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You can use the feeds in this mix as the basis for a new mix - create a new mix from this mix.
Alaska GOP: We Will Still Support Palin For President If She Runs [New Window]
The Alaska Republican Partry released this statement on Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation:Alaska Republicans Grateful For Palin's Leadership, Excited For Soon To Be Governor Parnell.Republicans across Alaska and the nation were surprised to learn today our Governor, Sarah Palin will be stepping down and not seeking re-election. The party shares mixed feelings as we lose a valued public servant who raised Alaskan issues and concerns in the national consciousness in a way no Alaska leader had previously been able. While sadden to see Gov. Palin leave we are excited to see a conservative of Lt. Gov. Parnell's character enter the Governor's office.Gov. Palin's decision not to run for re-election means there will be a vigorous race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Alaska has an impressive cadre of conservative candidates we are confident will vie for the office of governor and the party stands ready to fully support which ever conservative candidate our members choose to represent them in the general election. The Alaska Republican Party has not been informed whether Gov. Palin plans another run for national office and as such cannot comment on that possibility. The party does feel, however, there needs to be a strong challenge to President Obama's attack on Alaskan values waged by his administration since taking office six months ago. If that challenge comes from Gov. Palin the party ready to support her as all Alaskans should. Palin's Resignation Speech [New Window]
Here's Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) rather...interesting resignation speech: Pawlenty: "It's Time To Move On" From Senate Race -- And From Michael Jackson, Too [New Window]
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) gave what he perhaps hopes can be a final comment on the 2008 Minnesota Senate race: That he's glad it's over, and let's stop talking about it."I think we're all relieved the Senate race is over," Pawlenty said on his weekly radio show. "There's been some frustration over how long it took."Pawlenty, of course, did add that "I wish it had come out the other way," but he respects the process.Interestingly, as the Star Tribune points out, Pawlenty declared that it was "time to move on" -- the exact same turn of phrase he used to describe the media coverage of Michael Jackson. Bill Kristol Stands By Palin [New Window]
Here's Bill Kristol's analysis of Sarah Palin's resignation:Kristol: A Contrarian TakeIf Palin wants to run in 2012, why not do exactly what she announced today? It's an enormous gamble - but it could be a shrewd one.After all, she's freeing herself from the duties of the governorship. Now she can do her book, give speeches, travel the country and the world, campaign for others, meet people, get more educated on the issues - and without being criticized for neglecting her duties in Alaska. I suppose she'll take a hit for leaving the governorship early - but how much of one? She's probably accomplished most of what she was going to get done as governor, and is leaving a sympatico lieutenant governor in charge.And haven't conservatives been lamenting the lack of a national leader? Well, now she'll try to be that. She may not succeed. Everything rests on her talents, and on her performance. She'll be under intense and hostile scrutiny, and she'll have to perform well.All in all, it's going to be a high-wire act. The odds are against her pulling it off. But I wouldn't bet against it. A Trip Down Memory Lane: Sarah Palin's Campaign Wardrobe [New Window]
Check out this slideshow we made back in 2008, of a great memory from that campaign: The super-expensive campaign wardrobe that Sarah Palin wore on the RNC's dime: In Response To GOP Allegations Of Racial Extremism Judiciary Committee Releases More Sotomayor Documents [New Window]
The Senate Judiciary Committee has posted documents to its website relating to Judge Sonia Sotomayor's tenure on the board of a group called LatinoJustice PRLDEF (formerly the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund). The release comes on a holiday Friday after the committee's ranking member, Sen Jeff Sessions (R-AL) called the group "extreme" and demanded the White House release them.Yesterday, White House Counsel Greg Craig sent a letter to Sessions, calling his demands out of line. "You have now individually sought from a third party, LatinoJustice PRLDEF...documents that were not written, edited, reviewed, or approved by Judge Sotomayor," Craig wrote.The documents you are now seeking are not relevant to her nomination, just as similar documents not written, edited, or approved by past nominees have not been viewed as relevant to the Committee's consideration of those nominees.Anti-Sotomayor groups are no doubt poring over the memos, looking for controversial details, and, though the White House is quick to point out that Sotomayor isn't responsible for them, their timing and defensiveness indicates they may be concerned that some of the papers will be politically embarrassing.Sotomayor's supporters and the White House have compared LatinoJustice PRLDEF to the NAACP Legal Fund and similar groups. For his part, Sessions once called the NAACP "un-American." Johanns: SEIU Should Save The Fireworks For Tomorrow [New Window]
Sen. Mike Johann's communications director Ann Marie Hauser has released an official statement about today's mini-kerfuffle outside of a Nebraska health care roundtable. "Sen. Johanns has been a public servant for 25 years and he has no problem with people protesting. He came to UNMC today to hold several productive discussions with concerned Nebraskans and members of the health care community, including the SEIU and Jane Kleeb. UNMC's security personnel took it upon themselves to enforce university policy of no protesting on their property. It's a shame Jane's politcial agenda takes priority over participating in a constructive discussion on an issue of such importance to Nebraskans."Kleeb notes that her work in politics and health care advocacy long predates her introduction to her husband, Scott Kleeb, who ran against Johanns in the Nebraska Senate race in 2008, and that her work in Nebraska--including the event today--is not about political retribution in any way. Notwithstanding the political disagreement, though, there's still the unanswered question of who, if anybody, called security on the activists. The Mark-Up, 07-03-2009 [New Window]
TPMDC's update on the biggest legislative initiatives on the Hill:Health Care: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will in all likelihood advance their health care reform bill--public option and all--after Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) drops her opposition. Nominations: In a holiday-Friday news dump, the Senate Judiciary Committee has released hundreds-more pages of documents dating back to Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor's tenure on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund Alaska Dems Blast Palin's "Lack Of Commitment" [New Window]
The Alaska Democratic Party has released this statement on Sarah Palin's resignation:"Alaskans are dismayed yet not surprised that Governor Palin is abandoning her obligations to our great state. Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor is a shock to Alaskans, coming at a time when leadership is needed secure a gas pipeline and address rising unemployment. Palin's lack of commitment to her sworn obligation to serve her term to the best of her ability is a betrayal to all Alaskans," said Patti Higgins, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. In Big Shocker, Palin Resigns As Governor [New Window]
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/politics/In_Big_Shocker_Palin_Resigns_As_Governor; Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), the unsuccessful 2008 nominee of the Republican Party for Vice President, has announced that will resign her office, effective at the end of the month.Initial reports had been that she simply wasn't going to run for a second term in 2010, seemingly setting up a 2012 campaign for the White House. But this sure is something...Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), the unsuccessful 2008 nominee of the Republican Party for Vice President, has resigned her office, effective at the end of the month.Initial reports had been that she simply wasn't going to run for a second term in 2010, seemingly setting up a 2012 campaign for the White House. But this sure is something...Late Update: Reporter Andrew Wellner from the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman just appeared on CNN after attending Palin's press conference. She said, Wellner reported, that she could be more effective outside of government.And she wholly blamed the national press, saying they were creating national distractions that cost the state money. Palin said: "You are naive if you don't see a full-court press on the national level, picking apart a good point guard."Late Late Update: Here's the video. Part 1:And Part 2: Presented By: [New Window]
Report: Palin Not Running Again In 2010 [New Window]
CNN reports that Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) is set to announce soon that she will not run for a second term as Governor in 2010.There are any number of reasons she might not be running again -- but it's worth pointing out that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) also recently announced his retirement, which most people see as a step towards a potential run for President in 2012.And given the huge distances involved, it's hard to travel all around the Lower 48 while also being an actual Governor of Alaska. Palin had to essentially leave the state during the two months that she ran for Vice President back in 2008.Could we be seeing a Palin/Bachmann ticket in 2012? Busby Meets With Sheriff: "He Was Receptive" [New Window]
Democratic House candidate Francine Busby (CA-50), whose fundraising house party last Friday night ended disastrously with a now-infamous raid by the San Diego Sheriff's Department, met yesterday with the county's new Sheriff William D. Gore, who was just sworn in yesterday, and she told me today that it was a constructive meeting.The incident began after an unnamed person, believed to have been a heckler who reportedly shouted obscenities and anti-gay slurs at the event, phoned in a noise complaint."I congratulated him on being sworn in. We had a conversation about this incident. I told him that I'm going to be completely cooperative with him, because I think it's going to be so important that we find out how this happened, and why this happened, and make sure it doesn't happen again," said Busby. "And I told him that it's very important to me to find out that if there was political motivation behind the phone call, for two reasons. One, is these types of political meetings occur all the time for all candidates. It's important that people feel safe when they attend one of these, and it should be a protected right in our democratic process. And two, law enforcement should never be put in a position to be used in a political way."Busby made clear to me that she believes the call itself was politically motivated -- the deputy who came to the house said the complaint was about a Democratic demonstration -- but she is not saying the actions by the deputies were based in politics."He [Gore] was receptive," said Busby. "He commented that he's already started the internal investigation, and they will do a thorough job on this and they will do it as completely as possible, because they want to find resolution on this as much as anybody. I said I regretted the incident, and he and his undersheriff both nodded and said everybody involved in it regrets it."Busby did ask the department for the audio of the 911 call to be released, for the sake of full transparency. However, the Sheriff's Department is declining to do so because of their ongoing internal investigation.The Sheriff's Department has not released a statement on the meeting with Busby. Health Care Organizers Confronted By Police At Event With Nebraska Senator [New Window]
Did Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) sick the cops on a group of health care reform organizers? That's what the Service Employees International Union is claiming. The group had received permission to gather at the Nebraska Medical Center to meet Johanns who was scheduled to appear at a roundtable discussion on health care--but Johanns apparently wasn't interested."SEIU along with teachers and members of the military set up a table with apple pie and signs welcoming the Senator and urging him to support an American solution to healthcare reform," noted Jane Kleeb, SEIU State Director. "Instead of coming by and saying hello, the Senator walked right by us as we were surrounded by police and said 'good luck with that.'"Johann's staff, however, portrays things rather differently. They contend that the organizers were confronted by hospital security and asked to move their protest off hospital grounds. They also deny complaining--either to the police, or to hospital security--about the protesters' presence, and say the roundtable proceeded, with Kleeb's participation, after the controversy was resolved. Those are two very different versions of events, obviously. We'll try to tease out exactly what went down. Late update: It's certainly worth pointing out that Jane Kleeb is the wife of Scott Kleeb, who was Johanns' opponent in the 2008 election for Chuck Hagel's old Senate seat. Late, late update: I just got off the phone with Jane Kleeb who stuck to her version of events and provided more details. According to Kleeb, she and about 10 other advocates set up out front with two home made signs--one which read 'Sen. Johanns, we can't wait' and one which read 'Health care '09, we can't wait'. She says that soon thereafter four cars rolled up--both medical center security and Omaha police. According to Kleeb, the police waited in their cars while she spoke with hospital security officers, who told her that Johanns' staff had indeed called to complain about the protest. According to an email Kleeb provided from the hospital, "[e]xternal groups can distribute literature on public sidewalks, so long as they are not obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic, and do not interfere with those entering and exiting the buildings." Kleeb says she and the group gathered on a walkway several feet from the medical center's doors, but that security moved them to the other side of a barrier about several feet further from the entrance. Republican Govs. Association Looks On Bright Side: Alaska Will Still Have GOP Governor [New Window]
The Republican Governors Association released this statement on Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation:Republican Governors Association Executive Director Nick Ayers issued the following statement in regards to Sarah Palin's announcement today that she will not seek reelection in 2010 and will step down from the governorship on July 25th."While we regret the news announced by Governor Palin today, Alaska will continue to have a Republican governor through 2010 and we are confident the state will elect a Republican in next year's election.The RGA's focus remains firmly on the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia this year, and the 37 gubernatorial elections that will take place in 2010. We know that winning these races is the most important task facing our Party over the next two years." DNC: Maybe Palin "Simply Can't Handle The Job" [New Window]
Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse has put out this statement about Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation -- taking what might just be the final opportunity to rip into her:"Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long shot national political ambitions or she simply can't handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down. Either way - her decision to abandon her post and the people of Alaska who elected her continues a pattern of bizarre behavior that more than anything else may explain the decision she made today." Obama uses holiday to slap down "naysayers" [New Window]
If ever there were a holiday that seems expressly designed to display the gift with language possessed by the current President of the United States, Fourth of July would be it. And with this morning's weekly address, Barack Obama took full advantage of the opportunity presented, not just saluting America's peaks and victories, but reminding its citizens of the dark times and despair as well that the nation has overcome with what he called our "indomitable spirit." And in passages that echoed his campaign observations about the "unlikely story that is America," he reminded us of how this country, in many ways, a surprising anomaly in history: We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known – a government of, by, and for the people. He saluted the spirit of America, the will and collaboration that helped us as a country survive the Depression, wars and other challenges. As before, we need that spirit to face our current challenges, he said, and to stake out this generation's place in our history, "understanding that each of us has a hand in writing America’s destiny": That is the spirit we are called to show once more. We are facing an array of challenges on a scale unseen in our time. We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession. And our economy – and our nation itself – are endangered by festering problems we have kicked down the road for far too long: spiraling health care costs; inadequate schools; and a dependence on foreign oil. He then launched into his trademark rhythmic declarative style, sentence after sentence beginning with the flourish, "Now is the time ...." Now is the time to fix education, to meet the energy challenge, to reform health care, to rebuild our economy. And to those who say all these changes are too ambitious and are ultimately impossible to attain, on this national holiday, the President had a punch-to-the-gut patriotic message: These naysayers have short memories. They forget that we, as a people, did not get here by standing pat in a time of change. We did not get here by doing what was easy. That is not how a cluster of 13 colonies became the United States of America. We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it. And on this July 4th, we need to summon that spirit once more. We need to summon the same spirit that inhabited Independence Hall two hundred and thirty-three years ago today. Yee-haw. Take that, obstructionist naysayer Republicans and weak-kneed Democrats. Final off-the-wall observation: I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest this may be the first time a President of the United States used the term, "kick back," in an address. Without sounding like an old guy trying to be hip, no less. The full address can be found beneath the fold, or on the White House website.
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 10:30:12 -0500 This Week in Science [New Window]
Last week a group of paleo-biologists from all over the world visited that crowning fundamentalist temple of insular self indulgence, the Creationist Museum. Here there be dinosaurs wearing saddles, toothy raptors peacefully munching veggies next to Adam and Eve, and everywhere you look posters and exhibits lay the blame for mankind's greatest sins on evolution. Some of the scientists chuckled, others were confused, and educated Americans from every political background could only hang our heads in shame-by-proxy: "It's sort of a monument to scientific illiteracy, isn't it?" said Jerry Lipps, professor of geology, paleontology and evolution at University of California, Berkeley. There have been many reviews of the creationist theme park and gift shop. Some funny, many informative, and each depressing in its own way. But the most hilarious and -- I'm warning you -- ruthlessly irreverent such article of all time has to be this one. Meanwhile, Pat Buchanan channeled the ghost of Jerry Falwell in an anti-evolution screed so hoary, so egregiously bad, that it was panned by a number of conservatives. Any piece that starts like this is going to be good: It was probably inevitable. Given the mileage progressives got out of slamming the Bush administration for abusing science, conservatives were bound to bring parallel charges against the Obama administration. Igor Derysh has a brief and critical look at ACES well worth reading: The bill allows companies to skimp on the set standards of the bill and allows them to miss the milestone goals. That's like telling your child "you're not allowed to drive, but if you drive for less than two hours it's ok." For all its amazing abilities, the number one mortal flaw in vertebrate physiology is our single, beating heart. Researchers have now identified the master stem cell that could one day be harnessed to grow new cardiac components, or even whole new tickers.
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 09:16:05 -0500 Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up (Special Sarah Palin Edition) [New Window]
Saturday punditry, with a twist of Sarah Palin. Howard Fineman: I have covered politics for a long time. I can tell when someone is running for president. Sarah Palin is running for president. Howard, you might be right, but you're wrong about this: she may be running but she's no longer a player. But you never say "never" in politics, and there are reasons why it’s worth paying attention to what she is up to these days. Bullshit. That is, unless All My Children and The Young and the Restless are pre-empted. WaPo: "We've seen a lot of nutty behavior from governors and Republican leaders in the last three months, but this one is at the top of that," said John Weaver, a longtime friend and confidant of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Arena/Politico response, all sides of spectrum, none of it supportive: Sherrilyn Ifill, Professor of Law, U. Md.: Watching this news conference felt like watching a public figure unravel before our very eyes. And it wasn't pretty. This lady was spooked, scared, angry, I thought, and incoherent. Andrew Rotherham, Co-founder and publisher, Education Sector: I can see political trouble from my house. Patrick J. Egan, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, NYU: Governing was never her strong suit. Patrick Dorinson, Political communications strategist and commentator: I am quite sure the media snobs and elitists are ecstatic that they have successfully destroyed her and her family in the process. Bradley A. Blakeman, Republican strategist, consultant, entrepreneur: The people of Alsaka elected Palin Governor expecting that she would serve an her entire term absent a compelling reason to step aside. She has NOT given a good enough reason in my opinion to step down. This is just another bizarre event in what has become a series of uncomfortable political misteps that raises more questions about her judgment and ability. David Boaz, Executive VP, Cato Institute: Will we one day say that her presidency was "born on the Fourth of July"? I doubt it. William Jelani Cobb, Professor of History, Spelman College: This is obviously part of a vast left-wing conspiracy designed to assure Barack Obama a second term and, if Rush Limbaugh is to be believed, several more after that. Larry J. Sabato, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia: Welcome to Bizarro World. We’ll see what the real, full story is behind this seemingly nonsensical move. But one result is clear: Sarah Palin is no longer a credible candidate for President in 2012. Dan Balz: But are Palin's rules those of someone with the capacity to seek and win her party's presidential nomination in 2012, as many believe is her ultimate goal, or of someone who has flashed like a meteor across the political skies but ultimately with limited impact? That question was at the center of the discussion among Republican strategists who were baffled by what they had just heard from Alaska. CBS: With the stunning news of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s sudden resignation, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that there is "something else out there" that has forced her to make this decision. There might well be, but ever since her return to Alaska after her electoral defeat in November, it has been very clear that she has loathed the new dynamic that has greeted her there. It isn't that she was fed up with Alaska. Alaska was fed up with her. William Kristol: If Palin wants to run in 2012, why not do exactly what she announced today? It's an enormous gamble - but it could be a shrewd one. Yeah, and I could be considered a shrewd commentator, and a brilliant strategist, too. And pigs could fly. So, put wings on this porker and call it Alaska Airlines. As Sarah goes, so go I. Jonah Goldberg: Sarah, you're the laughingstock of the Democratic party [and maybe now the Republican Party. Also.] I am, too. but still, even I think you're blowing it.
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 08:00:12 -0500 Sunday talk show tip sheet [New Window]
Top administration and defense officials head to the Sunday talk shows to map out the next steps.
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 07:53:49 -0500 Out of failure, the American Dream [New Window]
Simon says America was shaped by the great deeds of ordinary men and women.
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 07:11:29 -0500 VIDEO: Obama on Independence Day [New Window]
Obama asks Americans to tackle "festering problems we have kicked down the road for far too long."
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 07:06:45 -0500 Green Diary Rescue & Open Thread [New Window]
For nearly four decades, since environmental legislation was first enacted, ecp-groups have found the Supreme Court to be more or less favorable to the cases they have brought before it. Not so with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. at the helm. Adam Liptak writes at The New York Times Environment Groups Find Less Support From Justices The Supreme Court heard five environmental law cases in the term that ended Monday, and environmental groups lost every time. It was, said Richard J. Lazarus, a director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University Law Center, "the worst term ever" for environmental interests. The court allowed Navy exercises using sonar that threatened whales off California. It limited the liability of companies partly responsible for toxic spills. It made it harder to challenge Forest Service regulations and easier to dump mining waste into an Alaskan lake. And it allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to use cost-benefit analysis to decide how much marine life may be killed by cooling structures at power plants. Business groups expressed measured satisfaction with the decisions. "The court does seem to be bringing more common sense back to environmental law," Robin S. Conrad, a lawyer with the United States Chamber of Commerce, said at a recent news briefing. = = = The rescue begins below and continues in the jump. (The next Green Diary Rescue appears Sunday at 9:30 p.m.) = = = The Cunctator informed us that DK GreenRoots: ExxonMobil Is Still Funding Global Warming Denial Groups!: "From 1998 to 2005, ExxonMobil directed almost $16 million to a group of 43 lobby groups in an effort to confuse Americans about global warming. After being criticized by the Royal Society in 2006, Exxon promised to end funding to groups questioning climate change. In May 2008, Exxon again issued a public mea culpa and pledged to cut funding to groups that ‘divert attention’ from the need to develop and invest in clean energy. Yet, in 2008, while cutting contributions to the most extreme groups, Exxon still funded the National Center for Policy Analysis, the Heritage Foundation, and the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, all groups which publicly question or deny global warming." DK GreenRoots sarahnity, whose Saturday Frugal Fridays series is always green, went a little further in Saving Some Green by Going Green: "Too often, we think that it costs money to be environmentally friendly. While that can be true, the fact of the matter is that there are plenty of things you can do every day that take little effort and often no upfront costs. There are lots of ways you can change your home or your lifestyle to reduce the amount of energy and other natural resources you consume, but in this diary I want to focus on some of the easiest (and cheapest) changes you can make that will still make a significant difference. The most important thing to keep in mind if you are looking for places to save resources is to first look to where your biggest usage is and try to trim that. If you can save just 2% of the power on something you use 40% of the time, that is going to be a much bigger savings than if you save 50% of the power on something you use 5% of the time. Your goal should be to stop the hemorrhaging before you start worrying about the skinned elbows." DK GreenRoots = = = The Overnight News Digest is posted. Included is the story Education secretary challenges NEA on teacher pay
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:32:43 -0500 Open Thread and Diary Rescue [New Window]
Tonight's Rescue Rangers are vcmvo2, shayera, noddem, jennyjem, grog, and ybruti while the jet-lagged editor is dadanation. The rescued diaries Username4242 posts great pictures (along with very informative text) of the candidates for Bonus Dinosaur of the Week! My five favorite finds. (ybruti) WIds presents in Palin's Poetry a free verse transcription of the surprising speech today by Alaska's soon-to-be former governor. (ybruti) arendt reflects on various schools of thought on human behavior discusses how these differing schools are personified in many interactions on dKos in Increasing the gap between impulse and action. A thought-provoking diary. (vcmvo2) Casual Wednesday writes this contribution to the week's environmental diaries about the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming in DK Greenroots: Considered Forthwith. (vcmvo2) blue meme, in the aftermath of the "PR" disaster yesterday at the Washington Post, wonders Did the WaPo violate the Lobbying Disclosure Act? (vcmvo2) count takes a look at recently released information and asks Employment data: OH YEAH? (shayera) Something the Dog Said continues his series First Amendment Friday 10 - Hustler V Falwell with an analysis of this important free speech case. (grog) I love OCD relates the hard work and mental challenges of dealing with a parent with dementia in The Greatest Generation - A Caregiver's Story. (grog) mspicata channels Billy Mays in this attempt to bail out California: Golden State Blowout Sale!!!! (grog) gjohnsit offers up a real solution to the mess in California with A progressive solution to California's economic crisis. (jennyjem) Avenging Angel summarizes the mounting evidence against the former Vice President in DOJ Confirms Cheney's Key Role in CIA Leak Case. (jennyjem) JohnCos gives a personal example of just how low the political discourse has sunk in They Called Him A Coward... (jennyjem) Deep Brain Diarist reflects on a time of recovery and gives an update of his condition after having Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery -- Part 3. Two Years Ago Today! (noddem) Tasini shares the story of Victory At SmithField: An Independence Day Symbol. After 17 years of fighting for their rights, workers at a pork plant have won the rights to which we are all entitled. (noddem) The regular extras jotter has High Impact Diaries: July 2, 2009. BeninSC has Top Comments - Sanford and DeMint. The reminder Please use this as an Open Thread as well as your chance to promote your favorite diaries of the day. Respectful engagement is most welcome here. Please keep in mind that each Diary Rescue's daily purview extends from 3pm PST yesterday to 3pm PST today. Shamelessly self-promote or pimp for a friend in this Open Thread!
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:15:38 -0500 Palin resignation splits GOP [New Window]
Skeptics say Friday’s events diminished and perhaps demolished Palin's 2012 presidential hopes.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:51:37 -0500 Polling and Political Wrap-Up, 7/03/09 [New Window]
I was busy most of the day, but I heard that something might have happened with regard to the 2010 elections. Some sort of a candidate announcement. Might have been a governors race? Perhaps someone here can fill me in.... :) MN-Gov: Apparently, Norm Coleman IS Serious About This Norm Coleman is obviously trying to resemble one of those sandy-bottomed childrens toys that you keep knocking over, only to see it rise again to your endless amusement/frustration. According to this article, a Coleman advisor is saying that he is actively discussing a 2010 gubernatorial bid with Republican activists. This comes, of course, less than 72 hours after he finally conceded the 2008 Senate race, in which he was defeated by Democrat Al Franken. OH-Gov: Poll Confirms Softening of Strickland's Position A new poll from Quinnipiac shows that the state's financial dire straits have had a political effect on the state's first-term Democratic governor, Ted Strickland. Once considered in a strong position for re-election, Strickland now leads his potential GOP rivals by single digits. Strickland holds a one-point edge over former Senator Mike DeWine (41-40) and a five-point edge over former Congressman John Kasich (43-38). In early May, Quinnipiac had Strickland leading both GOP candidates by double-digit margins. NATIONAL: The Dire Straits of Republican Governors As Sarah Palin jogs off into the sunset (for now), Kyle Munzenreider of the Miami New Times has a pretty solid read on a topic that will probably unleash a little healthy weekend schaudenfreude in these parts: the shockingly swift descent of the Republican governors, once considered to be the bedrock upon which the GOP resurrection would be built. The gallery of GOP gubernatorial drama alone is worth the visit. IL-Sen/IL-Gov: Could Kirk's Statewide Plans Get Scuttled By Right-Wing? Mark Kirk has taken most of his abuse lately from the political left, in particular for his somewhat dangerous attempt to give Barack Obama and the Democrats a swift kick in the knees by telling China that America's government could not be trusted. Now, he is taking on water on the starboard side. Yep, the right-wing in his state is less than thrilled that he was one of eight Republicans to support the President on last week's very tight Clean Energy vote. NV-Sen: Heller Looking Less Likely As A Senate Challenger in 2010 Barely a week after John Cornyn insisted that a Republican challenger to Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid was forthcoming, the main target of the NRSC's recruitment efforts seems to be intent on staying put. Dean Heller, who has served northern Nevada in Congress since 2006, has not made up his mind definitively, but the signs are pointing towards him not running for statewide office in 2010. This is doubly good news for Democrats, since not only does this mean that he is unlikely to challenge Reid, but it also means that he is unlikely to challenge incredibly vulnerable GOP Governor Jim Gibbons. Top Republicans seem resigned to a Heller non-candidacy: John Thune, now in the Senate leadership, simply said of Heller, "I think he likes the job he has."
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:46:05 -0500 Top 10 reasons for Palin resignation [New Window]
Feel free to add your own theories in the comments.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:06:07 -0500 Palin secedes from office. Also. [New Window]
So Sarah Palin has resigned. From four colleges. From her job with the Oil & Gas Commission. And now finally, from her job as governor. Highly unusual for someone once so determined to climb the political ladder that she stayed on in Texas to deliver a speech to the Republican Governors' Association, even as she went into labor with her fifth child. But, hey, that's Sarah. Also. Now, my first thought was that she merely meant that she was tired and wanted to recline, but alas, she left little doubt about her actual intentions with her extended, often rambling speech, during which the local waterfowl laughed repeatedly. Palin's first draft, by the way, reportedly began: "When in the course of human... stuff... (also)." It's truly been an amazing few weeks for the America, as we found out that GOP governors celebrate Father's Day with adultery, and July 4th by resigning from office. This is a pretty amazing abdication of responsibility, I must say. I think back to John McCain's flaky "suspension" of his campaign over the financial crisis, and when you put it side by side with Palin's freak-out, I'm really astonished that they were ever considered a legitimate presidential ticket. How she ever made it all the way through field dressing a moose without getting bored and quitting, I'll never understand. But then again, this was someone who probably winked because she couldn't commit to finishing a blink. I'm appreciative, at least, that she went out in a blaze of glory, with one last incoherent blast of public word spray. I think I'm seeing starbur... ah, screw it. I don't feel like finishing that sentence. Best of luck to you in whatever you do next, Sarah. Rumor has it that you quit for an offer of $50 an hour to go pick lettuce in Yuma for the whole season. But I think you can't do it, my friend.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 21:20:21 -0500 The Worst Health Care Reform Money Can Buy [New Window]
This will shock you, I know, but corporate interests have signficiantly outspent consumer groups in the health care reform debate. In the first three months of 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has spent more money on lobbying since 1998 than any other company, trade association, or advocacy group, and the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhARMA)--the No. 6 all-time spender--paid lobbyists a combined $22.5 million to promote their interests. Meanwhile, prominent champions of the public insurance option spend very little on lobbying or campaign contributions. Families USA, a self-described consumer watchdog dedicated to health care issues, for example, has spent a mere $10,000 on lobbying this year and only $32,000 total in 2008. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a national network that unites doctors' associations, consumer groups and other activists, spent $80,000 last year. And the National Health Council (NHC), which has remained mum on this issue but supported putting pressure on insurers to cover pre-existing illnesses, has not spent any money on lobbying since 2007. Of these more prominent organizations, in fact, only the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a major lobbyist--$4 million spent so far this year and $158.8 million since 1998--but the group has not publicly endorsed or rejected the president's proposed legislation. Yowza. All that money spent to keep us getting lousy health care. Or, rather, paying exorbitant costs for insurance and prescription medications--there isn't a lot of actual "care" involved in those pursuits. Is it likely to make a difference with our (ahem) public servants? Nate thinks so, after doing some of his famousl number crunching: The insurance industry's influence appears to swing about 9 votes against the public option. Whatever number of senators wind up supporting the public option, add 9 to it, and you'll have a decent ballpark estimate for what the level of support might be if not for insurance industry contributions... The single senator who's position on the public option is most likely to have been changed by lobbying money is Mark Warner of Virginia, who has already raised $69,000 from insurance industry PACs in spite of having been in the Senate for less than six months. Absent industry money, the model estimates about a two-thirds likelihood that Warner would support the public option; with it, the model thinks the chances are very low. Indeed Warner has been mum on the public option to date. Ranking next on the list is Harry Reid, who has taken some $78,800 from insurance industry PACs and who has also yet to articulate a position on the public option in spite of his status as Majority Leader. If the model is right, Reid's noncommittal stance on the issue might be better conceived of as tacit, if somewhat soft, opposition. Following Reid is Kent Conrad of North Dakota, who has floated a compromise bill that would replace the public option with a co-op system, a version of which the Senate Finance Committee appears likely to adopt. There are many issues in which I think a "with us or against us" attitude is short-sighted and politically damaging. On health care, it's different. It's us, the consumer, the people who are having to shell out all this money for health "care" vs. the people taking all of our money and giving us shoddy product. And then taking all that money and pouring it into lobbying the people who are supposed to be representing our interests. Nine votes, many of them on the Finance Committee, conveniently. Mosey on over to slinkerwink's action diary, and make a call or two to the Senators on the Finance Committee. They'll also all probably be home for the 4th recess, and will be having townhalls and constituent meetings. Ask them point blank, are they with us, or against us? Are they among those nine Senators who will be swayed by campaign contributions from industry PACs, or are they looking out for us? (That's a really good question to ask in a public setting.)
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:40:49 -0500 Cheers and Jeers: Mutton and Hard Cider Friday! [New Window]
From the MASSACHUSETTS-ANNEXED FRONTIER TERRITORY OF MAINE... The Declaration of Independence: Brittle Parchment of Liberty If you are going to sever ties to your Commonwealth through bloody struggle, it is considered polite to write down why. Nobody wants to get three years into a revolution only to realize the whole thing was a Three’s Company-esque misunderstanding. The Declaration of Independence was the laundry list of grievances stating America’s case for freedom. Its accusations against the King ranged from egregious ("He has plundered our seas, burnt our towns and ravaged the lives of our people") to the trifling ("Sometimes when he sees us at a party he acts like he doesn’t know us"). But proud men would not take up arms against the Crown solely because the King had "erected a multitude of new offices." The authors of the Declaration knew they would also have to appeal to man’s higher nature, to stir men’s souls. They needed something with some zazz. Enter a hot-shot tobacco executive from Virginia, Thomas Jefferson. His task would be to synthesize the unique brand message of America down to something that would captivate the hard to reach "12-28 ragtag militia" demographic, all the while not offending traditional "Butterchurn Moms." His first attempt at a Preamble was: - AMERICA. A is for All the tea they taxed. M is for the Minutemen they shellaxed..." - It tested poorly. But his rewrite would be win-win: - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - In a scant 35 words, Jefferson had given the nation the kind of positive brand identity that tendered moot the issue of whether or not we had to live up to its ideals. Still, knowing the inherent contradiction between their noble words and the reality of a slave-owning nation, Jefferson and the Founders wisely decided to strike from the Declaration of Independence the phrase "or your money back." ---From America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction Happy 233rd Birthday, America, We The People luv ya. The original Cheers and Jeers from July 4, 1776 starts in the Commonwealth of There's Moreville... [Washington's sword: Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Liberty Bell: Gong!!]
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:30:51 -0500 Move over Mark Sanford... [New Window]
Meet the GOP's newest favorite wingnut from South Carolina, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint: DeMint Supports Honduras Military Coup Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has come out in support of the military coup in Honduras, chastising President Obama in a statement for what he calls "a slap in the face to the people" of that country. You can sort of understand DeMint's position here. At the rate they're going, the only way the GOP is going to get back in power anytime soon is through a military coup.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:03:09 -0500 Late Afternoon/Early Evening Open Thread [New Window]
Coming up on Sunday Kos ... Next week, Presidents Obama and Medvedev will meet in Moscow to negotiate a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Plutonium Page will discuss the treaty and the role it plays in the complicated path to Global Zero. Just in time for the holiday weekend, DarkSyde will review some of the amazing spin-offs from gunpowder in a Brief History of Fireworks. The Republican Party will try to start some July 4th fireworks this weekend with an ad (of questionable accuracy) targeting vulnerable Dems for their vote on the American Clean Energy Act. Steve Singiser looks at the factual issues with the ad, and some of the more curious targets of the NRCC's attacks. SusanG will take a look at two first-hand accounts of dealing with the housing market: the controversial and ethically challenged book by New York Times finance reporter Edmund Andrews, Busted: Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown, and Gimme Shelter by Mary Beth Williams, a rollicking account from a freelance journalist of a three-year journey trying to buy a home in New York City. DarkSyde and DevilsTower team up for a foray into the convoluted world of financial markets and unregulated derivatives in "Bids and Bubbles."
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:10:05 -0500 NRCC gives us a shout out [New Window]
Every two years, Republicans try this crap. And every two years, people look at each other and say, "what the hell is a 'daily cause'?" “Tom Perriello’s national energy tax vote was the defining moment of his short career,” NRCC spokesman Andy Sere said, adding that voters in his district who once thought of him as “that nice young man … is actually a smug globalist who cares more about his Daily Kos cred than the farmers, laborers and middle-class families in his district.” Dear NRCC, How many candidates with "Republican cred" have won recently? Hugs and kisses, kos
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:26:04 -0500 Palin plans to stay visible [New Window]
She will give serious consideration to running for president in 2012, but has made no decision, friends tell POLITICO.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:14:13 -0500 Palin spokeswoman: "This is a fighting move" [New Window]
A few minutes ago, Megan Stapleton, Sarah Palin's spokeswoman, seemed to suggest Andrea Mitchell's sources who claim Palin is "out of politics, period" are wrong: FOX ANCHOR: Was today's presentation from Governor Palin the opening salvo in the campaign for the presidency of 2012? PALIN SPOKESWOMAN (CHUCKLING): I won't go so far as saying that. What I will say, though Stuart, this is a fighting move. This is a move that says 'okay, enough. I'm not going to keep hitting my head against this wall. I'm not playing politics as usual. You go play that game, I'll go play it another way and on another court.' She is saying, 'no, you know what, I believe in national security, I believe in energy independence, I believe in supporting our troops. It's not getting done, and I can't do it and make a difference where I am right now behind the governor's desk, so I'm going to go around the governor's desk, and I'm going to make that difference, outside -- outside government.' FOX ANCHOR: Meghan, it sounds a lot as if you are saying she's going to get out there and campaign in the lower 48. You are her spokeswoman, do you know specifically of some plan that she has to do that? SPOKESWOMAN: No, there's no plan other than, of course, as she mentioned in her speech, she is going to get out there, and she's going to rally behind the candidates who what those same ideals and values. That question is whether the spokeswoman meant candidates in 2010 whose support could help Palin win the 2012 nomination, or whether she meant she will support 2012 candidates. 2010 certainly seems a bit more likely given the tenor of her other comments. Update (2:58PM): On the other hand, Palin's spokeswoman did characterize the announcement as saying "I'm going to make that difference, outside -- outside government." Obviously, resigning puts Palin outside government, but was the spokeswoman talking about the near-term, or was she saying Palin never hopes to return to government? Update (3:10PM): bluedonkey08 pretty much nails it: You know (3+ / 0-) Sometimes I think it's not worth trying to understand what she says. Your sanity will appreciate it. I was just saying something similar to a friend. Update (4:05PM): Politico reports she will give "serious consideration" to a 2012 run, according to a close friend. That's PalinDrama for ya!
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 17:52:10 -0500 Mitchell: Palin told allies she's "out of politics, period" [New Window]
Andrea Mitchell offers a different read on today's events than most have thus fair, saying sources close to Palin are claiming that she has told them that she is "out of politics, period" and that they are free to throw their support behind other 2012 candidates. Who knows if Mitchell is right, but if she is, it would make a heckuva lot more sense than this being the opening of the 2012 campaign, as Bill Kristol suggested to Fox. Update (2:53PM): The plot thickens -- Palin's spokeswoman seems to suggest Mitchell's sources are wrong, saying "this is a fighting move."
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 17:35:35 -0500 Palin announces resignation [New Window]
The surprise move could free her to launch a 2012 bid.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 15:04:50 -0500 Access scandal echoes beyond Post [New Window]
WSJ and Economist held similar events.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:29:11 -0500 Schools and the Mother of All Lies [New Window]
We're lying to ourselves, Minnesota. Perpetual schools funding cuts have long and short-term consequences. Until we admit our delusion -that schools can continually absorb decreased revenues without impacting outcomes- Minnesota's future will be a losing bet.Here's the big lie: that schools can regularly do the same with less, that they can maintain high performance and achievement standards with fewer funds. Well, they can't.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:07:00 -0500 Obama meets with energy executives [New Window]
Energy executives were impressed by meeting that was also attended by ranking Cabinet members.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 06:05:10 -0500 Obama, a stickler for pronunciation [New Window]
In Obama’s view, pronouncing someone’s name correctly is a simple way of showing respect.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:54:31 -0500 Obama Administration Backs Bush White House on Cheney Interview [New Window]
2 Jul 2009 // When it comes to the Bush White House's decision to withhold from the public Dick Cheney's interview with FBI agents investigating the CIA leak case, the Obama administration says its predecessor did the right thing. And it's fighting hard to do the same. More
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:48:28 -0500 Minnesota Needs a Strong Voice for Education [New Window]
Sometimes clarity comes through distance, where one is removed from the center of the controversy.After eight years as a Minnesota school principal and 19 more as a superintendent in Minnesota, last year I became superintendent of the School District of River Falls, Wis. Just across the St. Croix River, I'm actually now geographically closer in Wisconsin to Minnesota's capitol than I was as superintendent in either of my two previous Minnesota districts.
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:46:27 -0500 National Report Finds Minnesota Charter Schools to be Academically Challenged [New Window]
A Stanford University report finds that charter schools across the nation - including Minnesota - fall behind public schools in the quality of education they offer. The report found 17 percent of charter schools reported academic gains significantly better than public schools, while 37 percent of charter schools showed gains that were worse, and 46 percent demonstrating no significant difference.
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:45:16 -0500 Inouye's bank-relief call raises brows [New Window]
2 Jul 2009 // WASHINGTON Hardly a bank bailout hearing goes by in Congress without a lawmaker raising a question on behalf of constituent banks that have applied for federal assistance from the government's financial bailout fund. More
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:14:26 -0500 Sanford Confidant Davis Confers with Sanfords, Staff [New Window]
2 Jul 2009 // Sen. Tom Davis, Gov. Mark Sanford's former chief of staff, said Wednesday he has spoken with both the governor and First Lady Jenny Sanford about the governor's future. Davis, in a statement, said only after those conversations and conversations with Attorney General Henry McMaster and SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd will he take a public position on Sanford's future. More
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:11:00 -0500 [Philadelphia] Attorney, Firm To Pay $155,000 Penalty To FEC [New Window]
2 Jul 2009 // Allentown attorney John Karoly will have to pay $155,000 to settle allegations that his law firm illegally funneled money to the presidential campaign of former U.S. Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri, according to the Federal Election Commission. More
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:54:17 -0500 House of Pain: GOP's Class of '94 [New Window]
Both John Ensign and Mark Sanford were members of the famed Republican House class of 1994.
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 04:37:43 -0500 McCain and Feingold Use Hold to Pressure Obama on FEC Picks [New Window]
1 Jul 2009 // Campaign finance mavens John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis., are joining forces once again this time to block President Obamas nomination of labor lawyer John J. More
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:59:01 -0500 Melanie Sloan Discusses Transparency in the Obama Administration on CNN's The Situation Room [New Window]
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:30:04 -0500 South Carolina Democrats Join Calls For Sanford To Resign [New Window]
1 Jul 2009 // The South Carolina Democratic Party added its voice today to growing calls on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign today, citing Sanford's "stream of confessions" and "immoral and reprehensible behavior" as distractions from state business. More
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:03:20 -0500 Poes Campaign Fined $25,000 by FEC [New Window]
1 Jul 2009 // The campaign committee of Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) recently agreed to pay a $25,000 fine to the Federal Election Commission for failing to properly report receipts, disbursements and cash-on-hand figures during the 2004 cycle, according to an enforcement agreement released Thursday. More
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:02:15 -0500 Drug Industry Lobbying Efforts, Campaign Funds Tilt Toward Democrats [New Window]
1 Jul 2009 // The pharmaceutical industry, which has long invested heavily in federal lobbying, is now on course to smash its previous records as it tries to shape the health care overhaul pushed forward by Democrats. More
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:29:33 -0500 After Call From Senator's Office, Small Hawaii Bank Got U.S. Aid [New Window]
1 Jul 2009 // Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's staff contacted federal regulators last fall to ask about the bailout application of an ailing Hawaii bank that he had helped to establish and where he has invested the bulk of his personal wealth. More
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:03:44 -0500 Critical Thinking and the Next Generation [New Window]
The key to the success of the next generation will be their ability to think critically. Education expert Mike Schmoker makes a compelling and convincing argument for serious literacy commitment in our schools in which critical reading, writing and discussion skills will become cornerstones of effective teaching and learning.Schmoker writes that a serious literacy commitment, also called authentic literature, is not just for children who can already read or for gifted students. It is for all students, including students experiencing learning difficulties and second language learners.
Wed, 1 Jul 2009 08:41:58 -0500 Minnesota's Road to Recovery: An Analysis of Transportation Recovery Projects [New Window]
Creaky old timber bridges are being replaced. Rough roads are getting new pavement. Deteriorating regional airport runways are being rehabbed. Twin Cities transit riders will hop on new diesel-sipping hybrid buses. Suburban drivers will ply new interchanges and a freeway extension. And a rusting Minnesota icon, Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge, is receiving the final phase of a once-in-a-lifetime paint job.It's all thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $787 billion federal economic stimulus package enacted to counter a recession that has obliterated 5.4 million U.S. jobs in past year, 99,7000 of them in Minnesota.
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:41:04 -0500 Information Regurgitation: Minnesota Students Deserve Better [New Window]
As a recent graduate of St. Paul Central High School, I am familiar with many methods of teaching. One method is the process through which students are taught to get information off a piece of text then later regurgitate that information. For many years, this method has plagued our education system and as a result, has produced many students who do not analyze facts and figures well.
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:23:53 -0500 We Need Another Miracle [New Window]
For 20 years as a superintendent, I've made the annual pilgrimage. Mecca is not the destination but rather St. Paul. Still, the education faithful descend on Minnesota's capital city with similar zeal. It is not enlightenment we seek. Rather, it is the means with which to keep the lights of our schools burning bright.
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:11:40 -0500 A Minnesota Housing Market That Doesn't Collapse [New Window]
While economists and homeowners nationwide look for signs indicating a bottom has been reached in the housing market, senior citizens in Minnesota keep plugging along with a unique niche in the market that seems oblivious to national housing and financial crises.
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:10:47 -0500 Courageous School Leaders Needed More Than Ever [New Window]
As a former high school principal and now a trainer of future school leaders, I have come to realize how essential it is for principals and administrators to embrace with courage the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in public education.
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:21:24 -0500 Minnesota 2020 Journal: Less Conservatism is More [New Window]
It's hard to see anything good coming from Governor Pawlenty's state budget unallotment. Minnesota will be poorer, weaker, slower, and less competitive yet none of this seems to deter conservative public policy leaders bent on realizing "small" government at any cost.While reasonable people view unallotment as a failure and debacle, in the conservative pantheon, unallotment is triumphal. "We are starving the beast," conservative voices intone, insisting that smaller is better.
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:20:19 -0500 When Fact Checking Becomes "Fact Distorting" [New Window]
Yet another right wing organization is spouting "facts" about state aid to Minnesota cities in an effort to undermine the concept of revenue sharing. However, their "facts" are more spin than substance.
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:21:30 -0500 A Sound Call For PreK-3rd Grade Reform [New Window]
Minnesotans are proud of our students' academic success. We often point to our high rankings on the ACT exams and our stellar results in 2007 international math and science exams. But those accomplishments don't tell the whole story.
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:20:21 -0500 Quality Public Education: What's In It For Me? [New Window]
We pay for public education through our tax dollars. In these days of economic troubles that bring thriftiness and self-reflection, it's only fair to ask, "Why should I pay for someone else's education? What's in it for me?"
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:15:43 -0500 Ag Profits Unlikely to Carry MN Economy This Year [New Window]
In one week's time, the state, national and global economies have bounced from looking like the recession's end was in sight to woeful responses to economic news. Both temporary assessments are correct.
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:14:05 -0500 Teaching to Student's, Not Industry's, Needs [New Window]
Margaret Virum taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools nearly 50 years. She has been listed among the most prestigious alumni from the University of Minnesota's College of Education and received many honors for her innovative teaching before her death one year ago.
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:34:46 -0500 Unclear Future for Metro Dial-a-Ride [New Window]
Only one out of 10 Twin Cities-area residents has convenient access to regular transit service that runs at least every 15 minutes for most of the day. Including routes with half-hour headways, it's still just a quarter of the metro population that enjoys reasonably frequent bus or light-rail schedules.
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:21:57 -0500 Promoting Tax Fairness in Minnesota [New Window]
In Minnesota, low and middle-income families pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than wealthier households, which means our state and local tax system is regressive. It's grown even more regressive in recent years, and that problem is about to get even worse with cuts to Local Government Aid.
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:58 -0500 Education Essay Series: Kicking it Off with an Equation for Success [New Window]
Today, Minnesota 2020 launches a series of essays about education written by authors from all areas of the education spectrum. We asked them to reflect on the state of education and tell us what is necessary for Minnesota to have a world-quality education system by 2020.
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:02 -0500 Minnesota 2020 Journal: What We Owe Glen Shaw [New Window]
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:23:43 -0500 Health Care Unallotments: "The Minnesota Mortification" [New Window]
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:22:49 -0500 Budgets Were Tight Before Pawlenty's Education Funding Shift [New Window]
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:51:02 -0500 Will the Governor's Cuts Hinder Minnesota's Recovery? [New Window]
Governor Pawlenty has now used use executive authority to cut vital state investments to balance an out of whack state budget. This comes as communities get whacked with another $300 million in cuts. Local governments will likely begin eliminating local employment and services soon.
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:13:16 -0500 Quick Poll: A Health Care Leader? [New Window]
Will Governor Pawlenty's anticipated health care cuts reduce Minnesota`s high health care quality?
Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:56:15 -0500 Conservatives "Re-Writing History" [New Window]
Opposition to modern transit development may be on the wane in most parts of Minnesota, but it's alive and well in one surprising location: The Minnesota History Center in St. Paul."Light rail is an expensive investment without return except as an exercise in chest-thumping to make a city feel like it's in the big leagues."
Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:56:00 -0500 Conservative Myths on Reserve Funds [New Window]
In an effort to put lipstick on a pig, Governor Pawlenty is currently attempting to fabricate a policy rationale for the large unallotment of local revenues that he is expected to propose within the coming weeks. His latest ploy points to local governments with budget reserves as a justification for the anticipated unallotments.After refusing to compromise with the legislature on a balanced solution to the state's deficit, Pawlenty put himself in a position to unilaterally cut $2.7 billion from state's FY 2010-11 biennial budget.
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:12:15 -0500 Education Budget Shifts: Buying Time to Get By [New Window]
Now is the time to buy time.In keeping with his "no new taxes" pledge to conservative groups, Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to buy time during the state's next budget cycle by shifting school district state aid payments from one year to the next. This financial slight-of-hand forces the job of balancing the budget off the state and on school districts by requiring them to fund the shift by tapping into reserves or borrowing money, and, subsequently, paying off interest. Pawlenty's potential fund shift comes after the passage of a bill which freezes education funds at $13.7 billion over the next two years. Since this doesn't account for inflation, the freeze amounts to a budget cut for schools.
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:11:43 -0500 The Charter School Wars [New Window]
Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:25:09 -0500 Not Going to the Dentist Worse than "Going to the Dentist" [New Window]
Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:23:48 -0500 Minnesota Farm Households as Economic Generators [New Window]
If you think you've got problems managing the household budget, be thankful you don't live on a Minnesota farm. On the other hand, if you are a local merchant or service provider, be thankful you've got farmers living in your community. Economists and other farm business experts have concluded that it took $89,147 in farm income last year to pay the average farm household and personal living costs last year on what can be described as "commercial" or "conventional" Minnesota farms.
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:51:36 -0500 Your Take: Government Growth, Property Taxes, and Media Models [New Window]
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:49:03 -0500 Life Beyond Ethanol: Other Transport Fuels from Minnesota's Farms [New Window]
Success in the 20th century was dependent on access to oil because it is the basis of all transportation fuel. But it didn't have to be.
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:39:50 -0500 Minnesota Communities: The Biggest Budget Cutters [New Window]
A right-wing blogger gives Governor Pawlenty credit for halting "outrageous growth" in state government spending since 1960. As noted in yesterday's article, the claims regarding excessive growth were overly simplistic at best. Similarly, the veneration of Tim Pawlenty as the bringer of frugality is also misplaced.
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:38:04 -0500 Minnesota's Government Growth in Context [New Window]
Conservatives routinely express indignation about the rate of growth in state government. Going back to the end of the Eisenhower administration, they point to figures that indicate a large jump in state expenditures as evidence of "spending run amok." However, a closer look at these claims indicates that they are more spin than substance.
Tue, 9 Jun 2009 08:31:31 -0500 Quick Poll: How is the recession treating you? [New Window]
As we continue through one of the worst recessions in decades, it's time we ask Minnesota 2020 readers how the recession is affecting you.
Mon, 8 Jun 2009 16:02:43 -0500 An Option for Newspapers With Red Ink All Over [New Window]
Another model for potential news media ownership is gaining attention in Congress and will be explored at a conference in Minnesota on June 16 that about sums up the state of affairs for American newspapers.
Mon, 8 Jun 2009 09:11:43 -0500 What Does Governor Pawlenty Have Against Fireworks? [New Window]
A Fourth of July without fireworks is like a day without sunshine. As of a week ago Wednesday, Mankato was looking gloomy. They were facing a fireworks-less Fourth.Local Government Aid cuts forced Mankato to cancel the community's fireworks display. Facing a $3.3 million dollar cut in LGA, the state-local units of government tax revenue sharing program, Mankato's City Council reluctantly cut its $5,000 Independence Day fireworks budget to zero.
Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:12:01 -0500 A Close Look at Charter School Financial Accountability [New Window]
On Tuesday, Minnesota 2020 released a report titled Checking in on Charter Schools: An Examination of Charter School Finances. Feedback from opponents was swift, but they can't dispute the data.Here's a rundown of the report: A check of 2007 charter school audits found that 83 percent of Minnesota's 145 charter schools had at least one financial irregularity and 51 percent of those with problems had the same problems identified on their 2008 audits. Additionally, 29 percent did not comply with open meeting laws and 55 percent had limited control of the school's funds.
Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:11:07 -0500 Tough Times for Minnesota Transit Bashers [New Window]
These are tough times for transit bashers. Public transportation's share of the American mobility pie keeps increasing while driving wanes. Conservative Minnesota leaders such as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis (a driving instructor by trade) are promoting rail transit expansions. Have these right-of-center stalwarts been brainwashed by bus and rail Stalinists? Hardly. While folks in Minnesota and the rest of the nation are voting with their feet and fares for the transit option, the numbers show that it's a bargain for the traveling public as a whole, drivers and riders alike.
Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:23:27 -0500 Your Take: Charter Debate and Infrastructure [New Window]
Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:23:09 -0500 GM Message to Minnesota Business, Government: Middle Class Too Big to Fail [New Window]
Public attention to General Motors' bankruptcy filing and government-induced restructuring plan has focused this week on whether the giant automaker can be saved with taxpayer investment in the new company.For Minnesotans painfully aware that we are losing the Ford truck assembly plant in St. Paul, far broader questions come into play. What's at stake is finding best ways to support the industrial base of America and our state so we can function in a truly global economy.
Wed, 3 Jun 2009 08:30:20 -0500 Checking in on Charter Schools [New Window]
Seventeen years after the first charter school opened in Minnesota, this examination of fiscal year 2007 charter school financial audits shows that the vast majority of charter schools do not follow basic financial guidelines or, in some cases, state law. Since this analysis agrees with a recent report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor and audit examinations written in 2001, 2002 and 2003, we conclude that these financial problems are not being adequately addressed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and, further, are endemic of the charter school system.
Tue, 2 Jun 2009 10:03:46 -0500 Quick Poll: Charter School Accountability [New Window]
Should charter schools be subject to the same financial standards as all other Minnesota public schools?
Tue, 2 Jun 2009 10:03:19 -0500 Safer Driving this Summer [New Window]
Minnesota's traffic safety laws are changing for the better over the next month, with stiffer seat belt and child-restraint requirements that will avert many needless deaths and life-altering injuries.
Mon, 1 Jun 2009 08:16:42 -0500 Small Minnesota Schools Suffer Under Education Funding Drought [New Window]
Since 2003, state funding for K-12 education in Minnesota has dropped an inflation-adjusted 13 percent. While the current economic crisis is keeping inflation in check, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's pledge to "hold education harmless" while deciding how the state's money will be spent amounts to nothing more than another budget cut for Minnesota schools.The signs are everywhere across the state and range from bad situations to worse situations.
Fri, 29 May 2009 08:33:39 -0500 You Can't Get There from Here [New Window]
Resolve is forged not assembled or negotiated. Whether that forge is found in the soul's Joycean smithy or on Minnesota's mean, crumbling streets, it yields the tenacity to move Minnesota's public policy debate forward.It's amazing what traffic detours teach.This week, I tried driving south on Raymond but was thwarted by a road closed sign at Energy Park Drive. Highway 280 is restricted to one lane, each way, and north or south freeway connections are intermittently closed. Even Como Avenue, south of the State Fair grounds, is shoved almost against the livestock barns due to road construction.It's become patently obvious: you can't get there from here.
Fri, 29 May 2009 08:32:45 -0500 Governor's Pawlenty's Plan: Higher Property Taxes, Shorting Local Services [New Window]
As noted yesterday, Governor Pawlenty got his way during the 2009 legislative session and the result will be significant property tax increases. However, that's not the end of the story. Money for local community services will also be significantly cut.By refusing to compromise with the legislature on a balanced approach to the state's budget deficit, the governor can cut state aid using his unallotment authority. The governor has not yet disclosed how much he will cut. At this point, the only hint of the local government funding cuts that the governor will impose comes from his budget proposal to the legislature during the 2009 session.
Thu, 28 May 2009 08:57:16 -0500 Get Ready for Governor Pawlenty's Property Tax Hike [New Window]
Coming soon to a property tax statement near you: Governor Tim Pawlenty's 2010 property tax increases!The governor has indicated that he will not work with the legislature on a balanced solution. He instead will use a go-it-alone strategy of direct budget cuts. The governor, who already took $110 million in revenue from counties and cities in December of 2008, has made clear that many of his future unallotments will be even more cuts to Minnesota communities.
Wed, 27 May 2009 08:25:47 -0500 Quick Poll: Public Policy and Twitter [New Window]
Do you think Twitter is a good thing for Minnesota's public policy debate?
Tue, 26 May 2009 16:39:06 -0500 What Informs Minnesota's Economic Policy Decisions? [New Window]
Throughout this recession, national media and other research groups have been reporting higher rates of job loss among males than females. Here in Minnesota, we have proudly sustained the highest percentage of women in the workforce for nearly a decade. But, with more men filing for unemployment nationally than women, what might this mean in Minnesota? Given the current economic downturn, I wanted to know what these gender dynamics in unemployment might say about employment.
Tue, 26 May 2009 08:25:31 -0500 Minnesota Health Cuts Defy All Logic [New Window]
If you live in Minnesota and have listened to the radio, seen a television, or passed by a newspaper in the past week, you may have noticed blaring headlines. Something along the lines of "Budget Cuts" and "The End of Minnesota". Ok, maybe you haven't see that headline, but for many people in Minnesota, it will feel that way. For those of you who may be television, radio, or print media free, let's recap:Minnesota has a budget shortfall. It's a lot more than you could cover with a personal check. About 6 billion, give or take a couple million.
Fri, 22 May 2009 08:26:29 -0500 The Progressive Path Forward [New Window]
Personal responsibility is a progressive value. It is, perhaps, the key progressive value, followed closely by community and accountability. Over the next couple of years, our values will be put to the test.Why? Because the global economy, not just Minnesota's or America's economies, is in the tank; the housing market is, to put it charitably, lagging; health care costs continue rising even as fewer people have health insurance; unemployment grows; credit remains tight and expensive; school funding is steadily falling behind; and Governor Pawlenty is about to "unallot" the state budget by $3 billion dollars.
Fri, 22 May 2009 08:25:45 -0500 Your Take: Unprepared Students [New Window]
This week we bring you a single letter that really spells out how Minnesota has changed for the worse.
Thu, 21 May 2009 09:55:24 -0500 Time to Review Tools for Minnesotans to Own, Manage Business [New Window]
Nearly three days have passed since the gavel came down on the 2009 regular session of the Minnesota Legislature. Given the health of the Minnesota economy, it isn't too early to begin preparing for the 2010 session.With companies facing shutdowns and whole industries contracting and consolidating, Minnesota lawmakers should look at tools the state has for helping workers and community stakeholders start, purchase and retain businesses.
Thu, 21 May 2009 08:25:09 -0500 Lack of Education Policy Vision Plays Out In Rural Minnesota [New Window]
Minnesota's state education policy lacks vision.While educators across the nation and around the globe prepare students for both the workforce and to be competent citizens, Minnesota's educators remain saddled with unfunded mandates, a regressive state funding policy, and a set of education policies the state has neither the labor nor willpower to enforce.This lack of vision is evident throughout the state - rural Minnesota has not been spared. It is most evident in the fact that the Blackduck and Warroad school districts will join the MACCRAY school district in using a four-day school week.
Wed, 20 May 2009 10:10:02 -0500 How Minnesota Moved Forward on Transportation [New Window]
Amid all the unkind cuts in store for Minnesotans at the conclusion of the 4-1/2-month budget staredown between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators, there's at least one area of state service that's getting smart new investments: Transportation.From passenger and freight rail to Twin Cities transit, local bridges and regional airports, the capital investment borrowing bill enacted this week includes more than $80 million to keep Minnesotans moving while pushing the state toward economic recovery.
Tue, 19 May 2009 08:34:03 -0500 Tax Fairness is Simply Fair [New Window]
Proposals to make Minnesota's state and local tax system fairer and less regressive are often met with cries of "class warfare" from some on the right. The absurdity of this claim becomes apparent when we examine the real impact of the shift from a regressive state and local tax system to a more proportional system in which taxes are based on the ability to pay.In a regressive tax system, low and moderate income families pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes than do wealthy families. The regressivity of Minnesota's state and local tax system is examined in the Revenue Department's 2009 Minnesota Tax Incidence Study (MTIS). In Minnesota, high income families pay a smaller percentage of their income in state and local taxes than do other families. Furthermore, Minnesota's state and local tax system is more regressive today than at any time in recent history.
Mon, 18 May 2009 07:45:00 -0500 Pawlenty's Policy Sand Trap [New Window]
What do Minnesota's elected public policy leaders and the Mars Mission Rover have in common? They're both stuck in the sand.Making matters worse yesterday, the State Legislature turned a tenuous situation into a full-blown disaster. By appropriating $34 billion in spending with only $31 billion in projected income, leaving a $3 billion spending-to revenue difference, legislators just handed Governor Pawlenty the tools to unilaterally implement his policy priorities.
Fri, 15 May 2009 16:06:50 -0500 Viewpoint by a Teacher "Of Color" [New Window]
It seems that I am a hot commodity. I am person of color who teaches. My ethnicity encompasses not one, but two backgrounds: Asian and African American. As our elected policy makers debate important issues like relaxing teacher preparation standards -- in part to get more minority teachers into education -- they are not considering one important fact: not everyone can teach.Any success I have had in the classroom is the result of rigorous graduate education training and mentoring that prepared me for the academic challenges I face every day. That education did not end on the bright spring day in May 1995 when I received my MAT. My educational foundation continues to be further reinforced by professional development so I remain current on best practices. If I am a good teacher it is not because I am a "natural." If I can reach students of color, it is not merely because I too am a person of color. The relevance of my teaching for all students is contingent on a combination of reflection, education, and continuous training.
Fri, 15 May 2009 08:07:25 -0500 Minnesota's Future: Maintain Our Roads While Expanding Transit [New Window]
In 2008, the average American drove the same distance as in 1998, recording the largest annualized drops in total vehicle miles traveled (90 billion) and per capita VMT (388 miles) since World War II. Minnesotans put in 21 million fewer miles behind the wheel in February 2009 than in February 2008, reaching a low point not seen in at least five years.This historic drop in driving began before fuel prices spiked and has persisted despite their sharp fall since early July 2008. Part of the reason is rising unemployment and reduced shopping and leisure travel in the current recession. But some experts predict the trend won't reverse when the economy improves.
Thu, 14 May 2009 07:23:30 -0500 Your Take: Q-Comp and Telehealth [New Window]
Thu, 14 May 2009 07:23:06 -0500 What Makes a Teacher a Teacher? [New Window]
What makes a teacher a teacher? That seems to be the question these days. You can take a personality test on Facebook and find out you are a "teacher" personality. Does that make you a teacher? You may be a scientist, writer or engineer, but are you qualified to be a teacher? As we huddle to write this column in response to recent efforts by state policymakers to reduce the preparation requirements for teachers, we have finished a day where, between the two of us, we careened from discussing literary analysis of poetry and One Hundred Years of Solitude with International Baccalaureate students to keeping our freshmen from sneaking out their MP3 players during a study of Of Mice and Men or Romeo and Juliet. Later this evening, we will fine tune lesson plans for tomorrow, grade papers and ignore the dust kangaroos gathering at the edges of our respective living rooms. There is no time for considering Vygotsky or Piaget or whether we are constructivists or behavioralists. There is work to be done.
Wed, 13 May 2009 08:22:36 -0500 A Hall of Fame Reminder of Minnesota Strengths [New Window]
Cooperative organizations paused this past week to induct Minnesota cooperative leader and educator Ed Slettom into the national Cooperative Hall of Fame, acknowledging that his work over four decades in Minnesota reached beyond the state and helped promote development and democracy throughout the United States and around the globe.Minnesotans should pause and consider his legacy as they again work on overcoming market problems and try to revive and rebuild communities and industries laid waste by the severe recession.
Wed, 13 May 2009 08:22:15 -0500 Governor Pawlenty's Q-Comp Tax Hike [New Window]
It is ironic and quite disappointing that the same folks who cry "No New Taxes" are the same who want to raise your property taxes. Their target? Q Comp.Q Comp is short for Quality Compensation, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for teacher merit pay. Q Comp encourages school boards and teachers to come up with alternatives to the traditional "steps and lanes" schedule of determining teacher salaries. As a sweetener, the state bumps up the amount of state aid per student for districts that elect to use Q Comp. Districts can also levy additional property taxes without a referendum.Did you catch that? The Governor is encouraging districts to increase taxes.
Tue, 12 May 2009 08:16:42 -0500 Quick Poll: Are Hospitals Important? [New Window]
The Minnesota Hospital Association says if the Governor's health care cuts are enacted, they will be forced to severely cut services, raise costs, and close hospitals across the state. The cuts would also put 10,500 health care workers out of a job. The Governor's budget calls for close to $400 million in hospital cuts. These cuts are so severe that hospital administrators are advocating increasing taxes to avoid draconian measures. Is it worth raising taxes to avoid the hospital closures and cuts?
Mon, 11 May 2009 18:41:46 -0500 Safety Makes Financial Sense [New Window]
Minnesota is widely reputed to be one of the most progressive states in the union, allegedly rife with regulations that "stifle personal freedom." What's seldom recognized is the Gopher State's surprisingly strong libertarian strain, which has often inhibited vital health and safety initiatives. For example, Minnesota was the last state to adopt the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol standard for drunken driving, passing up millions of federal bonus dollars in the process.The Emergency Nurses Association, the people who patch up what's left of traffic crash victims, has rated Minnesota's road safety laws the nation's fourth-loosest, behind only Arkansas and the Dakotas. Minnesota falls short of most of the country when it comes to seat belt enforcement, mandatory motorcycle helmets and car booster seats for small children.
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:08:15 -0500 A Debate on Tax Fairness [New Window]
Last week, we published another analysis of the state's tax incidence study. The original piece is available here. Shortly thereafter, Minnesota Free Market Institute Fellow Craig Westover sent us a response via Your Take. Below is his message and Jeff Van Wychen's fact-based reply:
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:07:54 -0500 Budget Showdown: Who Blinks? [New Window]
Question: If State Representative Jim Abeler publicly refuses to vote for a tax increase veto override, where are three override votes, necessary to pass vetoed legislation, found?The answer: they don't exist.Abeler, one of six conservatives voting to override Governor Pawlenty's 2008 transportation bill veto, survived conservative electoral ire and was re-elected to the State House of Representatives. He doesn't appear to be inclined to repeat the experience, pledging to support the Governor's budget and tax policy position.
Fri, 8 May 2009 08:46:12 -0500 Mounds View Conundrum: Parents Value Teachers While State Cuts Mean Layoffs [New Window]
Mounds View Public Schools recently conducted a survey of parents in its district and the results are unsurprising: Parents value quality teachers.What might be surprising to parents is this information: Next year, Mounds View will employ fewer teachers, raise activity fees, freeze administrative salaries and allow vacant positions to go unfilled.
Fri, 8 May 2009 08:45:45 -0500 Home Equity Protection Plan Tried, Worked in Syracuse [New Window]
A similar program to MN2020's Minnesota Home Values Guarantee Program under consideration in the Minnesota Legislature was tried on a more limited scale in the city of Syracuse, N.Y., earlier in this decade.It worked.
Thu, 7 May 2009 09:03:59 -0500 Why Conservatives Should Reject the Pawlenty Budget [New Window]
Despite all of the posturing about controlling growth in government, Governor Pawlenty does not have the most fiscally conservative budget on the table during the current round of budget negotiations. The Minnesota Senate is actually making deeper funding cuts than those proposed by the Governor in each of the next two biennia.Based on information from the non-partisan legislative fiscal staff (PDF), spending reductions in the Senate budget exceed the Governor's proposed cuts by $226 million in the next two-year biennium (FY 2010-11) and by $651 million in the biennium after that (FY 2012-13).
Wed, 6 May 2009 08:33:44 -0500 Technology Brings World Class Health Care to Rural Minnesota [New Window]
One common struggle in Minnesota - and in most states - has been finding a way to improve access to health care in rural areas. Although there is still a long way to go, the Minnesota Telehealth Network is offering a new answer to this problem. The main troubles facing rural health care are no secret; the lack of physicians and health care facilities, coupled with high rural poverty rates has been a perpetual public policy nightmare. Unfortunately, rural citizens are still bearing this burden, and all-too-often find themselves driving long distances for lower quality services, or not receiving care at all. The situation is especially troublesome in cases of specialty care, with rural Minnesotans are often forced to visit the Twin Cities while paying for meals, gas, lodging, forgone wages, etc. This is where the Minnesota Telehealth Network comes in.
Wed, 6 May 2009 08:33:13 -0500 Minnesota School Nurses and Pandemics: The First Line of Defense [New Window]
While some Minnesota students wait for their schools to reopen in the wake of H1N1 Swine Flu cases, officials wonder if the school health network is strong enough to protect students from such outbreaks.The school closures show again that the officials at the junction of public health and schools are the school nurses. They are charged with not only keeping students well and promoting healthy lifestyles, but also with mitigating outbreaks and planning for emergencies that are both small and catastrophic.
Tue, 5 May 2009 08:09:17 -0500 Quick Poll: A Progressive Outcome to the Session? [New Window]
As the 2009 Legislative session reaches its constitutional deadline, it's time to throw away the process talk and think about outcomes. Since January, Minnesota 2020 has traveled the state and published reports that advocate a progressive, balanced solution. With a $6.4 billion shortfall, a compromise of spending reductions on programs that don't work (like JOBZ) and progressive tax increases is called for. What do you think will be the final policy outcome of the 2009 session?
Mon, 4 May 2009 16:38:23 -0500 Minnesota Still Shorting Education [New Window]
New figures released by the Minnesota Department of Education show that state school districts remain horribly underfunded. They also prove that education underfunding results in tax hikes throughout the state. After adjusting for inflation, per-student school funding from the state was nearly four percent less than it was in 2003. The decline is due to a dramatic, 13 percent cut in aid from the state during that time. While districts asked voters to make up the difference, taxpayers in many areas couldn't stem the flow of money away from schools.
Mon, 4 May 2009 08:48:15 -0500 Swine Flu and My Life with SARS [New Window]
An epidemic makes everyone sit up straighter. It commands the public's attention, tests people's resolve and creates palpable fear. Every time, the lessons are the same: be prepared, take prudent precautions and act swiftly to contain outbreaks.The chief variable, apart from the disease strain's voracity, is government. A properly funded, well-managed, respected and popularly supported public health service is critical. Otherwise, we risk the public health equivalent of the disastrous Hurricane Katrina experience.I was living in Hong Kong, China, with my wife and our small children during the 2003 SARS epidemic. It was one of the spookiest, most unnerving periods of my life. I hope to never repeat it.
Fri, 1 May 2009 08:34:11 -0500 Investment Strategies Should Fit Economic Development Objectives [New Window]
Minnesotans, like most Americans, are looking for ways to pick up the pieces from this recession and are scrambling for ways to raise capital when traditional sources of venture capital have dried up or turned cautious.Cautiousness was overdue. The choking of traditional flows of capital and credit, however, is the result of the severe financial crisis that has rocked the nation's economy and spread worldwide and triggered unprecedented federal rescue efforts for banks.
Fri, 1 May 2009 08:33:49 -0500 Heat Pumps Warm Minnesota's Economy from the Ground Up [New Window]
Central heating systems go all the way back to the ol' wood burner in the middle of the room but have yet to progress beyond the rudimentary combustion of fossil fuel in a furnace or boiler. The lack of progress into more efficient systems cannot be explained away by the lack of alternatives because all along there's been an elephant prancing around for attention in all our homes. Geo-exchange systems, driven by heat pumps have been around for years and are one of the most efficient ways to heat a home and they are a pretty good investment. And now the recovery package even provides large tax incentive for it too.
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:34:09 -0500 Your Take: Talking Taxes and Tests [New Window]
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:33:45 -0500 Pandemic Preparation with Health Care Cuts? [New Window]
Two stories have dominated Minnesota headlines this week, often side by side: 1) the threat of a deadly swine flu pandemic; and 2) proposals to slash state health spending.What's wrong with this picture?It's a sadly familiar disconnect, this time between the very real prospect of a superbug virus decimating our people, now or sometime down the road, and the wholly concocted culture of government scarcity we've been cursed with for the past decade in Minnesota.
Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:34:29 -0500 How Regressive is Minnesota's Tax System? Very Regressive. [New Window]
Lower and middle income Minnesotans are paying a larger share of their income in taxes than wealthier earners. In fact, the state and local tax system in Minnesota is more regressive today than at any time in recent history, according to the 2009 Minnesota Tax Incidence Study (MTIS).The 2009 MTIS focuses on taxes information for 2006. The major objective of the MTIS is "to provide taxpayers and policymakers with important information on the equity or fairness of the overall distribution of Minnesota taxes." The MTIS is prepared every two years by the Minnesota Department of Revenue in response to a statutory requirement enacted in 1990.
Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:34:11 -0500 Survey: Rural Minnesota Schools Feel the Budget Pain [New Window]
A recent survey of rural Minnesota school districts finds them bearing the brunt of state education underinvestment.In March, Minnesota 2020 partnered with the Minnesota Association of School Administrators to survey school districts about their plans to lay off licensed teachers, administrators and non-licensed staff in response to dwindling finances. The districts reported that on average they plan to lay off 4 percent of their faculty, 5 percent of administration and 6.5 percent of non-licensed staff to make ends meet.
Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:29:04 -0500 Quick Poll: Will Uninsured Rate Spread Swine Flu? [New Window]
As we brace ourselves for a potential swine flu pandemic, public health officials are urging people experiencing symptoms to see a health care provider to begin treatment. We're wondering about people who have recently lost their jobs and health insurance, a population reluctant to see a doctor because of high out-of-pocket costs. Will the growing number of unemployed and uninsured Minnesotans make a potential swine flu pandemic worse?
Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:00:28 -0500 Charged Up Trains [New Window]
Electrical power lines stretched along train tracks are a familiar sight in Minnesota. Now BNSF Railway, the state's dominant railroad, is exploring ways to update that iconic image for the 21st century. In the process, it could address three of Minnesota's prime public policy challenges: Building an energy-sustainable intercity passenger and freight transportation system. Delivering carbon-free energy from wind, hydroelectric, biomass and nuclear generators to urban customers.Reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming. This impressive three-fer flows from Texas-based BNSF's embryonic initiative to lease its right-of-way for new overhead or underground transmission lines that could also power a new generation of electric locomotives. BNSF Chairman Matthew Rose told the Journal of Commerce that the railroad has discussed the idea with several power line firms and looked into beginning conversion of its fleet of 6,700 diesel-engine train-pullers to dual diesel-electric motive power - a kind of Prius on rails.
Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:39:25 -0500 Conservative Public Policy Driving Property Tax Increases [New Window]
It's time to set things straight: state public policy leaders are driving up local property taxes. Local government isn't out of control, spending money willy-nilly on foolishness like libraries, police officers, text books or road grading. Property taxes have jumped because the state isn't sharing revenue with local units of government, forcing budget cuts and property tax increases.Local taxpayers are paying more and getting less. I don't think that I can say it any plainer.
Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:19:13 -0500 Clash of Interests Hits Ethanol [New Window]
Harvard Business School professor Michael Jensen has vivid childhood memories of southern Minnesota grain elevators. For him, these countryside skyscrapers represent the clash of capital interests that has rocked Wall Street and the financial markets and is now spilling over on rural America.Early on, the Minneapolis native explains, a logical way for a local grain company to assure supply and price of grain would be to own the farms around the community. That wasn't an efficient or politically acceptable approach to agriculture.
Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:19:00 -0500 Four Day School Week Part Two: The Forced Change [New Window]
With all the growing financial pressure, the Forest Lake School Board recently held a public meeting examining the switch to a four-day school week. According to Rob Rapheal, a Forest Lake School Board member, about 150 people attended the meeting. Of those attending, he saw overwhelming opposition to the four day school week. The four day week causes the school day to extend until after 4pm, and many parents with students involved in extra-curricular activities expressed concern about overextension. Rapheal also pointed to concerns that lower-performing students would be most negatively affected by the new schedule. Special education and "the lower 25% might have a harder time with this," Rapheal said.
Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:14:34 -0500 Your Take: Tax Fairness [New Window]
Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:14:18 -0500 Four Day School Week Part One: It's About Money, Not Students [New Window]
As the economy has deteriorated, Minnesota's school districts have been forced to reduce their budgets and look for creative ways to educate the current students and future leaders of Minnesota. One option used is a switch to a four day school week. This is a manifestation of education decisions being based solely on the bottom line. Student achievement is no longer driving education policy.
Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:34:05 -0500 A Healthy Transportation Policy [New Window]
Travel is hazardous to your health. For proof of that proposition, you need look no further than the 40,000 or so annual U.S. traffic deaths, the equivalent of a 9-11 tragedy every single month with no end in sight.But consider, too, recent medical findings that exposure to traffic, even on a bike or a bus, or living in high-traffic corridors increases risks of hardening of the coronary arteries and heart attack. The American Heart Association maintains that prolonged exposure to elevated air pollution from vehicle emissions or other sources reduces life expectancy "on the order of a few years."
Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:33:41 -0500 Minnesota Taxes Heavy on Low & Middle Income Families [New Window]
Minnesota's low and middle income families are paying a higher percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the wealthiest Minnesotans. This is the conclusion of the 2009 Minnesota Tax Incidence Study (MTIS) prepared by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.The MTIS addresses the question of "who pays Minnesota taxes." The 2009 MTIS focuses on state and local taxes in 2006. According to the Department of Revenue, the primary objective of the MTIS "is to provide taxpayers and policymakers with important information on the equity or fairness of the overall distribution of Minnesota taxes."
Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:24:29 -0500 Quick Poll: Who Pays? [New Window]
Reductions in state investment are forcing counties, cities, and school districts to raise regressive property taxes. At the same time, local governments are cutting their budgets more than the state. With $2.4 billion in aid cuts and $1.5 billion in property tax increases since 2002, we're paying more and getting less.Going forward, how should Minnesota communities pay for local services like police and fire protection?
Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:29:11 -0500 Study Shows a Billion Reasons Why Minnesota Farmers Invest in Ethanol [New Window]
Just like sugarbeet farmers before them, Minnesota corn farmers are again teaching an important lesson about economic development and why it makes sense for farmers and other producers of commodities, goods and services to invest in making their own markets. A new study shows Minnesota farmers realized a $1.22 cent per bushel increase in price of their 2007 crop from creating local demand at the ethanol plants in the state. That raised Minnesota farm income by $1.67 billion over what it would have been without the plants lifting prices close to home.
Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:23:24 -0500 Are Conservative Tax Protestors Greedy, Deluded or Both? [New Window]
With the April 15 IRS tax filing deadline, conservative tax protestors once again reared their congested heads, screaming about infringement on liberty. The current version staged "tea parties," invoking an American Revolutionary War triggering flashpoint. We're supposed to see tax protestors as patriots, I guess, rather than oddballs, goofs or greedheads.Wednesday, grown men wearing knee breeches and tri-corner hats loudly declared for liberty. And, tea bags; Lipton, mostly.
Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:46:00 -0500 Report: Minnesota Property Taxes by the Numbers [New Window]
Since 2002, Minnesota property taxes, in general, and homeowner property taxes, in particular, have increased rapidly. The cause of the statewide growth in property taxes is not growth in local government budgets. These property tax hikes are the result of state policies that require more public costs to be borne by property taxpayers and a larger share of total property taxes to be borne by homeowners.
Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:58:22 -0500 Your Take: Revenue Options, Infrastructure, and Limits [New Window]
Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:32:39 -0500 Pothole Season in Minnesota: 2009 [New Window]
As sure as the appearance of the first robins of spring, potholes are popping out all over Minnesota these days. It makes a rough, wasteful ride for motorists (the American Society of Civil Engineers reports that bad pavement costs Americans $67 billion a year in extra auto maintenance), and an even rougher time for local officials trying to fill big holes with too little revenue.
Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:38:28 -0500 Solutions for Minnesota's Revenue Problem [New Window]
Minnesota's revenue stream continues to dry up. Total per capita state revenue has fallen by 6.5 percent since fiscal year 2003 based on information from Minnesota Management & Budget adjusted for inflation. Excluding one-time federal recovery dollars, real per capita state revenue has fallen 8.0 percent. Meanwhile, real per capita state taxes have fallen by 13.5 percent. The decline in state revenue was underway even before the national economic collapse that began in the second half of 2008.
Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:59:22 -0500 Quick Poll: Revenue Options [New Window]
After reading today's analysis, which shows how much revenue each option will generate, what revenue generating option do you broadly favor?
Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:48:57 -0500 Early Action for Autism in Minnesota [New Window]
The Minnesota Department of Health, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control, published a report on March 31st concerning autism rates in Minnesota children. The report confirmed what many had suspected: autism rates among US-born Somali children are much higher than autism rates among non-Somalis in Minnesota.
Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:46:52 -0500
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