A Bluestem Prairie

Wednesday digest: kids win one edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How about a little classic reggae for a February day:

Monday evening digest: reform edition

The Post Bulletin picks up on the congressional insider trading issue in Proposal would restrict insider trading:

Aiming to crackdown on political corruption, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz is cosponsoring a bill that would make it illegal for members of Congress to engage in insider trading.

Under current law, nothing prevents a member of Congress from trading securities and commodities based on nonpublic information they receive, Walz said while visiting Rochester last week. If a member abuses this by selling stocks based on insider knowledge, it can also be a way to alert friends to sell to avoid losing money.

"The idea of this is just outrageous," the Mankato Democrat said.

So far, Walz has had a tough time finding other members of Congress willing to sign on to the bill. There are two other sponsors -- fellow Democrats Rep. Brian Baird from Washington state and Rep. Louise Slaughter of New York.

Walz said the bill "isn't about trying to point a finger." Rather, the Democrat said it is an effort to bring transparency to Congress.

In Midwest states split, the Forum's political reporter Don Davis looks at divisions between states in the Upper Midwest on how to handle the stimulus bill. Congressman Walz's take on seniority and the appropriation process gets some space:

Walz and Kind are two congressmen who oppose the long-standing system of allowing federal lawmakers — especially those in office for years — to designate more projects for their states than others can.

“We think it is a new day,” Walz said. “The folks with the most seniority have the most say. It is clear that there is going to be more of a needs-based assessment in some cases and a rewarding of performance.”

KEYC-TV reports Stimulus Package Could Give Money To HWY 169 Project that would address concerns caused by the four-lane road running through St. Peter. 

How about a little Marley to wind up the post:

Stimulus bill listening sessions: Mankato and Rochester media coverage

For the last two days, Congressman Walz has been conducting listening sessions about the stimulus bill. Yesterday, Walz met with local leaders and concerned citizens in Mankato and Rochester; today's stop was in Luverne.

KEYC-TV reported on the listening session at South Central College in Walz Discusses Stimulus Vote:

Representative Tim Walz was in Mankato today talking about President Obama's economic stimulus package. Walz hosted a listening session at South Central College with local school district, city, township and county officials. It's all in an effort to raise awareness and support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill, which plans to spend 819 billion dollars. The bill passed the house yesterday in Washington with Walz voting in support. He says it's what needs to be done in a time of economic crisis. Tim Walz says, "It was meant to be a life preserver to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs we've seen across this country, build up the confidence in the system. Provide relief to taxpayers...and also give our small businesses some breaks so they can get going again." Walz is also in Rochester today and heads to Luverne tomorrow.

From the looks of the audience shots (video at the link above), attendance was respectable. KAAL-TV in Rochester attended the session at that city's public library and reports in Tim Walz on Stimulus Package:

Representative Tim Walz, held a listening session about the stimulus package so he can include them in his arguments on Capitol Hill.

820-billion dollars is a large number to wrap your head around and people from all across Southeastern Minnesota came here to do just that.

"I don't know all the details, I'm hoping to find more details. That's what I really want to know," said Lyle Tjosaas.

Lyle came from Dodge Center and is fighting for industry investment and the housing market.

"Sometimes I think we're spreading ourselves too thin. We need to be careful."

A couple seats to his right, Mary Kay Feltes from Owatonna is fighting for her employer, the public library.

"We're getting crowded out too and we're definitely a big part of the infrastructure in our town."

And Representative Tim Walz is here to carry their fight to the White House.

"These are experts that know far more about the delivery than anyone in Washington, myself included. We need to take back their consideration. This bill's not done yet," said Walz.

Walz says while the stimulus bill and Minnesota’s four and a half billion-dollar share of it helps it isn't the solution.

"What we have to do is get the trust of the American public going again, we have to invest in innovations, and the private sector," said Walz.

Investments that are going to take bi-partisan support adjustments and most importantly time.

The Post Bulletin's Heather Carlson focused on a different angle to the story in Cities put in a word for direct funding. :

A day after voting in favor of an $819 billion federal stimulus package, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz made two stops in the district to listen to local officials worried about having those dollars sent to the state instead of directly to cities, counties and schools.

Officials said they were worried that the state might use some of the money to plug its own budget gap.

Walz, at a meeting in Rochester, said he agrees that giving the money directly to local governments makes sense, but he added that the idea probably wouldn't win support because of concerns about controlling the funds. Yet Walz said he believes that local government officials are more accountable because voters can get rid of them easily.

"I thought for this stimulus for impact, accountability and the biggest bang for the buck for our local constituents and taxpayers was to do the model the mayor is asking for. I don't think they are going to do it," Walz said. "I think they are making a mistake." . . .

The Post Bulletin also ran the same article under a separate headline:Walz listens to concerns about stimulus funds. Read the entire article at either link.

Thursday digest: life preserver edition

The New Ulm Journal takes note of the "life preserver" metaphor in its headline, Walz likens bill to a ‘life preserver":

First District Congressman Tim Walz isn't a big fan of mammoth government spending or economic bailouts. He voted against the financial industry bailout bill, and the auto industry bailout because of bloat in the proposals and lack of protection for taxpayers who pony up the funds.

But with tens of thousands of job layoffs announced on almost a daily basis, the nation is badly in need of an economic "life preserver," he said. That's why he voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act proposed by President Barack Obama that is speeding through Congress this week.

"I never thought I'd use the word 'depression' in anything other than a historical context as it applied to the United States," said Walz in a conference call with reporters Wednesday.

"I think many of us over the past few months have come to very sobering conclusion that our failed economic policies of the past have put us in a serious situation. We lost 70,000 jobs just yesterday; we lost over 2 1/2 million just in the last year of President Bush's administration; and we've run our national debt up, doubled it to $11 trillion. We've seen pain across southern Minnesota and across the country in terms of people who have already lost their jobs, of businesses that are contracting, and people who are worried about what's next." . . .

The congressman will be listening to local officials over the next two days, the Journal reports:

Walz said the implementation of the stimulus is a big concern for him. He wants to see oversight of the details.

Walz will be hosting listening sessions on the economy today and Friday in Mankato, Rochester and Luverne. He'll be meeting with school district, city, township and county officials to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Mankato Economic Recovery Listening Session will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the South Central College, Conference Center A, 1920 Lee Boulevard in North Mankato.

The Rochester session will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rochester Public Library Auditorium, 101 2nd St., SE, Rochester.

The Luverne session will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Blue Mound Conference Center in Luverne.

The Mankato Free Pree reports Walz affirms House spending package:

An enormous spending and tax-cutting package that aims to revive the flagging U.S. economy passed the U.S. House Wednesday with the support of Congressman Tim Walz, who said the legislation was imperfect but necessary.

“This isn’t the solution to the economic situation we’re in,” Walz said. “This is the life preserver.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is the first major initiative of the Obama administration, passed the House 244-188 and would provide $819 billion for a range of tax credits and spending.  . . .

. . .Walz said he wasn’t comfortable with the enormous level of deficit spending in the bill and wished more of the spending was aimed at transportation projects and other construction.

“I think we would have been better served by having a lean and mean and understandable bill,” the Mankato Democrat said.

Instead, it’s a 670-page piece of legislation that aims money at health care for the poor and jobless, relief for cash-strapped state governments, funding for K-12 schools, grants to employ police officers and upgrades to the nation’s energy infrastructure. And there’s hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts and credits including $500 for all middle-and-lower-income workers, $1,000-per-child tax credits for the poor and $2,500 tax credits for college tuition.

But Walz, citing mounting layoffs nationwide including 75,000 announced in a single day this week, worried that the nation appeared to be headed toward a depression if Congress didn’t act.

“Our economy is in crisis and people are hurting,” Walz said in a statement released after the vote. “... This is one of those times in our history when doing too little poses a greater threat than doing too much.” . . .

KEYC-TV reports House Passes Stimulus Plan. The Winona Daily New says in Walz, Kind support $819 billion bill:

Walz, a Democrat who represents southern Minnesota, said he is “disappointed” that the stimulus plan will help boost the federal deficit to more than $1 trillion in fiscal-year 2009. Walz also admitted the measure doesn’t fund enough transportation projects and contains provisions that don’t belong in a stimulus bill, like an expansion of Medicare entitlements. But the bill would provide $685 million for transportation projects in Minnesota as selected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, according to a Walz statement.

Blueman Hal Kimball, who works as a cable guy, reacts to  Walz Votes Against DTV Date Change.

Walz seeks constituent input on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

This request was passed along to us; please note that Walz is seeking feedback from his constituents:

Dear [name redacted]

As you know, this is challenging time in our nation's history. The economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, the crisis in the financial markets is hitting our local businesses hard, government budgets are tight, and everyone is uncertain about what's next. The need for sound economic policies that create jobs and get our economy moving again has never been greater.

Later this week, the House of Representatives will vote on an $875 billion economic recovery package called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides an historic, one-time infusion of resources aimed at creating jobs by modernizing roads, bridges and transit systems, boosting funding for our schools, and providing additional resources to upgrade our healthcare system. The recovery package will also include tax breaks for middle class families and businesses, relief to states so they can maintain vital services, and funds to increase renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient.

The economic experts project this plan will create or save 3 to 4 million American jobs. The legislation is designed to get the American economy moving in the short term and make investments for a stronger economy in the long term.

I went to Washington to make sure that Minnesotans have a place at the table when their government makes important decisions about their future. As Congress prepares to act on this historic measure, I hope that you'll take a moment to review the attached legislative summary  [download American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Legislative  summary] and provide me with your input on whether this legislation meets the needs of southern Minnesota by Noon on Wednesday, January 28th.

Please send your feedback to me by responding to this message or by calling 1-877-TIM-WALZ.

Your feedback is an important part of the legislative process and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Tim Walz
Member of Congress

Photo: Walz  visitng a grocery store to find out what's on First District voters' minds. Since the stimulus package's scheduling won't allow for a trip home for face-to-face visits, Walz is soliciting comments from his district. If you live in the First, check out the pdf above and give the representative your feedback.

Monday digest: egg money edition

Congress is likely to take up the economic recovery package this week. How tough is this economy for Southern Minnesota small towns? Not as tough as the incredible tales in today's Mankato Free Press feature, Depression survivors recall tough times. 

The paper talked to a number of Mankato residents who lived through the Depression, from a 102-year-old grad of St. Olaf to Leona Birk, a mere pup at 90 years old. She recalls:

Leona Birk, 90, remembers a man who showed up on their farm northeast of Blue Earth asking for work. Her mother fixed the starving worker breakfast. After shocking oats all day, her father paid him one dollar. “He was tickled pink,” Birk said. . . .

“We lived on a farm, so all we needed was flour and sugar,” Birk said. “We raised everything else. Mother took eggs to town to exchange for the few groceries we needed.”

Times are tough enough now, though.

 The Faribault County Register asks Will runway expansion get axed? The Blue Earth City Council has some difficult choices to make:

With the Blue Earth City Council studying places to make cuts to the budget, one item getting a closer look is a runway expansion project at the Blue Earth Airport.

The council has previously voted in favor of the multi-year, $7 million project.

Now, several city councilmen, including Dan Brod and Les Wiborg, have expressed concerns about the cost, especially in view of cuts in state aid. . . .

. . . Most of the $7 million would be covered by federal money, they said.

“The city’s share is going to be $360,000, or about five percent,” Roetzel explained. Bailey added that the city would probably have to bond to pay for their share.

Currently the city receives $150,000 each year of federal money. It comes from transportation funds, mainly a tax on aviation fuel.

“You have $570,000 of this money built up, and if it goes over $600,000 you won’t continue to receive it,” Roetzel explained.

That money is planned to go towards the project, but cannot be used as the city’s share.

Councilman Brod asked if the money could be used to resurface the existing runway, without going with the expansion. Roetzel said the answer lies with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“If we change the project, we need to run it past them,” he said. “They already have said OK to the expansion to 4,600 feet.”

Roetzel also pointed out that federal economic stimulus money is going to come down the pike, and aviation is getting $3 billion in the transportation section.

“Blue Earth has been on the list for federal discretionary dollars since 2005,” Roetzel said. “That means your project is earmarked for those funds.”

Mayor Rob Hammond asked what would happen if the project was halted. Roetzel said the $574,000 the city already has gotten from the federal government would still be there, but the city would lose out on the other discretionary funds, and the stimulus money.

“The project would move to the bottom of the list, and would take at least 10 years to get back to the top,” Roetzel said. “Sometimes it takes 15 to 20 years to get a one-time shot at these funds.” . . .

Read the whole story at the FCR.

The editors of the Owatonna People's Press make a good case for locating one of thirty-one new vets clinics (two of which are to be opened in Minnesota) in their town in City is ideal for veterans clinic.

Government clinics must be one of those reasons why the Political Muse frets so in his Weekly Romp Through The MN Blogs:

I learned this week that Tim Walz is obviously a secret socialist menace. Why else would he get excited to be "called into service" by the Socialist-in-Chief? Come on, Mr. Walz, no one who isn't a full blown communist sympathizer would want to hear about the "common good".

Oh noes! And here we thought Congressman Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years because he loves this country. Boy, do we feel silly now!

Image: "Eggs for Sale" by Stanford Fenelle, 1934. Image from MSHS.

And here's a tune for our friend Hal, who recently informed hundreds of friends that he loves gravy:

Down on the farm: ag policy and Obama stimulus measures

The Barn, an ag radio program syndicated  the NAFB, interviewed Congressman Walz in Representative Tim Walz Happy to be Returned to the Ag Committee. The audio clip by reporter Brian Allmer, is available at the link. They discuss implementing the Farm Bill and the common purpose legislators from both sides of the aisle share in making sure that rural America gets a share of the stimulus dollar.

In Where will ag spend Obama billions?, ag columnist Alan Guebert looks at House Ag Chair Collin Peterson's wish list:

House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson pieced together his modest, $2.2 billion wish list for House appropriators a week before Inauguration Day. It included $1 billion in rural development money for “rural water and waste water treatment systems,” Peterson noted in a telephone interview.

Peterson also asked for $1 billion in loan guarantees “for community banks and Farm Credit members to make sure farmers get operating loans” this spring.

Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union, pushed the latter idea when ag bankers, themselves getting squeezed, began squeezing producers whose lines of operating credit were established before the meltdown last year.

“Everybody is nervous,” explains Buis, “so using some of the stimulus money to reassure lenders is wise.”

Peterson also asked for a $200 million loan to CoBank, the old Bank for Cooperatives, to help fund a dairy program already in place (called Cooperatives Working Together) to stem burgeoning losses to dairy farmers.

Guebert himself makes another idea, for a project that's under the authority of a different committee. We think it's a great suggestion for a project that would create jobs while providing long-term infrastructure and environmental rewards:

How about the lock and dam upgrades on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers?

The long-planned project--talk of it began in 1972--should be a slam dunk under the Obama stimulus package. Congress authorized the work in late 2007 but never provided the $1.9 billion for the locks and dams (five on the Mississippi, two on the Illinois) and $1.7 billion for ecosystem preservation.

The columnist also discusses spending up to $1 million to develop a strategic plan for 21st American agriculture. He writes:

One of the wisest uses of the stimulus money would be to study, then chart, our food and fiber future. In fact, it might be one of the few good things we still can leave our grandchildren.

Having attended sevel of Congressman Walz's economic summits in the first, we think this is a pretty good idea. The range of expertise just within one intensely agricultural district is impressive; a national discussion by rural Americans would likely present some great ideas.

Image: "Ploughed Fields" by New Ulm native Wanda Gag.

Disclosure: In our non-bovine blogging, real world life, we'e an active member of the Minnesota Farmers Union.

Sunday evening digest: another inaugural post edition

Just like the New Ulm Journal before it, the Mankato Free Press tells the story of First District DFL chair Lori Sellner and her journey to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. Mark Fischenich writes in Early Obama fan eager for inauguration:

Lori Sellner had great seats at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004, and she remembers what went through her mind during the keynote address. It was a thought she mostly kept to herself because it seemed pretty far-fetched to anyone who wasn’t there to experience the way people reacted to the young state senator from Illinois.

“It was pretty much when I felt I’d heard a future president speaking,” Sellner recalled last summer.

A Sleepy Eye resident and one of southern Minnesota’s most dedicated Democratic volunteers, Sellner said she knew that night in Boston she would be one of Barack Obama’s volunteers if he decided to run for president some day.

But Sellner was careful not to publicize her prediction back then.

“I didn’t share that with a lot of people,” she said. “But it’s something I’ve had in my heart in terms of the hope of it happening someday.” . . .

. . . When Obama announced he was running for president, Sellner — the chairwoman of the 1st District DFL Party — worked hard to get him elected.

“I did put a lot of time and passion into it.”

On Tuesday, she will be at the inauguration, listening to Obama speak again — as president of the United States. . . .

Tim and Gwen Walz will be there, but not their young children:

Walz reserved some [tickets] for his family, with the bulk being distributed by lottery.

Walz’s wife, Gwen, will attend, but their young children — Hope and Gus — are not because of the logistical issues, long waits and sub-freezing temperatures predicted for Tuesday morning, [District Director Meredith] Salsbery said.

For those same reasons, Salsbery said she decided not to claim one of the seats. . . .

The Congressman understands the interest in the tickets:

Walz wasn’t concerned about the cold and figured a lot of Minnesotans, after the bone-chilling weather of the last week, would consider sunny and 30 degrees to be an afternoon at the beach.

“That may have as much to do with (ticket demand) as President-elect Obama,” Walz joked.

But the second-term congressman, who was one of the first in the Minnesota delegation to endorse Obama, was glad to see the intense demand for tickets and the excitement about the beginning of a new era in American politics.

“This is a celebration of America,” he said. “This is a celebration of democracy.”

It’s also a monumental logistical challenge for Washington, D.C. That was in evidence as Walz looked out over the Capitol Mall last week.

“I have never seen so many porta-toilets in my life,” Walz said.

There's more in the article; go read the whole thing.

In the netroots, The Political Mews  thinks we're obsessed with felines in his Weekly Romp through the Blogosphere. We asked Mr. Boo and Oscar; they disagreed with him, but found this passage witty:

Also this week, it appears as though Walz wants to remain poor and even force every other member of Congress to live in poverty! I understand, Representative Walz, that YOU are used to living like a pauper given your background as a teacher but what about these other members will be unable to survive on less than $174,000?

Phoenix Woman notes that We Almost Had TARP Oversight.

n district news, the Owatonna People's Press reports Highway 14 group demands urgency at annual meeting:

Fix it now.

That is the slogan the Highway 14 Partnership hopes to hammer into the legislature’s collective conscience this year, to push through refurbishing what is known to many Minnesotans as the deadliest highway in the state.

“It is with the idea when the legislature hears ‘fix it now,’ they will know we are talking about Highway 14,” said J.D. Burton, an attorney with the law firm Flaherty & Hood P.A. which represents the Highway 14 Partnership.

The U.S. Highway 14 Partnership held its annual meeting in Owatonna on Friday. The partnership is made up of counties and cities throughout southern Minnesota, including Owatonna and Steele County. It was formed to monitor and lobby state legislatures in an effort to expand what used to be a two-lane highway across the southern portion of the state into a safer, four-lane roadway.

Read the whole article at the OPP. It's sister paper in Waseca, the County News, asks In the market for an ethanol plant? If so, now bankrupt Vera Sun is having an auction. 

The Owatonna People's Press also reports a moving--though not partisan or political--tale of a WWII soldier's effects coming home to Steele County in The lost soldier: Dog tags of a WWII vet find their way home and Preserving history: Welcoming a soldier’s effects home. William Sauter, a Marine, was lost when his plane went down off the Solomon Islands.

It's important to thank those who give all. Today, President-elect Obama placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Raw AP footage:

Photo: There's no secret weapon for DFL victories in Southern Minnesota, just a whole lot of grassroots organizing led by dedicated volunteers like First District chair Lori Sellner. Photo by Laura Askelin (who's usually pretty busy herself).

Walz in Washington: TARP is "in my vernacular, 'the boondoggle'"

In Walz votes for children's health care, the Mankato Free Press's Mark Fischenich reports on Walz's recent activity in Congress. Mostly, it's acronym soup concocted from S-CHIP and TARP:

“President Obama has pledged to sign it [S-CHIP],” Walz said Thursday, saying the bill will provide health care coverage for an additional 30,000 Minnesota children. “... We think it’s a moral responsibility to take care of our children in this country and also an investment in our future.”

While Walz was happy to do his part in sending the SCHIP bill to Obama, he said he’s very unlikely to support another request of the new president — that Congress give his administration access to the unspent $350 billion from the $700 billion financial bail-out package passed last fall.

The funding is part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

“Or, in my vernacular, ‘the boondoggle,’” Walz said.

Read the details in the Free Press; as we noted yesterday, the Sunlight Foundation wrote up the Good TARP Transparency Amendment to the TARP bill under consideration by the House. CQ Politics says the chamber will finish work on the bill next--when the Walz Amendment will by debated.

The Free Press article notes that Walz is looking for a stimulus package that spurs job creation:

He’s much more supportive of Obama’s proposal for a large economic stimulus bill that could be as high as $850 billion for tax cuts and infrastructure spending ranging from road projects to renewable energy programs.

Residents of the 1st District will have an opportunity to provide input on the economic stimulus plan during round-table discussions Walz plans to hold in coming weeks. Walz said he wants the vast majority of the dollars to go into construction projects that directly attack the rising unemployment rate.

“If it’s in this package and it doesn’t prove that it creates a job, it’s going to be a hard sell for me,” he said.

Over at the Winona Daily News, Mark Sommerhauser looks at the projects Winona city and county officials think are suitable in City makes wish list for federal stimulus dollars:

Winona city and county leaders are queuing up with local governments across Minnesota that want infrastructure projects funded by a federal economic stimulus bill being debated in Washington, D.C.

Local officials hope a Winona County office-building expansion and an extension of Louisa Street in Winona may find new life in the stimulus proposal, unveiled by House Democrats on Thursday. Both proposals were sidetracked in recent years by funding shortages.

Winona area leaders have contacted state officials, lobbyists and Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., in the past month to promote the projects, and city leaders forwarded Walz a wish list of 16 infrastructure proposals totaling more than $23 million. . . .

Read the details at the WDN.

Photo: Walz talks to constituents in a grocery store.

Early evening digest: S-CHIP, TARP and stimulus package edition

Over at Liberal in the Land of Conservative, the MuseTube is back, Go over and throw some coin in his tip jar for this valuable service. Here's Congrssman Walz's floor statement from the debate on S-CHIP:

Over at the Sunlight Foundation, Paul Blumenthal reports on the Good TARP Transparency Amendment:

Rep. Tim Walz introduced an amendment to the second round of TARP - the economic recovery funds aka the bailout - that would require the Treasury Department to post online reports on how funds are being spent. Here’s part of a letter of support Walz is circulating around Capitol Hill:

H.R. 384 requires that institutions that received assistance under the TARP or that receive assistance in the future file at-least quarterly public reports on their use of the funds.

My amendment would require the Treasury Department to make those reports publicly available online, so that the public may have easy access to them.

Americans have the right to know how their money has been spent and what financial institutions have done with their bailout funds.  Yet the operations of the TARP have been insufficiently transparent and accountable.  While the public has spent an enormous amount of money providing assistance to financial institutions, we know far too little about what these institutions did with the money.

It boggles the mind that a requirement for the online posting of any document labeled a “public disclosure” would be left out of legislation in this day and age. How can one call a document “public” if it is only available to those who can physically thumb through files at the Treasury Department? These disclosures must be available online to ensure real transparency.

The House intends on voting on the Walz amendment this afternoon.

Blumenthal was premature in his prediction. So far as we can discern, the House adjourned for the day before taking up the amendment (#9 on the list of  amendments attached to the Rules committee resolution) and left the bill as unfinished business following the passage of the Murphy amendment (#7).

Walz spoke about the amendment--and his deep concern about the current lack of oversight in TARP--during his morning press call. Walz had voted against the bailout in the 110th Congress.

From one end of the district to the other, communities are hoping that programs in their areas receive a slice of the projected stimulus pie. The Worthington Globe editorial board opines in An area stimulus:

As President-elect Barack Obama and others in Washington consider how to utilize economic stimulus package money, we urge them to look at our fair corner of the country.

With the understanding that U.S. governors have been asked to prepare lists of ready-to-go projects for potential inclusion in the stimulus package, Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh recently sent a letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty requesting consideration of the Lewis & Clark Water Project. In the letter — a copy of which was provided to the Daily Globe — Oberloh writes that the “important project” will provide “critically needed water to over 300,000 people in the tri-state region” upon completion. Minnesota members of the project include the cities of Luverne and Worthington, Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System and and Rock County Rural Water.

Oberloh cites three primary reasons as to why the Lewis & Clark project is ideal for an economic stimulus package.

Project officials estimate up to 300 construction-related jobs could be created through summer 2009 work that would be made possible by economic stimulus dollars. Secondly, water provided to the 20 project members would encourage further addition and expansion of business and industry. Lastly, Lewis & Clark would not add a new financial commitment for the federal government, as Congress authorized the project in 2000 at a cost share that included 80 percent federal funding (“Accelerating funding through a stimulus package would help pay down the federal share of the project, thereby lessening the impact of inflation and ensuring that the federal cost share commitment is met.”).

At a time when hot-shot financial executives and auto companies with outdated business models are benefiting from bailout dollars, it seems more than appropriate that stimulus dollars bring economic benefits to rural America, too.

Heading east to Winona, we find the Daily News teasing in City compiles wish list for federal stimulus:

Winona city and county leaders are queuing up with local governments across Minnesota that want their infrastructure projects funded by a federal economic-stimulus proposal that’s being debated in Washington, D.C.

Local officials hope a Winona County office-building expansion and an extension of Louisa Street in Winona - proposals sidetracked in recent years by funding shortages - may find new life in the stimulus proposal, unveiled by House Democrats on Thursday. Winona-area leaders have contacted state officials, lobbyists and Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., in the last month to promote the projects, and city leaders forwarded Walz a wish list of 16 infrastructure proposals totaling more than $23 million.

For more, see Friday’s Daily News.

You bet--we'll be there!  In the meantime, political reporter Mark Summerhauser has revived his blog and asks readers today Which is preferred route for high-speed trains: Winona or Rochester?

. . .Federal officials already have identified the freight-rail line that runs through Winona as a potential high-speed corridor, though it would require substantial upgrades to carry 110-mph trains. Supporters of the plan want to act fast to capitalize on President-elect Obama’s and the Democratic Congress’ apparent interest in major rail investment; they’ve talked about seeking money for an advanced study of the proposal as early as this year.

But Rochester advocates are seeking their own planning money through the Legislature, Heather Carlson of the Rochester Post-Bulletin reported Wednesday:

http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=16&a=380127

WDN readers, how do you opine on the matter? Do the Rochester advocates have a point, or should the high-speed rail line follow the quick-and-easy path through Winona? Would you ride a high-speed train to St. Paul, Chicago or Milwaukee?

Head over to Sommerhauser's blog and take him up on his request: tell him what you think. Stay warm tonight!

Sunday digest: catch-up edition

We've been preoccupied by chores and research, so today's digest will catch up on the news since Thursday.  There's lots to post.

Friday's Owatonna People's Press reports in Council: Federal money for flood projects too slow, unstable:

So, the city has applied for $900,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Johnson said — a long, complex process that involved tallying damages to homes in Owatonna dating all the way back to 1965. But, FEMA is now asking for other materials — photos of the projects site and other documentation.

Congressman Tim Walz scored a $400,000 earmark for the city in October 2008, which could count toward the $1.3 million project. However, though Owatonna no longer must compete with other cities for the money, it is essentially a grant through FEMA and there are a number of hoops the city must jump through before any of the much needed funds arrive.

All in all, if the council wants to use federal dollars they will have to wait 10 to 24 months. Another catch-22 is that if they want help from above, they cannot start the project until FEMA approves the grant, which would further delay the storm pond. The council hoped to complete the pond in fall 2008, but it has been stymied by negotiations with landowners and the question of funding.

Winona and Rochester have competing visions for high-speed passenger rail projects. The Winona Daily News tells readers High-speed rail route through Winona gets more support while the Post Bulletin asks Is Rochester out of the high-speed rail loop?  

From the WDN:

Fast action on a proposal to study and build a high-speed rail line from Chicago to St. Paul via Winona has been endorsed by another St. Paul-area elected official.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum joins St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Ramsey County commissioners pushing for a high-speed line along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, which stops in Winona on a route up the Mississippi River to St. Paul. The announcement comes as Rochester, Minn., leaders campaign to ensure they’re included in high-speed rail talks mounting as federal lawmakers mull transportation projects in 2009. 

The newly formed Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, backed by Rochester-area elected officials and the Mayo Clinic, is encouraging federal lawmakers to study a high-speed route that runs through their city. But McCollum said Friday that the Federal Railroad Administration has identified the Mississippi River route from La Crescent to St. Paul as the final leg of a potential high-speed corridor from Chicago. . . .

. . .Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., who represents both Rochester and Winona, hasn’t taken a position on what route the potential line should take. A spokeswoman said Friday that Walz supports acting quickly on the proposal if federal dollars become available, but added that “we also need to think carefully about what our state’s transportation needs will be 25 or 50 years in the future.“

The Cottonwood County Citizen and Worthington Globe report that Windom students to witness inauguration. They'll be meeting with Congressman Walz and Senator Klobuchar in their repsective offices. The students had followed te election closely in their government class, and the exchange student reports that her friends back home are deeply jealous (as are we).

Winona Radio reports on Walz and earmark reform.

Congressman Walz received nominations for the The 2008 Politics in Minnesota Politician of the Year honor, but the editors selected Secretary of State Mark Ritchie instead. We applaud the choice. One email nominating Walz is cited:

Wrote one reader about Walz, "school teacher, veteran, common person...what more can I say?"

In Southern Minnesota is a good example for the country, Leigh Pomeroy notes at Vox Verax that Congressman Walz isn't the only ordinary citizen stepping up to the plate, citing the sterling example of State Rep. Terry Morrow in a recent Capitol Report profile. Pomeroy observes:

The article . . . gives a good indication of why southern Minnesota should be a hopeful example for the nation, showing how quality people can become involved in the political process not for the sake of the political "game", for an ideology or for the desire to hold office, but because they truly feel they can can make a positive difference.

Two of our favorite bloggers are posting again. Minnesota Central believes the GOP Not Serious About Earmarks; Dems Not Serious About Reform.The Blueman is back to blogging at his own place, and the Barkley supporter scolds Republicans for trying to pain Al Franken as Public Enemy #1. Hal's on to something: we think that Franken will be more policy wonk than comedian should he serve in the U.S. Senate--as looks increasingly likely.

The DFL notices another civic-minded teacher joining the ranks of elected leaders, excerpting the Mankato Free Press profile of the young educator from Owatonna. Kath's two-year-old daughter Norah is captured in photo #7 in this MN House slideshow. The slideshow's toddler cuteness is completely nonpartisan, however since we can't resist nine-month-old Everett Sanders' little dimples (#1) or the adorable two-year-old Westrom twins (#5).

Speaking of cute, Phoenix Woman looks at Dick Day's latest star turn in Franken-Coleman Update, 01/10/09: Annals of WTF!?'

After all that material, BSP readers deserve a song. How about a ditty from The Dead 60s, in Senator Day's honor (remembering the ramp lights and everything after):

Saturday digest: rewind edition

In Attitude is more accepting now to high-speed rail proposal, the Post Bulletin reports:

Walz meetings

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz recently met with the mayors of Winona, St. Paul and Rochester to discuss the project. The Democrat said he backs the project but avoids saying which route he supports.

"There are strong arguments on both sides," Walz said. "Obviously the strong argument from Rochester is how do you exclude the third largest city in the state and the largest single employer from being part of the discussion?"

Walz said he will push to get the high-speed rail line included in the transportation reauthorization bill. With U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., chairing the House Transportation Committee, local officials say Minnesota is well-positioned to take advantage of passenger rail dollars. Last year, Congress authorized $3.4 billion to create high-speed passenger rail corridors.

But before any federal money can be given to Minnesota, the state Department of Transportation must finish a statewide rail plan. The plan will establish the routes for high-speed rail and whether Rochester is on it. But the project faces plenty of challenges. The state would likely have to help pay for the rail line at a time when money is scarce. Some lawmakers question whether the rail line is worth the cost.

The Minnesota Independent picks up on the story about how Walz returns congressional raise, again. In Year In Review: Tim Walz, the Political Muse at Liberal in Land of Conservative rewinds some YouTube gold.

Will Republican leadership fight for the title in a grudge match?

From Attitude is more accepting now to high-speed rail proposal, an article in the Rochester Post Bulletin:

"This is going to cost billions of dollars, and in my mind we need to have a cost-benefit analysis," House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, said recently at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce's legislative preview. "I don't mean to throw cold water on the parade, but who is going to pay the bill for this?"

And:

The high-speed rail proposal enjoys support from Republicans and Democrats who represent Rochester

"We need to do it. We certainly need a statewide plan," House Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said at the chamber's legislative preview.

Looks like the copy editor at the PB miss this one: the genial, Rochester-based Senjem is the Minnesota Senate Minority leader.  Or perhaps the remaining Republicans in the Minnesota legislature have concocted a new way to enlarge their numbers via a daring new cross-chamber pollination system.

Photo:  In a dramatic new move to bring Minnesotans back to the Republican Party, Governor Pawlenty (center) announces the grudge match between Marty "The Comb" Seifert (left) and Dave "Dimples" Senjem (right) for the title of Minnesota House Minority Leader at the Moose Lodge in Imogene, MN, on Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

Mid-day digest: roads edition

In Blue Earth, the Faribault County Register reports in Legislators do some explaining:

City and county officials from Faribault and Martin Counties had a chance to vent their frustrations to their legislators in Blue Earth Wednesday night.

“We realize our Local Government Aid (LGA) is going to be cut,” one official told the lawmakers. “But it would be nice to know by how much.”

Representatives Tony Cornish and Bob Gunther and Senator Julie Rosen explained the state’s situation to the full house at Hamilton Hall. . . .

. . .Rosen did have some good news for local officials. She reported that local counties will be seeing some major influx of federal funds for transportation projects.

“We met with Congressman Tim Walz today, and he says $85 billion of the $700 billion federal stimulus money is for transportation,” she said. “Of that amount, Minnesota will be getting $875 million, and we will be working on how to disperse those funds around the state.” . . .

Read the whole thing at the Register.

Via an article in the Mankato Free Press, we been reading the Dakota 38 blog, written by a participant on the Dakota Reconciliation Ride that works to remember the largest mass execution in U.S. history and heal  its painful consequences. December 26 will mark the 146th anniversary of the mass hanging in Mankato; the Free Press notes:

On Dec. 26, the riders will gather at the hanging site where the existing library is to hold a ceremony. Later, the riders will eat dinner at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato. Mayor John Brady is writing a proclamation to be read by him or Councilman Jack Considine.

A group of Dakota Indians also makes an annual run from Fort Snelling in St. Paul to Mankato, leaving midnight Dec. 25 and arriving in Mankato at about noon. At the time of departure a vigil fire is started at Land of Memories Park. The run has been held since 1987.

Stay warm on this winter day.

Friday digest: small towns talk economic stimulus edition

Many of the district's papers are reporting about area leaders' hopes that Obama's proposed economic stimulus package might take some of the sting out of state budget shortfall.  In Lawmaker warns businesses that state might target taxes, the Post Bulletin's Heather Carlson writes:

The Senate Tax Committee chairman issued an ominous warning to Rochester-area business leaders today: Lawmakers and the governor might look to property taxes to solve the state's massive budget deficit. . . .

. . .Bakk joined six other legislators in speaking to members of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce as part of the group's annual legislative preview. Other speakers included Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, Assistant House Minority Leader Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, Assistant House Minority Leader Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester and House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall.

. . . John Eckerman, the chamber's vice president for government affairs, told lawmakers it is critical that businesses get the tools they need to weather these tough times, including economic development tools, affordable health care and transportation upgrades.

But getting that wish list filled will likely prove challenging. Both Republicans and Democrats doubt there will be a bonding bill because of concerns about the state's debt. The hope is that Minnesota will benefit from a federal stimulus package being pushed by President-elect Barack Obama.

Demmer said he was told by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz that Minnesota is in line to receive $870 million in federal stimulus money.. . .

Read the entire article at the PB. The Caledonia Argus notes in Federal program may help fund highway department complex. 

. . .Houston County Finance Director Casey Bradley laid a potentially fantastic Christmas present on the laps of the county commissioners at the end of the Dec. 16 board meeting. Bradley informed the board he learned of a federal program that could fund up to 100 percent of the construction costs of the new county highway complex.

“It’s not a sure thing,” Bradley cautioned. “But it certainly is something I felt we needed to apply for. Even if we would receive partial funding, it would be a real plus for Houston County taxpayers.” . . .

The full article will appear in the paper's December 24 issue. The Fairmont Sentinel calls it a "bailout" in Area officials air concerns:

. . .Rosen offered the local officials some good news. She heard from Congressman Tim Walz that of the $700 billion federal bailout, $85 billion is slotted for transportation. Rosen said Minnesota is currently slated for $878 million of that, and $488 million would go toward highways and bridges, with other funds toward buses, clean water and other areas. She said those details just emerged and further specifics need to be worked out. . . .

We find this choice of words by the reporter to be fascinating, since the Sentinel's readers might readily conclude that Congressman Walz was talking about, oh, maybe the Wall Street bailout that shelled out roughly that amount--and which he voted against twice in the waning weeks of the 110th Congress. Who would know that it's an as yet to be approved economic stimulus package that the  111th Congress will debate at the beginning of its first session?

In Budget deficit dominated discussion, the New Ulm Journal reported yesterday:

The projected budget deficit took center stage Tuesday morning as Brown County officials sat down to discuss the upcoming legislative session with the two state legislators that represent the county.

As in years past, the county board scheduled one hour for each legislator. County department heads brought - and voiced - their own concerns to State Sen. Dennis Frederickson of New Ulm and Representative-elect Paul Torkelson of St. James.

Frederickson was the first to meet with the board, one minute after the meeting began. He started the conversation by saying, "I don't like to be compared with Scrooge. I would rather be compared with Cratchet." . . .

. . .The Representative-elect [Paul Torgelson] had a similar outlook to his Senatorial counterpart. He said the budget is "the big topic at the capitol." Local Government Aid is one topic being discussed, but Torkelson said he hasn't been privy to any discussions about the budget.

County Board Chairman Andrew Lochner asked the freshman representative if he had a feel for his committee assignments. Torkelson said he applied for the Clean Water Council and requested to join the finance committees for environmental and natural resources, agriculture, transportation and telecommunications committee, though he thinks the possibility he will be allowed to join those committees are slim.

He mentioned talk of federal money for infrastructure projects as mentioned by President-elect Barack Obama, saying he is meeting with Congressman Tim Walz today to talk about the possible infrastructure investment and what it could mean for this state. . . .

The Rushford Tri-County News also discusses a potential use of money from Obama's stimulus package in Could Obama economic stimulus plan help R-P district schools? Supt. Ehler meets with Congressman Walz:

. . .[The] R-P [school leadership] still made important personal contact Monday with another political figure, namely Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato. Walz, the District One incumbent in the U.S. House of Representatives, happened to be in his Rochester office and took time to meet and greet three local persons.

Supt. Chuck Ehler, Dan Munson from the board, and Community Education Director Beth Theede made the journey. All went away feeling good about what they were told.

The reason for the visit?

Ehler came across a weekend Associated Press story about President-Elect Barack Obama's plan to rejuvenate the nation's roads, buildings, and schools. Obama, who assumes the presidency from outgoing George W. Bush on Jan. 20, 2009, is hoping Congress will pass a $64.3 billion economic aid plan and create millions of jobs.

It's no secret that the Rushford-Peterson District needs a new school, and obtaining a chunk of federal money as part of the national stimulus package might solve a lot of problems.

Ehler presented a letter to the congressman outlining thoughts on the subject of the district's quest for a new pre-school, elementary, and high school building in Rushford and remodeled middle school in Peterson.

Fortunately, Walz is already familiar with R-P's circumstances in wake of the August 2007 flood. He visited shortly after the disaster. . . .

Read the rest at the Tri-County News, which also contains more news about the costs and character building involved in restoring the town since it was submerging by record-breaking flooding in August 2007.

In the rush to reach for a quick study of Congressman Walz, some writers forget that the educator is a well-educated guy. Not so with one of the First's unversities. St. Mary's in Winona offers its congratulation to Alums elected senator, representative. Mike Johanns, Nebraska's new Senator, former governor and USDA secretary, graduated from St. Mary's in 1971. Closer to home:

. . .Congratulations also go to Tim Walz, who was re-elected as U.S. Representative from Minnesota’s 1st District. Walz, a Democrat from Mankato, is a candidate in our doctoral program in leadership.

Additionally, four alumni retained their seats in the Minnesota House, each of whom have received a Master of Arts from SMU. The group of four will be entering their second terms, including David Bly M’04 (DFL-Northfield), Carolyn Laine M’03 (DFL-Columbia Heights), Robin Brown M’99 (DFL-Austin), and Will Morgan M’99 (DFL-Burnsville). . . .

In Rahm Emanuel's Strategy For Progressives, Chris Bowers at Open Left repeats the story of Rahm Emanuel's reaction to a critical LTE one of Walz supporters sent to a small town paper. The post does note that  Walz is "one of the few Bush Dogs to drop off the list." 

We've noticed that this anecdote, which first appeared in The Hill several weeks ago, seems to have a life of its own, though only one email correspondent has asked about the LTE itself.  We're not certain but pretty sure this epistle from Fillmore County's Neil Haugerud is the document in question, from November 2007. We blogged about it at the time. 

By the time the letter was published, Walz had taken a lot of heat for his August 2007 vote for a bad FISA bill and had voted for the RESTORE Act. In early 2008, attack ads from a Washington PAC had aired in the First urging Walz to vote for another bad spying bill that would update FISA. In June, Walz voted against the final version of that bill and was removed from Open Left's list.

It's Friday; have a fun evening and remember your winter driving skills.

Photo: Local leaders and elected officials in the First are digging talk of a federal economic stimulus package focused at rebuilding infrastructure and schools, rather than bailing somebody out. We're hoping we see more groundbreaking ceremony pictures like this one for the Waeca Highway 14 bypass.  (picture swiped from MnDot).

PiPress: Walz meets today with area mayors to strategize for high-speed rail

In The pitch: Fix economy by funding our projects, the PiPress's Dave Orrick reports:

HIGH-SPEED RAIL

It's not on St. Paul's stimulus wish list, but the big kahuna goal for a whole string of cities between St. Paul and Chicago is a plan for high-speed rail — a plan that's been foundering for decades but appears to have new life as a way to invest in infrastructure and create economic growth.

Today, Mayor Chris Coleman and several mayors from southeastern Minnesota will meet with U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in Rochester to strategize. Coleman already has met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who's on board.

The St. Paul City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on a resolution supporting an extra Amtrak line from here to Chicago. That move is part of the plan to upgrade the tracks to handle faster trains.

The idea has been picking up steam even before Obama's election and the recent sharp downturn. The Winona Daily News reported in October:

After a decade of talk about high-speed passenger rail service between Chicago and the Twin Cities-- via Tomah, Wis., La Crosse, and Winona-- it could become a reality in several years.

On Thursday, President Bush signed legislation authorizing $13 billion over five years for passenger rail service. That includes $3.4 billion to create high-speed passenger rail corridors and other improvements.

High-speed rail service between Chicago and the Twin Cities could begin within five years, U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said this week. Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, led House efforts to get the legislation passed.

In September, WCCO said that Rochester officials want the medical city to be part of the system. On Friday, Mark Sommerhauser reported about this week's meeting.

Graphic: A map of designated high-speed rail corridors from the Federal Railroad Administration.

Early afternoon digest: more news about buildings and bailouts

The Republican-Leader reports that veterans in Fillmore and Houston Counties will gain a closer option for outpatient care because a VA clinic [is] coming to Decorah. The needs of rural veterans can cross state lines.

In House OKs $14B bailout: Walz votes against it,the Winona Daily News writes:

How they voted

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (D-Mankato) — No

“It doesn’t do enough to protect the taxpayers who are footing the bill,” Walz said in a statement. Walz was one of just 20 Democrats to vote against the legislation. Walz said the measure does nothing to prevent automakers or their suppliers from outsourcing jobs abroad.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) — Yes

“With up to 3 million American jobs on the line, more than 23,000 in Wisconsin alone, I believe that allowing their collapse is not an option,” Kind said in a prepared statement.

Kind called the $14 billion in emergency aid a “bridge loan to somewhere,” noting the bill requires automakers to restructure, limits executive pay and ensures taxpayers are repaid before shareholders.

Those who care to remember Walz's votes on the bank bail out correctly can look them up here and here. Hint: he voted "no" in the belief that both versions of the earlier bailout didn't do enough to protect taxpayers.

And who can't resist a doctor-themed political joke?

The Minnesota Independent looks at All in: Handicapping the 2010 DFL gubernatorial field. The Walz paragraph:

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz would undoubtedly climb to the top of the heap if he decides to run. His name recognition and charisma, along with the fact that he just won a landslide re-election victory in a part of the state that traditionally favors Republican candidates, would be an enticing combination for Democrats. (Walz’s office declined to comment on his plans for 2010.)

That's a very favorable assessment, though we're not sure how well Twin Cities voters know the congressman. With the sort of reporting we've seen in the metro press this week, how could they?

To get everybody in the spirit, here's a Christmas carol from the Boss.  We dedicated it to one special Pastafarian friend (she knows who she is):

Wednesday digest: green jobs and glad tidings edition

In response to a Post Bulletin column by a local Republican that scolded Governor Pawlenty for touting green jobs, Environment Minnesota's Samantha Chadwick writes Now is the time to invest in clean energy:

In response to the Dec. 1 column by Phil Araoz in opposition to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's green jobs initiative proposal, there has never been a more important time to invest in our future.

As we face a severe economic crisis, solutions that will stimulate the economy and create jobs will also bring long-term sustainability to our environment and economy.

Leaders such as Congressman Tim Walz, who realize that Minnesota is blessed with renewable resources and are pushing for development, deserve our praise and support. . . .

Read the entire, well-documented rebuttal in the PB's op-ed section. We're betting that a significant sub-set of the 62.5% of voters who voted for Walz in the First agree with the 2006 Gustavus grad, since energy policy was a major discussion during the congressional campaign.

Araoz's column, Tax breaks for 'green' jobs are bad deal for Minnesota is still online for those who wish to examine the case that sparked Chadwick's response.

The PB's own Greg Sellnow reports that a representative of Congressman Walz's office was onhand when the CP Christmas choochoo rolled into town in Holiday Train is good sign for Rochester:

The townsfolk, all bundled up in scarves, blankets and down coats on a dark night when the temperature was about 15 degrees, were there to see a 13-car train, facing west. It was lit with the outlines of flashing, brightly colored Christmas trees, ornaments and snowflakes. There in the middle was an open freight car where a band played. Santa stopped by to say hello. Our mayor was there to welcome the train. So was someone from Rep. Tim Walz's office. And a representative from the Channel One Food bank accepted a giant check from the Canadian Pacific Railroad for $2,500.

Sellner continues with a discussion of Rochester railroad politics. Interesting stuff. The train made several stops in Southern Minnesota as it traveled both countries to promote giving to food shelves. The train's blogger notes in Rochester residents embrace CP Holiday Train:

There were literally thousands of people braving the elements, all waiting to see what the CP Holiday Train was about and support the cause, when we pulled in!  Mayor Ardell Brede, Cynthia Schaffer from the Channel One Food Shelf and Rick Howden, representative for Congressman Tim Walz, were on hand to kick things off on a high note.. . .

We applaud all efforts to make sure no one goes hungry, but also hope that Congress will quickly pass President-elect Obama's plan for putting Americans to work rebuilding infrastructure, updating schools, and other public investments that will--we hope--reduce the need for food shelves.

And so all those waiting for the tide to turn, here's a song from Nova Scotia's own Melanie Doane, who was on the train that came to Rochester:

KAAL-TV: Tapping the funding network

In Learning to Network for Funding, KAAL-TV reports:

Congressman Tim Walz is trying to educate local leaders and non-profits on how to secure a federal grant.

More than 200 people attended his workshop in Rochester.

With the economy in a recession, finding money can be difficult.

"Anybody who wants in local government or a non-profit understands that funding is significantly reduced," says Mary Gorfine.

For local government coordinator Mary Gorfine and non-profit coordinator Gwen Wolters this event allowed them to network and get advice on how to obtain grants.

One workshop focuses on childcare, while another revolves around economic development.

"Connect the people who are...who are making things happen making that growth happen with some of the funding that needs to make that investment possible," Walz says.

Even with these tools, Walz says it's always a challenge to get grants.

"There’s no guarantees ever but it's one more source and one more tool and I want to see myself as a partner in that," says Walz.

"We do some great work in southern Minnesota and learning how to bring federal dollars into this area is not important for our programs but for the communities in southern Minnesota to be able to prosper," says Wolters.

As many of these organizations plan and research federal funding, the hope is to be able to provide as many services as possible.

Walz calls the workshop a success.

He says they're already planning more for places like Mankato or Austin, early next summer.

In Local officials seek stimulus money , the Rochester Post Bulletin's Jeff Pieters reports:

A planned federal economic stimulus program, centered on public works projects, has already succeeded in stimulating a stampede among local government officials in Rochester.

Legislation prepared by Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would send $45 billion across the country for road, bridge, aviation and water and sewer projects in the first four months of next year, the Duluth News Tribune  reported on Tuesday.

Oberstar told the newspaper that his legislation could create as many as 7,000 new jobs in Minnesota alone.

The same day the article appeared, discussion had already begun among Olmsted County commissioners to do whatever may be necessary to secure a piece of that funding for one or more projects.

Read the entire article at the PB for details about potential projects that might quality for the funding.

The prairie sunlight today is worthy of an artist's consideration, and so we present a slideshow of work by one of the American masters, set to a recent tune by Lucinda Williams:

Finest worksong: is change coming at DOL?

While some progressives are scolding the President-elect for not moving fast enough to the left, we're looking at bread-and-butter issues ourselves theses days.  Some of the national news suggests that there will be some shifts in policy and approach that will have a great impact on Southern Minnesota's working families.

The Washington Post reports in Labor Dept. Accused of Straying From Enforcement:

The next labor secretary will be taking charge of an agency widely criticized for walking away from its regulatory function across a range of issues, including wage and hour law and workplace safety. . . .

. . .There are few federal agencies where the ideological differences separating many Democrats and Republicans play out more plainly. Labor is one of the government's largest regulatory enforcement agencies, overseeing issues from overtime payments and pension regulations to workplace safety and training programs. The agency has a total budget of $50.4 billion and 16,800 employees. . . .

One interesting contrast in the way the Bush administration has been running the DOL: while the department has been cited by the GAO for lax enforcement of laws protecting worker safety, minimum wage and overtime laws, the department beefed up oversight of labor unions. Lovely. Here's to change and to our labor friends in the First--Laura, Audra, Liz, Dale, Russ, and the rest--who worked so hard to educate, organize, and mobilize union voters this year.

The Post also reports Senate Could Give New President Early Legislative Victories given beefed Demcoratic control of the chamber:

Though they are two votes short of their quest for 60 votes -- with two races still undecided -- Democrats say that regular support from a few Republican moderates will allow them to pass bills that were halted in the current Congress by GOP parliamentary roadblocks. These include health-care programs, immigration revisions and presidential nominations.

The article quotes Senator Klobuchar.  An item we find of interest:

Stimulus: Obama is proposing a stimulus package that could include $500 billion in new spending and $200 billion in middle-class tax cuts, but Democrats cannot be certain that they have the votes to pass such a major proposal. House Republican leaders have disparaged the costly proposals, meaning Democrats may have to find 60 votes to overcome a GOP filibuster.

Democrats appear to have a fall-back plan should that package run into trouble. They now hold a 60-plus majority on a smaller proposal to spend tens of billions of dollars on infrastructure construction.

The second proposal sounds like what Walz and Klobuchar discussed with the Mankato Free Press. The New York Times reports in Squeezing the Most From a Stimulus Plan:

...Prominent economists argue that more than 50 percent of the next package, whatever its size, should be devoted to spending — on public infrastructure like highway and school repair, and on items like food stamps and stepped-up aid to state governments, subsidizing their spending.

Mr. Zandi, who advised the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, said in testimony last month before the Senate Budget Committee that nearly every dollar spent in this fashion generates $1.50 or more in economic activity. Repairing a road, for example, means hiring workers who spend their new salaries at supermarkets, which in turn hire more store clerks and stock more groceries to handle the extra spending.

This “multiplier effect” is missing, however, when the stimulus comes as a tax break. . . .

And there's this in the Post article:

In April, 50 Democrats and six Republicans supported legislation that would have amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act by allowing more time for workers to file discrimination complaints. Five new Democrats will be replacing Republicans who opposed the legislation named after Lilly Ledbetter, the female employee who lost her suit against Goodyear Tire and Rubber over discrimination claims. The Supreme Court ruled that Ledbetter should have filed her claim within six months of the alleged incidents.

So here's a shout-out to all of Laura's "peeps":

Photo: Congressman Walz joined members of Rochester's HERE Local 21 in early 2007 to protest the illegal firing of hotel workers by the then new owners of Holiday Inn Express.