Affordable Communications that's now posted at Marketwatch. The group:

is an association of rural phone and broadband providers concerned with ensuring that American consumers and businesses continue to enjoy affordable telephone and broadband service. The CAC includes CenturyTel, Consolidated Communications, Embarq, FairPoint Communications, Frontier Communications, Iowa Telecom and Windstream Communications, who collectively serve more than 17 million customers in 42 states.

Potentially higher costs to consumers and the lack of transparency in rule-making  are cited as reasons for delayed the decision and opening up the process for public comment.

The Post Bulletin's Regional news digest reports on federal funding for repairing flood-damaged road in SE Minnesota:

SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA: Federal money will help repair flood-damaged roads and highways

Seven southeastern Minnesota counties will get $7.4 million to repair federal roads and highways damaged in the August 2007 flood.

They are Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Winona and Dodge, according to the office of Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato.

A record 15.1 inches of rain fell in 24 hours during the event, and some places recorded substantially more. In addition to flooding thousands of homes and killing seven people, the floods damaged culverts, bridges and piers in many roads.

Walz's pro-active approach to the historic flooding was cited as a reason to support Tim Walz in this morning's endorsement by the Winona Daily News:

. . .And, when southern Minnesota flooded, he rushed to do what he could to help. . . .

The MinnPost notes in Rochester Post-Bulletin picks Walz:

Overshadowed by the Bachmann-Tinklenberg and Madia-Paulsen races, the Tim Walz vs. Brian Davis match in the First Congressional District has been a fascinating fight between lunchbucket DFLer and loyally conservative Republican.

The MSU Reporter says 1st District race pits teacher against physician. A anonoposter at the Mower County Republicans BPOU's new blog believes it's a smear for the Walz campaign to call their candidate "Doctor" Brian Davis. Okay then: glad to see the GOP in Austin has such deep discernment about subversive honorifics.

In the Austin Daily Herald, Tom Weir cuts to the chase in his LTE, Walz will work for veterans:

Tim Walz has been a champion for veterans since he went to Congress, working for an increase in the mileage reimbursement rates for veterans, making sure our soldiers going to Kosovo received combat pay for their service, and supporting the new GI Bill.  We need to make sure that our representative in Congress has actually taken the time to think about issues that are important to us.

In the same paper, Erin Hoban thinks Walz is right for the job. Jack Flinner's LTE, Walz opposed bailout bill, has been published by the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, which reaches readers in Southwestern Minnesota.

For all those readers who follow the beat of a different drummer, we offer this Rita Moreno classic (brought to our attention by that troublemaker, Jussein):

Early evening news digest: firecracker edition

Transportation and energy issues dominate today's congressional news in the First. Federal grants that will assist in the improvement of Highway captured much attention. The Waseca County News reports Walz presents Highway 14 grant:

Funding for the expansion of Highway 14 got a boost Thursday morning when First District Congressman Tim Walz and members of the Highway 14 Partnership met in Waseca. They stood on the grass across from Kiesler’s Campground, their backs to the highway they all want to see converted to a four-lane.

Walz, a Mankato Democrat, was in town to announce federal grants for two sections of Highway 14. Joining him were the mayors of Waseca, Owatonna, North Mankato and Courtland and officials from Waseca and Owatonna.

Walz said the highway is a major artery in the First District, used by 80 percent of the area’s largest employers.

He said the Federal Highway Administration grant is the result of the financial commitment the state of Minnesota has made to the finish the project.

The grant was also made possible, Walz said, because of the commitment of the partnership members who understood the need to band together to get a new highway built. The new highway will improve safety and the economy and infrastructure for the future, he said.

The Mankato Free Press wrote that Grant funding moves highway plan ahead and KEYC-TV says Walz Announces Grant Money for Highway 14 Repairs. Video is included. Winona Radio picks up on the story as well.

Congressman Walz continues to talk about energy issues with small business owners and consumers in the district. The Albert Lea Tribune observes that Walz blasts Bush over gas prices. MPR reports Politicians offer plenty of gas prices fixes; Walz is mentioned.

Robert Emary writes to the Worthington Globe to say Walz made right vote on energy act. Richard Robbins supports Walz's approach in Energy policies should put middle class first.

In The Carbon Footprint Trail, Tom Driscoll at the Fillmore County Journal takes a long look at ways in which local power co-ops are trying to reduce CO2 emissions. Both Congressman Walz and Davis were interviewed for the story.

Davis's global warming denial looks to be pretty light-weight in context of the rest of the story, especially when contrasted with Governor Pawlenty's efforts for conservation and energy efficiency. Guess that's what happens when you touts slim credentials (one year of work after receiving his undergraduate degree) from an industry Davis hasn't worked in for nearly 25 years (Davis began working on his mechanical engineering degrees in 1983, after graduating from college in 1982).

The Rochester Post Bulletin writes that GOP leader outlines strategy during speech at Mayo Civic Center. The strategy talk was about how to defeat Walz, not how to devise long-term energy policy. No word in the article as to whom Cole delivered his strategy pep talk.  We suppose it's nice that Tom Cole's visit resulted in one or two pieces of earned  mainstream media for the Davis campaign.

The Open Enrollment blog at the Winona Daily News' River Valley blogs looks at Walz vs. NCLB.

The Houston County News reports Houston County amongst those declared federal disaster area; the article mentions Congressman Walz's efforts, working with Senators Coleman and Klobuchar and Governor Pawlenty, to help secure the federal disaster declaration by the president.

The Pioneer Press looks at how Returning veterans take lessons to political battles. The article begins:

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars linger on, but they already are producing a new generation of politicians looking to represent Minnesota in Congress.

In the 3rd Congressional District, Marine veteran Ashwin Madia, the surprise Democratic challenger, is seeking the open seat. In the 2nd District, Steve Sarvi, a National Guard member who served in Kosovo and Iraq, is taking on a Vietnam veteran. And the 1st District is represented by Tim Walz, a 24-year National Guard veteran, in his first term running for re-election.

The three are part of an emerging trend nationally — veterans of the two wars eager to take their concerns and the lessons they've learned to Washington. . . .

It's important to note that Tim Walz served in a support operation in Italy for Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) but is not a combat veteran of OEF. Both Madia and Sarvi served in country in Iraq. Here's the new chart on competitive races from the Cook Political Report. 

We had posted yesterday how MN-02, once considered completely safe for John Kline, was moved into the more competitive "likely Republican" from "solid Republican." Those pesks at IDHA note that Sarvi, Madia and Tinklenberg have just been endorsed by the Minnesota Nurses Association.  Looks like the Republican Party of Minnesota will be playing defense in all three of its remaining congressional seats.

In Welcome Home for Minnesota Soldiers, KAAL TV reports that 400 Minnesota National Guard members  from Mankato-based 2nd Battalion who had been serving in Kosovo will return to the USA by the end of next weekend. The Albert Lea Tribune says they're coming back between July 10 and 14 in  Albert Lea troops returning from Kosovo.

Happy Birthday, America!

Fanfare for the Common Man Update: We spoke too soon about earned media for Brian Davis's campaign; the Grand Forks Herald has published an AP reports about Brian Davis's self-funding of his campaign. In 1st District candidate says spending won't change, we learn:

A doctor running for Congress in southern Minnesota says he won't increase spending of his own money despite the new freedom he got with a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The high court ruled against campaign finance laws that allowed higher contribution limits for opponents of candidates using more than $350,000 of their own money. But Dr. Brian Davis, who is running for Congress in the First District, says he never planned to hit that limit anyway. He has loaned or contributed nearly $200,000 to his campaign so far.

Davis says he does agree with the decision.

He's running in the Republican primary against longtime state Senator Dick Day. The winner of that primary will run against first-term Democratic Representative Tim Walz.

That $200,000 figure is quite interesting. At the end of Q1, Davis had contributed $58543.76 to his campaign and loaned his committee $24,000, for a total of $82,543.76.  If the amount has escalated up to nearly $200,000, he tapped into his own reserves at a greater pace in the quarter that just ended--perhaps to the tune of $100,000 or more.

That should punch the Q2 report up a bit.

Army Times: House panel OKs benefits

Some good news for the Red Bulls on a beautiful afternoon--from the Army Times:

A House subcommittee approved two bills Thursday aimed at helping National Guard and reserve members who are mobilized for overseas deployment.

The House Veterans’ Affairs economic opportunity subcommitet passed HR 3882, which modifies rules for earning active-duty GI Bill benefits. It is aimed directly at the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division that was mobilized for 22 months, including 16 months in combat. Of the 2,447 soldiers who deployed, 1,162 members discovered when they returned that they did not qualify for active-duty GI Bill benefits because of how their orders were issued.

Minnesota Guard officials believe their state was hit the hardest, but they say thousands of other Guard members also were hurt if they received initial mobilization orders that did not clearly state they were being called up for 730 or more days.

Reps. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and John Kline, R-Minn., are the chief sponsors of the bill that would retroactively apply to mobilizations since Sept. 11, 2001

The second bill passed by the subcommittee is HR 513, the National Heroes Credit Protection Act, which would allow reserve component members who have served 180 days or longer on contingency operations outside the U.S. to include an explanation in their credit record that their military duties may be a factor in any financial problems they experience. That statement would be provided to each person or entity that requested a credit score or consumer report.

Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa., is the chief sponsor of the legislation, which he said is aimed at helping people who have trouble keeping up on personal bills because they were called to active-duty.

Returning soldiers eligible for free hunting, fishing licenses

One of the great stories I heard as a kid growing up in southern Minnesota was the tale of my late father's first time duck hunting on Nicollet County's Middle Lake.  Turning 13 in 1945, he was one of the younger brothers in a family of ten.

All of his eligible elder brothers and brothers-in-law served in World War II; the war pretty much halted hunting with the soldiers gone and ammunition scare, or so my multitude of uncles told me while I was growing up. Troy, who had served in the Army in the Pacific theater, dragged his scrawny little brother-in-law along for the duck hunt. Troy and his brothers were prodigious wing shots who had done a little (ahem) market hunting in the Depression to help make ends meet. 

The skies were filled with waterfowl that fall, and my father never saw the like of it again. One of the subtexts of the story was the need of the men to get the spirit of war out of their systems.  Things didn't go very well for the ducks or the game warden that perfect fall day, but the guys--all of whom had seen pretty horrific combat--felt cleansed through one of the few outlets they had in those days before we gained a better understanding of the needs of returning warriors.

Via the Hanska Herald, there's news that Returning soldiers eligible for free hunting, fishing licenses:

Minnesota soldiers returning from service outside the United States in the past two years are eligible for free hunting and fishing licenses from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Returning soldiers, including those who served in the National Guard, may fish and hunt small game without a license for two years from their discharge. They may also obtain one free deer license under regulations passed by the 2007 Legislature.

"Many Minnesota soldiers have put their hunting and fishing trips on hold while they serve abroad," said Mark Holsten, DNR commissioner. "The free license is a small way we can recognize their sacrifice, welcome them home, and extend an opportunity to be with friends and family in Minnesota's great outdoors."

From the looks of that, hunters will still have to buy federal duck stamps; the DNR page on military/veterans licensing isn't clear about pheasant stamps. (Both are $5 each).

We hope a peaceful day on the lake or in the deer stand brings some sense of the new normal to returning vets. And if they need more than that, help will be at hand.

Farewell, D Company; VA Secretary Nicholson resigns

The Albert Lea Tribune has published an article about another send-off for Minnesota National Guard soldiers heading to Kosovo in Farewell, D Company.  Some excerpts:

As many Minnesota National Guard soldiers return home this week, more are getting ready to ship out as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz joined family and friends Monday morning to see the troops off.

The Albert Lea National Guard Armory was decorated with posters proclaiming love and admiration for the brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers and friends leaving to Kosovo. . . .

. . .The entire battalion, which has its headquarters in Mankato, will send 425 soldiers to Kosovo, with 95 from the Albert Lea company. Other ceremonies were held at Rochester, St. Paul, Austin and Mankato to send off troops.

At the Albert Lea ceremony, Pawlenty spoke of the soldiers as the real role models and heroes of the American people, contrasting them to the many celebrity role models often seen in tabloids and on TV entertainment news. . . .

. . .Starting off the ceremony was U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, the most senior-ranking enlisted soldier of the National Guard ever to serve in Congress. The 1st District congressman spoke of his appreciation.

“You are the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen,” Walz told the troops.

“We’re not just standing in front of you, we’re standing behind you.”

Walz said Minnesota is working and willing to take care of the soldiers and military families both during deployment and upon return. He said he realizes the soldier is not the only one making a sacrifice when enlisting.

“When a soldier deploys it’s not just the soldier. The family deploys,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, in a particularly moving part of the ceremony, gave the soldiers something to pull out of their packs on the lonely nights and holidays when the pain of missing their family is too great to bear.

Shellito had the troops close their eyes and lower their heads and asked the family and friends in the crowd show their appreciation. The entire auditorium erupted with shouts, cheers, whistles and applause. Some family members shed tears.

The Mankato Free Press reported on the Key City's send-off in Farewells for Kosovo-bound Guardsmen. This article mentions the combat status of the mission:

The soldiers will receive imminent-danger pay after the Department of Defense decided against reclassifying the deployment as a non-combat mission.

Battalion Cmdr. Mike Funk, who will lead the battalion in Kosovo, said the classification is a big deal, partly because of the $225 per month combat pay. But the biggest savings comes because the troops’ pay won’t be taxed at all. Funk said total savings depends on rank, but many soldiers will see an extra $1,000 or so a month.

The Pentagon decided to call Kosovo a combat mission, Funk said, because while Kosovo is now a relatively peaceful protectorate of the United Nations, independence could be imminent.

If that happens, the area’s Serb minority could rebel, while a lack of independence would surely displease the ethnic Albanians living there. The mission’s primary purpose is to keep the peace between those two groups, as well as other minorities.

Representative Walz was a leader in pushing the Pentagon to leave the mission status unchanged because of the dangers and the burdens deployment puts on soldiers and their families.

Via Atrios, the Associated Press reports the VA Secretary Nicholson is returning to private life:

Veterans Affairs chief Jim Nicholson, who was forced to defend the Bush administration's handling of people injured in battle after revelations of shoddy health care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, announced Tuesday he is resigning.

The 69-year-old Nicholson, who is returning to the private sector, has been head of the VA since February, 2005. Before that, he was U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and chairman of the Republican National Committee.   

He is the latest in a lengthening line of senior officials heading for the exits in the final 1 1/2 years of President Bush's administration.   

Nicholson most recently has overseen a vast network of 1,400 hospitals and clinics, which provide supplemental care and rehabilitation to 5.8 million veterans.   

Earlier this year, the VA was embarrassed by revelations of poor health care at Walter Reed for veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nicholson was named by President Bush to lead an interagency task force of seven Cabinet secretaries to determine what could be done immediately to improve veterans' care. . . .

Kosovo send-off coverage round-up

There's some good coverage of yesterday's ceremony for the National Guard members heading to Kosovo in the First District's media.

Let's start off with the Rochester Post-Bulletin, source of the wonderful photo to the left. Karen Colbenson reports that about 300 people attended the event in Soldiers convene in Austin before deploying to Kosovo.  Congressman Walz and Governor Pawlenty spoke:

"We have the best National Guard in the United States of America," said Pawlenty. "There are children, women and men in Kosovo whose lives will be saved because of our presence there. May God continue to bless the United States of America by continuing to give us these heroes."

Pawlenty presented a Minnesota flag to Company F Commander Capt. Dale Ross.

Rep. Tim Walz also spoke at the ceremony, thanking soldiers and families for their sacrifices.

"You represent us as the best America has to offer," said Walz. "We are the leaders when it comes to freedom. We are behind you, we are behind your families and we are behind your mission."

One of the soldiers talked to the paper about that mission, while her husband grew wistfully proud:

Sgt. Rebekah Miller of Minneapolis said she is excited about what will be her second deployment to Kosovo. In 2004, she spent seven months working as assistant to the chaplain. This time, she will be building relationships with community leaders and focusing on problem-solving.

"It's a really great mission," said Miller.

Her husband, Stephen Miller, said he is really proud of his wife, but said it's even harder the second time around.

"The first time she was deployed, we had been married for three months," said Stephen. "This time, it's harder because the longer I know her, the more I like her."

The Austin Daily Herald took a headline from Walz's remarks for the article ‘Best America has to offer'. There's a story of a Minnesota National Guard soldier who served in Iraq now heading for the Balkans:

When it was Bravo Company, the local National Guard soldiers were mobilized and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Including pre-deployment training they were gone from their hometowns and families for most of 2005.

Now, 18 months later, they will be separated again.

Emmanuel, 22, graduated from high school in 2003 and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. His job in the National Guard is as a truck driver. That's what he did when he was deployed with the old “Bravo Company” soldiers before the redesignation to Fox Company.

He missed a few holidays then, but came home, as his mother wished then, safe.

“I'm proud he's going,” Tony Emanuel said. “He wants to go and I'm proud of that.”

The Herald covered the speeches, too:

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a retired sergeant major in the National Guard, called the soldiers the “greatest fighting force in the nation.”

Pointing to the soldiers sitting together, Walz said, “This is what our country looks like. This is the best America has to offer.”

And Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who spoke earlier Sunday at another send-off ceremony in West St. Paul, reminded the soldiers their peacekeeping mission is Kosovo was critical to “keeping the peace and keeping people from killing each other.”

Pawlenty presented a Minnesota state flag to Capt. Ross which was flown in Kosovo by another state National Guard unit that served in Iraq.

KAAL-TV reports on the Send Off Ceremonies for Troops Heading to Kosovo:

These troops will miss out on Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families this year, but they say they're okay with that.  Instead they're focusing on how they'll be making a difference in someone else's life in Kosovo, and to them it's worth the sacrifice to help keep the peace in our world.

Members of the 1st Minnesota, or the 2nd Battalion of the 135th Infantry gathered with their families at the Austin Armory.
    
Many of the troops say they are excited for the trip, looking forward to helping.

"The personal skills, and speaking with people, and being able to exercise personal skills," says PSC Tessa Heathman.

Governor Tim Pawlenty and Congressman Tim Walz assisted in the ceremonies, reminding the troops of how their work will be valued.

There's an accompanying video clip on the page with the story.  KTTC features more coverage here, and KEYC covered the send-offs in St.Paul in Prepare To Leave For Kosovo.

Reminder: National Guard send-off ceremony tonight in Austin

Just a reminder that not all our National Guard soldiers are coming home. Some are being deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. If you can, those leaving for training would probably appreciate seeing you at the Armory in Austin tonight:

The community is invited to attend the deployment ceremony on July 15 at the Austin Armory, where U.S. Rep. Tim Walz will speak. Former Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz will serve as the master of ceremony.

"It's a nice way to prepare everybody for the departure and for the community to say good-bye and thank you," said Teri Wermager, coordinator of the Family Readiness support group. "That's how the community can show their support."

Go & Do

What: Deployment send-off ceremony.

When: 6 p.m. July 15.

Where: Austin Armory, 800 21st St. N.E.

Congressman Walz, who served for 24 years in the Army National Guard, led the successful fight to retain combat status for the Kosovo mission.

More in 344th going to Kosovo in July about the deployment, and about Teri Wermager's work for other families in Guard offers sessions to help soldiers return to civilian life. Can you spare some time to show support for her own husband's deployment?

Friday morning news digest: appropriations, conventions, deployments

KEYC-TV reports that Walz Announces First Step In Funding For Projects Across S. Minnesota:

Several appropriation bills have cleared their first hurdle at the state capitol. Congressman Tim Walz announcing two projects in our area approved by the appropriations committee. $350,000 for construction on highway 14 from Waseca to Owatonna. And $350,000 for planning and environmental review along highway 14 from North Mankato to New Ulm.

Representative Walz talked about this yesterday in his district press call.  He noted while some will object purely on ideological terms to funding coming to the district, the reformed earmark process asked legislator to put their names on the money they asked for their districts. No more the anonymous slush slipped into a bill in the middle of the night, but a transparent process.

The projects Walz requested also assured local control of federal dollars, for projects communities and state agencies requested, rather than having the money go into a big pot held by the federal department of transportation.

It is possible that the appropriations could be removed on the House floor or in conference committee, but Walz thought that was unlikely.

He doubted that anyone would call Highway 14 a road to nowhere. We have provided a map for those who might be tempted to tell people living in Rochester, Owatonna, Mankato and New Ulm about their insignificance, or the reason they should put up with a notoriously unsafe road.

Political Hot Spot
KTTC reports on the 2008 state conventions in Rochester. Why such a hot spot? Go read the article to find out.

Austin Daily News: Send-off for Guard bound to Kosovo
Although the deployment is being overshadowed by the long awaited return of hundred of Guard members from Iraq, soldiers are being sent to Kovoso.  The ADN reports Public invited to National Guard send-off:

The public is invited to a send off ceremony for  Minnesota  Army National Guard soldiers leaving for military duty in Kosovo.                               

The ceremony begins 6 p.m. Sunday at the Austin Armory, headquarters of  Fox Company, 334th BSB, LMT.

Formerly “Bravo Company,” the soldiers are veterans of duty in Iraq, having served there in 2005.

Congressman Walz will be among the speakers.

Mankato Free Press LTE: Walz understands air traffic contral system's importance
Reed Miller of Byron writes his appreciation in Walz understands air traffic control system’s importance:

I want to let your readership know how much I and my fellow air traffic controllers at the Rochester International Airport appreciate that Congressman Tim Walz recently cast a vote for the restoration of our collective bargaining rights.

The FAA unilaterally imposed work and pay rules last Labor Day weekend, adding to a critical staffing shortage that threatens the safety and efficiency of our skies. Walz understands what effect the air traffic control system has, not just in Rochester, or the 1st District, but on aviation in the United States as a whole.

I would like to thank Walz for acting on behalf of safety of the flying public by voting to protect our rights to fair contract negotiations that will stem the tide of controller retirements and stabilize the controller workforce.

Netroots
A National Farmers Union intern from the Dakotas meets Tim Walz in surreality.

Happy birthday to BSP
One year ago today, we posted our first entry about the First Congressional District contest. Send gifts now.  On second thought, contributing to Tim Walz's re-election campaign would be the best present ever.

 

Early evening education edition: Veterans and college students

One of our favorite National Guard soldiers tells the tale of how difficult for her to return textbooks at a MnSCU school when she was called up to serve in Iraq.  Eventually, she was given a refund upon return of the books to the campus bookstore, but she had to beg for permission, all the way up to her school's president.

Yesterday, Tim Walz signed on to legislation that will help reservists/students with even bigger financial problems a call-up can pose:

Today, Congressman Walz signed on as a cosponsor of the Veterans Tuition and Support Act (VETS) of 2007, which provides assistance and financial protection for servicemembers who are in the process of earning a degree or paying back educational loans.

“This legislation guarantees basic safeguards for military reservists who are called to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan in the midst of their college careers,” said Walz. “Too many of our youngest veterans are facing unique hardships associated with the interruption of their schooling and the repayment of their student loans.”

Walz continued, “This bill is an extra measure to both ensure a soldier’s financial security while he or she is deployed and to simplify his or her continued educational progress upon return.  Minnesota’s communities go above and beyond to help soldiers with reintegration; it is time we ask lenders and educational institutions to share that commitment to our returning heroes.”

The legislation amends the Service Members Civil Relief Act to require colleges and universities to refund service members’ tuition and fees for any unearned credit for the term in which they are activated for duty.  It also requires schools to readmit student soldiers after their deactivation.  The bill would give military personnel a 13-month grace period after their return home before their student loans come due. Many vets need this grace period to find employment and ease the stress of transitioning back to civilian life.  Finally, the legislation would cap student loans for servicemembers at a 6-percent interest rate.

Nor is he forgetting the needs of the many other college students in his district. He cast a significant vote on their behalf today:

Today, Rep. Tim Walz voted for H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which would provide the federal government’s single largest investment in higher education in more than 60 years.  The legislation passed the House 273-149.

A former teacher at Mankato West High School, Walz said, “As an educator, I’ve seen some of my most promising students prevented from realizing their potential because their families simply couldn’t afford to send them to college.  Today, the House affirmed that what should matter is where these young people are going, not where they come from.”

The legislation would drastically increase federal dollars available for college financial aid, adding about $18 billion over the next five years.

“This bill is a victory for middle-class families and for our country’s economic security,” said Walz.  “America’s economic strength and its place in the world depend on the ingenuity and skills of our workforce.  College education has never been more important to our young people or to our country, but it has never been more difficult to afford.”

The legislation would help millions of students and families pay for college, but does so at no new cost to U.S. taxpayers.  The bill pays for itself by cutting $19 billion in unnecessary federal subsidies for private lenders.  The bill would also provide nearly $1 billion in deficit reduction to the federal budget.

About 6 million low- and moderate-income students would benefit from the legislation, which would increase the maximum value of the Pell Grant scholarship by $500 over the next three years. Combined with other increases, either passed or proposed in the House of Representatives, the College Cost Reduction Act will help the maximum Pell Grant reach $5,200 by 2010.

The College Cost Reduction Act also cuts interest rates on federal student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent throughout the next five years, saving the average borrower $4,400 over the life of their loans. About 67,468 Minnesota students use federal student loans to help finance their education each year.

Third District Republican Jim Ramstad joined Minnesota's Democratic Representatives in voting for H.R. 2669, while Representatives Kline and Bachmann voted against it.

July 15: Kosovo deployment send-off ceremony at Austin Armory

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports on two siblings who will deploy together when their National Guard unit leaves for training, then Kosovo:

Mark and Stephanie Erickson share more than just blood. They share a mission.

The brother and sister, children of Larry and Sherri Erickson of Austin, are both part of Company F, 334th Brigade Support Battalion of the 135th Infantry, 2nd Battalion. They will depart from home on July 18 for a mission in Kosovo, along with about 88 other troops from across southern Minnesota. They are scheduled to arrive in Kosovo in October or November, following three months of training.

Mark, 21, says he's ready to go. Stephanie, 19, says she is a little more hesitant because she has never been away from home for such a long time.

Area residents can show their appreciate by attending a send-off ceremony on July 15:

The community is invited to attend the deployment ceremony on July 15 at the Austin Armory, where U.S. Rep. Tim Walz will speak. Former Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz will serve as the master of ceremony.

"It's a nice way to prepare everybody for the departure and for the community to say good-bye and thank you," said Teri Wermager, coordinator of the Family Readiness support group. "That's how the community can show their support."

Go & Do

What: Deployment send-off ceremony.

When: 6 p.m. July 15.

Where: Austin Armory, 800 21st St. N.E.

Congressman Walz, who served for 24 years in the Army National Guard, led the successful fight to retain combat status for the Kosovo mission.

Albert Lea Tribune: Rep. Walz proud of work done

Albert Lea Tribune staff writer Sarah Light talked to Tim Walz about his first 100 days in office. Some excerpts:

. . .His proudest achievement thus far, said the 1st District Congressman from Mankato, is the work he’s been able to support on veteran’s care, especially in light of his 24 years in the U.S. National Guard. Some of the legislation related to veteran’s care that he has worked on include fully funding the transition period from when soldiers are out serving to when they return home.

During his time so far in office, he’s also been appointed to three committees — the House Agriculture Committee, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee — and has served as the vice president of the Democratic freshman class. Most recently, he was appointed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. . . .

. . .Now, he’s in the middle of several farm bill discussions around the district, receiving input from local farmers, citizens and community leaders about concerns and suggestions for the legislation.

The 2007 Farm Bill, Walz said, will provide funding for several federal priorities important to Minnesota, including the farm safety net programs, conservation, rural development, renewable energy research, school lunch programs and disaster assistance.

He will be in Albert Lea Monday for another farm bill meeting at 2 p.m. at Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services.

Another post about yet another Walz public meeting: meth impact forum

Tim Walz has scheduled yet another public meeting in Southern Minnesota, according to his latest press advisory:

On Tuesday, April 10th, Rep. Tim Walz will host a regional forum about the impact of meth on southern Minnesota.  The forum will address the need for all levels of government to work together in combating the production and use of meth and will include speakers from state and local government.

WHAT: Regional Forum on the Impacts of Meth
WHERE: Midwest Wireless Civic Center, Room 243
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, Minnesota
WHEN: Tuesday, April 10th, 10:00am

The forum is free and open to the public. The forum will include presentations from:
* State Senator Julie Rosen
* Minnesota Gang and Drug Taskforce Coordinator Bob Bushman
* Minnesota Department of Human Services Program & Policy Specialist Jeff Hunsberger
* Minnesota Meth Coordinator Chuck Noerenberg
* Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner

In addition to the meth meeting, Rep. Walz will participate in the following events on April 10th:

8am KDOG Morning Show
Rep. Tim Walz will co-host the 8 o'clock hour of the KDOG morning show with Brad and Sarah.  The show broadcasts in the Mankato area on 96.7FM and in western Minnesota on KNSG 94.7FM.

2:00-4:00 New Ulm Farm Bill Meeting
Martin Luther College
Luther Student Center Building Cafeteria
1995 Luther Court
New Ulm, Minnesota

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports on last night's meeting in Austin in Walz gathers input on federal farm bill:

The 40 or so people gathered in the basement of the Elks Lodge in Austin to discuss the farm bill know its importance.

But most people don't, said Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. Walz is conducting nine farm bill hearings in the 1st District this month to hear from people affected by the bill.

The effect of the farm bill is far-reaching. It funds everything from school lunch programs to filter strips along waterways to rural infrastructure upgrades. The bill is up for reauthorization this year.

"When we create a budget document, we are impacting people's lives in a very real way," Walz said of the work in Congress. The document is a moral document because it reflects the nation's values, he said.

Walz serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Fellow Minnesotan Rep. Collin Peterson is the committee chairman. Peterson has directed committee members to gather input from their constituents through early May in preparation for writing a new farm bill and enacting it by September.

Find out what the farmers told Walz by reading the full PB article.

The Austin Daily Herald reports on Walz's meeting with veterans in During Austin visit, Walz's ‘to do' list gets longer.  Many veterans attended and they wanted action:

First District Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said Wednesday night “a promise raised should be a promise kept.”

America's veterans have heard that before, but Walz brings new hope that he will keep the promises he makes.

After all, he's the highest ranking enlisted man in the U.S. Armed Forces ever to serve in Congress.

And only a year ago today, he was teaching classes at Mankato West High School instead of traveling the 1st Congressional District with an entourage.

Walz spoke to a large crowd of area veterans Wednesday night at the Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216.

Earlier Wednesday in Austin, he discussed a new Farm Bill with area farmers, but the veterans and their spouses gathered at the VFW Hall Wednesday night proved the most demanding.

Learn more about their demands in the Austin Daily Herald. We agree with Representative Walz's conclusion in the article:

One by one, veterans made their demands known of the new congressman, who defeated six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht last November.

One by one, Walz looked them in the eye and gave them an answer and assigned an aide to “get on this immediately;” a phrase heard repeatedly.

Norm Hecimovich, Walz's veterans affairs liaison in the 1st District, watched and listened and took his own notes of things he could do.

It was a night of requests and demands and the new congressman's own pledge to help in whatever way a retired Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army can in Washington D.C.

“The one constant for all you veterans is that the nation must be there for you,” Walz said.

In other news, the PB reports that Labor board files charges against Holiday Inn Express:

The National Labor Relations Board is taking its dispute with the Holiday Inn Express over the dismissal of 18 hotel workers before an administrative law judge. . . .

. . . The discovery that the 18 workers were out of jobs came four days before Christmas and days after CMPJ, a Texas-based firm, purchased the hotel from its longtime owner, Sunstone Properties. CMPJ Enterprises argues that the transaction with Sunstone was an asset purchase only and that the workers were never the employees of the company in the first place.

According to the complaint, the NLRB alleges that soon after the purchase was made, CMPJ Enterprises, through an agent, "threatened employees by stating that (CMPJ Enterprises) would not retain employees who had been with the union and (CMPJ Enterprise) did not want union employees."

It also states that representatives of CMPJ Enterprises have refused to bargain with or recognize Local 21 since the firm became the owners of the hotel.

 

Saturday morning digest: Iraq vote

The Hill 's news analysis finds that the Democratic leadership’s hard work bears fruit on Iraq vote.

Walz's role is noted:

Congressional sources said that some liberal lawmakers needed to be reassured about the withdrawal date and that anything earlier than September 2008 was not feasible or safe for the troops. House leaders tapped freshmen with military experience, such as Reps. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.) to make that argument.

Walz and his Washington DC roommate, fellow freshman Patrick Murphy, were seen talking with John Murtha in the photo above, which accompanied an article in the Washington Post.

Kosovo pay
Earlier this morning, we posted about how congressional pressure preserve combat status for the Kosovo peacekeeping mission in Kosovo Kudos.

Lutefisk Liberal: Dick Flops
The Lutefisk Liberal catches State Senator Dick Day's flip-flops on the proposed gas tax increase in a new post: See Dick Flop. Day, who is seeking the GOP endorsement for the MN-01 race in 2008, must be trying to re-estblish his cred with the more conservative wings of the GOP in southern Minnesota.

New Ulm store stop
It's pretty foggy this morning, but we're heading to New Ulm to say hi to Representative Walz at the HyVee. We'd hoped to meander down the Minnesota River Valley for some quality birding, but that will be a no-go unless the "pea-soup" lifts. 

Kosovo Kudos

Stars and Stripes reports Kosovo troops relieved they will keep danger pay.

Several area newspapers are recognizing Walz's work to maintain combat status for the Kosovo mission. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader, which covers southwestern Minnesota news, reports Lawmakers credited with helping preserve pay for Kosovo veterans.

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports that Walz applauds Pentagon's reversal on pay issue. An Iowa National Guard master sargeant who served in Kosovo says of conditions inthe Balkans nation:

Master Sgt. Duff McFadden of the Iowa Army National Guard, who returned from Kosovo in 2006, said the area remains dangerous, with occasional shootings, bombings and many mines still buried in fields.

"While it's mostly peaceful, there's still an underlying tension," McFadden said. He said troops get an extra $225 per month in imminent-danger pay, and their earnings while they are deployed to a combat zone are not taxed by the federal government. Soldiers also receive government-paid flights home for leave.

"It's a hardship on the families," McFadden said. "You are gone for a year, some people in certain jobs, they are looking at a big drop in pay depending on what they do."

A Mankato Free Press editorial gives thumbs up to Walz's work on Kosovo pay:

To Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato and the other 17 members of Congress who pressured the secretary of defense to pay combat-level pay to troops being deployed to Kosovo.

More than 400 members of a Mankato-based battalion of the Minnesota Army National Guard will be among the 1,700 troops being sent there as part of NATO peacekeeping operations. When their deployment was announced last month, it appeared the military might cut pay and benefits because the mission would be classified as “a noncombat mission.”

But the government in Kosovo remains unstable and the area, from the accounts of military personnel, remains dangerous with shootings, bombings and buried mines. It should be considered the dangerous mission that it is, with the compensation to match.

NO pay cuts for troops in Kosovo

Terrific news for Guard members deployed to Kosovo and their families, the Strib reports:

U.S. troops on peacekeeping missions in Kosovo -- including hundreds of Minnesota National Guard members -- won't have their pay cut, the Pentagon said Thursday, ending weeks of speculation that officials were considering such a move.

The loss of imminent-danger pay and other benefits would have cost soldiers hundreds of dollars each month.

Representative Walz responds:

Word that the military might cut pay and benefits had prompted complaints from troops and some members of Congress, including members of Minnesota's delegation.

"I am pleased with the Pentagon's decision to ensure our soldiers receive the combat pay they deserve for serving in Kosovo," said Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., who had organized opposition in the House to the proposed change.

"I was able to have a conversation with Secretary [Robert] Gates earlier today," Walz said Thursday night, "and I felt encouraged that he was taking a proactive approach to the letter my colleagues and I sent regarding this matter."

Tuesday morning news briefs: Hälsning från Washington

Another busy morning, so we're hoping to post more tonight.  Fox News reports that Pay Cuts a Possibility for National Guard Troops in Kosovo. 

A Scandinavian family (Swedish?) living in New Jersey visits Washington DC.  Son Martin sends Hälsning från Washington in his blogg, while the Family Bellander enjoys its Helgen i Washington DC and posts a picture of themselves and a smiling Tim Walz. 

Closer to home, Charlieq takes a look at the Walz-challenger Randy Demmer Quips Index in Does Warren Buffet Realize He Can Leave Omaha? . 

Talk of the Nation: Tim Walz's DC roommate on Kosovo deployment

Tim Walz's DC roommate, Pennsylvania Representative Patrick Murphy, was a guest on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" on March 8; the focus was on Murphy's experience as a former soldier who had just been to Iraq:

Freshman Congressman Patrick Murphy has been on the job just two months, yet he's just back from a trip to Iraq to visit U.S. troops. It was a homecoming of sorts. Back in 2003-04 the Pennsylvania Democrat was a captain in the 82nd Airborne Division based in Baghdad. He's the only Iraq war veteran in Congress and a vocal opponent of President Bush's troop build up.

A question came in:

CONAN: All right. Find the right button, there we go. All right, we're talking with Congressman Patrick Murphy, the only Iraq war veteran currently serving in Congress. I should point also, at the age of 33, the youngest member of Congress. You're listening to TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News.

And let's see if we can get another caller on the line, and this is John(ph), John's with us from Salt Lake City.

JOHN (Caller): How are you doing?

CONAN: Very well, thanks.

JOHN: Good. In the past, the rules for deployments of National Guard required that National Guard soldiers not be deployed more than two years out of a five year period. Now, that was recently changed by Congress so that everybody's National Guard clock has been reset.

Anybody, regardless of how many times they've deployed, can now be called up again.

CONAN: Right.

JOHN: So as a National Guard soldier who's been over there twice already, two years since the war began, I'm a little disappointed to find out that my part- time job could jump up on me again.

CONAN: Yeah, the rules are being changed after you signed up.

JOHN: Exactly.

CONAN: Is that fair, Congressman Murphy?

Rep. MURPHY: I think that's absolutely [not] fair. John, you and I, you know, obviously served in the same military, same - we're both proud of our service. It's as if you're doing a physical training fitness test, and you're supposed to run two miles, and then you're getting to the two-mile marker, and they say now you need to run another mile, another three or four miles. And to say it's disheartening to you and to the families back home is really - it's crippling.

And John, I would like to mention my roommate here in Washington - I, you know, I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but I have a very, very small apartment here in Washington with a guy, Tim Walz, Congressman Tim Walz from the state of Minnesota. He was a command sergeant major in the Minnesota National Guard. And just yesterday, John, you wouldn't believe that a unit out of the Minnesota National Guard, who just came back from Iraq, got order[s] and said you are now going to Kosovo.

And not only were they going to Kosovo, but they're going to Kosovo and now not getting the combat, the deployment pay, that everyone else gets. And you look at what the State Department is doing, the State Department has people in Kosovo, they give combat pay, and they don't even give our own soldiers now combat pay. You know, it's kind of doing it on the cheap.

Now, I came down here to Congress to make sure that we're protecting troops, to make sure that we're doing everything possible to support the troops and being smart about things. And what's not being smart about it is saying to some private in the Minnesota National Guard: Thanks for your service in Iraq. You're [now] going to Kosovo, and even though you're only making $19,000 a year, and when you get deployed you get at least tax-free benefits - now we're going to tax your pay, you know, probably a third, where you're going to make now about $14,000 a year, serving in a place like Kosovo where you can't walk on the grass because there are still mines - but our military will say it's not a combat to where it's not really a deployment anymore.

That's what's wrong with the current policies that are in effect right now. And guys like Tim Walz and myself will go to the mat for every single soldier, whether they're active duty, National Guard or reservists - every single day when we're down here.

CONAN: John, thanks very much for the call. Good luck to you.

JOHN: Thank you.

Source: Nexis News Transcripts.

The Hill: For Walz, foreign policy hits home

We should know not to check our email before we head out the door. The Hill's Jonathan Kaplan has written up the story of Tim Walz's fight to keep combat pay and benefits for Minnesota National Guard soldiers headed to Kosovo:

As a command sergeant major in the National Guard, Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) could not stop the Pentagon from proposing to strip combat pay and tax breaks for U.S. forces in Kosovo.

But as a freshman lawmaker, Walz now has the power to influence both foreign policy and local politics. By pressing the Pentagon to quash a proposal to downgrade the combat status of U.S. troops in Kosovo, Walz looks to alter the political situation in Kosovo — the former Serbian province itching for independence — while staving off potential financial repercussions for 400 Minnesota National Guardsmen who could be deployed there in the fall. . . .

. . .Walz argued that the Pentagon is seeking to downgrade the status of U.S. troops at the wrong time: Currently, the prospect of political unrest and violence has grown because the lack of progress toward an agreement has angered ethnic Albanians while the prospect of limited statehood has angered Serbs.

For more information, check our earlier posts about this issue here and here. Many of the 400 Minnesota National Guard members who have been ordered to Kosovo live in MN-01, and the Defense Department's plan to change the mission's status has met with strong protests from the district's newspapers.  Read the editorials in the Albert Lea Tribune, the Mankato Free Press, and the Owatonna People's Press,