HometownSource Blogs

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today (July 1) in a concise paragraph to Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson approved $2.7 billion in state budget unallotments for the new two-year spending cycle starting today.

Yesterday, religious leaders gathered at the Capitol to lament the unallotment and its impact on the needy.

“I would never say the governor is a bad man,” said Rev. Peg Chemberlin, of the Minnesota Council of Churches, speaking before the Capitol steps ceremony.

“I think that’s for the governor and his God to work out together,” she said.

“I think this is a bad decision. And I think people of faith want to say it’s not a moral decision,” said Chemberlin.

“We feel our values need to be articulated in this moment of time,” she said.

“I think values are always at the center of a budget debate,” said Chemberlin.

“I think there’s time when religious rhetoric needs to be set aside. But not religious values,” she said.

“We think the budget could have happened in a much more moral way. The legislature passed a budget that did not make these cuts,” she said, referring the DFL budget proposal, one including an income tax increase on the wealthy and other revenue raisers.

Most of the congregations in the council have a “significant” outreach budget, for many ten, 20 percent of their budgets devoted to charity work, she explained.

“I think our congregations are very involved in the charity work. But there are some things beyond what a congregation can do,” said Chemberlin.

Just making good the health care cuts in the unallotment would translate into a $60,000 cost per congregation, she explained.

Chemberlin estimated that representatives from about 80 percent of Minnesota’s faith communities would attend the lament on the Capitol steps.

The new Minnesota seat belt law is causing more motorists and passengers to fasten their seat belts, particularly after hearing that the fine and court costs for each unbelted person in the car could be over $100.  In Anoka county, for example the fine and courts costs for each unbelted person total $110.

The new law allows a law officer to stop a car if he is sure the driver is not belted.  Once the car is stopped, the officer can tag anyone who is unbelted and may check for drivers license, drunkenness and possession of drugs.

The Minnesota Legislature passed the more restrictive seat belt law after hearing from mothers of injured victims, looking at the data and taking advantage of $3.4 million in federal funds.

Minnesota’s Department of Safety says that of the 325 fatal auto crashes in 2008, 178 involved belted drivers and passengers.
Read more »

DFL gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza, a former House minority leader from St. Paul, plans to visit the Haubenschild farm on Friday (July 3) in Princeton as part of a “clean energy tour” through the state.

The farm is of interest, because Haubenschilds turn methane gas from manure into energy — biogas.

Haubenschilds have burned hundreds of millions of cubic feet of biogas, providing power not for the farm but some 70 households, according to the Entenza campaign.

Entenza is scheduled to drop by the farm between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

The farm is located on Nacre Street.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today (June 26) released a state by state “snapshot” of the nation’s health care system.

The report — based on the latest statistics, say officials — graded Minnesota’s overall quality of health care as “strong.”

But it also graded the state’s quality of chronic care as “average.”

Some statistics: 3.6 million Minnesotans get health insurance on the job — family premiums average $13,184, or almost the equivalent to having someone working full-time to pay, officials note.
Since 2000 the average family premium has increased by 90 percent in Minnesota, according to the report.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius argues that the report findings highlight the need for health care reform.

“I’m confident we’re going to get a bill passed and to the president’s desk,” she said to region reporters today.

In taking questions, Sebelius indicated that while it may be possible for Democrats to pass a health care bill out of the U.S. House without bipartisan support, the mechanics of the U.S. Senate requires its.

“It’s an American issue,” she said, also adding that health care is one issue Americans take personally.

President Obama is pushing for a public health care plan in addition to private plans.

The president has budgeted some $630 billion over the next ten years for health care reserve fund, though also believes the amount is inadequate overall.

In a recent letter to congressional leaders, the president stressed the need for a health care reform package to be budget deficit-neutral.
In taking questions, Sebelius indicated the idea that businesses may drop their health care coverage, encouraging employees to enroll in the public plan, is worrisome.

“There is concern about so-called ‘dumping,’” she said.

But the administration’s idea of the public plan is that would be for the uninsured or underinsured, she said.

Metro Minny Red Division leaders Soderville handed first-year Anoka Bucs a 15-2 loss Wednesday (June 24) at Castle Field in Anoka. The Outlaws improved to 12-6 overall, 9-5 in the league and are 4-3 over the last seven games. The Bucs are tied with Andover at the bottom of the division (5-9), but remain just four games out of the top spot.

Coon Rapids extended its Metro Minny winning streak to 14 games following Wednesday’s 5-2 win over Andover in Coon Rapids. The Redbirds hold the top spot in the division and are 21-1 overall with the only loss coming against the Austin Greyhounds, 11-7, June 19.

Redbirds original member Rob Vitense is among the league batting leaders, sporting a .448 batting average and .579 OBP. Teammate David Skogg gives the Redbirds a tough tandem, as he is hitting .444 so far. He also has a 4-1 pitching record with a 3.32 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched.

The Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2009 was announced June 25. Among those to be inducted is Bunker Hills Master Professional Dick Tollette who was a key figure in establishing the hall of fame, located at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids.
http://tinyurl.com/ncae47

The City of Elk River, or “Energy City,” has been honored for sustainability and smart energy use by the League of Minnesota Cities.

The league today (June 25) recognized Elk River, and several other cities, in its Cities of Excellence Awards for 2009.

The league noted that Elk River recently partnered with CenterPoint Energy and others to launch Project Conserve, designed to reduce energy costs and consumption by encouraging energy use changes among city residents.

Former Mayor Ronald H. Jabs of Jordan has been selected as one of two League of Minnesota Cities’ C.C. Ludwig Award winners for 2009 — Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland was the other.

The award is considered the highest honor the league can confer. It’s named after a former league executive director and was established in 1962 to honor examples of vision, statesmanship, commitment to the public good in city officials.
Jabs, who received the award for elected officials from cities with populations of less than 10,000, was praised for promoting progress, development, and growth in his city.

He played a key role in construction of a modern wastewater and water treatment plant, notes league officials.

He recently served as president of the Minnesota Mayors Association and has also served on the league’s board of directors.

The City of Jordan has also honored Jabs.

I’ve got my share of friends, family and colleagues that think Twitter is not for them. I’m sure you’ve heard it too.

“I don’t care what people are doing every second of the day.”
“Why do I need to know that ‘hotguy267′ is having coffee with Sukkbir?”
“If you really want to talk to your friends, why wouldn’t you email or call them?”

Well, of course these criticisms come from people who aren’t using Twitter. Those of us who are, assuming we share some of these same sensibilities with the non-Twitters, have found a way to use Twitter, to navigate it, that isn’t a huge waste of time. We’ve learned to “remove” fellow Tweeters when it becomes clear that their tweets are meaningless and self-centered. We’ve learned to “follow” wisely, following others on Twitter that provide humor, helpful tips & information, and lead us to news and links that we can use.

So, my questions for you: who do you follow that you’ve really enjoyed connecting with on Twitter? How have you managed to groom your Twitter account to make it worth your time? And what’s your tweeting philosophy? How do you decide what to tweet and when to build your followers?

Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, is proposing to either tap into the profit from alcohol sales at the new TCF Bank Stadium or the U of M administration budget to fund new scholarship program for disabled veterans.

Garofalo is upset that U of M officials are considering making the new football stadium a dry stadium after originally proposing to allow alcohol sales only to those in the more exclusive-priced seats.

“This isn’t my No. 1 issue, or No. 2, or No. 3… or 500th,” said Garofalo.

But it’s “insulting” that university officials no longer trust the people who pay the taxes to build stadiums to have a beer.

“I’m fully confident it’s going to pass,” said Garofalo of his legislation.

Garofalo’s proposal comes same day that the U of M Board of Regents on a 10 to 2 vote approved a recommendation from university President Robert Bruininks to make the new football stadium, Williams and Mariucci Arenas, all alcohol-free on game days, according to the university.

“This is not a decision we should have had to make and this legislation was truly unfortunate,” said Board of Regents Chairwoman Patricia Simmons.

“But we were not willing to be the only on-campus football stadium in the Big Ten to sell alcohol throughout the stadium. We’re confident our fans will stand with us and will do everything in our power to ensure that TCF Bank Stadium is the best fan experience possible,” she said in a press release.

Legislation last session, signed by the governor, stipulates that alcohol sales be allowed throughout the new football stadium or nowhere, the university notes.

But Garofalo believes U of M officials are being unreasonable.
If they think the university is a dry university then “they haven’t spent five minutes on campus,” said Garofalo.

Creating a scholarship for disabled veterans is a worthwhile venture, he said.

Garofalo believes profits from alcohol sales at the new on-campus football stadium could easily put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the scholarship fund.

A coalition of churches plans “a somber, funeral-like procession” to the Capitol on Tuesday, June 30, to protest Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget unallotment cuts they argue hurts Minnesota poor.

The procession will begin at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill — people are encouraged to gather by 10:15 a.m. and wear black — with the procession to the Capitol beginning at 10:30 a.m.

A delegation will deliver cards and letters to the governor at the Capitol.
“Who among us will suffer the greatest from the Governor’s unallotments? Governor Pawlenty’s unallotments fall disproportionately on our neighbors who are the poorest and most vulnerable – those among us who are struggling to meet basic needs,” said a press release from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, one of the sponsors of the event.

Other sponsors include the Minnesota Council of Churches, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, Greater Minnesota Council of Churches, others.

How important is the news to you?

Well, you are reading this, so it must be worth something. The trick for those in the newspaper business is to determine how much it’s worth to folks like yourself.

Across the country, news organizations are meeting to discuss possible future business models for our industry. The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism also started a project to this end. Last week, I attended one of these meetings at the University of Minnesota. Read more »

I had reservations about the new Minnesota seatbelt law, until I talked to my local Police Chief Jeff Beahen.

Personally I find it a nuisance to buckle up, and the other day I almost hit a car when I tried to fasten my seatbelt, as I saw a police car approaching.

Then, there’s the whole argument about my right to drive without the government telling me to buckle up or it will cost me $25. Read more »

A number of local Republicans scored 100 percent on the Taxpayers League of Minnesota recently released tax score card.

Representatives Bruce Anderson, of Buffalo, Mark Buesgens, of Jordan, Tom Emmer, of Delano, Tom Hackbarth, of Cedar, and Joyce Peppin, of Rogers, all scored 100 percent on the votes the league used to judge.

The league also named Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and House Minority Leader Marty Seifert 2009 horoes of the taxpayers.

The league did not dispense equal plaudits to DFL legislative leaders.

None of the Republican senators scored by the league on various votes hit the 100 percent mark.

Sen. Warren Limmer, of Maple Grove, scored an 85 percent.

Senators Chris Gerlach, of Apple Valley, Mike Jungbauer, of East Bethel, Paul Koering, of Fort Ripley, Pat Pariseau, of Farmington, Claire Robling, of Jordan, and Ray Vandeveer, of Forest Lake, all scored in the 60s.
Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, scored a 57 percent.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to appear at Fatboys Bar and Grill in East Bethel on Saturday (June 20) to speak at the closing ceremony of the 4th annual Patriot Ride.

The Patriot ride is a 75-mile motorcycle ride designed to show show support for Minnesota military veterans and their familes.

The Minnesota Patriot Guard is a nonprofit group whose goal is to serve vets and military familes.

Fatboys is located at 21383 Ulysses Street, East Bethel.