Marty's Follies

I see Marty Seifert, is back at it again. The House Minority Leader is still throwing a temper tantrum over the transportation bill that was passed.

Marty had initially wanted to run ads filmed at fuel pump TV monitors at gas stations, But Holiday Gas Stations refused to run any political ads from those monitors. But that is not stopping Rep Seifert from wanting to blame the Democrats in the State Capitol for higher gas prices. Mr. Seifert goes on to say

You pay, they pump. Who's to blame for higher gas prices? It's the Democrats in
the State Capitol

Sorry Marty, I'm not buying it.

With Big Oil bringing in 123 billion in record profits last year. I don't think the 2 cents increase will make that much of a difference considering that big oil has raised the price of gas by 51 cents since the bill was passed in February.

In a story on MPR Freshman Rep. Julie Bunn, DFL-Lake Elmo said she understands that some of her constituents may be concerned about higher fuel prices, but she said the gas tax increase will be dedicated to road and bridge construction projects throughout the state. She said her constituents will benefit from accelerated projects like an added lane on I-494, the reconstruction of the Hastings Bridge and other projects through the added funding.

"We are already seeing the benefits for our area of having broken this logjam
and moving us forward on adequately funding transportation in our state," said Dunn.

Rep Robin Brown stated in a press release that:

Freeborn County will receive an additional $10 million over the next ten
years; Mower County will receive an additional $12.3 million. The city of Albert
Lea will receive just over $2 million. This new funding will not only go a long
way toward fixing area roads and bridges, it will also offer relief for property
owners who have been picking up the tab

Other House DFL staffers said it's unfair for Republicans to blame high gas prices on the recently passed gas tax increase. They say the price of a gallon of gas was $2.96 when the transportation bill passed in February. Now, the price of gas is $3.49 a gallon. They said the gas tax increased two cents a gallon on April first, just a small portion of the jump in the price of gas.

One economist agrees with that assessment.

"The day to day politics have got nothing to do with the price of oil being
at $3 or $3.40," said Jerry Fruin with the University of Minnesota's Department
of Applied Economics.
Fruin said global factors are more at play with the
rising costs. He said China and India's increased demand for oil and a slowdown
in oil production are the main reasons for high gas prices.

"We've seen unprecedented demand and a failure to increase supply to
keep up with it," Fruin said.

Remember this legislation will help stimulate the economy by creating over 30 thousand badly needed jobs over the next five years. Better roads, safer bridges and more jobs sound like the right thing to do in these hard economic times.

Minnesota Healthcare Access Fund

While checking my e-mail today I thought this was interesting. Minnesota 20/20 is conducting a poll on the Health Care Access fund.

There is the question:

Minnesota's Health Care Access fund (generated by a care providers tax)
expands affordable coverage for uninsured Minnesotans whenever the fund has a
surplus. Given the state budget deficit, there is debate on how to use the
current surplus.

Here are the choices

1. Maintain current service levels in order to plug the budget
deficit

2. Use the health care access fund surplus as it was intended and
expand affordable coverage to uninsured Minnesotans

If you would like to take part in this poll Click Here.

1st District DFL Convention

It was an exciting day here Saturday in Albert Lea with the unanimous endorsement of Rep Tim Walz for a second term in the United States House of Representatives.

In a press release, State DFL Chair Brian Melendez Says.

“A veteran, a teacher and a family man, Tim Walz is a terrific representative for the people of
southern Minnesota. With years of service to community, state and country, he
knows what it’s like to live the values of responsibility, accountability and
love of country while meeting the challenges of everyday life.
“Walz also knows how to
fight for southern Minnesota, which his extraordinary work on behalf of the
First District in just the last 15 months demonstrates. He has become a national
leader on behalf of our veterans, is working hard to build stronger economy that
supports middle-class prosperity, and is a relentless watchdog for fiscal
responsibility.
“Tim Walz’s independent Minnesota values, hard work and
exemplary service are why southern Minnesotans can do no better than to put him
back to work serving them for another two years. The DFL Party will do its part
to make sure that Walz returns to the job of fighting for Minnesota
first.”

Our friends at the Bluestem Prairie has this news release from First District Chair Lori Sellner

Today, the 1st Congressional District DFL party endorsed Congressman Tim Walz for re-election to
the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Walz was first elected in 2006 and is up for
re-election in 2008.
"Tim Walz is a breath of fresh air in Minnesota
politics," said 1st CD DFL Chair Lori Sellner. "He is one of our neighbors; a local
teacher and veteran who is working to change Washington. He is fighting for
southern Minnesotans everyday. He is fighting for affordable healthcare and a strong
economy. He is fighting to honor America's contract with the men and women who
have risked life and limb in defense of their country. The 1st CD DFL is excited to re-elect
Tim Walz in
2008!"
"I am grateful for the endorsement of the 1st Congressional District DFL," said
Congressman Walz.
"More and more people are joining my grassroots campaign because of the change
we are making in Washington. As a teacher and a veteran, I know the struggles of
middle class families firsthand and I am fighting to reduce the cost of healthcare and strengthen
our economy. Together, we will build the largest grassroots campaign in the
history of southern Minnesota and take our message directly to the people of the
1st Congressional District."

KaalTV6 and the Albert Lea Tibune also has stories.

Rep. Walz 's wife Gwen gave a great introduction of the Congressman and Congressman Walz gave a rousing speech in accepting the nomination.

Erik Who?

Percentage of Nonelderly Americans Without Health Insurance Coverage, 1987-2006

Erik Larsen has decided to run against Rep Robin Brown if he receives the GOP endorsement .Larson said in the Albert Lea Tribune that “My enemy is not Robin Brown, my enemy is the policies and the politics. So his enemy is the policies and the politics. Sounds like he is getting into the wrong business

Regarding health care Mr Larsen said he does not believe that universal health care — a single-payer government-run health care — is the answer he goes on to state "In the United States everyone has access to health care"

Oh really, according to Cover the Uninsured website

Forty-seven million Americans, including more than
9 million children, are living without health care coverage

the website goes on to state

The problem of the uninsured is continuing to
grow. The federal government estimates that 47 million individuals lacked
health insurance coverage of any kind during 2006. Other research shows that
tens of millions more Americans go without health coverage for shorter
periods of time.

Recent Census Bureau data demonstrate that the
problem of the uninsured continued in 2006. According to figures released in
August 2007,


1. 47 million people -- 15.8 percent of the total U.S.
population -- were uninsured in 2006, up slightly from 15.3 percent in the
previous year.

2. The percentage of the non-elderly population that is
uninsured has climbed steadily from 15.9 percent in 1994 to 17.9 percent in 2006
(with a slight dip of no more than one percentage point around the turn of the
century)

Did you also know that

1. Two thirds of the uninsured are low income -
and eight in ten come from families with full or part time workers.

2. Uninsured workers are more likely to work for
small firms such as agriculture, construction and services were employers do not offer affordable coverage if any coverage at all.


It looks like the Freeborn county Republicans new candidate is out of touch.

Levy Limits: A Phony Solution

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is at it again. the Governor is proposing a cap on county and city property taxes instead referred to it as "levy limits"-in a way that will guarantee more county and city budget cuts in the future. So what will happen If the governor has his way? Well we will see reduced police protection, closed libraries, and many more cuts in public services. Minnesota 20/20 has some interesting and factual information

Minnesota 20/20 also has a poll going.

As we've reported before, Minnesota's property taxes have increased by more
than 70 percent in the last six years. This is something that all
Minnesotans agree is a problem that requires a solution.

Click Here to take the poll

Veteran Concerns

We in the 1st district should be proud to have a congressman who works as hard as Rep Tim Walz does today Kttc and the Mpls Star Tribune have stories

Minn. veterans tell House Speaker Pelosi that too many vets fall through cracks in the system

MINNEAPOLIS - Too many Iraq War veterans are slipping through the cracks and aren't getting the benefits they've earned, veterans told U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday.
At a panel discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., Pelosi was told that the Minnesota National Guard has done an excellent job of making sure its troops coming home from Iraq get all the health and education benefits they're entitled to.
But participants said too many veterans from the active duty military services don't get those benefits because they return home alone, and nobody makes sure they check the box on their discharge paperwork saying that they want the information to go to the veterans services offices in their home states.
Luke Weinandt of Mankato said he could have been one of those who fell through the cracks.
"I pretty much stayed in my father-in-law's basement for a few months" after getting out of the Army, he said, having no idea what kind of help was out there.
Weinandt told Pelosi he eventually found out and went back to school, but had to take out student loans to pay his tuition because his GI Bill educational benefit payments kept coming late. Some of his fellow veterans just dropped out because the money didn't come on time, he said.
Michael McLaughlin of Mankato, who served with the Marines in Iraq, told Pelosi he was fortunate that he had a father who was a Vietnam veteran and knew the system.
"A lot of our active duty members are left out," McLaughlin said has he sat next to his father, Tom McLaughlin, who lost a leg in Vietnam. "... Ever since I got in the system it's been world class."
Tom McLaughlin, who's now a Blue Earth County commissioner, choked up a little as he told Pelosi that he never imagined 40 years ago that he'd have a son who would also be a combat veteran.
The elder McLaughlin described how he was fortunate to have a high tech, computerized artificial leg, and held up the small battery that powers it. He said the new leg is a big improvement from the prosthetics of years past.
"We need to see that every veteran who suffers this type of injury, as well as other types of injuries that are severe and life-affecting, have this type of technology," he said.
But he added that he had had problems getting benefits, too. While the Department of Veterans Affairs paid in 1984 to remodel his bathroom with handrails so he could get in and out of the tub, he said the VA refused when he moved again in 2003, telling him he was entitled to that benefit only once.
"Oh, my," Pelosi said, as McLaughlin went on to explain that he had to spend $4,000 in his own money to get the work done.
McLaughlin said that needs to change because chances are that a 20- or 21-year-old amputee veteran probably won't stay in the same house for his or her whole life.
"It's shocking to hear all these years later that you only get that benefit once," Pelosi said.
Ken Delano, of Albert Lea, a former military police officer who was injured on duty, was one of several participants who praised the quality of care they get at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center — once they get there.
But Delano told Pelosi he has to drive 100 miles one way, and the milage reimbursement rate was just recently raised to 28.5 cents per mile. He said the VA needs to add more community-based outpatient medical services so that veterans can get their routine care close to home, saving the long trips to Minneapolis for more serious issues.
The California Democrat said she helped last year to get the milage rate raised after it sat at 11 cents for many years. She said she's working to increase that to the 48.5 cents, the standard set by the Internal Revenue Service.
After touring the VA hospital and meeting some patients and their families, Pelosi told reporters that veterans deserve futures worthy of their sacrifices.
"We will take this message back to Washington and we will act upon it,"

Property tax Relief

Under the Pawlenty Administration local property taxes have went through the roof but now I see that the House democrats have come up with a plan for property tax relief for most Minnesotans here is the story.

House Democrats revive plan for property tax relief

Minnesota Public Radio April 21, 2008

St. Paul, Minn. — Democrats in the Minnesota House have unveiled a plan to provide property tax relief to most homeowners. The revenue-neutral proposal would tie property taxes to homeowners' incomes. That money would be funneled through a new homestead credit refund to those whose property tax burdens are heavier based on their income. Marquart says about 95 percent of homeowners would qualify, but many high-income Minnesotans would be ineligible for a property tax refund. Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, says property taxpayers who've been feeling the most pain would get the most relief, beginning in 2009. Marquart says the state's budget deficit is no reason to wait on a property tax relief plan. "It's more important than ever in this type of down economic times that we look at a system like this based on an ability to pay, and target those homeowners who need it the most," said Marquart. Since no additional revenue is needed, Marquart says he thinks the plan has a good chance of passing yet this session. The House Taxes Committee will hold hearings on the plan in the coming weeks.

Forum Communications also has a story. We will keep an eye on this bill through the end of the session.

The Pump

I was doing a little surfing on the net today and came across this story on MPR. Seems that the Republican in the Minnesota Legislature are planing to run a campaign blaming the Democrats for the increase in the gas tax. There plan is to buy advertising at locations with gas pump video monitors in an effort to show how upset Minnesotans are.

So I have to wonder:
How many Republicans will be playing to the cameras just to get themselves in these 15 second ads?

We know that the gas price did rise 2 cents on April 1st from the transportation bill go in to effect. Yet the price of gas has went up 27 cents from 3.31.08 price of $3.14 to the average price of regular gas on April 19 of $3.41. So if two cents went for our transportation system where did the other 25 cents a gallon go? You got it, right in the pockets of the Big Oil companies

That right, Exxon Mobil Corp., for one had record profits of $40 billion dollars last year. When you take Exxon Mobile profits and add in the profits of Conoco Phillips, BP America , Chevron and Shell Oil Co, there combined profits were $123 billion dollars in 2007. Yet these same oil company's with huge profit also raking in another $18 billion in government subsidies.

I have to wonder why we hear nothing from House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall about the huge profits of the oil companies? Is it that he is so consumed with the thought of having to pay a few cents extra at the pump for our roads and bridges that the profits of big oil has slipped his mind. or is it that price gouging of consumers is far game in his eyes.

One would think that with one bridge that has collapsed and another that is on the verge of collapse in St. Cloud along with the roads in our state being in poor shape that it was well past time that new monies be invested into our transportation system.

Rep. Seifert If you really want to complain about the high price at the pump, then maybe you should send these clips to the Oil company executive, there the ones raking in the huge profits, and gouging the consumers, or isn't that the Republican way?

JobZ

The Albert Lea Tribune came out in support of a new and improved JobZ program tonight in their editorial page

Down to considering the termination of the JOBZ program.The Job Opportunity Building Zone
program has benefited Freeborn County almost more than any other county in the
state of Minnesota. It is a program that has been especially helpful to out state Minnesota.
Now, some legislators from metropolitan Minnesota want it to end. But the metro
area enjoys many perks by simply being large, but the JOBZ incentive helps even
the economic-development field for regional cities such as Albert Lea,
Worthington or St. Cloud.What perks are their for being large? The biggest is
the population to dominate representation in the Legislature, guiding state
dollars toward metro desires. Others include greater federal assistance dollars
and grants, plus greater human resources all around to go after funding sources.
So what harm is there to the metro area in cutting a break to out state Minnesota?
None.We hope what comes out of the discussion is an enhanced, improved JOBZ program.

Then there was this article on the MPR website on JobZ. Here are some highlights

While the battle over the fate of the JOBZ program continues in the Legislature,
participation in the rural economic development program continues to fall
sharply. In 2007, the number of JOBZ projects went down about one-third from the
year before. So far in 2008, participation is off to its slowest start ever.

Worthington, Minn. — JOBZ is the centerpiece of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's rural economic development program. Businesses adding jobs in certain areas get big breaks on corporate, income, sales and other taxes. In JOBZ's first three years, the tax reductions totaled nearly $46 million.
With incentives like that, JOBZ got off to a fast start. About 120 companies signed up the first year, 2004.
Since then, the number of new projects has fallen an average 26 percent a year. That decline accelerated last year.

"I wouldn't describe the whole outlook as bleak," said Dan McElroy, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, who oversees the program. "But JOBZ needs clarification by the Legislature, and we're working hard to get that."
But right now there's a battle in the Legislature over whether JOBZ will be clarified or canceled. One legislative effort to prop up the program would extend the number of years companies receive tax breaks. Currently, JOBZ benefits are on a sliding scale. Based on JOBZ's 2015 end date, a company signing up this year gets eight years of tax breaks. A business entering the program in 2004 received 12 years of benefits. While some legislators work to revive JOBZ, others want to stop the program. The Senate tax bill contains a provision to end JOBZ. McElroy said some companies are waiting to see what happens in the Legislature before they commit to the program. He said that's part of the reason for a slow 2008. There have been just two JOBZ sign ups so far this year, compared to 17 in the same period last year.

"I'm a little surprised. I hadn't realized it was only two so far," said McElroy. "There are probably 10 more that I know that are in process. But it is not as robust as it would have been in 2006." The slowdown in JOBZ is something Mankato business consultant Ed Tschida has seen first hand. He works mainly with city and county governments on economic development projects, often involving JOBZ. "Certainly, all evidence is that it will continue to decline," said Tschida. "I don't see anything turning that around." Tschida said companies are shying away from the Pawlenty centerpiece for a number of reasons. Some businesses calculate the benefits aren't as rich as expected. Some are concerned that court challenges of JOBZ may prove successful and end the program. Tschida said others complain JOBZ requires them to pay construction wages that are higher than the going rate in the area.

"Having to pay several hundred thousand, or even millions of dollars more, up front was not worth the potential benefit of staying in the program," said Tschida.
Officials with Bedford Technology in Worthington decided against JOBZ for an expansion project when they learned the wage requirement would increase their labor costs 10 percent. Another southwest Minnesota company figured the so-called prevailing wage obligation would increase costs nearly 25 percent. Mankato consultant Ed Tschida said the JOBZ requirements caught some companies by surprise, and their difficulties have slowed participation in the program.
"Businesses that maybe would have rushed into the program a little bit in the past, have found out the program wasn't a good fit. I think maybe we steer some of these businesses away that aren't good fits," said Tschida. "And the cumulative effect of that, I think, has been to see a slowdown in the use of the program."
JOBZ took another blow earlier this year when a Legislative Auditor's report called the program "unfocused." The audit found "significant problems" in administering JOBZ, particularly with the business subsidy agreements. The report said those agreements too often lacked adequate job and wage requirements. As with other JOBZ problems, the Legislative Auditor said it's up to the Legislature to fix the program.

I do see some merit in the JobZ Program in bringing jobs into rural Minnesota. But I would like to know the cost to every taxpayers in freeborn county in bringing these jobZ to our area.

Albert Lea Economic Development Agency Executive Director Dan Dorman attended hearing by the Senate and House Tax Committees on Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) its interesting to note that Mr. Dorman stated

"Currently in Albert Lea, the JOBZ program has helped create about 600 jobs from a
total of about seven successful projects,

600 hundred job is about the amount of jobs that were lost from the Farmland fire. So I would have to ask are we better off now? Are the wages and benefit packages paid by the company's in the JobZ zones better then what was at the Farmland plant back in 2001?
What I really see is we have a net gain of 0 jobs here. What we have done is replace the Farmland Jobs buy giving 7 company's 8-12 years of free taxes. Or should I say corporate welfare

Hmmm

After reading the Albert Lea Tribunes editorial yesterday (Pawlenty deserves the real thanks) I had to stop and think for a minute. I remember last May (2007) that Governor Pawlenty Vetoed the bonding bill which had the edgewater project in it. When the bill was revised and sent back for final passage, slowdown tatics were perpertated by the Republicans keep the revised bill from coming to the floor in the final hours of the 2007 session Then when the Governor Pawlenty set his priorities for this years Bonding Bill late last fall the Edgewater project was again left out. So I have to disagree with the Tribune on this issue. Representative Robin Brown and Senator Dan Sparks have worked very hard to see this come to pass and have done a great job. Mayor Randy Erdman and all the local groups do deserve credit credit for a job well done. But the Citizens of Freeborn County really need to be commended. They called, wrote letters sent e-mails in support of this important project. it shows Grass Root politic at its very best Yes, Gov.Pawlenty deserves a thank you for not Line-item vetoing our projects in the bonding bill this year. But if Governor Pawlenty truly deserve the real thanks he should have signed the bill last year before another 1820 gallons of toxic waste would have seeped into our lakes.

Jottings

There seems to be some interesting things going on in the area. Governor Tim Pawlenty was in town today to ceremoniously sign the bonding bill again. The Albert Lea Tribune has a story.

Then I see that the JobZ program was back on the front burner at the Capitol yesterday with former Rep Dan Dorman testifying. the Albert Lea Tribune and In-Forum have stories.


After reading what the wages being paid in Cass County in the In-Forum article ..
Quote

Gail Leverson, Cass County Economic Development Corporation’s executive
director, gave a list of businesses that have used the JOBZ tax-break program,
including one that produced 52 workers.
“JOBZ was their main motivation to
locate in Cass County,” she said.
Another business has 72 workers, with a
nearly $15 per hour wage average.
A third example was a mental health care
business that pays more than $22 an hour in wages and benefits, which she called
“an exceptionally high wage rate for Cass County.”
Leverson said she doesn’t
seek out just any job when recruiting businesses.
“I look for things that are
year-around jobs,” she said.
Cass County’s unemployment rate is twice the
state’s average and, like most of rural Minnesota, wages are lower than in the
Twin Cities.
Cass County JOBZ jobs are “higher than the average income for
low-income counties,” Leverson said.

I for one have to wonder what the average wages of employees of company's that have the jobZ zone in Albert Lea and Freeborn county area are?

Finally I see that Rep. Tim Walz wants to revamp GI Bill ,MPR has the story

Cuts

It looks as if all the hard work done by Rep. Robin Brown and Sen. Dan Sparks has paid off. As far as i can tell it looks like all of the local projects in the 2008 bonding bill made it through. There was a nice article in the Albert Lea Tribune today.

In the 2008 bonding bill, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday approved $2.5 million in funding to clean up the North Edgewater Park landfill, though he cut $208 million in other funding requests across the state.“You just have to see the smile on my face right now,” District 27A Rep. Robin Brown said after hearing the news. “This truly was an example of people working together, and I have to thank the community members for being heavily involved. I really consider it a community project. I’m so proud of everyone.”...

Senator Sparks added

It was something we worked hard to get started,” state Sen. Dan Sparks said.
“We pitched in and told everyone that this is a real priority, for not only Albert Lea,
but also Freeborn County.” Sparks said he thinks bonding for Riverland Community College and for the cities of Manchester and Myrtle also received approval.

If anyone is interested here is a link to the projects that were cut from the bill
Projects cut.

Thank you, Rep Brown and Senator Sparks for all your hard work.

Edgewater Update

It looks as if Governor Pawlenty has come to the realization that we just might be in a recession and has signed the bonding bill. but he did trim 208 million from the bill, bring the total bonding to S717 million dollars. I am glad to see that money for the Edgewater cleanup was left in the finial bill . It is yet unclear if the money's for Riverland Community College and the Manchester and Myrtle projects were included in the bill according to the Albert Lea Tribune.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty approved bonding for the $2.5 million North Edgewater Park
landfill project Monday as part of the $717 million state bonding bill.

There were many of projects that did fall to the governors veto pen. according to the Mpls star Tribune website some were

—$46.7 million for property acquisitions and classroom renovations on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses.
—$16 million for a loan to the Red Lake school district for a new school.
—$6 million toward sports centers in Moorhead and Rochester.
—$5.5 million to study or plan for passenger rail routes connecting the Twin Cities to Duluth and another to Chicago.
—$5 million for a St. Paul Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
—$3 million toward planning for a Minnesota Orchestra Hall renovation.
—$400,000 for a music lending library in Chatfield

I am a little taken back that the Governor would cut $16 Million in a loan for building a new school in the Red Lake school district. One has to wonder why, since T-Paw would still have been $92 Million under the max that he wanted to bond. this one has me scratching my head.

Brown Solves Problem

It is refreshing to see that our first term 27A House of Representative Member Robin Brown is more then willing to go the extra mile in helping the citizens in our district.

Here's a Letter to the Editor that was printed in the Albert Lea Tribune on April 6, 2008

In 2006 I sent an e-mail to Victoria Simonsen, “Albert Lea city manager,” regarding the
fact that we were being charged a city tax on our Charter bill, and we did not
live in the city of Albert Lea. She responded the early part of February 2007
and in her response she agreed and said she would notify her financial
department and Charter Communications of this. However, the tax has stayed on
the bill until recently. I also had contacted Charter to no avail.It simply said it was
up to the city officials to tell the company who to tax or not tax.I even wrote
a letter to Mayor Randy Erdman and asked that he mention it at the City
Council meeting. He never responded at all! I had not heard from the city
manager (even though I sent her e-mails regarding this) until she finally
responded on Dec. 27, 2007, stating she had contacted the city attorney to
research this problem. Then she indicated he had reported back to her that he
had researched this and it was legal! I don’t know if he actually did this, but
if he did I am not sure where he got his information as it was also
wrong.Meanwhile, I had been in contact with state Rep. Robin Brown and the state
of Minnesota Department of Taxation and Revenue. She and her staff worked
diligently with me to get this corrected and in January Charter contacted me and
also the state Department of Revenue and Taxation telling me it is not legal for
us to have to pay Albert Lea city tax on our Charter bill! I would like to
publicly thank
Rep. Robin Brown and her staff for all the time and effort spent helping me in
getting this resolved. On my recent bill from Charter not only is the tax off I
was reimbursed for all the charges. I am hoping all the others in my area and
outside the city limits have also had the tax removed and been reimbursed. If not,
contact Robin. She is more than willing to help.
Beth Miller, Albert Lea

Great Job Robin!

Edgewater Park Dump Site

There was was an interesting view point in the Albert Lea Tribune editorial on April 4,2008. If you missed it.

Editorial: Don’t drop the ball, St. Paul
Friday, April 4, 2008
Republican, Democrat, governor, Legislature, veto or no veto, it doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong. It doesn’t matter who is playing politics or who is in an election year.What matters is that Minnesota state leaders, from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on down, need to make sure that — if nothing else — pollution gets taken care of. It is flat out wrong that chemicals from the old landfill that is beneath the present North Edgewater Park have been allowed to pollute Fountain Lake for so long without the proper funding to clean it up.Lack of state regulation of landfills allowed the pollution to happen in the first place and the lack of state funding to clean it up has allowed it to persist this long.The levels of pollution are said to be safe for recreation, but it is wrong that there has been a level of pollution in the first place.People swim in this lake, ski in it, fish in it. Your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters use it.The governor and legislators had better remember that. This legislative session should not end without Albert Lea getting a simple $2.5 million cleanup request. Without it, the chemicals will leak for still another year, maybe two, maybe until the end of Pawlenty’s term.

I do agree that this project need to get done now. Our elected official, did a good job making sure it was included the bonding bill that went to the Governor's desk. I for one will be watching to see what happens over the next few days. Stay tuned