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McConnell backs Kentucky unity event

Josh Kraushaar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:06:55 -0400

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has added his signature to a letter endorsing a unity event for Kentucky Republicans, which could help ensure that Rand Paul will have the support of the GOP establishment if he emerges as the party's nominee.

Michael Arcuri, you're on notice.

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:55:08 -0400

The unions are pissed with Democrats who are balking on health insurance reform:

It appears SEIU is dead serious about this business about yanking support for House Dems who vote No on the health bill.

The SEIU bluntly informed Dem Rep Michael Arcuri of New York yesterday that it’s pulling support for him in the wake of the news that he’s an all-but-certain No, I’m told. And the search for a primary or third-party challenger is underway.

Well, fine. That's their prerogative.

But there ought to be more at stake here than his House seat (though that would admittedly take care of most of what ought to be at stake by incorporation).

Who else has leverage here? Well, the leadership. Arcuri has a plum seat on the powerful House Rules Committee. Let's take a quick look at the Committee's history, courtesy of their official site:

In Congresses of the late twentieth century, the Rules Committee has consisted of thirteen members, nine from the majority party and four from the minority party. This heavy majority party ratio of 2 to 1, plus 1 reflects the Committee’s status since the mid-1970’s as an “arm of the leadership” and “legislative gatekeeper.” The Committee principally serves to assist the majority leadership in scheduling bills for floor action.

Yes, the Rules Committee really is an arm of the leadership, and seats on the Committee don't go to (or long stay with) Members who don't take their positions in leadership seriously.

Kool-Aid and sheikhs in W.V. health care spat

Jonathan Martin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:39:44 -0400

West Virginia Rep. Nick Rahall's reluctance to say how he'll vote on health care reform legislation has touched off a fierce back-and-forth between the veteran congressman and his Republican challenger.

Poll: Rand Paul Surges Ahead In Kentucky Senate Race

The new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of Kentucky finds that Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist and son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), has been succeeding in his anti-establishment, Tea Party-style campaign for the Republican nomination for Senate.

The numbers: Paul 40%, Secretary of State Trey Grayson 28%. In the last Kos/R2K poll, conducted back in late August and early September 2009, Grayson was ahead by 40%-25%. Grayson started the race as the clear choice of the party establishment, but Paul has thus far been able to mobilize conservative activists and bloggers.

For the Democratic nomination, Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo leads Attorney General Jack Conway by 47%-31%. Mongiardo was also the 2004 nominee for Senate against Republican Sen. Jim Bunning, who is retiring this year, with then-state Senator Mongiardo making it a 51%-49% race in a red state in a Republican year. This was widely thought to be due to Bunning's own gaffes, however, which are not a factor anymore.

In the general election matches this time, both GOP candidates maintain leads over the Democrats. Paul leads Mongiardo by 46%-37%, and Paul leads Conway by 45%-39%. Grayson leads Mongiardo by 43%-38%, and Grayson leads Conway by 44%-36%.

Like 2008 All Over Again: Obama Sells Health Care At Campaign Rally

Pop quiz! When did Barack Obama say these things to an arena full of people?

"In just a few days a century-long struggle will culminate in a historic vote."
"We are two days away from changing America."

Hard to tell what's from the 2008 presidential campaign and what's from today's health care rally, isn't it? Obama this morning said the House health care reform vote Sunday is "historic" and cited the fight of presidents past to get health care done.

"Make some phone calls and knock on some doors! We are going to make history," Obama said at what could be his last presidential rally before Congress votes to send final health care reform legislation to his desk.

I spent nearly two years on the road with Obama (and the rest of the 2008 candidates) and today's rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia made me feel as if I'd jumped in the Hot Tub Time Machine. I was practically waiting for Obama to offer his most prized stump line from fall 2008, which went something like this in Jacksonville, or Las Vegas, or Evansville, Indiana: "We are less than two days away from bringing about change in America."

The crowd of an estimated 8,500 was boisterous, screaming their love for Obama, chanting his signature "Yes we can!" and "Fired up, ready to go." People wore Obama t-shirts and as he entered the arena there were thousands of camera flashes clicking all at once. It was just like 2008 as he took the stage. The president knew it, talking several times about his historical campaign.

"Stand with me just like you did three years ago, and make some phone calls and knock on some doors," Obama implored the screaming crowd of mostly young people in a key battleground state. At times, the cheers drowned out his words.

"We are going to make history. We are going to fix health care in America with your help," Obama said.

Obama asked them to remember when he was down and out those three years ago - as staffers on hand remembered he'd held an event in this same arena on Feb. 2, 2007, eight days before officially declaring his candidacy to be president. (Flashback - see that rally here.) Weary White House staffers in recent days have admitted that the slow roll out of Democratic health care votes reminds them of when Obama was rolling out endorsements from superdelegates at the close of the long primary campaign.

"We didn't have a lot of money, we didn't have a lot of staff, nobody could pronounce my name," Obama said today as reporters who tracked his move on the campaign trail filed from the bleachers just as they did for years.

The president claimed in his speech today he doesn't know how the issue plays politically, even though his administration and Congressional Democrats say they think their polls numbers will increase once health care passes. "I don't know what's going to happen," Obama insisted. "But here's what I do know - this bill, this legislation is going to be enormously important for America's future."

But what's key about today is that it's an indicator of how Obama will campaign on health care once it's law. He's been telling Democrats recently that the success of his presidency rests on the measure passing, and you can expect a lot more events like this in the fall. It also sends a signal to wavering Democrats in swing states that the president can still bring in nearly 10,000 people on a weekday with little notice.

Follow our every health care development on our Countdown to Reform wire here.

KY-Sen: Rand Paul surging

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:16:03 -0400

Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 3/15-17. Likely voters. MoE 4%, 5% for primary samples. (8/31-9/2/2009 results)

Republican Senate primary Rand Paul (R) 40 (25) Trey Grayson (R) 28 (40) Democratic Senate primary

Daniel Mongiardo (D) 47 (37) Jack Conway (D) 31 (30)

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo has significantly expanded his lead over Kentucky's Attorney General.

For the GOP, Paul, son of Ron, has reversed the primary numbers in the last six months, running an outsider campaign that is pure teabagger with a dash of anti-war fervor. He is certainly giving the GOP establishment fits, especially the Mitch McConnell machine which is backing the secretary of state. Even Dick Cheney appears involved, panicking at the thought of an anti-war libertarian undermining neocons from within.

On the other hand, Paul appears to be the GOP's strongest general election option:

Rand Paul (R) 46 (42) Daniel Mongiardo (D) 37 (37) Rand Paul (R) 45 (41) Jack Conway (D) 39 (37) Trey Grayson (R) 43 (45) Daniel Mongiardo (D) 38 (41)

Trey Grayson (R) 44 (46) Jack Conway (D) 36 (40)

Certainly not as hopeful as last week's SurveyUSA poll of the race. Both Democrats suffer from high undecideds from Democratic respondents -- in the other of 20-26 percent. Less than 10 percent of Republicans are undecided. But there aren't enough Democrats to make up these gaps, so to be competitive, they will have to close their sizable deficits among independent voters.

State senator could be Quinn's running mate

Jessica Taylor — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:11:14 -0400

Illinois state Sen. Susan Garrett is among the top candidates to become her party's candidate for lieutenant governor, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

The Vote Counting

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:30:03 -0400

It's going to get hairy here the next few days, but with the reconciliation language decided upon, the votes are starting to shake out. As of this morning, John Boccieri from Ohio is a yes.

He joins Betsy Markey of Colorado and Bart Gordon from Tennessee in saying they will vote aye, as will Eliot Engel, as pretty much expected.

Travis Childers and Stephen Lynch are still in the "no" camp, though Lynch's opposition comes from the conviction that the bill isn't strong enough and could potentially be swayed, along with Michael Arcuri, who is now targeted by SEIU if he votes no.

Stupak is still bleating about finding a compromise that will get his vote. One suspects that Stupak is continuing to enjoy the tv cameras.

Where does that leave us? David Dayen continues to have the most exhaustive and careful count with the Boccieri, he pegs it at 194 yes, 208 no.

Definite YES:
193 Democrats, including 3 who voted No last time, in November (Dennis Kucinich, Bart Gordon, Betsy Markey).

Definite NO:
177 Republicans

Definite NO:
31 Democrats.

24 Democrats who voted No in November:
Bobby Bright, Mike McIntyre, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Walt Minnick, Artur Davis, Chet Edwards, Frank Kratovil, Mike Ross, Dan Boren, Gene Taylor, Larry Kissell, Collin Peterson, Ike Skelton, Jim Marshall, Mike McMahon, Charlie Melancon, Tim Holden, Ben Chandler, Health Shuler, Rick Boucher, John Adler, Lincoln Davis, John Barrow, Travis Childers.

7 Democrats who voted Yes in November ("S" for confirmed Stupak bloc):
Stephen Lynch, Mike Arcuri, Bart Stupak (S), Dan Lipinski (S), Jerry Costello (S), Joe Donnelly (S), Steve Driehaus (S).

11 potential Democratic No-Yes flip votes:
5 lean Yes:
John Tanner, Brian Baird, John Boccieri (Clyburn Three), Suzanne Kosmas, Scott Murphy.

5 undecided:
Jim Matheson, Harry Teague, Travis Childers, Jason Altmire, Allen Boyd.

1 lean No:
Glenn Nye.

20 potential Yes-No flip votes:

5 additional Stupak bloc (Stupak-curious):
Brad Ellsworth, Kathy Dahlkemper, Henry Cuellar, Marion Berry, Marcy Kaptur, Joseph Cao.

5 lean Yes:
Paul Kanjorski, Dina Titus, Allan Mollohan, Bill Owens, Tom Perriello.

9 other undecided Democrats:
Zack Space, Chris Carney, Nick Rahall, Solomon Ortiz, Earl Pomeroy, Bill Foster, Harry Mitchell, Melissa Bean, Mike Michaud.

3 lean No:
Marion Berry, Joseph Cao.

Democrats need 23 of a combination of the 11 potential No-Yes flip votes and the 20 potential Yes-No flip votes. So they need 23 out of the remaining uncommitted 31. If you’re counting leaners, Democrats need 13 of the last 17 uncommitted.

Stay tuned. There will probably be a lot of firming up among these undecideds today.

Update: And just like that, TPM is reporting Kaptur now leaning yes, and Chris Murphy a definite yes.

Arcuri to face third party challenge

Ben Smith — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:11:53 -0400

N.Y.'s Working Families Party hunts for candidate to run against Arcuri, who opposes health reform bill.

Dem Rep. Boccieri Switches From No To Yes On Health Care Bill

Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH), who originally voted no on the health care bill in November, has just announced at a Washington press conference that he will vote for the bill -- the fourth Democrat to switch from no to yes.

Boccieri discussed his own upbringing, and thinking back to what would have happened if his family had not had health insurance. He was accompanied by constituents of his who either were personally denied health insurance or who had family members that had been denied insurance. And he invoked the name of Natoma Canfield, his constituent who had recently become a case study used by the administration for the need for reform.

"If in this job I can save one job, one life, one family, one person, one Natoma, this job is worth it," said Boccieri. "There's too many politicians who are worried about their futures, instead of the families that are standing behind me, and the families like Natoma's."

Engel Declares Himself A Yes

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) announced on MSNBC this morning that he will vote for the health care bill.

Engel, who voted yes in November, had been holding back his vote over Medicaid reimbursements to New York. Engel was worried that the Senate bill would reimburse states with under-performing Medicaid programs at 100 percent, while keeping New York's reimbursement level the same. New York offers Medicaid to those earning up to 200% of the poverty level.

"Upon reviewing the bill, I am satisfied the bill has moved a great deal toward the House bill in terms of compensating my state and doing the right thing for health care," he said. "So I determined this morning, and this is the first time I'm announcing it, I will vote for the bill."

The congressman suggested yesterday morning that he was happy with the Medicaid language in the reconciliation bill, but wouldn't commit to a yes vote until he saw the language.

After his announcement, Engel told TPMDC's Brian Beutler that he'll try to whip some of his colleagues.

"I will be speaking to some other member who are also undecided," Engel said. He also said he has not yet spoken to Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY), who is reportedly leaning against voting for the bill.

Stupak: 'Protect The Sanctity Of Life' And You Can 'Probably' Get My Vote (VIDEO)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) appeared on Good Morning America, and told George Stephanopoulos that no deal has been made on the health care bill -- but that he does want to vote for it.

Stephanopoulos asked about the idea floated by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), another pro-life Democrat, to hold a separate vote on reinstating the Stupak language on abortion insurance, as a whole different bill. Stupak said that this was one possibility -- but he wanted to make sure such a bill would in fact be signed into law.

"Okay, we pass the bill, it has to go to the Senate. This is an enrollment corrections bill. It has to be passed before the president would sign the Senate bill. So there's a long ways to go," said Stupak. "And you know, dealing with the Senate has been unusually difficult these last two years, so I'm not a lot of confident it's gonna go any farther than the House of Representatives."

"There has to be a procedure here. We're looking at different options, as you said," Stupak also said. "As you know, I want to pass health care. I voted for it before. My group, we all voted for it before. We'd like to see health care, but there's a principle that we do not want to cross. We want to continue protecting the sanctity of life. And that's where we're trying to hold to. We're holding to that principle."

"If they had the vote today, I'm still a no vote," Stupak also said. "A lot of promises are made around this town. You gotta lock them down. And there has been no lockdown yet. We're still negotiating. As you say, my group of 12 here, we can make the difference on this vote, but at the same time there's a principle we're standing up for. So we're not, it's been our position since last June 25, when we wrote the Speaker. So nothing's really changed. We're getting to the end, there's always last-minute negotiations, we're taking part in those negotiations, no deal is struck, our resolve is the same."

Stephanopoulos asked what could be done to "lock down" Stupak's vote. "Protect the sanctity of life, keep current law, no public funding for abortion," said Stupak. "Let's keep that principle intact, and you can probably get our vote -- probably."

Stupak smiled as he added the word "probably."

Poll: Repeal Of Health Care Bill Could Be Political Winner For GOP

The new Fox News poll suggests that Republicans might just be on to something with their plans to campaign on repealing the health care bill, with a plurality agreeing with the position-- and the GOP base being especially fired up about it.

The poll asked the following question: "Which one of the following comes closest to what you would like to see lawmakers do next if Congress passes a health care bill -- would you like lawmakers to repeal the bill, expand the bill, or leave it as is?"

The result: Repeal 45%, expand 29%, leave as is 18%. In the internals, Republicans were heavily driven by a repeal position, at 77%-9%-8%. Democrats largely wanted to expand it, at 14%-51%-24%. And independents were fairly close to the top-lines, at 45%-24%-22%.

In the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll from a few days ago, this question was asked: "And, suppose the health care reform bill passes Congress this year. If a candidate for Congress proposed repealing and overturning this health care bill, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for him or her, or would it make no difference to you either way in your vote?"

The answer there was: More likely 37%, less likely 33%, no difference 29%. It should be noted that a more/less likely question can be something of a blunt and imprecise instrument, because many respondents' minds are totally made up on how they will vote, with some voting one way and some voting the other way.

Mitch McConnell's first ad man

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:50:03 -0400

Towards the end of the New York Times' devastating, must-read story on how Mitch McConnell devised the GOP's obstructionist game plan comes this nugget:

Mr. McConnell, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 with the help of a Roger Ailes-produced advertisement that showed bloodhounds searching for his opponent, has had his ups and downs as a leader.

That's right: the GOP's obstructionist-in-chief was elected in part thanks to the media savvy of Roger Ailes...the same Roger Ailes who now runs Fox News, the GOP's 24x7 media empire.

Peak Oil by 2014... says Kuwait

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:03 -0400

Sure, there have been enough warnings that we are near peak production of oil from various agencies and groups that one more only acts as confirmation, but when the prediction is made by the Kuwait Oil Company it should come with a little extra street cred.

The scientists from Kuwait University and the Kuwait Oil Company adopted a newer approach by including many Hubbert production cycles, or bell-shaped curves showing the rise and fall of a non-recyclable resource. Earlier models typically assumed just one production cycle, despite the fact that most oil-producing nations have historically experienced more of a roller coaster ride in production.

Such production cycles reflect the influence of new technological innovations in the oil industry, government regulations, economic conditions and political events. The factors include the discovery of new oil deposits, the recent economic recession and the rise of renewable energy.

Take Mexico as just one example. The nation that has long represented a top oil exporter has experienced plummeting oil production and might even begin importing oil within the decade...

Some oil companies and consultancy firms such as Cambridge Energy Research Associates have speculated that oil will peak sometime after 2020, but a number of oil geologists and executives predict it will happen much sooner.

US oil production peaked in 1972, and has fallen ever since. You can "drill, baby, drill" all you want, but it won't reverse that trend. As worldwide production follows the same path, costs for oil-based energy can be expected to rise sharply.

Our spread-out suburbanized nation is uniquely vulnerable to the availability and cost of oil. In a way, this recession has given us a window to try and address that vulnerability, but as economies around the world recover, that window is rapidly closing.

Senate Health Committee Chairman: 'We'll Have The Votes' To Pass Final Bill

Democratic Senators are sounding quite confident that these really are the last, final votes on health care reform and that something will be sent to President Obama's desk for a signature soon. "We'll have the votes to pass this," Sen. Tom Harkin told reporters on a conference call late yesterday, referring to the Senate. He also particularly praised Speaker Nancy Pelosi for pulling in wavering Democrats to secure the needed 216 votes in the House.

"Speaker Pelosi has just done a magnificent job, she has a very tough job keeping all of her troops lined up and it's been amazing to watch her do this," said Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. (Despite a looming Sunday afternoon vote, she's not there yet, though.)

Is Harkin worried that something could go wrong and the Senate wouldn't pass the final legislation? Nope. He said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has the 50 votes he needs and isn't sweating it. I asked Harkin about Sen. Evan Bayh's objections to including student loan legislation in the health care bill, and he said he wasn't worried.

"I've had conversations with Senator Bayh and I believe his concerns have been adequately addressed," Harkin said.

Follow every health care development today and this weekend on TPM's rapidly updated Countdown to Reform wire.

Pelosi Picks Off No Votes -- But Has Yet To Woo Toughest Reps On Health Care

The past day and a half have gone pretty well for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Yesterday saw a number of in-play Democrats come out in support the final health care reform package, and netted her her first commitment from a member--Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)--who voted against the House health care bill in November. Today, the Congressional Budget Office gave the legislation a winning score, and she won more commitments, and her second and third converts from no-to-yes: Reps. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Betsy Markey (D-CO).

But here's the rub: Pelosi still lacks the votes to pass it. Some former supporters of reform continue to say they'll vote against the current legislation. And though many members are coming around, very few of them are in the elusive pool from which Pelosi needs to draw: Members who voted against reform in round one.

And she's running out of easy pick-ups.

First and foremost is Pelosi's pro-lifer problem. On that score, there are some signs of optimism: a couple of key pro-life Democrats have come around to the Senate bill's abortion language, and plan to support the bill, and today, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)--a pro-life Senate hopeful--and Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH), sounded extremely positive notes about the bill (though he stopped short of offering his full endorsement). But that still leaves Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), and potentially nine or 10 other pro-life Democrats who are threatening to bolt over the health care bill's abortion language, which they view as too lax.

Then there are the peculiar cases of Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Michael Arcuri (D-NY). Both men voted for the House bill in November, but are now threatening to vote against the current package.

Taken all together, that means Pelosi's down by as many as 10 votes--though by most accounts, it's probably less than that. An optimistic count would have her down five. So the estimated vote count is somewhere between 206 and 212, and Pelosi has to get to 216 to pass the legislation. And though she almost certainly has some votes in her pocket, she has a heavy lift ahead of her. Perhaps the heaviest of her career as Speaker.

That's why Democrats are pulling out all the stops. President Obama postponed until his trip abroad until June, and is reportedly wooing Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)--the lone Republican supporter of the House health care bill, who had threatened to defect over abortion. And Pelosi is whipping with every free moment she has.

The clock is now winding down toward an expected Sunday vote. For Pelosi, that's a mixed blessing. As the moment of truth approaches, wavering members will feel more pressure than ever before the not let this must-pass bill die. But it also means she's running out of time.

Presented By:

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Biden: Health Care Bill Will Benefit Democrats After It's Passed
In an interview with ABC's Good Morning America, Vice President Biden predicted that the health care bill would become a political boon to Democrats, once it is actually passed and voters see its results. "They're going to see right off the bat the horrible [things] aren't real and there are some very good things that become apparent immediately," Biden said. "Once the American public realizes that ... [legislators are] going to be rewarded."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. Obama will speak at an 11:35 a.m. ET rally for the health care bill, at George Mason University in Virginia. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 1 p.m. ET.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend President Obama's daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Biden will have lunch with Obama at 1 p.m. ET. Biden will meet at 1:45 p.m. ET with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. Biden will spend the remainder of the day meeting with senior advisers.

Republicans Scour Reconciliation Package For Rules Violations
Roll Call reports that Senate Republicans are already going through the reconciliation package on health care, looking for provisions that they argue would violate reconciliation rules and must be stripped. Said a senior Republican aide: "We're going to make so many changes to this reconciliation sidecar proposal that its authors won't even recognize it when it gets back to the House."

Hillary Clinton Hails 'Strong And Enduring' Relationship With Israel
Speaking in Moscow, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the United States maintains a strong relationship with Israel, despite the current diplomatic feud over settlement expansion. "Our relationship is ongoing. It is deep and broad, strong and enduring," said Clinton, though she also added: "We all condemn the announcement and we are all expecting both parties to move toward the proximity talks."

Boehner: My Speakership Would Be Different From Past Republicans
In an interview with The Hill, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that if Republicans gain the majority, his speakership would be different from how the house is run now and even from his Republican predecessors. "It'll be different...It's time to get really serious about fiscal responsibility," said Boehner. "Not just talk about it, but deliver."

NYT: Obama And Hillary Go From Bitter Campaign To Strong Alliance
The New York Times reports that President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have maneuvered into an evolving relationship, from bitter campaign rivals in 2008 to an effective partnership in office: "Interviews with more than a dozen senior White House and State Department officials, and friends of Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, suggest that the president and his top diplomat are still easing into their alliance...The officials and associates tell a story of painstaking cultivation and sublimated ambition, seat-of-the-pants diplomacy and ritualized White House meetings (she sips water; he munches an apple)."

Lynch Still 'Firmly A No' After Meeting With Obama

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) says he is still "firmly a 'no' vote" after meeting one-on-one with President Obama yesterday afternoon.

The Boston Herald reports that Lynch, emerging from the 40-minute meeting, was unswayed.

"The president was courteous and generous with his time," Lynch said. "The president asked me if there was anything he could do that I should tell him, and I told him, 'I have been over this bill and I still wasn't satisfied.' "

"I continue to be opposed to the bill," he said.

Lynch, who voted for the bill in November, announced this week that he opposed the Senate bill, as well as the "deem and pass" process to pass it with reconciliation fixes in one vote. He said he was particularly opposed to the Cadillac plan tax, but also said the bill doesn't go far enough.

"There's one thing. If they put reform back in the health reform bill, that would change my position," he told reporters yesterday.

Today in Congress

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:16:02 -0400

In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:

FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010

House Meets At... 9:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
First Vote Predicted... 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Last Vote Predicted... 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

"One Minutes" (5 per side)

H.R. 3644 - Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act (Rep. Capps – Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule) (Subject to a Rule)

Suspensions (6 Bills):

H.Res. 1133 - Recognizing the extraordinary number of African-Americans who have overcome significant obstacles to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the field of science in the United States (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson - Science and Technology)

H.Res. 1027 - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world's oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration (Rep. Sablan - Science and Technology)

H.Con.Res. 244 - Expressing support for the designation of March 20 as a National Day of Recognition for Long-Term Care Physicians (Rep. Gingrey - Oversight and Government Reform)

H.Res. 1040 - Honoring the life and accomplishments of Donald Harington for his contributions to literature in the United States (Rep. Snyder - Oversight and Government Reform)

H.R. 4840 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1979 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, as the "Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office" (Rep. Tiberi - Oversight and Government Reform)

H.Res. 1174 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month (Rep. Woolsey - Oversight and Government Reform)

Postponed Suspension Votes (4 Bills):

H.R. 3671 - Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act (Rep. Kind - Natural Resources)

H.R. 4003 - Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act (Rep. Hinchey - Natural Resources)

H.R. 2788 - Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act (Rep. Calvert - Natural Resources)

H.R. 4395 - To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station (Rep. Platts - Natural Resources)

Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.

Motions to go to Conference should they become available.

Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.

In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:

Convenes: 9:30am

The Senate will resume consideration of H.R.1586, FAA Reauthorization.

The Managers of the bill are working on an agreement that would take us to passage of the bill Monday night. We hope to lock in that agreement tomorrow. As a result, there will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate. The next vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, March 22.

Votes:
There will be no roll call votes after 12:00 noon on Friday, March 19.

Another day in the holding pattern. The House Rules Committee has had to provide special permission for the House to continue to consider suspension bills through the weekend in order for the Members to have a little business to tend to while they wait for what's shaping up to be Sunday votes on the health insurance reform bundle, in whatever form that comes.

The Senate, too, stands by while the last votes fall into place, the requisite waiting periods run down, and the House passes the ball. Will the upcoming recess force a resolution to the GOP's planned obstructionism? Will they work through the recess if necessary? We'll have to wait and see. But you might consider encouraging them to get the job done before heading home. I'm sure they'd prefer to oblige.

Just a little committee activity today, and I'm not even really sure about that Senate field hearing. It's likely been canceled or postponed, though Senators wouldn't be missing much in the way of voting if they decided to go ahead with it. For reference, at least, the schedule -- such as it is -- appears below.

Some want Lazio for Senate

Glenn Thrush — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:02:34 -0400

Pressure or no pressure, Steve Levy or no Steve Levy, Rick Lazio's running for governor -- and not taking in Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, his spokesman says. The key Shermanisn: "under no circumstances." Plus he slams Levy, who is expected to flip from D to R today, as a "liberal Democrat." “Under no circumstances will Rick Lazio be a candidate for Senate this year," says Lazio Spokesman Barney Keller.

MN2020 Journal: Ducks, Decorated Sheds and Empty Schools

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:07:18 -0400

Demographic shift is creating a new Minnesota monument: the empty school building. Facility closing represents more than a tough resource management decision; it forces communities and neighborhoods to confront identity loss. Smart public policy should recognize this phenomenon, plan for it, and use the opportunity to leverage one community asset into a new, productive role. If we're handed lemons, in other words, we should really try to make lemonade.

Many school districts are educating fewer students because fewer school-age students live in the district. Where districts once struggled to construct buildings and expand capacity, they're now wrestling with demographically-driven declining enrollment.

Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:14:39 -0400

Friday punditizing.

Steven Pearlstein:

It's shaping up to be a great weekend here in Washington.

I'm not just talking about the spectacular weather or another upset-filled NCAA basketball tournament. I'm talking about the prospect of a quasi-climactic vote in the House that would finally have the United States join the rest of the industrialized world in offering health insurance to all its citizens.

I love the smell of political theater in the morning. It smells like... victory.

Eugene Robinson:

If health-care reform finally staggers across the finish line, it will be because President Obama and congressional Democrats recognized -- at long last -- the truth that has been staring them in the face for more than a year: They'll be better off politically if they just try their best to do the right thing.

Still, it's easier to do the right thing when you have the votes. Blessed be the Congresscritter who does the right thing anyway.

Paul Krugman:

So this seems like a good time to revisit the reasons we need this reform, imperfect as it is.

Start with saving lives (and that's not hyperbole) and go from there. There's recission. There's insurance companies ripping off their customers.

Beyond that, this is a story that could happen only in America. In every other advanced nation, insurance coverage is available to everyone regardless of medical history. Our system is unique in its cruelty.

You tell 'em, Paul.

Kaiser Health News:

As Democrats worked feverishly Wednesday to corral votes in support of a health care overhaul, they picked up the endorsement of more than 200 advocacy groups and medical associations who urged lawmakers to pass the bill.

Hmmm... why would they all want to endorse this bill, unless it was better than the status quo?

Nate Silver:

It's sure starting to look like both the momentum and the math favor the Democrats and that something will have to go wrong to prevent them from getting to 216 votes on health care.

Sure looks that way. As I said months ago, Presidents tend to get what they want.

NY Times on (the original) HRC and Obama:

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have surprised nearly everyone by forging a credible partnership.

Remember that when it comes to passion over the health reform bill.

Let's revisit David Brooks (March 9):

The Democrats’ passion for expanding health coverage has swamped their less visceral commitment to reducing debt. The result is a bill that is fundamentally imbalanced.

And will the CBO report ($1.3 trillion savings over 20 years) get Brooks to note that he was wrong? Don't hold your breath. Pundits never admit they were wrong. They can't be wrong. They're pundits.

Steelman appearing with Blunt

David Catanese — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:59:23 -0400

Former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who flirted with her own Senate bid for a good portion of last year, will be hosting events with her old rival Roy Blunt Friday. The Blunt campaign confirmed the congressman will be appearing at string of business roundtables in St. Charles, Rolla, Springfield and Joplin. While contemplating a run for Senate against Blunt last year, Steelman once called him just "another white guy in a suit," but now Blunt could use Steelman's support to rally the conservative base in his fight against Democrat Robin Carnahan.

Kos poll: Rubio vulnerable

Alexander Burns — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:51:28 -0400

Numbers suggest Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek could be competitive against the Republican Rubio.

Vodvarka makes the debate

Tim Alberta — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:43:15 -0400

Senate candidate Joe Vodvarka has been invited to join Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak in a May 1 debate, after collecting enough signatures to qualify for the Democratic primary ballot, the Morning Call reports.

Lynch dodges 2012 question

Tim Alberta — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:38:03 -0400

Maassachusetts Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch dodged questions Thursday about whether he was positioning himself for a 2012 run against Sen. Scott Brown, as Lynch reaffirmed he would oppose final passage of the health care bill. "Those are questions for another day," Lynch told the Boston Globe. "We have a lot of road to travel."

Dems target Ehrlich; Curry drops hints

Tim Alberta — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:30:28 -0400

Democrats are targeting former GOP Gov. Bob Ehrlich with claims that employees at his law firm are effectively doing political work for Ehrlich as he prepares for a comeback bid against Gov. Martin O'Malley, the Baltimore Sun reports. State Democratic chair Susan Turnbull has complained to Maryland's election board that "the Baltimore law offices of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice ... (are) serving as the de facto campaign headquarters" for Ehrlich.

Open Thread: The Liz and Dick Show

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:15:24 -0400

Matthew Duss at The Nation writes:

No question about it: Liz and Dick Cheney are on a mission, but just what is that mission? Some of it is clearly personal: in Dick's case, it's about burnishing his legacy; for Liz, there's the possibility of a run for Congress or the Senate. But in order to reposition themselves to retake the reins of power, the Cheneys must rescue the "global war on terror" from the ash heap of history, and they're doing this by playing the one card they've got: fear. Their larger goal, then, is to resuscitate the neocons' post-September 11 vision of a world in which the United States, unbound by rules or reality, imposes its will on friend and enemy alike. ...

Even though the Obama administration has retained elements of Bush's anti-terrorism programs--including a possible decision to try the September 11 conspirators in military tribunals rather than civilian courts--the neoconservative conceit of a "global war on terror" has largely been cast aside by policy-makers and the military in favor of a more nuanced view of who our enemies are, how they operate and how we can stop them.

It turns out, however, that being disastrously wrong on the most significant foreign policy questions of the era is no barrier to continued influence in American politics. Even though their bong-hit theories about transforming the Middle East at the point of an American gun retain about as much popular appeal as E. coli, the neocons continue to impact US foreign policy debates through an entrenched network of think tanks (the American Enterprise Institute, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Hudson Institute), publications (The Weekly Standard, Commentary, National Review), supportive editorial boards (the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal) and, of course, Fox News.

With the continuing decline of the Scowcroftian realist faction of the GOP, there are currently no close competitors for control of Republican foreign policy, even though neocons are far from loved by conservative grassroots outside the Beltway. This much was clear at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Liz performed her usual "stab in the back" act, accusing Obama of "usher[ing] Al Qaeda-trained terrorists onto American soil." The audience gobbled it down like chum--then went into a full-on frenzy when Liz introduced her dad. But despite the wild applause for the Cheneys, the big winner of CPAC's presidential straw poll (with one of the highest totals ever) was Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who represents a more populist-isolationist strain of conservatism and is a longtime critic of Dick Cheney and the neoconservative faction.

But while Paulite isolationists may disdain the role neocons play in the GOP, they lack the organizational tools to challenge it. A parallel can be drawn here to neoliberalism's control of Democratic economics. No matter how much inequality their theories generate, Robert Rubin's acolytes always seem to show up in positions of authority.

At Daily Kos on this date in 2008:

WMDs. Aluminum tubes. The 9/11 connection. The lies that were told in the warm up for the Iraq invasion are numerous and glaring.

But as you prepare to celebrate five glorious years of liberation, long time Middle East correspondent Patrick Cockburn has some news to share -- everything that you've been told about what came after was also a lie -- a narrative created jointly by our government, our government's proxies in Iraq, and a press that's still willing to carry the administration's water in swimming pool sized containers.

Open Thread and Diary Rescue

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:16:05 -0400

Tonight's Rescue Rangers are dopper0189, grog, ItsJessMe, Louisiana 1976, and vcmvo2, with ybruti editing.

Ojibwa continues a riveting series on a dark chapter in U.S. history: Indians 101: Suppressing Indians Religions in the Early 20th Century. (grog)

FeloniousMonk encourages us to read a fascinating account of Manhattan's early history in Book Review: "The Island at the Center of the World". (ybruti)

iampunha reminds us that The eyes of the civil rights era have been laid to rest. (grog)

BorderJumpers presents an innovation that both mitigates the lack of sanitation in the developing world and provides fertilizer: Innovation of the Week: Providing an Agricultural Answer to Nature’s Call. (dopper0189)

merrinc documents the sad state of affairs when extremist religious organizations take aim at a "radical" group in C-FAM goes after Girl Scouts. (grog)

In a humorous vein Bill Prendergast tells us what is Now playing in theaters-reactions to capsule movie synopses. (Louisiana 1976)

deaniac83 takes an in-depth look at one cost savings aspect of the health care reform: Beyond Insurance: Health Costs - Part II: Long Term Care & Prevention. (ItsJessMe)

sad pony guerilla girl looks at The real death panels. (grog)

Avenging Angel explains how the CBO Highlights Republican Deficit Posturing. (ybruti)

Teryn Norris makes the case for "educating" a green work force: Racing for Clean-Tech Jobs: Why America Needs an Energy Education Strategy. (dopper0189)

mwmwm shows how policy towards Scary predators is divorced from science. (ybruti)

Lets Breakthrough reports on Senator Patrick Leahy's Refugee Protection Act 2010 in Here's a chance for us to renew our commitment to protect human rights. (vcmvo2)

jotter gives us High Impact Diaries: March 17, 2010.

sardonyx has Top Comments: Seven Years of War Edition.

Feel free to suggest your own favorite diaries, and use this as an open thread.

CA-SoS: Birther queen Orly Taitz to challenge Secretary Debra Bowen

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:30:05 -0400

Not content with repeatedly humiliating herself on national TV, losing court case after court case and being fined five figures in the process, or being duped by obvious forgeries in her attempt to de-legitimize President Obama, birther-in-chief Orly Taitz has decided to take the next step: she is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent California Secretary of State (and progressive hero) Debra Bowen.

The Secretary of State, of course, runs the state's elections division and certifies candidates on the ballot, so Taitz' interest in the seat is self-obvious: she undoubtedly feels that as Secretary of State, she will finally have the power to prove her birther conspiracy theory and deny Obama a place on the 2012 California ballot.

And while the first reaction to Taitz' candidacy may be laughter, it's worth taking seriously: the GOP's "top-tier" candidate in the race, Damon Dunn, is a 33-year-old former NFL player who has made millions in real estate, but only voted for the first time in May of 2009--hardly ideal qualifications to hold the job of Secretary of State.

On the bright side, Taitz' filing has produced one of the most hilarious ballot designations I have ever seen:

Attorney/Dentist/Businesswoman

Now that's compelling.

Daily Kos has most loyal news community on the tubes

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:16:04 -0400

In their 2010 State of the Media report, Pew used Nielsen's database of 4,600 news and information websites to analyze web media usage patterns. Among their findings:

Two political sites, Daily Kos and Drudge Report, stand out with vastly higher numbers than the average site. Daily Kos averages 48 minutes per person per month and the Drudge Report nearly an hour, five times the average news site Given that minutes per person per month is partly a function of audience size, it is even clearer that these sites have a loyal audience. Neither site is in the top 30 in terms of audience, but in terms of time spent on the site per month they are No. 1 and No. 2.

Note that the average time spent on the average news and information site is 12:30. Furthermore, except for Drudge and this site, no other site averages more than 25 minutes per user per month. In other words, the Drudge and Daily Kos audiences aren't just numbers one and two, but number three lags far behind.

Twitter may be the ultimate Drudge killer, but he's hanging on thus far. People clearly visit Drudge daily, and I know people who leave Drudge open on a browser window, happy that the auto-refresh will quickly display any late breaking news.

Daily Kos is different, as we are a community site. What time you guys spend on here isn't because you're reading news stories and headlines, but because you are interacting with each other -- debating, socializing, flaming, organizing, and informing. So given the Pew/Nielsen analysis, we can objectively claim the most loyal and active community in the entire news and information internet.

That's quite amazing, and a testament to what we have all collectively built here. Kudos to all, with a sincere thanks from me and the rest of the Daily Kos team.

NV-Sen: Subpoena Time

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:46:05 -0400

Good times:

Federal investigators have issued subpoenas to the National Republican Senatorial Committee for documents relating to Sen. John Ensign's (R-Nev.) tenure there, the committee confirmed Thursday.

The subpoenas, part of a widening investigation by federal authorities into Ensign, come at a bad time for Senate Republicans, who want to focus their energies on defeating Democrats' health care legislation.

And here are three phrases that John Ensign (R-NV) never wanted to hear: wide-ranging, deadly-serious, and moving rapidly:

Nevada Senator John Ensign is in the crosshairs of a Department of Justice criminal investigation.

The criminal probe stems from a romantic affair Ensign had with the wife of his key staffer and close friend, Doug Hampton, and what Ensign has done to help Hampton financially.

Subpoenas have been issued to at least six las vegas businesses. The Justice Department came to Las Vegas to interview several prominent business and political figures in what appears to be a wide-ranging and deadly-serious criminal probe. [...]

According to multiple sources familiar with the grand jury subpoenas, investigators do not believe any of the Nevada companies did anything illegal. Their interest is focused on Ensign, Hampton, and others who may have assisted in trying to steer income Hampton's way.

The Washington grand jury wants all of the subpoenaed records by the end of this month, indicating the investigation is moving rapidly.

On the bright side for Ensign, it doesn't look like his parents were subpoenaed for paying the hush money to his former mistress and her husband.

Read the subpoenas here (pdf).

House Leadership to Senate: Prove It

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:16:05 -0400

Hoyer says he wants written assurance from Senate Dems that once the House acts, the Senate won't leave them hanging.

“It’s important to get,” Hoyer said Wednesday. “I don’t think you want to move ahead without it, and Senator [Harry] Reid knows that and Senator Reid said that that’s what he’s going to get. Because clearly the House members want to assure themselves, as you would understand based upon the last year or two, that in fact the votes are there.”

The LA Times reports that's in the works.

Senate Democrats were preparing a letter, to be signed by a majority of the Democratic caucus, promising to approve the reconciliation bill without change -- a bid to reassure House Democrats nervous that the revisions would fall by the wayside. Under Senate rules, the reconciliation bill cannot be filibustered.

It's the least they can do after all the heavy lifting the House has done on this, and dozens of other, issues.

Late afternoon/early evening open thread

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:30:05 -0400

Now they are attacking 11-year-old children

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:49:24 -0400

McClatchy's Les Blumenthal reports on the latest line of attack against health care reform coming from right-wing media:

State of the health care debate: Talk radio attacks an 11-year old

WASHINGTON — Conservative talk show hosts and columnists have ridiculed an 11-year-old Washington state boy's account of his mother's death as a "sob story" exploited by the White House and congressional Democrats like a "kiddie shield" to defend their health care legislation.

Marcelas Owens, whose mother got sick, lost her job, lost her health insurance and died, said Thursday he's taking the attacks from Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Michelle Malkin in stride.

"My mother always taught me they can have their own opinion but that doesn't mean they are right," Owens, who lives in Seattle, said in an interview.

Malkin said Owens was a "lobbyist" who was "goaded by a left-wing activist grandmother." Beck characterized the young boy as a tool of George Soros. And Limbaugh claimed Owens had been "forced to tell his story all over just to benefit the Democrat Party and Barack Obama," adding:

I would say this to Marcelas Owens: 'Well, your mom would still have died, because Obamacare doesn't kick in until 2014.'

That's pretty nasty stuff...and to target it at an eleven-year-old child? These guys -- Limbaugh, Beck, and Malkin -- truly do take the 'c' and the 'l' out of "class." They really are running on empty.

Rep. Markey Flips From No To Yes

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), a Blue Dog who voted against the health care bill in November, says she will vote for the new bill.

Markey told The Coloradoan today that she made the decision after seeing the Congressional Budget Office's cost estimates.

"Particularly in the out years there's significantly more deficit reduction and I have to say this is going to be the largest deficit reduction bill that I will ever vote for," Markey said.

Markey is the third Democrat to switch from a "no" to a "yes," following Dennis Kucinich and Bart Gordon. The switches bring Democrats that much closer to clinching the bill.

The switch is being promoted and praised by the White House, which sent the Coloradoan article to reporters.

"Throughout this process, Congresswoman Markey has consistently worked to improve this legislation and fought to ensure that health insurance reform legislation met tough standards of fiscal responsibility and deficit reductions," White House spokesman Adam Abrams told the paper.

Earlier today, Vice President Biden suggested that the new CBO scores might bring around fiscally conservative Democrats who were nervous about costs.

House Defeats Two GOP Motions Against Deem-And-Pass In One Day

The House of Representatives today defeated not one, but two attempts by the Republicans to attack the deem-and-pass maneuver for passing the Senate health care bill through the House, as part of a reconciliation package.

Earlier today, the House rejected a resolution from Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democrats to the Republicans in December, to require a direct vote on the Senate bill itself instead of the deem-and-pass procedure. The margin of defeat was 222-203 -- which might be reasonably seen as a clue for further votes to come. (Late Update: Technically, this was a vote to go forward on a procedural motion by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), rather than interrupt business and hold a vote on Griffith's resolution, as Republicans were demanding.)

Just now, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) offered a resolution to disapprove of the Democratic leadership for using the "Slaughter Solution," as the resolution called it, with a lot of strong language calling the procedure a dishonest attempt to shield members from accountability, and that would damage the House's reputation.

This resolution was then tabled -- that is, set aside and effectively killed -- by an even stronger margin of 232-181.

Lynch Digging In Before White House Meeting

Rep. Stephen Lynch is expressing serious doubts about the health care legislation, but strangely saved his most stinging criticism of the bill for this afternoon, the same day he was going to meet with President Obama.

Obama has met with more than three dozen members this week, but is saving his in-person pitch for critical Democrats who are leaning toward "No" votes. Put Lynch (D-MA) in that category.

Earlier today, he told reporters the final version of the Democrats' health care legislation is a "complete surrender of all the things that people thought were important to health care reform."

"This is not meaningful reform," he said. He voted for the House version of the health care bill, which included a public option, last year. While some of his colleagues questioned Lynch's critique, Capitol Hill aides warned against interpreting frustration as a "No" vote.

Democratic leadership aides told me they still believe they can keep Lynch as a supporter of the health care bill. One aide dismissed his critique of the bill as blowing off steam, something many members have been doing in recent days as they near the final finish line after nearly a year-long slog.

Union officials told TPMDC they believe they can help persuade wavering Democrats in strong labor districts. Lynch is one of the members they think they can win over and would support in thanks for a "Yes" vote.

Conrad Asks House To Remove North Dakota Deal

After taking heat for a "special deal" in the House's health care reconciliation bill that would benefit the Bank of North Dakota, House leadership will submit a manager's amendment to remove the deal.

The provision, seen as a deal for Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), would have allowed the Bank of North Dakota, a state bank, to continue receiving federal subsidies for student loans, even as the bill eliminated such subsidies for other banks. Student loan legislation is tied into the health care bill.

So Conrad had his staff call leadership and ask to get it removed.

"I've just sent a signal that they should remove that before they send the package, because in this heated environment, it is virtually impossible to discuss the merits or demerits of a difference," Conrad told reporters today. "So I just called my staff and said, 'call the House.'"

Adding a manager's amendment will not restart the 72-hour clock in between when the bill is posted and when it's voted on.

"This is way too important to have it misrepresented by people who want to defeat something," he said.

Conrad, who has been a vocal critic of the various health care bills in Congress, defended the deal to Roll Call earlier today.

Conrad said Thursday that the Bank of North Dakota "is a unique institution" because it is "owned by the people of North Dakota. ... And they service the loans that they write, so they are not like these other institutions that have created this problem. They don't farm out servicing of their loans. They retain it."
He added that the bank's "default rate is 1.8 percent. The default rate nationally is 7.2 percent. So we think there's a pretty strong argument for them continuing to operate as effectively as they have."

The deal had taken some heat from the right. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), for example, called it "another sweetheart deal."

Additional reporting by Brian Beutler

AFL-CIO Officially Endorses Health Care Bill

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, has announced that the union is officially endorsing the health care legislation released today.

The AFL-CIO is "putting all we have into this landmark legislation, and it will pass," Trumka said during an afternoon conference call. The call came after the executive council voted to endorse the legislation, with a nearly unanimous vote, Trumka said.

The move was not unexpected, but is a boon to President Obama and the Democrats. Trumka met with Obama at the White House yesterday, but refused to give details on the meeting.

Part of pushing for the bill means targeting wavering Democrats and trying to convince them to vote yes.

In the meeting, "we talked about all the undecideds right now. We will be making house calls, visits, phone calls," he said, saying leaders at all levels will be making the calls. "When we decide we're supporting a bill we go all out ...And that's what we're doing here."

Asked about changes to the excise tax, or Cadillac plan tax, which unions have fought, Trumka said at least one change, the CPI, doesn't go into effect until 2020.

"We have 10 years to change something," he said. He added that he was proud that "85 percent" of the excise tax had been removed.

"We've been able to make this bill much more progressive," he said. "We don't think this is the end of health care reform. We think this is a good first step."

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NRSC Subpoenaed Over Ensign Affair

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:24:09 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // Federal investigators have issued subpoenas to the National Republican Senatorial Committee for documents relating to Sen. John Ensigns (R-Nev.) tenure there, the committee confirmed Thursday.

CORPORATE FRONT GROUP TARGETS BOCCIERI OVER HEALTHCARE

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:53:21 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // Wednesdays Plain Dealer featured a large ad on page 9 urging Congressman John Boccieri a fence-sitter on health care to vote no on the pending reform bill. More

NRSC subpoenaed in Ensign probe

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:55:49 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // The National Republican Senatorial Committee has been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury looking into the aftermath of Sen. John Ensigns extramarital affair with a former staffer, adding a new political problem for GOP leaders in their response to the dual criminal and ethics probes of the Nevada Republican.

House Sends Resolution on PMA Probe Back to Ethics

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:39:31 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // House lawmakers Thursday punted a resolution demanding the chambers ethics committee reveal to Congress the details including witnesses, subpoenas and documents of its investigation of earmarks Members provided to clients of the PMA Group lobbying firm, sending the measure to the ethics committee itself for review.

Grand jury subpoenas Ensign-tied companies

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:29:31 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. has issued document subpoenas to at least a half-dozen Nevada companies with ties to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), a sign that the criminal probe into Ensigns romantic relationship with a former aide is accelerating.

The existence of the subpoenas was first reported by KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

Dodds Chief Counsel Bought Financial Stocks During 2008 Crisis

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:24:46 -0400

18 Mar 2010 // March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodds chief counsel in 2008 traded stock i More

Time to Expand the Sales Tax Base?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:22:13 -0400

The topic of sales tax base expansion recently emerged at the State Capitol in the form of a bill introduced by Senator Tom Bakk, chair of the Senate Tax Committee. Other sales tax proposals may emerge as state lawmakers grapple with the $1 billion state general fund deficit projected for the current biennium and the $7.8 billion deficit projected for the upcoming FY 2012-13 biennium.

Minnesota has a fairly high state sales tax rate but a narrow sales tax base relative to other states. Senator Bakk's proposal, Senate File (SF) 2980, would expand the state's sales tax base to include clothing. During the current biennium, the proposal would generate an estimated $258 million to help balance the state's general fund.

Rachel Maddow Talks about C Streets Former Residents and CREWs Upcoming Complaint Over Subsidized Rent on MSNBC

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:57:59 -0400

Student Participation in 2010 Census Vital to Minnesota Interests

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:40:19 -0400

This month, the United States of America kicks off the 2010 Census by sending each of her residents a survey consisting of 10 questions. The Census is a crucial event for the whole nation, as it not only determines how many seats each state has in the House of Representatives for the next 10 years, but it also determines how the $400 billion dollars of annual federal funding is spent in areas such as infrastructure, hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, and emergency services. Clearly, it is in every state's interests to count its population as completely as possible.

The 2010 Census is especially crucial for Minnesota. According to the latest projection conducted by State Demographer Tom Gillaspy, Minnesota could lose its eighth seat to Missouri by only 1,100 people. Even if Minnesota keeps that seat in the end, the state still faces huge pressure from Texas and California. Both of those states only need to count 2,200 more than the projected number to enlarge their already dominant presence in the Congress (32 and 53 representatives, respectively), which is entirely possible in such a large-scale statistical operation.

Solar Flare: A Sunshine Week Roundup

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:23:13 -0400

17 Mar 2010 // This week is a big week for the open government community it's Sunshine Week, an annual push to promote open government values. Here are a few happenings in the open government world that are worth your attention:

Agency response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests under scrutiny More

Melanie Sloan Discusses the Health Care Lobby on Capitol News Connection

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:20:41 -0400

Health Lobbyists Outnumber MD Delegation 23 to 1

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:18:10 -0400

17 Mar 2010 // Click here to listen to a streaming audio file of this story

Many Maryland health care organizations and universities are hiring lobbyists to get their voices heard in Washington.

Transcript:

School Libraries Suffer as Resources Disappear

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:26:54 -0400

The books smell new. The computers are gleaming. The shelves are stocked. And there's always someone at the reference desk to answer a question or point a student in the right direction.

Laura Kary-Smith feels good about the resources available to students. Because her school district has seen relatively stable growth over the last 10 years, local taxpayers have been willing to pay for some of what the state refuses to provide.

In her case, it's a good school library.

From Uganda to Minnesota: A Race to Save Food and Humanity

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:24:05 -0400

A few days before the annual Academy Awards ceremony, scientists at the University of Minnesota decided to splurge, break out coffee and cookies, and celebrate the lifetime achievements of one of their own.

Susan Dworkin, author ("The Nazi Officer's Wife", "Desperately Seeking Susan") playwright and journalist, was in town to discuss her new book, "The Viking in the Wheat Field" (Walker & Company). It traces the life of Bent Skovmand on his journey from rural Denmark to a farm in Minnesota, seven years of study at the University, and subsequent work to save more than 150,000 varieties of wheat seeds and grain genetics around the world.

MN2020 Journal: A Bean Soup Recipe for the Progressive Policy Fight Ahead

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:06:46 -0500

Spring, despite every Minnesotan's winter-worn despondency, seems determined to arrive. It's raining as I write, washing muddy snowpack from brown lawns. An early thaw should leave us exhilarated but instead, I find a bitterness blanketing Minnesota.

We're witnessing an unusual grimness at the State Capitol. Governor Pawlenty and the State Legislative leadership dug-in early, recalling World War I's horrible, stagnant, middle years.

Picking up the Wall Street Journal, trailed a day later by CNN, I learned that no fewer than 17 states are implementing the four-day school week simply because they, like Minnesota schools, don't have the money to properly educate children.

Don't Confuse Budget Slashing with Greater Efficiency

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:03:57 -0500

In a recent Star Tribune op ed, former gubernatorial candidate and current state auditor aspirant Patricia Anderson attempts to prop up Governor Pawlenty's property tax Ponzi scheme. Liberated from Ms. Anderson's ideological filter, the facts regarding city finances clearly demonstrate that Pawlenty's "no new tax" agenda has caused large increases in city property taxes and harmful cuts to city budgets.

Anderson's analysis focuses on inflation-adjusted city spending data from 1999 to 2008. She divides this period into a Pawlenty period of 2004 to 2008 and a pre-Pawlenty period of 1999 to 2003. However, Governor Pawlenty succeeded in pushing through large state aid cuts in both 2003 and 2004; by marking the beginning of the Pawlenty era as 2004, Anderson omits two years of city aid cuts for which the Governor rightfully deserves credit. The appropriate baseline year for evaluating Pawlenty policies is 2002-the year before he got the keys to the executive mansion.

School Finances on Decade-Long Starvation Diet

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:06:26 -0500

For nearly a decade, Minnesota's leaders have kept education on a starvation diet. This diet has caused a desperation of spirit in our education system. Insufficient funds have forced schools to make bad choices just to provide their constitutional guarantee of an education for our children. Four-day school weeks, draw down of reserves, skyrocketing class sizes, continued cuts in the workforce, an ever-growing reliance on local levies--all evidence of starvation and desperation.

Here is a look at the state of Minnesota school finances. Riding the wave of state financial surpluses in the late 1990s, Minnesota lawmakers cut back on property taxes and promised to fully fund education, leaving local property tax levies for any "extras" an individual district might wish to offer.

The Nuclear Power Moratorium

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:11:45 -0500

President Obama is pushing a new nuclear strategy for the United States, and now politicians in Minnesota are calling again for lifting the State's moratorium on new nuclear plants. Of course, nothing in the debate about nuclear power has changed except the politics. President Obama's movement on nuclear policy is really nothing more than an effort to reach out to Republicans when Democrats started to slide in the polls. It also comes at a time when Congress is preparing once again to debate comprehensive energy legislation. And now politicians in Minnesota want to use this political momentum to lift the moratorium.

To be very clear, the current moratorium is in place because it was decided that there was no adequate solution to the long-term storage of nuclear waste, not because nuclear plants are too expensive to build. The cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy is not, and never was, reason to ban construction of new nuclear plants.

Your Take: The Four-Day School Week & Girls' Athletics

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:03:49 -0500

The Four-Day School Week
Thanks for saying what needs to be said about the four-day school week. As a former teacher and a parent of recent high school graduates, I can say that it seems like cramming to get enough educational content into a five-day week. Every school day has a great amount of ``down`` time-lunch hour, time between classes, time to get students` attention, set up the day`s lesson for them, review, in-class ``work`` time, etc. This does not even count time out for pep rallies, announcements, snow days or late starts, and special speakers and presentations. Take time out for music lessons, visits to nurses or counselors, bathroom breaks and disciplinary interruptions, and it`s amazing students learn anything at all in school. Thanks again for the T.S. Eliot quote. If the skimping on funding continues, our schools will soon be left with only a whimper.
Mary Sullivan

MN 2020 Journal: Hamstringing Minnesota's Progress

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:02:28 -0500

In short order, the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program will expire and 32,000 aid recipients will be transferred to the Minnesota Care health insurance program because the Minnesota State House of Representatives failed to override Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of the program extension. We knew this was coming. The final vote contained all the drama of, say, the tide receding.

What happened and who's responsible?

Tactically, Governor Pawlenty and his conservative allies triumphed. By insisting that Minnesota's on-going budget deficits may only be balanced through budget cuts rather than revenue increases, conservative policy preserving a favorable tax burden responsibility among Minnesota's highest income earners, relative to the support borne by lower income earners, is preserved. But, it's more complicated than that.

"Freedom" Rhetoric Doesn't Change Minnesota's Bottom Line

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:02:14 -0500

Each year, the State of Minnesota loses billions of dollars of revenue through "tax expenditures." In layman's terms "tax expenditures" represent tax breaks enacted by the legislature.

Some tax expenditures make sense; for example, certain sales tax exemptions-most notably for food purchases-make basic necessities more affordable and reduce the regressivity, meaning the disproportionate impact on lower-income families, of the state's tax system. Other tax expenditures have little impact in terms of promoting identifiable policy goals and actually make the tax system more regressive.

Rep. Keith Downey recently proposed an amendment to state law that would change all references from "tax expenditures" to "tax freedoms."

Spring Flood Warnings a Reminder of Need for Federal Crop Protection

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:12:06 -0500

If we're entering a typical year in Minnesota, some farmers will have spring plantings delayed and in some cases prevented by spring floods and wet fields before other farmers lose their crops from drought when blistering heat descends in mid summer.

This is the typical experience in Minnesota where climatic conditions differ greatly, north to south, over the state's enormous land mass. Large areas of northwest, west-central, the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota are already on notice from the National Weather Service and Army Corps of Engineers that spring floods are likely should warm weather cause a quick melt of the heavy snow cover. Isolated crop disasters are an annual fact of farm life in Minnesota even when we close the year with record and near-record harvests - on average - for most of Minnesota agriculture.

Title IX a Great Success Story

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:49:29 -0500

Ice hockey, basketball, softball - all great sports, all enjoyed by women throughout the U.S., and all have grown thanks to Title IX. The law is almost 40 years old and its successes are evident in almost every high school and college in Minnesota and the nation.

Title IX requires schools and colleges receiving federal money to provide the same opportunities for girls as they do for boys. The effects in high school were remarkable. Just six years after the 1972 enactment of Title IX, the percentage of girls playing team sports had jumped from about 4 percent to 25 percent. One expert put the number of pre-Title IX women in high school athletics at 1 in 27, as opposed to today's 1 in 3.

Townships Victimized by Property Tax Shell Game

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:53:54 -0500

Township property taxes have shot up during the so-called "no new tax" era. From 2002 to 2010, property taxes paid to Minnesota townships have increased by 68.0 percent in nominal dollars and by 23.7 in inflation-adjusted dollars. The rapid growth in township property taxes was not caused by real growth in town budgets, but by a cut in state dollars shared with townships.

From 2002 to 2010, the revenue of Minnesota townships remained essentially flat. Thus, the growth in township property taxes over this eight year period is not the result of growing township budgets; rather, the single largest contributor to township property tax increases is declining state aid. From 2002 to 2010, state aid to Minnesota townships is projected to drop by 45.5 percent.

MN2020 Journal: The Four-Day School Week is Failure Triumphant

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:58:40 -0500

Minnesota's slowly accelerating slide to mediocrity picked up speed on Tuesday night as the North Branch school board held its final of three public hearings on switching to a four-day school week. This decision may be a small blip in the daily media cycle, but it's a great blow against kids, families and Minnesota's future.

The four-day school week is exactly what it sounds like; four instructional days replacing five. That's four longer days, covering the material that used to be taught in five days. Doesn't matter if the kids are in first grade or twelfth, they're going to get everything minimally required in four longer days.

Hazelnut Farming in Minnesota: More Ground-Up Development

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:48:59 -0500

Norm Erickson of Rochester is experimenting with a “mechanical hammer” that might become useful as a commercial nutcracker and nut sorter of locally bred and developed hazelnuts. An acquaintance over in Wisconsin is working on a “slingshot” approach in which hazelnuts are thrown against a hard wall to crack the shells.

This is what people with vision do when they try to build a business, for themselves, and an industry, for the greater good, and all from the ground up.

Better Public Transportation Means a Healthier Minnesota

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:46:36 -0500

The way Americans travel might be at the grease-clogged heart of the country's obesity epidemic. In the coming months, Minnesotans have an opportunity to put in place a transit network that will better serve residents and encourage healthier lifestyles in the Twin Cities. The state's public transportation policy will have implications that will affect how Minnesotans travel for decades to come.

The Obama administration's transportation bill has already allotted $45 million toward the construction of the new light-rail central corridor. Now it's up to the state's leaders to ensure a forward thinking transportation policy is set in motion.

North Branch Parents, It's Time to Get Mad

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:46:46 -0500

Four-day school weeks, once the last stop for cash-strapped rural school districts like Warroad and MACCRAY, are now finding their way into metro districts. North Branch is considering conversion to a four-day week next year. Can other financially troubled districts like Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center or Minneapolis be far behind?

The problem is simple. Minnesota has cut aid to schools by an inflation-adjusted 14 percent since 2003. None of the state's school districts can survive with that kind of a cut to their revenue unless they have very wealthy property owners who are willing to raise taxes to make up for the state's inadequate funding. Understandably, the number of those wealthy districts is few.

Health Care Abroad: China

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:07:15 -0500

Under the old socialist system, China used to have a grave-to-cradle health care system that lifted life expectancy from 35 in 1952 to 69 in 1982 despite extremely limited resources. After the transition to a market economy that started in the late 1970s, the old health care system was dismantled. In urban areas, hospitals were severed from their state-owned enterprise parents and were made to operate independently. In rural areas, the "barefoot doctors" lost incentives to carry on the old practices and either became profit-driven or changed professions.

While the market economy has worked magic across many sectors in China, the experience of it in the health care system has been a disaster. Insurance coverage is inadequate for almost everyone except government officials while soaring medical prices have bankrupt many people with low or even middle level income.

Telemedicine Possible Cure for Rural Outmigration

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:13:38 -0500

Minnesota, like so many other states is struggling with out-migration in rural areas. Southwest Minnesota has been particularly hard hit with this as the region did not benefit from the "rural renaissance" of the 80s and 90s experienced in other parts of the state such as the Northeast region of Minnesota. As the overall population ages, it is expected that the 55-75 year population in non-metro areas will increase by 30% by 2020 and the 65+ age group will be the largest population group by 2030, it is increasingly important that we look at factors to counteract outmigration, especially of young people, in rural areas as well as health care solutions for the older population.

In 2007 the Baltic Rural eHealth project was conducted in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The research focused on the impact of eHealth or telemedicine on outmigration. In the U.S, similar, but smaller scale research has been conducted in Maine and Tennessee, as well as a study that looked at the outmigration effects of a North Dakota hospital closing. Little research has been done to see how eHealth or telemedicine could impact outmigration in Minnesota.

MN2020 Journal: A Bad Idea is Still a Bad Idea

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:12:56 -0500

However bad things are in Minnesota, State Representative Paul Kohls and State Senator Amy Koch, are determined to make them worse. They're the next in a long line of conservative policy leaders regularly proposing a constitutional amendment limiting state spending to collected revenue. Despite their calm assurances, this plan won't instill fiscal discipline anymore than rearranging the Titanic's deck chairs forestalled sinking.

Kohls and Koch, in an op-ed column, advocate a disarmingly simple solution to a mind-numbingly complex problem. Minnesota's revenues--income generated from taxes and fees--are outpacing program spending. Revenue is down because economic activity is down. Minnesotans, like all Americans, are not buying, selling, reselling, financing, borrowing and spending they way we were even three years ago. Consequently, fees and taxes generated by business transactions are off as well.

Minnesota's Health Care Coverage Slides

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:11:11 -0500

Minnesotans large amount of people with health insurance has always been a point of pride. However, our pride is now being tarnished. According to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health, more than 100,000 Minnesotans lost their health insurance from 2007 to 2009. As summarized by Alliance for a Better Minnesota , the report shows that the number of uninsured in the state swelled from 374,000 in 2007 to 480,000 in 2009, a growth of 28 percent in just two years.

A recent Minnesota 2020 report, "On Our Way to Average: Ranking Minnesota's Economic Performance,", examined 13 different measures of economic performance and quality of life. Health insurance coverage was one of the few areas in which Minnesota's performance relative to other states did not show significant deterioration from 2002 to 2007; during this five year period, the percentage of Minnesota's population without health insurance grew by 1.3 percent over five years.

Minnesota Should Be Ready to Walk Away from the New NCLB

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:40:55 -0500

The "No Child Left Behind" law is a failure in almost every respect. To its credit, it has called attention to the achievement gap. That's about the only good thing that can be said about the program - and even that comes with the caveat that NCLB did little to fix the problem.

The less remembered about NCLB, the better. That's why Congress will likely dump the name "No Child Left Behind" when it reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, perhaps as soon as this year.

Global Markets for Minnesota Syrup Makers a Sticky Situation

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:15:35 -0500

Minnesota's maple syrup makers are busy "tapping" their trees, getting ready for the sap to run in March through early April and the start of production of one of the state's most unique and smallest food products.

The local market for maple syrup is swamped by Canadian syrup, says Dave Rogotzke from Rogotzke's Simple Gifts at Duluth who produces and sells Northern Minnesota maple syrup and wild Alaskan salmon in regional markets. Artificial toppings of maple-flavored syrups that utilize far more of Minnesota's corn than local maple sap command an even bigger part of the market.

MN2020 Journal: Still Waiting for the Apology

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:07:08 -0500

Nobody ritually apologizes quite as well as Japanese executives ritually apologize and certainly not Minnesota's state public policy leaders. Last week, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda , stood before the world's media, bowed reverently and apologized for a poor break assemblies, failing break pedals and for mucking up the recall.

Well, pretty much. Mostly, he avoided detailing specifics, focusing instead on regretting the shame he's brought on his family, his workers, his company and, probably, Japan, itself. As public rituals go, don't miss this one; it's terrific theater.

Japan watchers promptly noted that Toyoda, the founder's grandson and in charge of Toyota since June, did not bow as deeply as his predecessors bowed during previous shameful public moments. Does this mean that Toyoda isn't feeling completely shamed or that he's retaining a little something for greater shame yet to come? I suspect the latter.

Can you imagine Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty bowing and apologizing for eight years of poor policy leadership?

Me neither.

Getting High Speed Rail on the Right Track

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:23:54 -0500

On January 28, 2010 President Obama announced $8 billion in grants for high-speed rail throughout several regions in the US. Florida, California and Illinois were the big winners, but what happened to Minnesota? The distribution of dollars was determined by ridership, viability, and the thoroughness and commitment of individual states' plans.

Service from Chicago to Madison, which is not currently served by Amtrak, received $823 million, while the remaining portion between Madison and the Twin Cities obtained roughly $1 million to be used for a route planning study. However, it establishes the foundation of a competitive system that will serve a heavily traveled corridor that sees roughly 16 daily one-way flights from Delta Airlines alone.

Latest School Funding Figures Reveal Same Dismal Trend

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:36:34 -0500

You can tell a lot about a state's commitment to children and the future by its investment in education. Sadly, Minnesota's commitment has not been very strong as of late. Real per pupil school revenue in Minnesota continues to decline. This trend means less investment in the state's future workforce and less chance for a prosperous Minnesota in coming years and decades.

From the beginning of the full state takeover of general education funding (FY 2003) to the end of the current biennium (FY 2011), statewide real per pupil school operating revenue is projected to fall by 4.4 percent, while real per pupil state operating aid is projected to decline by 14.4 percent.

A Federal Home Values Guarantee Program in the Works

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:29:20 -0500

A plan to Minnesota 2020 proposed last year to save the housing market may now be going national. A federal home values guarantee plan for new home buyers similar to what Minnesota has considered has been drafted by staff on the House Financial Services Committee in Congress and is now being studied for potential cost.

The proposed bill is simply labeled a "Discussion Draft" at this point. But it is generating discussion.

Schools Left Behind in Race to the Top

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:36:56 -0500

Minnesota's schools are financially starved, but while President Obama offers billions of dollars through his Race to the Top initiative, they balk because Gov. Tim Pawlenty has linked the federal money to participation in his controversial Q Comp program. This means thousands of Minnesota students, like those in districts such as Alexandria and Dassel-Cokato, may be left out of the chance for the extra federal money.

President Obama created Race to the Top with $4.3 billion in economic recovery funds, telling his Education Department to create a grant system that outlines certain criteria. States that meet most of the criteria will get the most money. Potentially, the grant could bring $330 million to Minnesota over four years. The state will find out in April if it will get any of the grant money.

MN2020 Journal: Change Minnesota's Policy Course Now!

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:54:19 -0500

It's not working. This conservative, starve-the-beast approach to government is thoughtless, ill-considered, haphazard and harmful. We are eight years worse for the wear rather than eight years better.

With the legislature now in session, everything is on the line. As State House and Senate members settle in for the session, they'll confront eight years worth of data revealing a single truth: the current plan is failing Minnesota.

Shorter School Week is Shortchanged Opportunity

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:06:51 -0500

I have been watching with interest as a couple of Minnesota school districts have discussed shortening their school week to four days. The heart of the issue is budgetary constraints. The expected savings would be derived from reduced salaries, less heating/cooling of buildings , and reduced transportation needs. Unfortunately, the economic gain would rob these kids of opportunities.

The book, Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, is about successful people. The main point is that while many people need skill sets to be successful, when one looks deep into any success story, the person always benefits from some opportunity. For every success, be it Wayne Gretzky, Bill Gates or J.D. Rockefeller, a unique opportunity existed that opened the door to their genius. If there was a change in their date of birth, where they lived, or other intangibles, it is very likely they would have never been heard of. Gladwell's chapters concerning the opportunities provided in educational systems are especially telling.

What Makes Jobs Green?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:41:48 -0500

As Minnesota and the rest of the country move toward a sustainable economy, there has been a lot of talk about "green jobs." So, what is a green job? The short answer is that we don't know. Identifying green jobs has been problematic, as we will see. The goal here is to given a longer, more considered answer that will advance Minnesota's public policy.

It is important to identify green jobs because the U.S. and Minnesota policy makers are relying on an alternative energy economy to revitalize the manufacturing sector, spur innovation, and achieve long-term economic growth. This public policy is an important element of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Act includes federal tax cuts and domestic spending to promote alternative energy investments in the energy sector. In Minnesota, we want to be able to count jobs to inform data driven policies to create jobs. Defining green jobs is also important for workforce development and training in Minnesota - a consensus definition will ensure that green certificate training programs provide skills training that matches to the needs of green jobs. Green certificate training programs will also be more effectively integrated to existing job training programs. From an environmental perspective, precisely defining green jobs and green businesses is important to avoid green-washing "dirty" industries.

Conservative Policy Punishing Good Schools

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:16:31 -0500

Sleepy Eye Public Schools officials have done a fantastic job managing the district's finances. At the beginning of the school year, the district had a fund balance of $1.6 million, no short term debt and was one of only five school districts in the state that does not ask district residents to supplement its budget with local property taxes.

Thanks to financial mismanagement at the state level, Sleepy Eye's superintendent says the district could be in statutory operating debt within two years. At the very least, the district will have to ask local voters in November to raise taxes and help make up for the state's lack of school funding.

The Housing Crisis Lingers: Minnesota Can Help Fix It

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:13:12 -0500

Equity in Minnesota homes took another beating in 2009, dropping 15 percent in value after a 13 percent decline the year before, and the new year offers little hope for a turnaround without action to prop up home prices from the ground up.

Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors data show the Twin Cities metro area median home price reached a peak of $236,850 in June 2006. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on Jan. 13 the median home price in December was $162,000. That means the average homeowner has lost $74,850 in home equity since the peak, including another $5,000 drop from December 2008.

MN2020 Journal: Navigating Politics and Policy

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:10:27 -0500

Policy and politics constantly intersect. How does the responsible citizen navigate between the two? Purposefully.

Minnesota faces a raft of pressing policy issues while we simultaneously prepare to elect our next governor. Policy and politics are not mutually separate. They are, in fact, deeply intertwined. Policy should drive political choices more than politics should compel policy preferences but it doesn't always work out that way. Here's a navigational guide for the forthcoming journey.

MN2020 Report: On Our Way to Average: Ranking Minnesota's Economic Performance

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:31:06 -0500

Since 2002, Minnesota's state and local government revenues and expenditures have declined significantly in comparison to other states. The corresponding decline in public investment has coincided with a decline in Minnesota's economic performance and quality of life. Once a national leader in areas such as education and employment, Minnesota is now lagging.

Minnesota leads the nation in terms of the decline in non-federal general revenue from 2002 to 2007, both on a real per capita basis and per $1,000 of personal income. In fact, on all categories of revenue and expenditures on both a per capita basis and per $1,000 of personal income, Minnesota ranks among the top ten states in terms of the decline (or least growth) from 2002 to 2007. This is true for no other state.

Smart Thinking to Lower Health Care Costs

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:45:48 -0500

The Minnesota Department of Health is well on their way in implementing a statewide health program aimed at reducing chronic disease due to tobacco use and obesity. The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) granted funds to all the community health boards in the state, covering all 87 counties, as well as eight of the 11 tribal governments in the state, thus making the program truly statewide.

SHIP was passed during the 2008 Legislative session as a 2-year project aimed at reducing preventable illness and death as well as containing the costs of health care by getting to some of the biggest cost drivers such as illness that derives from poor nutrition and obesity, as well as use of and exposure to tobacco. By doing so the Department of Health estimates a saving of $1.9 billion in Minnesota by 2015.

Minnesota Science Standards Leave Door Open for Creationism

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:29:19 -0500

Science standards for Minnesota schools are about to be set for the nest six years. Is the battle to keep pseudoscience out of our classrooms over? Sadly the door has been cracked open for intelligent design, an idea with no real scientific basis cooked up by creationists, to remains Minnesota's classrooms.

The same vague science benchmark that was a compromise in the intelligent design controversy early in the Pawlenty administration still exists, unchanged, in this round of science standards. These standards will begin next school year and be in effect until 2017.

When it Helps to Have a Pretty Mug

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:11:42 -0500

A company of artists in St. Paul is proving that making art objects can sustain a small business, that entrepreneurs can survive economic cycles, and that quality can still trump quantity in this age of big box stores and mass marketing.

Deneen Pottery is a family owned business that has endured various trials and tribulations since 1972. It makes hand-thrown stoneware products for institutional and business customers who want to exhibit glaze engraved logos, which result from a trademark protected process that Deneen master potters invented.

MN2020 Journal: March Forward, Minnesota.

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:30:01 -0500

On the same day that Minnesota observed the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, Minnesota Public Radio ran a short story regarding the cost of local government compliance with state regulation. It was an intriguing coincidence, hitting me like a ton of bricks, because the two are profoundly linked. Absent compliance, as Dr. King taught us, we have no path forward.

In our American democracy, states retain considerable law-making and taxation authority. By tradition and practice, human services are largely delivered by counties. Minnesota, functioning within national constitutional parameters and further bound by case law, establishes program and service delivery requirements. Minnesota counties, in turn, execute requirements.

What Health Care Reform Means For Minnesota

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:56 -0500

Presuming federal health care reform gets passed, and presuming that reform looks significantly like the proposal from the Senate, what does this reform mean for Minnesota? Much like the bill coming out of the Senate, the answer to that question is a little murky.

VIDEO: Is Testing the Answer?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:49:28 -0500

Minnesota's Four-Day School Week Based on Money, Not Education

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:08:53 -0500

Minnesota school districts that have begun using a four-day school week say that students, teachers and the community generally accept the shorter week and, in some cases, prefer it to the traditional five day week. That's good news, because the districts had to go to the four-day weeks whether the students, teachers or community liked it or not.

Acceptance of the short week doesn't change the fact that it is a bandage to chronic underinvestment from the state. School districts like MACCRAY, Warroad, Ogilvie and Blackduck find themselves in such an untenable financial position that they have to resort to drastic measures just to shave a few dollars off the bottom line.

What Minnesota Can Do to Fight Climate Change

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:05:13 -0500

Last month the eyes of the world were focused on the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was a global event that could change the path of the planet in curbing energy consumption, but the changes ultimately have to happen on a micro level: in cities, towns, and suburbs here in Minnesota.

While engineering fixes such as hybrid cars, wind energy, bio-fuels, and other ideas have been touted as the solution to the climate change problem, it is ultimately our geographical layout that produces the greatest challenge to curbing energy usage. For many Twin Cities residents traffic is the No. 1 issue in the region. According to a recent study , the average Twin Cities commuter spends 39 hours per year stuck in traffic, costing an average of $812.

Shoveling Our Way to a Progressive Policy Frame

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:48:37 -0500

This is a winter blues moment. The housing market is either sliding or stagnating; we're in a recession; unemployment figures remain persistently grim; and the state of Minnesota is running out of ready cash. Throw in a slushy, gray, overcast, 28 degree day and it's a wonder all 5.2 million of us don't move to Florida, en mass.

Topping off my malaise, I can't shake the feeling that despite considerable need for and public support of a progressive policy approach, a conservative public policy framework will guide the upcoming state legislative session. What's a progressive to do?

Minnesota's Extension Service & Federal Health Care Reform

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:40:44 -0500

A Harvard University medical professor has remembered his roots in Athens, Ohio and is suggesting that the nation's Cooperative Extension Service might be the vehicle for finding ways to curb health care costs and promote better systems for health care delivery.

Every Minnesotan serious about improving and reforming the health care system should read Dr. Atul Gawande's article in the Dec. 14 issue of The New Yorker magazine. Minnesota and Maryland, and probably New York and Florida, are clearly the best-positioned states to make such a system work and to become the models for the rest of America. Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois are not far behind, despite having expertise and facilities dispersed over multiple campuses; and California and Massachusetts have everything they need to make it work except an institutional tradition of cooperation through the Extension Service.

State Holding Minnesota's Schools Hostage through "Race to the Top"

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:40:27 -0500

Today is the final day school districts can sign up for federal funds through the federal "Race to the Top" program. Despite unpalatable portions of the program, schools across Minnesota know that the state's financial chokehold on education is even more unpalatable and they are grasping at any straw available, no matter the consequences.

There are many angles to this complicated story, but the bottom line is this: Schools are being forced to accept programs against their better instincts only because the state has failed to fund them properly for the past 10 years.

Can Minnesota Reward Job Creation?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:07:01 -0500

In recent years here in Minnesota, state government's efforts to stimulate job creation have come in the form of broad-based tax breaks to business if they agree to re-locate or stay here. While the tax breaks might be an enticement for a company to move or keep its operation in Minnesota, there's no absolute promise that company will create family-sustaining jobs. There is, however, one idea that could deliver on new jobs and has already worked in Minnesota once before.

Pawlenty's Property Tax Caps Don't Work

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:44:38 -0500

Property taxes are expected to increase by 3.5 percent statewide from 2009 to 2010 based on preliminary levy information, which is "relatively modest" growth according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Contrary to claims from the Pawlenty administration, state imposed caps on local government property taxes--known as "levy limits"--had little if anything to do with the modest rate of property tax growth.

Of Lutefisk and Pyrrhic Victories

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:45:36 -0500

When Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin issued a temporary restraining order on December 30, preventing Minnesota from terminating a food assistance program, many of us jumped for joy. With a week's sober reflection, that injunction is beginning to feel like a pyrrhic victory.

Minnesota presently projects a $1.2 billion biennial budget deficit. It is the large serving of lutefisk gracing state legislators' plates, an unwelcome entrée requiring brave-faced consumption. From a fiscal policy perspective, conservative Governor Tim Pawlenty is the gleeful kitchen steward, shoveling more gelatinous, rehydrated cod while insisting that diners are the better for the experience.

USDA Programs Boost Communities, Rural Minnesota Economy

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:59:40 -0500

In all the talk about stimulus packages, Keynesian pump priming and public investment in infrastructure, existing programs for people in rural Minnesota are frequently overlooked. That can be costly because tried and true programs are in place to stimulate local economies, strengthen communities, help stabilize local housing markets and assist local entrepreneurs create and expand businesses.

These programs were giving an extra boost this past February when Congress approved and President Obama signed the American Recovery and Redevelopment Act in response to the severe U.S. recession. More federal money was made available to use USDA Rural Development programs to stimulate the local economy through as many as 40 various federal programs.

Federal School Money Not Worth the Acrobatics

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:34:39 -0500

Minnesota should put a stop to its application for the federal government's Race to the Top program. Several aspects of the plan are quite troubling and the immediacy of the application doesn't allow for proper consideration.

Conversations with education leaders across the state reveals cautious - very cautious - consideration of Race to the Top. Most educators don't want to be left out of the possibility of more money for students, but they also have serious qualms about the program's requirements.

Minnesotan Homeownership Declines

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:01:01 -0500

Despite Minnesotans' tradition of high homeownership, Minnesota's homeownership rate has actually declined during the current decade, both in absolute terms and relative to other states.

From 2000 to 2002, the Minnesota and total U.S. homeownership rate increased modestly. From 2002 to 2008, the rate of homeownership in Minnesota has fallen significantly, dropping by over four percent; over the same period, the U.S. homeownership rate has stayed relatively flat.

Key to Curbing Bullies is Vigilance

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:20:51 -0500

That bullying exists in our schools is not news, nor are the effects of bullying on victims. For the past 20 years, school officials have tried to curb bullying by increasing awareness among students and helping victims assert themselves.

These efforts have met with success, and this success points the way to the potential for success in other areas that bedevil other seemingly intractable problems in education.

According to the Minnesota Student Survey, 32 percent of sixth-graders in 1995 said they were threatened on school property. That number has steadily dropped until only 25 percent said they were threatened in 2007.

MN2020 Journal: A Simple Winter Truth

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:16:48 -0500

Today, I seem to live on Lake Superior's shore. I don't, of course, but judging from the huge piles of jagged snow banks lining my street, they could be broken lake ice sheets shoved ashore. I am not alone; every street looks like mine.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened last week because this is winter in Minnesota. We experienced a substantial, two-part blizzard roaring across much of our state. During the lull following the first heavy, wet snow fall, most people, shoveling their walks and driveways, correctly anticipated the other shoe dropping.

Slush freezes.

Minnesota's Revenue & Spending Problems

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:55:14 -0500

In the past, Governor Tim Pawlenty has argued "Minnesota has a spending problem, not a revenue problem." As repeatedly demonstrated on this website, his statement is incorrect. Real per capita state general fund revenue and local government revenue have dropped significantly since 2002. Clearly, Minnesota has a revenue problem.

In the past, I have argued the reverse of the Governor's assertion--that is to say, "Minnesota does not have a spending problem, it has a revenue problem." Upon reflection and examination of the facts, I now realize this statement is not entirely complete, at least in part. While Minnesota does indeed have a revenue problem, it also has a spending problem. However, the cause of the spending problem is not profligacy, but demographics and rising health care costs.

The 2010 Recovery: Statistics Do Lie

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:49:44 -0500

As the new year approaches, we are told that we are in an economic recovery that might be best described as a "statistical" recovery. That only means most economic indicators show slight improvement or are not falling as sharply as they had in most months and quarters of the past two years.

For most Minnesota households, the economic news spewing forth each day is often conflicting and any statistical improvement in the overall economy isn't likely to be felt at home. So, let's start the countdown hoping for better times in 2011, and let's also think about public policy options that might help bring about a brighter future.

Transit Creating Jobs in Greater Minnesota

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:52:21 -0500

The lush orchards around La Crescent have made it the Apple Capital of Minnesota, but relatively few of the Mississippi River town's 5,114 residents work in them. A lot more have jobs in La Crosse, Wis., a bustling regional center across the river.

This posed a commuting problem for many of the workers. With no La Crescent transit service, their choices were effectively limited to driving to and from the job. City officials started a bus route into downtown La Crosse four miles away, but it drew little ridership. The schedule didn't fit people's needs, service was unreliable and riders couldn't transfer to the extensive La Crosse bus system without paying a second fare.

Bring Some Clarity to School Building Debate

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:46:30 -0500

In the recent folderol about charter school buildings, who is paying to build them and who's getting public money under the table, one important piece of information is missing.

If a school district sells a building, that money can only be used for other building costs such as buying land, building schools, maintaining existing buildings or buying down debt from previous construction projects. If a district leases unused space, the cost of maintenance and utilities usually takes most of the starch out of the additional income.

MN2020 Journal: Who's Working Tonight

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:59:33 -0500

Tonight, in the middle of a snow storm, some guy you don't know is going to leave his family, climb into a huge orange snow plow and keep the roads open.

He's not going to ask about your politics and whether you're a small government conservative railing against out-of-control spending. He's not going to skip your block, street, highway or gravel road because you can't find anything good to say about the women and men who deliver Minnesota's public services.

State Cuts to Drive 2010 Property Tax Increases

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:43:20 -0500

City property taxes are expected to increase by 5.4 percent from 2009 to 2010. These property tax increases are driven primarily by Governor Pawlenty's decision to unallot (cut) the 2008, 2009, and 2010 in shared revenue (aid and credit) payments to Minnesota cities.

In December of 2008, Pawlenty cut $66 million from the budgets of Minnesota cities using his unallotment authority. Then in July 2009, Pawlenty cut $64.2 million from cities' 2009 aid and credit payments and $128.3 million from 2010 payments. In full, the Governor has cut $258.5 million from city budgets through the December 2008 and July 2009 unallotments.

A Race to the Top Shouldn't Have So Many Hoops

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:51:15 -0500

It has been said that sugar catches more flies than vinegar, but to the fly the result is the same.

The Obama administration's attempt to dictate education policy is preferable to the Bush administration's attempt to do the same. Bush's much-derided No Child Left Behind law sets a list of goals that are ultimately unreachable then punishes schools when they don't reach them. Obama's policy, called Race to the Top, offers states millions in grant money if they knuckle under to the federal government's idea of quality education.

Can Minnesota Learn from Sweden on Climate Change?

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:09:42 -0500

As we reflect on the recent United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen, we can look to another Scandinavian country, just north of Denmark, whose environmental policies deserve applause and a closer look.

Sweden is widely known for bringing to the world such things as beautiful women, H&M, Volvo and IKEA. However, as it turns out, the ancestral homeland to many a Minnesotan has more going for it than excelling in car safety and cheap clothing and furniture. The Norwegian Institute for Transport Economics, the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research Oslo, University of Oslo, and Lund University has found that Sweden has reduced CO2 emissions 9% since 1990, thus making it one of very few countries that have lived up to the Kyoto Agreement. In almost the same time period, 1990- 2007, Minnesota's CO2 emissions went up 27%.

MN2020 Journal: Looking Back to Look Ahead

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:13:15 -0500

Minnesota has come a long way in the past hundred years. It shouldn't take a funeral to remind us of our achievements but an afternoon in a Mapleton, Minnesota church provided exactly that opportunity. As a state, we've gained far more than we've lost but my loss was personal.

My last living grandparent, my maternal grandfather, Harold C. Jones, passed away three weeks ago. He was 95, three months from 96. His was a long, full life with much to grieve but more to celebrate.

New Ventures Find a Home In and Close to Home

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:05:11 -0500

Few forecasters are bravely stating what the Minnesota economy will look like when it emerges from the lingering recession, but we're getting hints that a lot of commerce will be based close to home.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced in late November that Minnesota is on track to see the greatest number of new business startups this year since 2002. The number of new business filings with the state is projected to reach 63,000, a 15 percent increase from 2008's 55,137 and well above the 55,782 recorded in 2007.

Smart Stimulus

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:51:13 -0500

The judges' decisions are in for the "Stupid Stimulus Contest" conducted by the ultra-conservative Taxpayers League of Minnesota, and it apparently put quite a strain on our friends from the far right fringe. "The selection process was difficult because almost any stimulus spending could be labeled stupid," the Merry Pranksters announced last week.

Oh, really? Keeping teachers educating our children and health professionals caring for the sick is stupid? Fixing crumbling roads and bridges is stupid? Countering the damage of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression is stupid?

Greater Minnesota Gets on Board: Transit Ridership Grows While Investment Declines

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:10:30 -0500

In the eyes of many Minnesotans, public transit is a creature of the big cities, a way to get around the urban jungle that is generally praised by policy progressives for enhancing mobility and prosperity, but denounced by conservatives as welfare on wheels.

This ongoing debate tends to overlook the growing role of transit in Greater Minnesota, where it enjoys support from citizens and local officials across the political spectrum and ridership gains that significantly exceed the metro area's, despite chronic resource challenges.

Bold Teacher Plan Deserves Follow-Through

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:47:02 -0500

The Minneapolis-based Bush Foundation recently announced a bold $40 million initiative to recruit, prepare, place and support new teachers in Minnesota and the Dakotas over the next 10 years.

We live in times when the state has a chokehold on education funding that is killing the quality and quantity of our teaching force. A move such as this can be seen as a lifeline. But it also contains many questions.

It's part of the group's goal to add 25,000 new teachers by 2020. The foundation says there are about 50,000 teachers in Minnesota and the Dakotas today and about 25,000 will retire or quit in the next 10 years. In addition, Minnesota has the nation's largest achievement gap between white and minority students, the dropout rate is growing and only 25 percent of students earn a college degree.

Another Look at Minnesota's Underperforming Economy

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:47:07 -0500

Minnesota's economy has clearly underperformed the national average in recent years. A 2008 Minnesota 2020 report demonstrated that from 2002 to 2007, Minnesota's employment growth and median household income has fallen relative to other states, while our unemployment rate has risen. In addition, growth in Minnesota's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has lagged significantly behind the national average.

There is disagreement over the cause of Minnesota's economic slump. Minnesota 2020 has posited that the state's waning economic performance is due in part to public disinvestment during the era of "no new taxes." In absolute terms and relative to other states, real per capita public revenues and expenditures in Minnesota have declined significantly since 2002.

MN2020 Journal: In the Bleak Midwinter

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:28:00 -0500

The cold, like Samuel Johnson's observation about the prospect of hanging, tends to focus the mind. On this subzero morning, my mind is focused.

In the ten long, cold yards between my car and my office building's front door, a distance Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson crosses in less than two seconds, I realize that my agitation isn't entirely weather driven. Yes, I am cold but, more importantly, I'm hot under the collar about Minnesota's policy direction.

We're heading the wrong way, sliding down hill while our state's chief public policymakers offer a series of false choices.

Educators Eye Upcoming Legislative Session

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:27:34 -0500

Legislative sessions have become like a series of "Friday the 13th" movies - suspense followed by terror followed by horror and then repeated until the grisly finale. Year after year of inattention to the financial needs of Minnesota students has led to teacher layoffs, cuts in programs and a shift from state support of schools to local property tax support via levy elections as a main funding source for education. When it comes time for education budget decisions, it's not a question of if the gore will flow on the Capitol steps, it's a question of when.

Minnesota's Phantom Podcars

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:39:36 -0500

Winona, a southeastern Minnesota city of 30,000, boasts a municipal bus system that carries nearly a quarter-million riders each year. Now city officials -- backed by local business and higher-education leaders and with a boost from the governor and state transportation commissioner -- want to add a futuristic, multimillion-dollar overlay of elevated monorails carrying small automated passenger vehicles guided by computers and propelled by electricity.

It's called Personal Rapid Transit, an elusive dream of far-outside-the-box transportation thinkers for the past half-century. In that time it has posted a virtually unbroken record of cost overruns, technical failures and abandoned projects on three continents. Despite periodic bursts of promotion from the public-policy fringes, PRT hasn't penetrated municipal transit anywhere in the world.

Minnesota Entrepreneur Launches Timely, Needed Magazine

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:46 -0500

Fairmont publisher Kay Sauck and crew are mailing the premier edition of Caregiving in America magazine this week, serving a growing national market for information from their base in southern Minnesota.

Sauck and her Sauck Media Group have twice been featured for entrepreneurship by Minnesota 2020. Past stories noted her building the company and later for adapting, or refocusing it, to ride out the current recession. Hard times or not for publishing, the new magazine is targeted at a growing demand that is certain to expand in the years ahead.

Minnesota Must Keep High Teacher Standards

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:52:31 -0500

The Minnesota Board of Teaching has adopted a rule change that, if improperly applied, could weaken the quality of teachers in the state.

At its Nov. 13 meeting, the board approved a change that will allow the board's executive director to fast-track requests for alternative ways for teachers to earn their licenses. This process could open the door to putting unqualified teachers in the classroom.

Why College Matters

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:33:56 -0500

In the last century, the United States in general, and Minnesota in particular, was able to depend on agriculture and manufacturing to meet the supply of low- and mid-skilled labor. However, the changing economy, with its move toward high-tech jobs (including those in agriculture and manufacturing), is making higher education an increasingly necessary prerequisite to the Minnesota's capacity for continued competitiveness, productivity and innovation.

Health Care Abroad: An American in Four Countries

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:25:37 -0500

I am American, have studied and lived in both Canada and England and am now living in Norway. I am particularly concerned with health care reform in the United States and have been asked to share my experiences regarding health care and the different health care systems in the three countries mentioned above. Having directly experienced these three health care systems, I feel the most important thing to point out is the stress free aspect of a universal health care system. I do want to mention that President Obama's proposed health care plan and those that are being debated in Congress are neither "socialist" nor universal. However, the countries I have lived and am living in now fit well within these definitions and I am happy to say they all work more efficiently and more effectively than the U.S. system, and more importantly the services are more equal for everyone - those who can and cannot afford them.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:53:32 -0500

Wednesday morning, State Economist Tom Stinson told us what, if we're honest, we already knew. Minnesota's recession-driven economic performance is creating a growing, on-going state budget deficit.

In inflation-unadjusted dollars, Stinson, along with the Minnesota Management and Budget Office, projects that Minnesota will realize a $1.2 billion shortfall in the current biennium. Holding present budget figures constant, he further projects that deficit growing to $5.4 billion in the next biennial budget cycle.

But, that $5.4 billion isn't actually the correct figure. Calculating inflation's full anticipated impact raises the projected next biennial budget deficit to $7.4 billion. On the surface, it's a head-scratcher. How can budget professionals be off by $2 billion?

Local Entrepreneurs Grab Reins on 'Buying Local'

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:53:18 -0500

Positive steps are being taken by local entrepreneurs to promote their shared strengths and resources and attract area consumers to buy locally made and sold products this holiday season.

In core areas of the Twin Cities, the Metro Independent Business Alliance, or Metro IBA, has started its website for members to promote products available at their stores. This guide was launched in cooperation with Minnesota 2020's release of its report Made in MN 2009: Homegrown Holidays" and the updated Made in Minnesota Gift Guide.

Transit Means Business

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:53:19 -0500

Busy bus stops and rail stations have long been magnets for business, attracting eateries, stores and services to places where critical masses of transit riders congregate. Now a few savvy merchants are setting up shop in 21st century transit facilities - suburban park-and-ride lots.

CobornsDelivers , the New Hope-based mobile grocer, began filling online orders at the Northstar commuter rail park-and-ride in Coon Rapids this week. The firm earlier started bringing its colorful delivery trucks to the Southwest Transit park-and-ride in Eden Prairie, and it's looking for more locations to continue testing the concept.

Minnesota Schools That Are Just Hanging On

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:55:12 -0500

An injured swimmer can either sink or stay afloat. In some cases, the best he can do is hold steady. For many Minnesota school districts, "hold steady" is the best they can hope.

State investment in schools has dropped 13 percent since 2003. Since state funding makes up more than 80 percent of a school district's budget, officials have had to ask local voters to fill the void left by the state and properly fund their schools.

Minnesota Property Tax Update: Homeowners Bearing More Costs

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:42:29 -0500

From 2002 to 2009, property taxes in Minnesota have skyrocketed, particularly for homeowners. Statewide, the cause is not local government spending, but state policies that have shifted a larger share of public costs on to the property tax and shifted a larger share of the total property tax on to homeowners.

Positive Changes Coming for College Loans

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:34:31 -0500

If you've been to college, it's likely that you have them. Nobody likes them. They're confusing. They're annoying. They're a little scary. And they'll follow you until death (yes, even when you file for bankruptcy). If you haven't already guessed, they're student loans and they're on the docket for reform.

Two types of federal government guaranteed loans are available to help finance educational expenses: Federal Stafford Loans are provided directly to students and PLUS loans do the same for parents of current students. Currently, two federal programs offer these loans.

The Cranberry Leadership Solution

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:34:57 -0500

Thanksgiving Dinner is a comfort food, harvest festival triumph. With turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls and green beans in cream sauce, followed by pumpkin pie, the meal is very much a sweet/savory culinary experience. It's an unabashed celebration of fat globules which, in turn, makes cranberry sauce all the more critical.

Cranberry sauce plays a far more central Thanksgiving meal role than is commonly understood. It's the acidic counterpoint, sharpening the meal's focus. Cranberries tartly cut through fat in the same way that hot sauce enhances rice and beans burritos. Strong notes expand the base.

The same can be said for Minnesota's public policy debate. With both major parties' candidates jockeying for favorable position, policy features prominently if blandly in their public discourse. They distinguish themselves predictably. Most soberly proclaim for the politically safest action. It's all turkey, stuffing and gravy.

Minnesota Only Has 75 Elementary Counselors?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:55:37 -0500

In all of Minnesota, there are only about 75 elementary school counselors.

Let's repeat that: 75 elementary school counselors in the entire state. This number was confirmed by officials at the Minnesota School Counselors Association and the Minnesota Department of Education.

The National School Counselors Association recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1. The national average is about 450 to 1. Minnesota's overall average is about 800 to 1. The average of Minnesota elementary school counselors to students enrolled in kindergarten through 6th grade is 5,647 to 1.

The Case for GAMC Health Care

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:24:28 -0500

The pen is mightier than the sword, something Governor Pawlenty proved earlier this year when, with the stroke of his pen, he used his line-item veto to eliminate the General Assistance Medical Care or GAMC program. GAMC is a state-funded health insurance program for low-income adults, ages 21-64, who have no dependent children and who do not qualify for federal coverage.

The list of eligibility requirements shows that the population relying on GAMC is the poorest in the population, those with the most transient lifestyles, and those who would otherwise fall between the cracks.

Two weeks ago the Governor announced 28,000 GAMC recipients will be automatically transferred from GAMC to MinnesotaCare. This "solution" was offered as a way to "ensure" continued access to care for those who would otherwise be without options once GAMC runs out. Counties will be held responsible for paying the premiums until the eligibility period runs out. At the end of eligibility or after 6 months, recipients are responsible for renewing and paying the premium.

Why Minnesota's Roads are Literally Falling Apart

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:42:12 -0500

Roads across the United States are getting better, or at least less bad. Not in Minnesota. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, pavement in poor or mediocre condition nationwide declined by 2.4 percent proportionally between 2002 and 2007.

In the Land of 10 Million Potholes, the share of poor and mediocre road miles more than doubled over the same period. What else would you expect when a state abandons its traditional policy of "preservation first" for highways in a headlong rush to lay more new pavement?

There's No Place for Hunger in Minnesota

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:55:18 -0500

Hunger at home should surprise us. Given just the smallest contemplation, hunger should provoke a simmering, disturbed outrage. Discovering hunger's growing incidence mustn't roll off our conscience as studied indifference, not in Minnesota and not in this day and age.

And yet, it seems, it does.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service released its annual report [PDF] on national food security. Besides a larger, country-wide result, USDA ERS researchers break out individual state findings. Food insecurity is up, both in the US and in Minnesota.

Made in MN 2009: Homegrown Holidays

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:36:19 -0500

It's the time of year when people gather for holiday parties and receptions and to entertain. That means it is also time for Minnesota 2020 to renew its "buy local" campaign for the third year. A severe recession lingers despite some promising signs it may be bottoming out and a slow recovery may be starting. But "happy days" are not here again - at least not yet.

Buffalo Tackles Minnesota's Accountability Gap

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:01:38 -0500

Accountability and transparency are not only desirable, but crucial in all government interactions with the public. A dollar spent on education should result in a dollar's worth of educated citizen.

How to measure such achievement is where the hard work begins. The federal government's No Child Left Behind program doesn't evaluate schools with any accuracy. Its single evaluation, a high-stakes test given in the spring, offers a very poor picture of student achievement. Its offshoot, the state's school report cards that are listed on the Minnesota Department of Education's web page, tries to make a meal out of reheated NCLB data.

No, the accountability and transparency methods instituted by the former Bush administration and the soon-to-be-former Pawlenty administration measure only a portion of a district's achievement. Meaningful change results when districts come up with accountability measures from the ground up, designed to show their constituents whether schools are achieving their goals.

Enter the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District. Officials there have begun the process of providing transparency and accountability for their work.

Health Care Abroad: A Look at Germany

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:01:06 -0500

It now appears that federal health care reform will include a public option to spur competition in the insurance market. This has been met with welcome by some, but for some, the idea of public option is hard to support. This is one of many reasons that we today look towards Germany. The land of sauerkraut, bratwurst, Oktoberfest, Wiener schnitzel, and McDonalds burgers made from pork has a public-private insurance system. The reasons to look at Germany are compelling enough that a delegation of Minnesotans including Human Services Commissioner Cal Luderman, legislators, and officials from the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, Planned Parenthood, and AARP went there earlier this fall to see what they could learn.

The Twin Cities' Safe Streets

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:23:00 -0500

Pedestrians, bicyclists and wheelchair users are no match for motor vehicles in traffic crashes, and not just because cars and trucks are so much bigger, heavier and faster. It's also because, by design, too many of our roadways unfairly stack the deck against non-motorized travelers.

That's the guiding principle of a growing movement called Complete Streets, which seeks to turn auto-centric public rights-of-way into safe and convenient thoroughfares for motorists and pedestrians alike. It means more sidewalks, bicycle lanes and crosswalks along urban streets, traffic calming in areas of heavy pedestrian use and paved shoulders on rural roads.

Minnesota's Higher Education Disparity

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:45:35 -0500

In an economic downturn it's easy to for us to focus on the bad. Unemployment has increased. The economy has contracted. Housing values have declined. With all of this bad, it may come as a surprise that the downturn has led to some good-helping to reduce the racial gap in higher education attainment in Minnesota.

Minnesota ranks second among the fifty states in overall higher education attainment, with approximately 47 percent of adults aged 25-34 having obtained either a two- or four-year post-secondary degree, according to the Lumina Foundation. However, when this statistic is broken down by race, around 50 percent of white, adult Minnesotans have obtained a two- or four-year degree, whereas only around 32 percent of non-white or Latino Minnesotans have done so.

Minnesota's Small Banks Deserve Credit for Keeping Entrepreneurship Afloat

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:45:11 -0500

Given all that's happened on Wall Street, it is difficult to salute financial institutions for what they did leading up to and during the past two year's of financial crisis. That overlooks great work being done here in Minnesota and next door in Wisconsin for which salutes are in order.

A great disparity exists among states when it comes to using federal program tools to stimulate the economy and keep entrepreneurs in business. This was noted in mid summer by small business consultant and business blogger Mike Clough who reported that Minnesota and Wisconsin accounted for nearly 30 percent of American Recovery Capital (ARC) loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

How Minnesota Can Avoid the "California Spiral"

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:06:10 -0500

In a recent presentation [PDF] to the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy, State Economist Tom Stinson and State Demographer Tom Gillaspy delivered sobering news. As a result of demographic trends, demands for public dollars will increase at a time when growth in the state's economy will slow, curtailing the ability of state and local governments to generate revenue.

Stinson and Gillaspy bring ill tidings for both conservatives and progressives. The combination of rising health care costs and an aging population will create pressure for increasing public expenditures, something that conservatives typically dread. The flip side of this coin is that rising health care costs combined with diminished revenue growth will make it difficult to fund other important public investments, which is bad news for all Minnesotans.

The Big Rock Candy Mountain Crumbles

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:05:52 -0500

The times of plenty have passed. Two weeks on, my kids' Halloween candy bags are near empty. No more M&Ms, mini-Snickers, six-to-a-box Dots or cellophane packets of candy corn. What survives to this point is whatever is least desired. The easy choices were made a long time ago.

Like most parents, I face the Halloween candy collection with mixed feelings. It's a great tradition. I loved trick or treating. I'm overjoyed that my children love trick or treating. I'm pleased that they're creating an important inter-generation link in our neighborhood. However, they both came home with a lot of candy.

My dilemma regards permitted consumption; it's careful rationing versus short-term gluttony. I've always landed on the first option but I understand the latter's attractiveness. Thoughtful, deliberate candy eating reinforces pretty much all of my life's priorities while gorging represents a near-complete foreign perspective. Consequently, we've made it two weeks with the possibility of achieving three but only because less desirable candy remains.

For Charter Schools, Transparency is Not a Given

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:51:39 -0500

Accountability is the key to any successful interaction between government and the public. Minnesotans need to know public money is being invested in a responsible manner.

For schools, this means that school boards must make their meetings open to the public and provide meeting minutes to anyone who asks for them. Failing to do so not only violates Minnesota's Data Practices Act but also creates an atmosphere of mistrust and anxiety.

Minnesota's Well Performing Charter Schools

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:05:29 -0500

A recent report by Minnesota 2020, "Checking in on Charter Schools, A Review of 2008 Financial Management Practices," discovered that auditors found at least one financial irregularity on yearly audits of about 75 percent of all charter schools in Minnesota.

This is a dark cloud over the state's roster of charter schools, but it does contain a silver lining: 25 percent of these schools had perfect audits. In fact, there are 12 charter schools that had perfect financial audits two years in a row.

Checking in on Charter Schools: A Review of 2008 Financial Management Practices

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:51:05 -0500

Some of Minnesota's charter schools have a financial management and accountability problem. A Minnesota 2020 examination of the financial audits for all charter schools filed for the 2007-2008 school year found that some conduct their business affairs reasonably well while others face great difficulties. These results echo findings from our previous examination of charter school financial documents . While some schools meet demands for financial accountability, many do not.

This year, Minnesota 2020 digitized each charter school financial audit and is making them available online. Public confidence is strengthened by ready access to public data. We hope our example will encourage the Minnesota Department of Education and other organizations to follow our lead and provide documents in a more easily accessible format.