A Bluestem Prairie

Morning news digest: district warming edition

While the blogosphere buzzes about Michelle Bachmann's crusade for freedom of choice for light bulb purchases, we think today's editorial in the Marshall Independent best addresses the underlying issue:

When we elect members to Congress, it’s with the hope that they will serve with a firm grasp on reality and with a mind open enough to at least try to solve even our most vexing of problems.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., at least on the global warming issue. . . .

. . .Bachmann argues that she is trying to preserve homeowners’ and others’ rights to use whatever kind of light bulb they want — even if it costs them more in electrical expenses.

We’re not going to fight her on that, although it’s a little silly to discourage the use of more efficient bulbs. People probably should be able to have some choice in how they light their homes.

But there are things behind Bachmann’s bill — including ignoring sound industry advice plus her take on global warming — that make us question her credibility.

The Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Bachmann recently told a meeting of Sherburne County Republicans that any human connection to global warming is “voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.”

It is unfortunate to hear a congresswoman simply sweep aside reams of evidence under the rug of a conspiracy theory. It does not become her position, nor the debate.

In our view, it is nearly a lock that humans have contributed to global warming in the past three centuries, or since the onset of the Industrial Revolution and the emissions all kinds of machines have kicked into the air.

It is even more of a certainty that humans have contributed in the past half century, with troubling results. In February 2007, a United Nations panel on global climate change concluded humans have “very likely” contributed to the “unequivocal” climate changes of the past 50 years. We’ve done so in measurable ways — the release of carbon dioxide from smokestacks and tailpipes, the wiping out of forests. Other reports have said the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has exploded in the past 300 years, and continues to rise exponentially.

The results have been big and small: Mass calcification of all kinds of shellfish in the ocean, destruction of coral reefs, melting of the Arctic tundra, species of animals and plants being found farther north and at higher altitudes than ever before.

If you want to quarrel with the amount of man’s impact on the changes, fine — but it is irresponsible to dismiss it as voodoo or a hoax.

When Bachmann takes such a stance, she effectively eliminates herself from any credible aspect of the debate — much like a 15th-century Spanish courtier who kept arguing the Earth was flat even after Columbus had come and gone a couple times.

There is wide agreement among scientists, industry, politicians of both parties that man contributes and that we must act to limit our contributions to warming while we can.

Unfortunately, Bachmann isn't the only one touting this malarky. In the contest to capture the Republican nomination and the honor of being beat by Representative Walz in November, one contestant offered an energy policy in which global warming denial was a core belief. Sadly, the other two candidates chose to go down that path in their quest to capture the hearts (and votes) of party activists.

We're not so sure about the warming trend suggested by the Owatonna People's Press headline, GOP First District Convention heating up. The lead is more interesting:

When Republican delegates gather Saturday at the First District Convention, they'll not only endorse someone to run in a primary against state Sen. Dick Day, they'll also be doing some soul searching.

All will be there to determine the best candidate to unseat freshman U.S. Rep. Tim Walz. And for now, it's a mystery not only to the candidates, but to Republican activists like David McGuire, co-chairman of the Steele County Republican Party.

"I just don't have a handle on it," he said.

It's the convention that passeth all understanding.  As in prior reports, neither Demmer nor Davis provides a delegate count. The local Republican has more to say about the GOPeapods:

McGuire said he hasn't spoken to anyone about which candidate has the best prospects of getting the endorsement.  . . .

. . .The last time the Republican Party had to endorse a candidate was in 1994, when former Congressman Arlen Erdahl and then state Rep. Gil Gutknecht competed for the nomination. Former Congressman Tim Penny, a Democrat, decided not to seek re-election that year.

McGuire said the difference then compared to this year is that Davis, Day and Demmer are virtually identical with conservative views. The only difference between them is their years of political experience, with Day holding an advantage.

Meanwhile, Walz is listening to his constituents and trying to improve rail shipping for Southern Minnesota's transportation customers. The Star Tribune reports in Congress hearing new calls for more railway regulation:

A coalition of farm and rural business interests from across Minnesota has banded together with a national group challenging what they call the monopoly power of the nation's railroads.

The freight customers are supporting bills in Congress that would end an antitrust exemption for railroads and would foster competition, and they have turned to Minnesota's congressional delegation for help. . . .

. . . Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., has signed on to the bills in Congress. "I've heard time and time again from southern Minnesota's farmers, electric co-ops and small businesses how badly we need to restore competition to the rail industry," he said.

All but two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation have signed on to the legislation. Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline are still reviewing the bills.

We posted about this issues beginning in 2007; a 2008 post about the legislation can be found here.

In couple of interesting letters to the editor in the district dailies this morning. In the New Ulm Journal, Vietnam vet Al Boettger conflates Walz's criticisms of lack of real and effective federal level commitment to vets' programs with the possibility of criticism of the local vets service officer, Greg Peterson.

Safe to say that Boettger is absolutely right about the great work Greg Peterson does, but also that Boettger wasn't at the meeting. We attended the meeting. As we noted at the time, Greg offered a great suggestion on how to better count and serve each county's vets. If we're not mistaken, Peterson had helped Walz's staff get the very vocal vets in New Ulm to the meeting.

The congressman did thank Greg for all of his hard work.  We had a chance to talk briefly to Peterson at the event, though his focus was rightly on the people he serves, and seeing him in action, we can understand why Boettger didn't want people to form the wrong impression.

In the Mankato Free Press, a reader counters Republican reverend Paul Ibisch's letter trashing Walz with Business is the biggest welfare recipent. Dan Conner notes:

. . .I believe Paul Ibisch’s anger, in his recent letter to the editor, is misdirected. He blames Rep Tim Walz when he needs to blame President Bush. . . .

Finally, local television news reports on Norm Coleman's campaign kick-off stop in Rochester show the press isn't giving him a free ride. In Coleman Campaigns, KTTC begins its report:

He calls Minnesota the 'land of 10,000 dreams', a place where Senator Norm Coleman says he has made progress throughout the last six years.
 
Now, he wants to accomplish even more.
 
The work began today, when Norm Coleman officially began his campaign for re-election. 
 
But while he was at Rochester's Event Center this afternoon, promising to 'get things done for Minnesota', another group just down the road was already campaigning against the senator for not doing enough.
 
It was a battle of rhymes, that turned into a war of words.
 
Laura Askelin, SE MN Central Labor Council says, "We cannot continue on this path of putting the needs of the few over the needs of the many and unfortunately Senator Coleman is only concerned with the needs of a few corporate special interests."
 
It started early Wednesday morning, when DFL-ers, labor, and community leaders expressed their opinion about Senator Norm Coleman.
 
Wes Urevig, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union says, "He should be supporting the things that are important to Minnesota workers - reasonable health care, education for their family, good jobs." . . .

And in KAAL-TV's Coleman Kicks Off Campaign , we read:

U.S Senator Norm Coleman officially launched his re-election bid with a rally today.

Supporters turned out in Rochester to celebrate the kickoff as Coleman hit the road for a four-day, 15-city tour across the state.

The senator says he looks forward to running on his record of bringing people together and reaching across the partisan divide.

Also today, DFLers, labor and community leaders gathered to voice their concerns about Coleman’s record for putting corporate special interests ahead of middle-class Minnesotans.

"Working people want representatives that are more like them, with sense of humor. Because with this mess in Washington they're certainly going to need it,” says Wesley Urevig, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Many at the rally voiced support for candidate Al Franken.

He's favored to be the democratic nominee.

Coleman has criticized some of the things Franken has said or written in his comedy routines and commentary.

Franken defends his previous work as that of a satirist.

Looks like Norm couldn't control the message on that coverage. There are video clips of the segments up at each station.

Below the fold, we've provided the complete statement from one Southern Minnesota labor leader, Laura Askelin.

Does the good Reverend Ibisch have a new call?

On March 19, we noted at the bottom of our news digest that that compulsive anti-Dem letter writer Paul Ibisch had called Tim Walz out for printing too much money and manipulating oil prices.  The letter that appeared in Wednesday's Winona Daily News began:

Walz is really hurting us

By Paul Ibisch, La Crescent, Minn.

In his recent oversized pamphlet, which you and I paid for, Rep. Tim Walz tells us he “Targeted Tax Relief to Help Minnesota Families.

In this morning's Mankato Free Press, the same letter from Ibisch begins:

Your View: Walz failed Minnesota families
By Paul Ibisch, Mapleton

In his recent oversized pamphlet (that you and I paid for), Rep. Tim Walz tells us he “targeted tax relief to help Minnesota families.”

Now, we don't take exception to a letter appearing in more than one venue--we see this practice used by members of both parties, though some editors frown on it as they seek original material. And at least the letter and the name of the letter writer are the same; written in Ibisch's distinctive style, this isn't astroturf.

There's a rather different turf issue here.  Ibisch's letter is remarkable for its floating address.

That Ibisch lived during the same week both in LaCrescent on the banks of the mighty Mississippi down in apple-cheeked Houston County  (where he is deputy-chair of the Republican Party and pastor of the First Lutheran Evangelical Church--WELS) and Mapleton,  the curling capital of Minnesota nestled on the banks of the placid Maple River in Blue Earth County, is indeed a heroic feat.

That's 158 miles of travel each way, as the Google map flies.

Perhaps Paul was visiting MSUM student and College Republican activist Tim Ibisch (his son, we believe). Maybe WELS is reviving the tradition of circuit riding preachers. Or perhaps the elder Ibisch is moving in with his son to keep an eye on the lad at formal occasions. 

We suppose it's possible to have two addresses and therefore not be trying to mislead the editors and readers of either paper.  Certainly, no man of the cloth would ever intentionally try to do such a thing.

Wednesday morning news digest: meetings edition

There are a couple of meetings today in the district that we hope to attend. Early in the morning, Walz will host his own veterans meeting in New Ulm:

Walz New Ulm Veterans Forum
Wednesday, March 19
9:00 am
American Legion
13 S Minnesota St
New Ulm, MN

Later in the morning, Walz will meet with National Guard member and Iraq War Vets that's hosted by USAction.

USAction leads a national coalition of academics, advocates, grassroots leaders, labor organizations, progressive organizations and others to bring a safe and responsible end to the war and invest in America's Future, most importantly, our veterans.

WHO:              USAction, Rep. Tim Walz, Iraq War Veterans, MN National Guard Members
WHAT:           Round Table Discussion to hear what the Cost of War has meant to MN's soldiers and their families and to discuss improving the support they receive.
WHERE:         Mankato State University, Centennial Student Union, Room #238 (Knickerson Room)
WHEN:            Wednesday, March 19 at 11:00AM

Yesterday,Walz held a economic and education summit in Rochester; KAAL-TV covers the event in Preparing Our Workers for the Workforce:

Thousands of people from our area are looking for work tonight.

Some say we've fallen behind in the training of our workers.

And that means we run the risk falling behind other states and countries.

That's the message at an economic summit today, hosted by Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz.

Melissa Johnson is looking for a new job in the health care field.   

She's been trained as a nursing assistant and has the skills for the job she wants, but according to the people at a panel on Tuesday, we are not training our workers well enough for highly skilled jobs in bioscience and technology.

"The shortage of workers we're going to have, especially shortage of workers in these technical fields, is pretty terrifying,” says Congressman Tim Walz.

Walz and the experts say, either we train our workers to be smarter and give them more skills, or our country and our workers will lose out.

"We're not looking at hiring engineers from overseas, we're looking at hiring them right out of Rochester,” says Walz.

John Devlin runs a small bioscience company. 

He says schools need to emphasize math and science and educate kids about the types of jobs in the biosciences and renewable technologies.

"It’s kind of like the gold rush,” he says. “There's new developments each day and there's really the potential for something great here in this region."

Randy Johnson oversees workforce development incorporated in southeast Minnesota. 

"They’re going to have more highly skilled and more diverse task ability workforce to be able to work through this,” says Johnson. “It's quite a challenge.”

A challenge he says we all have an incentive to prepare our workers for.

"I'm definitely going to go back to school,” says Melissa Johnson. “I don't think you can get very far in this world without an education.”

And some say it's more important to teach smart now, than it's ever been.

Panelists say if we don't develop our own workforce, we could lose jobs, money and tax revenue to other states and countries.

There's an accompanying video.

Looking ahead, Congressman Walz will be a panel member on the Seventh Oberstar Forum on Transportation Policy and Technology at the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies:

Federal transportation programs and policy are due for dramatic institutional reform and revamping, according to the recommendations of a national study commission. With SAFETEA-LU expiring next year, what is the potential for such transformation in the next surface transportation bill? National experts will offer their perspectives at the seventh James L. Oberstar Forum on Transportation Policy andTechnology April 7 in Minneapolis.

Oberstar, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will open the event with a presentation titled “Transformation of National Transportation Policy for the 21st Century.” Next, Congressman Tim Walz from Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, who serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with Oberstar, is invited to present “Federal Transportation Policy to Meet State Needs.”

The forum then turns to a panel discussion of the recommendations of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. The commission was created by Congress under SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users), the federal surface transportation bill enacted in 2005. The results of its work are available in the recently released report Transportation for Tomorrow. Panelists are Jack Schenendorf, the commission’s vice chair, and commission members Rick Geddes, Steve Heminger, and Matt Rose. A second panel will assess the likelihood   of policy transformation. Speakers  will include Pete Ruane, president and CEO of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association; John Horsley, executive director     of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; and William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association.

Congressman Oberstar will provide closing remarks.

The forum is free and open to the public.Space is limited, however, so attendees are     encouraged to register.       

Click on the link above for contact information.

An article from the Akron Beacon Journal about VoteVets and Iraq Vets for Congress mentions Tim Walz and Ashwin Madia.

We knew that Congressman Walz was on the Veterans Affairs, Ag, and Transportation Committee, but we didn't know he secretly ran the U.S. Mint and Department of Energy, manipulating money and oil supplies. Obsessive-compulsive anti-Dem  Paul Ibisch reveals all.

Walz to seniors: File with IRS to get stimulus rebate quickly

Another press release from the congressional office, accompanied by a letter from AARP thanking Walz for his work in passing the stimulus package:

Congressman urges seniors to file with IRS soon to get stimulus rebate quickly

(Owatonna, MN) - Today, Congressman Tim Walz met with seniors and elder care providers in Owatonna to discuss the impact of the economic downturn on older citizens and their families, as well as the rising cost of health care. 

Walz, who fought to ensure that seniors were included in the economic stimulus package that was signed into law in January, urged seniors to file with the IRS as quickly as possible in order to obtain their rebate checks.  The stimulus package was a bipartisan measure designed to jump start the economy and to provide necessary financial assistance to those who need it most.  After the passage of the economic stimulus package, Walz was thanked by the AARP for his leadership in helping including seniors in the bill.  AARP's letter is attached.

"I fought to include seniors and disabled veterans in the stimulus package and I'm pleased that we were successful," Walz said.  "As a result, seniors with $3,000 in qualifying income, which can include their Social Security income, qualify for a rebate and should file with the IRS as soon as possible to expedite their rebate check."

"Seniors devote countless volunteer hours to bettering our communities and they ask for little, other than the economic security to stay in their own homes and a health care system that will take care of their needs," Walz said.  "Our seniors served our country admirably over their lifetimes and we can best serve them by making sure we address their needs when times get tough."

Saturday late-afternoon news digest: from left to right edition

Talk radio WIZM in LaCrosse says Kind And Walz Rated Moderate Compared To Other Members Of Congress. The text is in radio script format:

   FOR A COUPLE OF DEMOCRATS, RON KIND AND TIM WALZ ARE A BIT ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE...
THAT'S HOW THE NATIONAL JOURNAL MAGAZINE RATES TWO AREA CONGRESSMEN, BASED ON SELECTED VOTES IN THE HOUSE. . . .

The Strib reports US House rejects immunity in wiretap measure. Beta News quotes Walz in House passes revised FISA reform bill minus telco immunity.

The Albert Lea Tribune reports that the Glenville, MN SoyMor stops producing biodiesel because the price of soybeans is too high for the plant to be profitable. Meanwhile, the Wind turbines are spinning at the Corn Plus ethanol plant, according to the Fairmont Sentinel. John Deere owns the great part of the turbines for now, but the plant will gain majority ownership in eleven years.

Carimona Township has raised its gopher bounty to $3 per pair of front paws. Such are the consequences to rodents of higher gas prices in Fillmore County.

The Ag Connection notes that Farm Bureau Members Travel to Washington.

The Political Party blog at the Rochester Post Bulletin says FISA Surveillance Bill passes House on narrow vote and Earmark changes put off, for now.  The idea went to the Senate to die:

Over in the Senate, support for a one-year moratorium by the three major presidential candidates did not sway many senators. Minnesota Sens. Norm Coleman, R, and Amy Klobuchar, D, helped kill a budget amendment on a 29-71 roll call vote. This week, Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y, and  Barack Obama, D-Ill., announced their support for the moratorium, just in time to get on the same page as Republican nominee-in-waiting Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, (who has turned over the rotating freshman class presidency to Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky.), said Thursday that he's still open to a moratorium, under specific conditions. "If they want to talk about this and they're really making sure that we're going to use this on national priorities, whether it be paying down the debt or focusing on issues we all agree are priority issues, that's one thing.

"Sending it back to the bureaucracy and letting the president earmark it, which is exactly what it amounts to, or letting the president's designees, I'm nervous about that. It seems like political theatrics."

The Faribault Daily News has published a short "Saturday Starter" opinion on one of Dick day's legislative proposals:

State Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna) wants to revive the concept of allowing for racinos - a combination horse race track and casino - in Minnesota. A good reason to be against this plan? The word "racino" simply sounds silly.

In the netroots, Cube Zoo reacts to Brian Davis's tax proposals here.  His lead:

Brian Davis is a fool.

Find out why below the fold.

Friday midday news digest: blarney behind closed doors edition

We've been enjoying a lazy morning with a very affectionate kitty; however, golden boy Oscar de la Hoya has been banished from the studio.  Here's what we're reading in our rare closed door session. 

The Washington Post reports that Bush Calls Surveillance Bill Inadequate.  On C-Span right now, the bill is being debated; there's rowdiness in the chamber. This bill will be the final debate and vote before Congress recesses for the Easter district work break.

So far in the break,  Walz has announced an education and economic development summit in Rochester on March 18, and veterans meetings on Monday in Waseca and  Wednesday in New Ulm.  All three meetings are free and open to the public.

It's a good thing that people in New Ulm will have a day to recuperate from its St. Patrick's Day parade. The New Ulm Journal's Kevin Sweeney reports on the event in When Irish people are celebrating:

. . .the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Ulm will take place on Monday, March 17, with the blessing of diocesan administrator Msgr. Douglas Grams, according to parade organizers Tom Donnelly and Bill O’Connor.

The annual parade will take place at 5 p.m. It will proceed, as usual, the wrong way up Minnesota Street from Third South Street to Fourth North Street. All who are Irish and who appreciate the Irish are invited to participate.

According to O’Connor and Donnelly, Grams had no problem with the celebration.

“He knows it is first and foremost a religious holiday,” said O’Connor. “We have a parade, prayer, a meal, and then we go home.”

“The Monsignor knows our parade, and the love we Irish have for the Germans, and vice-versa,” said Donnelly.

Our Irish Catholic relatives in Watonwan County never told us there were Irish people in New Ulm.  The article continues:

. . . As usual, St. Patrick’s Day will feature a number of events designed to stimulate the minds and bodies of the normally stolid German citizens.

The annual rope-pushing contest will be held in German Park at 2 p.m.

The traditional medallion hunt will be held as well, though in all the years it has been held no one has ever found it. This year the medallion will be 8 feet in diameter, painted bright green and will be hidden in the Wal-Mart parking lot with a bright red light blinking on the top. . . .

.  .  . An ice fishing contest will be held on Lake Hanska. The person who catches the biggest bullhead will get a six-pack of Schell’s Beer. Second place is two six packs of Schell’s.

Must be the low end Deer P**s, and not the boutique brews like the Pils.  There are also some political shades of green in the article:

The Irish are steering away from presidential politics, however. They will not be endorsing a candidate. The only candidate with an Irish name is Sen. John McCain, a Republican, and the Irish are all confirmed Democrats, except for Terry Dempsey. O’Connor has long claimed Dempsey’s Republicanism is a result of being dropped on his head as a baby.

Read the rest for yourself.

A reader in the Mankato Free Press is confused about the Americans United for Change radio ad, which he takes to be a production in the letter Walz shouldn’t take too much credit for ‘rebate’. Letter writer Mike Grabow is a local Republican activist. No word on how firm a grip his parents had when he was a baby.

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports Drive to lower blood donor age to 16 succeeds.  Blooming Prairie high school student Joe Gibson has earned universal respect from legislators on both sides of the aisle for his leadership.

The paper also reports Obama's campaign sparks Somalis' interest in election. Money quote:

But Rochester residents like Shakur dispute the notion that their support for Obama rests solely or even primarily on his African family history and background.

The key, they say, is not only who he is, but what he stands for. And what Obama symbolizes, in their eyes, is hope -- the belief that their children can achieve like Obama and reach the highest political office in the land. If a man one generation removed from his African ancestry can become president, why can't their own children one day do the same?

"He shows that in America you can be whoever you want to be," said Abdulkadir Hussein, an anchorman for Rochester Somali TV.

The Rushford Tri-County Record notes that the Minnesota Environmental Partnership seeking local activists. The MEP has opened four field offices in Greater Minnesota, three in the First: Rushford, St. Peter, and the Albert Lea-Austin area.

Spring Valley Tribune publisher David Phillips writes Minnesota cooling, not global warming, foremost on our minds. His point isn't what the headline might tempt readers to conclude. The lead:

A former state legislator has been joking to people that he stayed warm this winter by burning books written by Al Gore. After experiencing a good, old-fashioned winter in Minnesota, many people probably share his sentiment.

However, there is climate and there is weather and one can't base global climate theories on local weather. If that were the case, then people in Scandinavia, which experienced one of its warmest winters ever with many record high temperatures, are likely fanning the pages of Gore's books to not only keep cool, but also learn more about just what is going on in our world. . .

Rep. Tony Cornish lends his support to Demmer's congressional endorsement bid, according the St. James Plaindealer. Cornish joins Rod Hamilton and other First Disitrct Republican House members in endorsing Demmer. While Cornish stresses Demmer's support for gun rights, readers should know that all candidates, and Congressman Walz, support gun rights.

Finally, another video from the Drum major Institute:

Roll Call and National Journal: about that NRCC memo boosted from the National Enquirer

We found a couple of First District-related items that are in today's Roll Call (subscription required). Via the Hat City Blog in Connecticut, we learn of a Roll Call article, not yet loaded into Nexis:

The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting 23 Democratic incumbents, including several freshmen, and one open seat, according a memo obtained by Roll Call that was prepared by the NRCC for a March 5 briefing to political action committee officials.

[...]

The memo includes a write-up of the Republican candidates running in each of the targeted seats - all GOP candidates are included if there is a contested primary - as well as a short description of the Democratic incumbent.

"There are multiple pickup opportunities for our Republican challengers in the fall," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said, when asked to comment on the memo. "With [a Congressional] approval rating hovering around a record low, Democrats sitting in Republican-leaning districts will have a hard time defending their abysmal record of tax hikes and runaway spending in a presidential election year."

Walz is on the list.  Via Lexis-Nexis, we found the DCCC's response in theNational Journal's House Race Hotline:

The DCCC "dismissed the memo in its entirety." DCCC spokesperson Doug Thornell: "There is more truth contained in the National Enquirer than in this hastily thrown together factually inaccurate work of fiction." The memo "includes a write-up" of the GOP candidates running as well as a short description of the Dem incumbent (Drucker, Roll Call, 3/6)

Given the hijinks of the Republican contenders against each other during the past weeks, the National Enquirer is about it.

The second tells us of the Americans United for Change radio ad, via Nexis-Nexis:

Americans United for Change, the liberal 527 group that works both the domestic and foreign policy sides of the political street, has begun airing radio ads in the districts of eight potentially vulnerable House Democratic freshmen, praising them for voting for the economic stimulus package last month.

"President Bush has told us the economy is strong," the ad begins. "CEOs on Wall Street are doing just fine. But if he'd asked the people on Main Street they'd tell him something very different."

The ads are being aired in the districts of Reps. Michael Arcuri (N.Y.), Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), Steve Kagen (Wis.), Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.), Nancy Boyda (Kan.), Paul Hodes (N.H.), Tim Mahoney (Fla.) and Tim Walz (Minn.). They are scheduled to run for about 10 days.

Americans United also is placing robocalls with similar scripts into the districts of seven other potentially vulnerable freshman Democrats: Reps. Joe Courtney (Conn.), Christopher Murphy (Conn.), Jason Altmire (Pa.), Ron Klein (Fla.), Harry Mitchell (Ariz.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.). Brad Woodhouse, the group's president, said the calls and ads will cost "in the low six figures."

"These ads are a recognition that it took these Members and a new majority in Congress to begin to end the era of tax breaks for the wealthy and to hell with everyone else and to finally get tax relief where it will do the most good to stimulate the economy - into the hands of families, seniors and veterans," Woodhouse said.

Americans United for Change: Radio ad sound file and documentation

As we posted last night, Americans United for Change will begin running a radio ad in the First beginning tomorrow. This is an independent expenditure that asks listeners to thank the congressman for his vote on the stimulus package.

You can listen to the Americans United for Change ad here or download this mp3 audio file.

Click on the thumbnails below to read the script and supporting documentation:

Americans United for Change to air radio spot in MN-01

We just received news that Americans United for Change will be running a new radio spot in the First,  urging  listener to call Rep. Tim Walz and ask him to continue working for a strong economy, as he did when he helped pass  economic stimulus legislation to provide immediate tax relief - $1,200 for most families – including rebates for seniors, veterans and families with children. 

The radio spot will air for roughly 10 days starting on Friday, and will be accompanied by a calling campaign thats based on the same script.

AUFC press secretary Jeremey J. Funk writes:

"At a time when gas prices, college tuition and healthcare costs are skyrocketing, we wanted to assure Minnesota families that they have a strong voice working for them in Washington. After nearly eight years of Bush-Republican trickle-down economics, Americans are facing the prospect of a protracted recession.  These ads are a recognition that it took Representatives like Tim Walz and a new majority in Congress to begin to end the era of exclusive tax breaks for the wealthy, who need them least, that never manage to trickle down to Minnesotans who need them most.  Rep. Walz is helping finally get tax relief where it will do the most good to stimulate the economy: into the hands of Minnesota’s families, seniors and veterans."

We'll post the audio and script in a bit. The group describes its objectives here.

Evening news digest: counting small-boned bodies edition

The Pioneer Press reports that Robert Bly is state's first poet laureate. We take our title tonight from one of his most famous poems, from the Vietnam War era.

It's the Festival of Owls this weekend in Houston, according to the Winona Daily News.

The Albert Lea Tribune's acting publisher writes that Knocking down snowmen is no funny matter. We agree.

The New Ulm Journal praises The Transportation 6, while the Owatonna People's Press gives Senator Day Kudos to his decision to skip the endorsement and go straight to the primary. The editorial board scolds the GOP:

. . . But what southern Minnesota's Republicans are doing and what they ought to do are two very different things. They ought to recruit and support candidates who have the best chance of representing their views in office. Instead, they are throwing a political tantrum because one candidate had the audacity to suggest that voters, not just a few party insiders, should have a say in an election. . . .

The Rochester Post Bulletin reported on a meeting where Flood victims try to get answers. Walz staff members were there.

In a letter to the Cottonwood County Citizen, Richard Peterson writes that Hamilton's transportation vote took courage. A DFLer, Peterson opposed Hamilton in the race for House 22B in 2004 and 2006.

Transportation of another mode is an issue on the Mississippi River, according to the Winona Daily News in Delta Queen future still in balance; Walz puts support behind exemption.

The Worthington Daily Globe reports ICE pays Worthington another visit.  This time it's a search for specific individuals, rather than a sweep through the Swift hog plant..

Finally, a YouTube of  Tim Walz and George Miller discussing textbook prices on the House floor earlier this month. The amendnment under debate was part of the College Opportunity & Affordability Act.

Corner House Comments: the posts we hoped to write

What with the breaking elephant fight today,  we didn't get around to writing about the local response to the veto down in the Southwestern corner of Minnesota. Fortunately, Corner House Comments is on it, writing a couple of posts. In Fixing roads, putting people to work, CHC concludes:

The Daily Globe also opines about the tactics the Minnesota GOP is using on the members of their party who voted in favor of addressing our infrastructure needs. In Party Presure Pressures, the dilemma facing Rep. Rod Hamilton(R) is discussed. Here is the last paragraph from the Daily Globe editorial:

It should trouble all of us when parties attempt to hold elected officials hostage, thereby making it increasingly difficult for them to do the job they’re supposed to be doing — serving the people who elected them. Why do we elect representatives in the first place, then?

Rod Hamilton voted to override the Governor's veto. The reward for people in his district? Work on Highway 60, which is crumbling. The reward for Hamilton? Andy Birkey at the Minnesota Monitor has the story in Six moderates out, six conservatives in: GOP changes leadership in wake of override vote.

Yesterday, CHC wrote Independent in Marshall has different view than Seifert.

Photo credit: MnDOT.

Minnesota House overrides Governor's veto of transportation bill

Yesterday, we drove on some notoriously crappy state roads in rural Minnesota. We've had to pay for some repairs that our mechanic says were from driving crappy roads. Thus, we're not against paying more gas tax to fix these crappy roads. We thank the members of the Minnesota House who voted to override the Governor's veto of the transportation bill.

We received a statement about the override from DFL chair Brian Melendez:

“With today’s override of Governor Pawlenty’s veto, Minnesotans can finally regain some confidence that our state is back on the road to rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, reducing gridlock, and improving public transit.

“Minnesotans can thank the united leadership of DFL majority for ensuring that our state moves forward on transportation, not leaving the bills and the consequences to future generations.

“The DFL Legislature’s bold leadership stands in stark contrast to Governor Pawlenty who, time after time, squandered the opportunity for real leadership on the transportation challenges we face as a state. Today, the Legislature stepped up and filled the void left by Pawlenty’s all-talk, do-nothing record — and showed that Pawlenty’s pursuit of his national ambitions has made him irrelevant to getting things done for Minnesota and for Minnesotans.”

Post Bulletin LTE: AMT 'fix" is "phony solution"

Local earth scientce instructor John Tacinelli writes in AMT 'fix' is no solution:

Kudos to Tim Walz for voting against the so-called "fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax."

This phony solution would have fixed the AMT problem, but raised the deficit by $51 billion. If Mr. Walz's opponents in Congress really think the tax is unfair (which it is) then let's fix it in a revenue-neutral way. Either raise other taxes to pay for it or preferably cut spending.

While they are at it, let's do the same for the marriage penalty. Then we can make the tax code fairer but not pass the costs on to my daughters. They already have trillions in government debt to work off.

Mid-day news digest: lazy Monday edition

We were lounging around looking pale this morning before we realized that we have to get a post up.

The Worthington Daily Globe reports Communities make New Year’s resolutions.  Local mayors are talking infrastructure and economic development. Roads and several bridges need upgrading or removal.

Lynn Solo writes the Mankato Free Press to say Walz favors middle-income tax breaks:

Recently, the U.S. House passed the U.S. Senate version of a bill “fixing” the alternative minimum tax (AMT) by adding $50 billion to the national debt.

’m glad that our congressman, Tim Walz, had the courage to vote against this fiscally-irresponsible piece of legislation.

He had twice supported House versions that included funding the fix by closing tax loopholes, thus following Pay-Go rules.

Rep. Walz favors tax breaks for middle-income people in a fiscally responsible manner. I thank him for standing by his principles.

The Free Press reports the LeSueur County's Veterans Service officer Jim Golgart is . . .looking for a few unmindful vets:

. . .In response, Golgart has organized “town hall” forums every two years, whereby vets and family members get the lowdown from military representatives and are given a chance to air any concerns to legislative representatives.

Le Sueur County’s third such gathering will be Jan. 17 in Le Center. It’s part of a proactive outreach to seek out benefit-eligible veterans that, Golgart estimates, consumes about 25 percent of his work time.

“Right now, the state is very veteran-friendly because of all the Guardsmen coming back” from active duty, he said. . . .

The St. Peter Herald reported that staff from area congressional offices, including  Rep. Walz's office, will be here.

In the Netroots, Joe Bodell remembers interviewing GOP MN-01 contender Brian Davis at the Minnesota Monitor. The Blue Man lists his Top 7 story lines in 2007; state Rep. Randy Demmer, another player in the GOP's three-legged race,  sorta gets a dishonorable mention for his per diem follies, but doesn't make the grade.  Now that's what we call a back bencher.

Corner House Comments lists the War in Iraq as the top story and remembers the return of their good liberal daughter from service. She received an Army commendation for her service in Iraq. Happy Birthday and thank you.

 

Sunday morning news and netroots digest: quotable quotes edition

The Albert Lea Tribune has published notable quotations from 2007.  Walz is includedL

“The situation at Walter Reed is not only deplorable, but also disheartening to our soldiers and to every American citizen.” — First District Congressman Tim Walz, D-Mankato, in March responding to the resignation of Army Sec. Francis Harvey after the controversy over the lack of proper care for soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Sarah Dixen of Winona writes the Winona Daily news to say she's Proud of Walz’s decisions:

I recently heard our first term U.S. congressman, Tim Walz, interviewed on the radio about his experience in Congress. It made me proud that Southern Minnesota sent him to Washington. As I have followed his votes and interviews this year, I can truly say that this is an honest man who votes his own mind and is beholden only to the people he represents. Even if you don’t agree with 100 percent of his votes, he is straightforward about his reasons, and I respect that. He recently made a vote that was unpopular with some on both sides of the aisle. As the government tried to fix the Alternative Minimum Tax before 2007 filing, Walz voted for two bills that would make sure middle-income people did not get unfairly hit with this tax. In the end though, those bills failed, and another was put forward that would help take care of the AMT for 2007, yet did not have a way to make up for the $51 billion added to the national debt. The original House bill paid for the fix by closing tax loopholes that allow hedge fund managers to pay taxes at a lower rate than the rest of Americans, but the Senate took that out. This is another example of how our old models of “conservative” and “liberal” don’t really fit. Walz is a progressive politician who believes strongly in fiscal responsibility. I hope we see how lucky we are to have someone willing to act as an individual and vote on the values they campaigned on.

We think she was probably listening to Walz  and MN-05 Congressman Keith Ellison on MPR's Midday, but that's only an educated guess.  Minnesota Central gives Ellison his first place award for Fresh Faces of 2007, with Walz in second.

The Corner House Comments notes that he travels over The Bridges of Rock County, on of which is the fourth worst bridge in the state.  Fortunately, Bridge Number 5050 is scheduled to be replaced in 2008.

Pakistani students studying at Minnesota State in Mankato react to the Bhutto assassination, according to a Free Press report, Pakistani students keep eyes on homeland.  KAAL-TV reports that Rochester's Local Muslim Community Speaks After Assassination:

. . .At an open house session in Rochester, these Muslims have their chance to explain to the community that mass killing is not their way of life.

While they pray for peace in Pakistan, they say they also pray that others will separate the actions of extremists from their religion.

Mid afternoon update: Fiscally responsible edition

Minnesota Central looks at Tim Walz as a fiscal moderate in Fiscal Responsiblity in Minnesota's First District ... FINALLY ! He concludes:

Reading today’s Star Tribune Dick Day is quoted : "Out of all the people who have represented the district in recent decades, Walz is by far the most liberal."

Hogwash !

Walz’s vote exhibits true fiscal discipline that the First District hasn’t seen since the days when Penny/Weber represented the reconfigured district.

To attract independent voters, the district deserves a viable alternative.

A strong candidate would focuses less on the attacking the opposition and more on the strengths of his own positions, feeling confident that a majority of the district supports that honest position.

Thus far with Day’s obsession with immigration and strong partisan rancor, he has sadly disappointed.
Conversely, a strong independent leader is more focused on governance … that fits Tim Walz.

The Grand Forks Herald takes note of the Post Bulletin editorial praising Walz and the U.S. Senators for asking FEMA to cut red tape.

Mercury Woman does a Boxing Day Local Blogging Roundup.

Mankato Free Press: Walz voted for fiscal responsibility

The Mankato Free Press's editorial board is a consistent voice for fiscal responsibility. Today's editorial, Our View — Killing Paygo will cost plenty, deplores Congress's approval of an AMT deal that doesn't patch a gaping $50 billion hole in the treasury:

. . .More and more, it’s becoming clear that the Democratic Party, to the surprise of many, has become the party of fiscal responsibility, of fiscally conservative principles.

The recent vote on paying for the reduction in the Alternative Minimum Tax is a case in point, one Republicans and some Democrats will be hard-pressed to live down in the next election.

Both parties agreed the Alternative Minimum Tax needed to be changed before it grew to include many middle income Americans for whom it was never intended. But changing who the tax would affect would cost $50 billion. That’s $50 billion that would have come into the treasury. In fact, President George W. Bush counted that money as revenue in the administration’s last federal deficit prediction.

In short, House Democrats, following rules they imposed on themselves after taking over this year, voted twice to pay for this loss of $50 billion by closing a loophole on very high income investment-fund managers who were getting a better tax deal and write-offs than average folks.

They assess the political situation which led to the vote:

The blame lies first with Republicans in the Senate who stopped the majority Democrats from passing AMT reform with a plan to pay for it. The Republicans worked procedural technicalities and President Bush threatened a veto if the Democrats insisted on paying for the loss to the treasury.

Ultimately, the minority Republicans won, utilizing a shrewd political move. They could say Democrats voted against reforming AMT if Democrats did not capitulate to approve the reforms even though there is no money to pay for them.

Many Democrats in the House eventually relented, figuring they’d better vote to prevent average Americans from getting hit by the AMT, even if the government can’t pay for it and the vote effectively raises the federal deficit.

They praise those members of Congress who didn't take the bait and scold those who did:

Some House members, including Rep. Tim Walz, D-1st District, and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-7th District, didn’t take the bait and voted for keeping the Paygo rules. Meanwhile, Rep. John Kline, R-2nd District, voted against Paygo, as did Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

And hope the voters remember:

The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, and the Concord Coalition, a budget watchdog group, resoundingly thrashed lawmakers unwilling to pay for things they approve. We are just as frustrated but expect to be even more exasperated when the campaigns heat up.

As part of the cover, opponents of Paygo will say Walz and Peterson voted for tax increases. We hope voters, who normally have short memories, will have a clearer mind on just what happened last week.

We suspect that the Free Press editorial board will remind voters of just that point over the next 11 months.

 

 

Thursday late morning news digest: Dick Day, Victim edition

Dick Day mistakes criticism for censorship in In response: We have the right to speak up about immigration, a column published in today's Mankato Free Press. 

Like all Americans, Day has the right to free speech; he doesn't seem to get the part about other people having it as well. Given the fawning press release coverage of his visit by the Star Tribune, it's pretty entertaining to see him try to paint himself as a victim:

. . .But since I’ve been back, the media, political parties and special interest groups have expressed mass outrage that I’d actually expose the issue, admit we have a massive problem and start a dialogue with folks who think it should be fixed. . . .

Day claims to be the one "exposing the problem."  He must think Southern Minnesota voters can't remember that immigration was discussed at length in last year's election.  Since Day himself doesn't seem willing to recall Gutknecht's campaigning on this issue, it's up to the bovine blogger of BSP to graze in the annals of recent district politics.

Let us return to the thrilling campaigns of yesteryear and see if Day has indeed been the first to expose immigration as an issue.  We're using Nexis for this.

There's a May 14, 2006 Star Tribune article by Aaron Blake,"Gutknecht is keeping up pressure, volume in immigration debate" that begins:

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Rep. Gil Gutknecht angrily walked out of a closed-door briefing when Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner James Ziglar said the service's main job was to help people get into the country.

Gutknecht declared Ziglar "didn't get it" - that his job was to protect the borders and enforce the immigration laws within them.

After illegal immigrants have rallied throughout the country for legal rights, Gutknecht says immigration officials - along with the Bush administration and now the Senate - are still failing.

Gutknecht has emerged as the most vocal member of the Minnesota delegation on immigration, and he doesn't shy away from a "hard-liner" label. In December he said Congress was finally getting the message after the House passed a get-tough immigration bill calling for 700 miles of fencing along the southern border.

The Senate plans to take up the issue this week, but after it jostled over the issue last month and failed to reach agreement, the six-term Republican complained that the bill had succumbed to "the graveyard of all good ideas."

"You cannot have a serious discussion about any other changes, including a guest-worker program, until you demonstrate that you're credible on defending the borders and enforcing the law," said Gutknecht, who likens his immigration views to those of illegal-immigration hawk Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

Gutknecht has held forums on illegal immigration in Albert Lea and Worthington - the former with Tancredo -and was one of 72 members of Congress who sent a letter to the Senate in late March asking it to deal with immigration enforcement before any amnesty. He is rated the highest among Minnesotans in Congress by Americans for Better Immigration, which lobbies for reduced immigration.

He said that Worthington, a meatpacking town where immigrants make up a quarter of the population of 11,000, is "ground zero for this whole debate," and that Albert Lea is in a similar situation. . . .

Seems like immigration policy got discussed quite a bit last year; for Day to claim he's exposing an issue  is pure grandstanding. To paint himself as a victim? Does he want to emerge as a leader or go for the sympathy vote?

And how did the focus on immgration work out for Gutknecht? As the Hill reported on November 9, 2006, in "House GOP's immgration strategy no "magic bullet""

Earlier this year Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.) argued that illegal immigration would play a bigger role in the election than the war in Iraq. People know what they want to do about illegal immigration, he reasoned, but most Americans find the war more confounding without a clear strategy in mind to turn it around.

But Tuesday Gutknecht lost his reelection bid, and that loss, as well as those of many other so-called border-enforcement-first Republicans around the country, punctuated their party's failed election strategy, casting doubt on their handling of what was supposed to be a winning campaign issue and demonstrating that issues like Iraq and President Bush's low popularity in the polls trumped the polarizing illegal immigration issue even at the southern border.

And one final point: we are amused to have Day call the response to his Minuteman trip "mass outrage." Like our friend DJ, we would have characterized at least some of the response as mass laughter.

The Winona Daily News runs with an AP news report on the AMT vote.  The  editors added this information about Coleman, Klobuchar, and Walz's votes:

Local response
How southern Minnesota representatives voted on the Alternative Minimum Tax bill:

Sen. Norm Coleman (R): Yes
Coleman voted against the earlier version that would have offset the tax relief.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D): Yes
Klobuchar voted for an earlier version of the bill that would have offset the lost revenue. That version would have increased taxes on hedge fund managers for a total of more than $50 billion.

Rep. Tim Walz (D): No
Walz voted against the bill on the grounds it will add more than $50 billion to the national debt, said spokesperson Meredith Salsbery. Walz voted for the earlier bill that paid for the cuts.

KEYC-TV reports Congress Passes AMT Tax Bill Over Walz' Objections.

Local ag groups talk about the Farm Bill in Farm Bill gets reaction at the Worthington Globe. DFL activist Debra Hogenson of Brewster notes Election of Walz has paid dividends.

NETROOTS
Mankato high school rocker Beth at My Thoughts in Your Face is p.o.'ed  in Pro-Choice v. Anti-Life.  But her anger isn't directed at Tim Walz.  Great title for blog.

Press release: Walz votes for fiscal responsibility; honors campaign promise

Earlier, the Mankato Free Press reports Pending vote has Walz uneasy. Mark Fischenich noted that Walz had campaigned on sticking with PAYGO rules.

Walz ended up voting no.  The Walz congressional office sent us this press release about the vote:

REP. WALZ STANDS UP FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Votes Against Debt-Raising AMT Bill

(Washington, DC) - Today, Congressman Walz voted for fiscal responsibility and opposed legislation that will add $51 billion to the national debt next year.  The legislation provided a one-year fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).  Walz said he voted against it because Congress failed to pay for the bill. 

Under rules put in place by the new leadership in Congress, every bill passed by the House this year is supposed to comply with the pay-as-you-go rule, or PAYGO.  The Senate-passed AMT legislation, however, does not adhere to PAYGO and merely adds the cost of a one-year AMT fix to the national debt.

"I am for middle class tax relief.  I am also for restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington.  We can do both, which is why I voted twice this year for AMT bills that provide middle-class tax relief in a fiscally responsible way.  My colleagues on both sides of the aisle caved into pressure from President Bush and wealthy special interests and passed a so-called middle class tax bill that mortgages our children's future for short term political gratification," said Congressman Tim Walz.  "This is nothing more than a shell game that passes on a "tax" in the form of increased debt to our children and grandchildren."

The AMT legislation would extend for one year AMT relief for nonrefundable personal credits and increases the AMT exemption amount to $66,250 for joint filers and $44,350 for individuals. The original House-passed version financed the AMT relief by forcing millionairebhedge fund money managers to play by the same rules as middle class Americans.  The AMT was put into place nearly forty years ago to ensure that the wealthiest families did not escape paying taxes altogether. The Senate-passed version eliminated provisions related to hedge fund managers.

Under congressional rules, Walz's office cannot remind people of his campaign promises. However, a responsible press does so, and unlike some media outlets, the Mankato is doing its job on covering the AMT.

Walz has twice voted to fix the AMT while abiding by PAYGO rules,

 

Wednesday morning news digest: Budget bill boogie edition

The Mankato Free Press reports in Pending vote has Walz uneasy:

It’s looking increasingly likely Congressman Tim Walz is going to have to decide between budget discipline and 40,000 of his constituents sometime later this week, and the freshman Democrat said Tuesday he’s struggling with the decision.

Senate Republicans, backed by President Bush, are blocking efforts by Walz and other House Democrats to generate $50 billion of new revenue to offset $50 billion in tax relief for people who are otherwise going to get hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax next year. The Senate on Tuesday efectively voted to allow the cost to be added to the national debt.

After winning control of Congress a year ago, Democrats imposed “pay as you go” rules, known as pay-go for short, that attempt to force the fiscal discipline required to keep budget deficits and the national debt from growing. The rules require spending increases and tax cuts in one area to be offset by spending cuts or tax hikes in other parts of the budget. The Senate proposal would be a clear violation of the rules. . . .

“I’m talking to a lot of people and struggling with this,” Walz said Tuesday, referring to extensive discussion with his congressional staff and opinion leaders in southern Minnesota.

Walz said the politically expedient choice would be to support the Senate bill, whcih was expected to be voted on today in the House.

“The easy thing is to go that way,” Walz said. . . .

. . .There could be political fall-out, however, if Walz votes to violate the pay-go rules. During last year’s successful campaign to knock off longtime GOP Congressman Gil Gutknecht, Walz was critical of the budgets and massive deficits piled up by the then-Republican-controlled federal government.

And he was vocal in his enthusiasm for pay-go.

The Democratic-controlled House passed an AMT fix earlier this month that offsets the tax relief with $50 billion in new taxes, mainly by shutting down loopholes on offshore tax havens. Republicans in Congress and the White House balked at that idea, setting up the vote on an AMT fix that simply allows the deficit to grow.

“I’m as disappointed as I’ve been with the Senate,” Walz said. “And that’s saying
something.". . .

We don't think he'll be especially happy with the choice presented to the House by the Senate today, if we're reading an article in CQ Politics correctly Spending Fight Set to End in House:

Congress is poised to finish its spending work for the year Wednesday, although for most Democrats it comes at the price of continuing to fund a war they oppose.House Sought Less for Military

The House is expected to clear a bill Wednesday for President Bush’s signature that encompasses 11 of the 12 annual spending bills, providing $473.5 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal 2008. The measure (HR 2764) includes an additional $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus $11.2 billion in “emergency” spending.

Democrats took over Congress this year aiming to bring an end to the war in Iraq. But without 60 votes in the Senate needed to overcome Republican filibusters, they were unable to set a timetable for a withdrawal or a drawdown of troops. . . .

The Senate voted, 76-17, late Tuesday night to send the omnibus appropriations package back to the House for a final vote Wednesday. . . .

. . .The House version of the spending package included $31 billion for operations in Afghanistan, troop protection equipment and some military base programs. Yet Republicans insisted on funding for Iraq.       

As part of a procedural maneuver set up by Democrats, the House Wednesday will be voting on whether to accept the additional war money added by the Senate. . . .

The Post Bulletin's Ed Felker reports in Federal spending bills includes regional projects:

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, saw his local and regional project requests survive mostly unscathed in the year-end appropriations bill moving through Congress this week, with some notable increases over amounts approved by the House earlier this year. . . .

. . .In Walz's case, the 20 projects he requested, alone and with other lawmakers, totaled $35.6 million, up $7.3 million over House-passed levels. The largest earmark, $27 million for the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System, which benefits southwestern Minnesota communities, was increased by $4.7 million in the final version.

Other notable increases were the $900,000 added to the House amount for the Veterans Re-Entry Education Program at Minnesota colleges and universities, to nearly $1.2 million, and $650,000 added to the National Child Protection Center at Winona State University, to $1.2 million.

The bill also included $850,000 in money for U.S. 14, up $150,000 over the House-approved level.

Three projects were added in the final bill that were not considered by the House, including two worth $100,000 each for flood protection measures in St. Charles and Winona County, and $410,000 for the Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in western Minnesota and northwest Iowa. . . .

. . . Walz on Tuesday defended the projects as important and said the earmark process, which has been criticized by watchdog groups as pork barrel politics, has been improved by Democrats through better disclosure. He said he publicized his support for the projects throughout the year. "We think they are very, very responsible and investments in the future," he said.

He plans to vote for the bill when it returns from the Senate with additional funding for the war in Iraq. The House bill required two votes Monday night, one for the bill that covered 11 appropriations bills for the 2008 fiscal year, and one granting $31 billion in nonbudgeted money for the Afghanistan war but not Iraq. Both were passed with minimal Republican support. . . .

And how will Walz vote? The PB reports:

. . .Walz has been outspoken about what he said has been the president's unwillingness to negotiate with congressional Democrats over spending and the Iraq war. He said he was willing to agree to unrestricted war spending and Bush's budget target rather than force a government shutdown.

The last major shutdown came in 1995 during a budget battle between congressional Republicans and President Bill Clinton. "The bottom line on this one was this president was very obviously willing to go to the brink and shut this government down," Walz said.

Netroots
Update 1:15: At Minnesota Monitor, Joe Bodell asks Congressional Earmarks:  Pork or Proper?. His answer for Walz's district:

Ellison's fellow freshman Tim Walz hit on considerable success in the spending bill, securing more than $1 million in funding for transportation projects in his southern Minnesota district; $1.3 million for a National Guard training facility in Mankato; and a total of $35.6 million for labor, energy and water, agriculture and environmental projects. Reading the descriptions of these projects, it is again difficult to identify any obvious examples of so-called "pork-barrel" spending. One might quibble with calling a storm water management upgrade for St. Charles a Homeland Security project, but the merits of such a project are clear to those who were hit hard by the 2007 floods across southeast Minnesota.

So, to address Congressman Kline's critique of the earmark system -- that it is based on seniority -- how did the freshmen do? Leaving out the Northstar Rail project, which was co-sponsored by more senior members, Keith Ellison secured around $16 million for his district. Tim Walz secured more than $35 million. Again leaving out the Northstar Rail project, 30-year veteran Oberstar secured between $35 million and $40 million for Eighth District-focused projects.

Doesn't sound like a huge disparity to me.

 

Over at IDHA, DJ Danielson muses about rocking Congressmen, and expresses his disappointment that we have yet to post video of Hall performing last Friday, as opposed to Hall talking about veterans issues. We're working on it (excuse us if we put veterans first); meanwhile, go check out DJ suggestion for the official Dick Day for Congress theme song.