If you haven't already heard the Political Contribution Refund program which as citizens contribute to candidates for state office will end on June 30 as part of Gov. Pawlenty's plans to balance the state budget through unallottment.
Let's face the truth , the 10 million dollars that the state will save over the next two years isn't really going to make a dent in the multi-billion dollar deficit were facing. But what it does is it takes the peoples voice out of our government. Many citizens that now give to political party's or to candidates may now think twice in doing so because the refunds will no longer be coming in the mail. That means that special interest groups with deep pockets will be buying there influence in St. Paul. Is this a good thing for the citizens of our state????
But there may be a challenge to this abuse of power by the Governor.
According to the Mpls Star Tribune, Mike Dean, president of Common Cause Minnesota, said Monday that the group has been talking with lawyers and law professors over whether Pawlenty can make his unallotment "We're very concerned about the abuse of power here," Dean said. "We have consulted legal experts to make sure we're correct, but we think there are grounds. We would engage someone who would be injured -- a legislative candidate -- to file the actual lawsuit."
This abuse of power by Gov. Pawlenty needs to be challenged. The peoples voice needs to be kept in our state government.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Paul Thissen
I had the opportunity to chat with Paul Thissen recently who is a candidate for Governor in 2010. After our chat I listen to Paul speak I was impressed to say the least
Here is a person that knows the issues and the hardships facing Minnesotans today
.
Paul understands that stripping away heath care coverage for the poorest Minnesotans is wrong.
Paul realises that Minnesota is growing older and we must make sure that our parents and older neighbors live independently, with dignity and in their community as long as possible.
Paul will keep our focus on Renewable Energy buy keeping Minnesota a leader in “going green.”
My only advise to Mr Thissen would be that he try and get out in rural Minnesota more and listen to the problems we in rural areas of the state are facing .
Here is a link to his Website
Here is a candidate worth watching!!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
DARK AGES
Minnesota is a wonderful state to live and raise a family; I am proud to be a Minnesotan. The world knows that the State of Minnesota does the right thing for all of its citizens, especially those facing economic hardship, and citizens with disabilities. Under the leadership of Governor Tim Pawlenty the world will be disappointed in our great state’s moral leadership. The Governor has reached a new low point with his line-item veto of $381 million of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program in the health and human services bill.
The Governor has killed a program that provides medical care to our poorest Minnesotans, persons with disabilities, and individuals suffering from mental illness. Over 30,000 Minnesotans will be affected by this line-item veto, and in less than a year our Governor will forsake our neighbors, our friends, those we care for, members of our churches, and our communities.
The Democrats in office found a way to keep GAMC for the poor by raising the state income tax for the wealthiest Minnesota by $109.00 a year what that means is that a family earning over $250,000.00 a year would have to pay an extra $2.10 in state income tax every week. $2.10 a week is that too much to ask our wealthiest Minnesotans to pay to make sure that the poorest Minnesotans can receive healthcare services and medications? In these economic times we must ask ourselves, will Governor Pawlenty also forsake us in our greatest time of need?
It is a dark day in Minnesota when the poor and disabled are forced to chose between food and necessary medical visits to their physician. As a result they will only be able to visit the doctor in life or death situations, and sadly by then it will be too late. Who will care for their families then? No one, they will slip into the depths of poverty beyond comprehension. It’s too bad that the Governor feels that the poorest Minnesotans do not deserve to receive preventive healthcare. It is too bad for our state, our community, our churches, and the families that must suffer the consequences of our Governor’s actions.
Are you wondering what is next on the governor’s hit list? History and logic show that it will likely be an all out assault on programs that help care for the elderly such as state funding for Nursing Homes and Group Homes, and on low income individuals and families. Do you have 100% job security? Could you fall in that category someday? State funding for Hospitals has already been talked about that the Albert Lea Medical Center (ALMC) may lose over $4.1 Million in state funding over the next two years. ALMC is an essential part of our community, if that gets hit I doubt that we will be able to recover. How many people do you know that work there? Do you work there? Do you visit a physician there? Are you immune to the ramifications of Governor Pawlenty’s cuts? Please make a stand for what is right and just before it is too late. Stand up for yourself, and stand up for those who cannot defend themselves!
There is no doubt that Tim Pawlenty will leave his mark on the History of Minnesota, and it will be remembered as Minnesota’s DARK AGES.
The Governor has killed a program that provides medical care to our poorest Minnesotans, persons with disabilities, and individuals suffering from mental illness. Over 30,000 Minnesotans will be affected by this line-item veto, and in less than a year our Governor will forsake our neighbors, our friends, those we care for, members of our churches, and our communities.
The Democrats in office found a way to keep GAMC for the poor by raising the state income tax for the wealthiest Minnesota by $109.00 a year what that means is that a family earning over $250,000.00 a year would have to pay an extra $2.10 in state income tax every week. $2.10 a week is that too much to ask our wealthiest Minnesotans to pay to make sure that the poorest Minnesotans can receive healthcare services and medications? In these economic times we must ask ourselves, will Governor Pawlenty also forsake us in our greatest time of need?
It is a dark day in Minnesota when the poor and disabled are forced to chose between food and necessary medical visits to their physician. As a result they will only be able to visit the doctor in life or death situations, and sadly by then it will be too late. Who will care for their families then? No one, they will slip into the depths of poverty beyond comprehension. It’s too bad that the Governor feels that the poorest Minnesotans do not deserve to receive preventive healthcare. It is too bad for our state, our community, our churches, and the families that must suffer the consequences of our Governor’s actions.
Are you wondering what is next on the governor’s hit list? History and logic show that it will likely be an all out assault on programs that help care for the elderly such as state funding for Nursing Homes and Group Homes, and on low income individuals and families. Do you have 100% job security? Could you fall in that category someday? State funding for Hospitals has already been talked about that the Albert Lea Medical Center (ALMC) may lose over $4.1 Million in state funding over the next two years. ALMC is an essential part of our community, if that gets hit I doubt that we will be able to recover. How many people do you know that work there? Do you work there? Do you visit a physician there? Are you immune to the ramifications of Governor Pawlenty’s cuts? Please make a stand for what is right and just before it is too late. Stand up for yourself, and stand up for those who cannot defend themselves!
There is no doubt that Tim Pawlenty will leave his mark on the History of Minnesota, and it will be remembered as Minnesota’s DARK AGES.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Opener
The 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener is almost here. I see that the Governor has decided to stay close to home this year and spend the Opener on White Bear Lake which is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Capitol.
So I guess their will be no big kick off in Northern Minnesota for the governor to push the great fishing and pristine lakes up there.
Nor will the Governor be coming to Southern Minnesota to the Shallow fetal lake to push a fishery that is really coming into it own.
So I would like to make a suggestion to the Governor for the 2010 Fishing Opener.
How about coming down to Albert Lea and try fishing Albert Lea Lake?
Here is a little info on this soon to be Walleye destination
According to Hugh Valiant, the Department of Natural Resources' fisheries supervisor for the southern region that includes this lake, there have been some water-quality issues that have been addressed, and now Albert Lea Lake is drastically improving in that regard. While anglers do like to fish lakes where there is some decent visibility and deeper weed growth, their top priority is whether there are fish to be caught.
"We have been stocking walleyes in Albert Lea, and the numbers couldn't be better," Valiant said. "In our last survey, there were 85 walleyes per gill net. And the fish are in great shape."
Valiant explained that growth rates in the southern Minnesota lakes result in quality fishing.
"We have been stocking walleyes in Albert Lea, and the numbers couldn't be better," Valiant said. "In our last survey, there were 85 walleyes per gill net. And the fish are in great shape."
Valiant explained that growth rates in the southern Minnesota lakes result in quality fishing.
"The walleyes in these highly fertile lakes grow fast, and they get big," he said. "This lake has never received the fishing pressure it deserves, but once anglers discover there are a lot of walleyes, that will change."
Albert Lea fits the definition of pothole lake. In its 2,600 acres you'll be hard-pressed to find water over 6 feet deep. With no structure to key on, anglers must use search techniques like trolling crankbaits and casting jigs until they connect with a pod of walleyes, then they drop anchor and pitch out the slip-bobbers.
Albert Lea fits the definition of pothole lake. In its 2,600 acres you'll be hard-pressed to find water over 6 feet deep. With no structure to key on, anglers must use search techniques like trolling crankbaits and casting jigs until they connect with a pod of walleyes, then they drop anchor and pitch out the slip-bobbers.
Just think about it,
The Governor could come here and fish for Walleyes and give Albert Lea a little shot in the arm economically speaking. While he's here he could be taken to the site of the Shell Rock River Dam and get a first hand look at just how bad this dam really is.
Do you think something might get done with replacing the Shell Rock Riber Dam if T-Paw were to get involved?
Do you think T-Paw will come and fish Albert Lea Lake?
I doubt it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Dam
Will the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners ever get around to replacing this dam at the headwaters on the Shell Rock River?That is a question that the Citizens of Freeborn County have wanted answered for quite some time now.
The Jugland dam was constructed by Freeborn county in 1922. In 1958 the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution declaring that the County of Freeborn , turn over a portion of State Aid highway 19 which was no longer needed as a public road to C.D. Palmer as a private road. Nowhere in this resolution does it state the the County of Freeborn is also turning over the ownership of the Jugland dam to C.D. Palmer.
What is said about the dam is this:
Reserving however to the County of Freeborn it agents and invitees, theSo what do these three little words mean access, egress and ingress in the context of the Jugland dam?
right to access to, egress and ingress across said premises to and from
the Jugland dam.
Access: a way or means of approach
Egress: Maintenance and workmanship." Means of egress shall be continually maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency.
Ingress: the right to enter.
The county did state that it retained access to go to and from the dam. Also, through the word egress, it has the right to continually maintain free of all obstructions the Shell Rock River dam.
But as early as the 1960's thing started to get heated when the County started decussions on the over hall of the Shell rock river dam.
In an article in the Albert Lea Tribune of Oct 23 2001 it was stated
that:
State statute stipulates that the owner of a dam constructed before
the
state regulation was applied must maintain and operate the dam in a
manner
approved and prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR).
The
state law also demands the state to take over the control of
an abandoned
dam
owned by a private entity.
The county considered either the state or the landowner was to be responsible for the restoration.
But in the state's opinion, the county
retains the possession. A document
issued by State Assistant Attorney General
Matthew B. Seltzer in August
1999 said,
"All of the facts that have been
presented to me indicate
that the dam was
built by a public agency and it
continues to be owned
and controlled by that
public agency."
The county board in October of 2001 asked County Attorney Craig Nelson to conduct a survey to identify the legal owner of the dam and report his finding back to the county board.
Then in the November 11, 2001 story that was printed in the Albert Lea Tribune on the ownership issue of the dam, County attorney Craig Nelson stated:
The document, signed in October 1958 by the chairman of county board, T. C.
Nelson, and County Auditor Robert D. Hanson, says the county would reserve the
right of access to the dam and turn over a portion of old County Road 19 to the
landowner "as a private road or for whatever purposes he chooses that
does not interfere with the operation of the remaining portion of said
County-State Aid Highway No. 19."
County Attorney Craig Nelson added:
"The legal concern is all clear now for the county to start the
project,"
So we have yet to see where it is stated in a government document or in a title or deed of property that the County of Freeborn does not own and does not have control of the Shell rock River dam.
In 2005 funding was attained from the state of Minnesota to go through the Minnesota DNR in the amount of $250,000.00 to go towards replacing the Shell rock river dam.
In January of 2007 in action taken by the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners Stated as reported in the Albert Lea Tribune
The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of a partnership between Freeborn County and the Shell Rock River Watershed District to pursue the building of a dam and bridge. The dam will be on the Shell Rock River at Albert Lea Lake and the bridge to be replaced will be for County Road 19 over the river.
Also in the 2007 Department of Natural resources current dam safty program projected proirity needs listed the Shell Rock river Dam at number 6 on the Priorty list of dams in need of replacing and was funded
So one would think that maybe the County Commissioners might now have there ducks in a row right?
Not by a long shot!
So the Shell rock river watershed set out to Negotiate and purchase the property around the old dam to be used to parking and fishing and to put a public fishing peer for the pubic to fish from.
BUT for what ever reasons the owner had at that time decided to sell his property to another individual.
So in August of 2008 the Shell rock River watershed District vote to proceed with the Bridge dam project: in wishfully thinking by the Albert Lea Tribune it was reported that:
The Albert Lea Lake dam project is finally under way.
The Shell Rock River
Watershed District Tuesday morning approved plans for the Albert Lea Lake dam
project — after a discussion lasting longer than an hour.
The vote was 4 to 3
But as you can see by reading link poviided the new owner had different ideas for the Dam area and ownership of the dam.
So on October 7 2008 the Freeborn County Commissioners at that time on a 3 to 2 vote, voted down the Shell Rock watersheds plan to replace this dam with a variable crest dam under neath a new bridge that is going to replace the bridge you see in the background of the picture above.
So to put it Bluntly
what the Freeborn County Commissioners did was in-fact took the replacement of the Shell rock river Dam our of the hands of the Shell rock River Watershed and Bought this issue, meaning that the Freeborn county commissioners will now make the finial decision on when the dam will be built where it will be built, what type of dam will be built, and if the public will have access to the dam and to the shell rock river at the dam site and below the dam site. the decision this board will make will affect the citizens of Freeborn county for the next 100 years
It also came out in the October 7th meeting that two commissioners had been negotiating a deal with the new owner.
From the Albert Lea tribune article that day after the meeting we see this in there store
Petersen then said the public should know the details of the negotiations
going on between the commissioners and Jensen.
Belshan retorted that Petersen
is asking about land negotiations. Mathiason said all the details are not
ready.
Petersen repeated that people should know what’s going on. Belshan
then spilled some details.
“You’re grabbing something in negotiations and
making it public,” he said.
Belshan then said Jensen would donate land to the
county on the west side of the Shell Rock River for public fishing. He said it
could have picnic tables, and people can reach the dam. He said a new dam might
have decks for fishing atop it.
Mathiason added that there would no parking
lot but the county would seek a wider shoulder on the road. Petersen questioned
the safety of roadside parking and the ability for people to use the river as a
public waterway.“It looks like Greg Jensen has made a deal with you that is not
acceptable to the public and the Shell Rock River Watershed District board,” he
said.
Then on October 9th 2008 there was an article printed in the Albert Lea Tribune where the new Owner of the Land around the Shell rock river dam stated his case
Mr Jensen in this article bring up some issues to which I have some questions
Mr Jensen and Mr Belshan when talking about a small bay next to county road 19 stated in this article that:
"the people have riparian rights to the small bay between County 19 and the present dam.
“They cannot remove this waterway,”
Well riparian right do apply and it give access to the public to all the water of the shell rock river
even to waters below the Dam.
My question is the being that the public has riparian rights does not that mean that Mr Jensen would have to give Safe passage around the Shell rock river dam.
Jensen said the dam is part of the road, and so the dam was turned over; the county only has the right to get there
I will repeat myself again, in the 1958 resolution there is no mention of the county handing over ownership of the dam to anyone. Next
Jensen said the state Department of Natural Resources last summer gave him a permit to repair part of the dam. Because he received the permit, the state recognizes his ownership of the dam, he said.
Not so fast below a picture on the shell rock watershed Website it was stated that Part of the Albert Lea Lake dam washed out in 1997 and was repaired by local residents
Here is a link
Did these people claim ownership of the dam then??? No!
then we have Mr Jensen's demands
He said a new dam needs to have a fixed crest
No Parking lot only parking will be on the side of the road
Jensen said he doesn’t owe anyone access beyond the dam and said he plans to put up a fence to keep people from trespassing beyond the dam.
So what are riparian duty's?
It is the duty of the riparian owners to exercise their rights reasonably, so as not to unreasonably interfere with the riparian rights of others [see Petraborg v. Zontelli, 217 Minn. 536, 15 N.W. 2d 174 (1944)]. They cannot dike off anddrain, or fence off, their part of the waterbody [see Johnson v. Seifert, 257 Minn. 159, 100 N.W. 2d 689 (1960)]. It is a public nuisance and a misdemeanor to “interfere with, obstruct, or render dangerous for passage waters used by the
public” [see Public Nuisance Law, Minnesota Statutes 609.74].
Lastly. Belshan and Jensen on Wednesday said the deal is done except for a few last details. that was on October 8 2008
So where is the deal this article was printed on October 9th 2008 and as of April 11 2009 a deal has still not been reached with Mr. Jensen. That is over 6 monthes and still no deal. the Dam is still in dier need of repair and the time line to use the state funding to replace the jugland dam runs out on July 1 2009.
Can you say good bye to $250,000.00 and say hello to higher property taxes to pay for the new dam
How is that saving the Taxpayers Money???
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Stimulus
Where will some of the Federal stimulus money be spent here in Freeborn County
The Albert Lea Tribune has this article
Get ready for additional local road construction
Two highway projects in Freeborn County are tentatively scheduled to be constructed in 2009 with federal economic stimulus funds, while one is tentatively scheduled for 2010.
Interstate 90
The first, which involves the bituminous overlay on westbound Interstate 90 from Minnesota Highway 13 to Alden and then unbonded concrete overlay on Interstate 90 eastbound from Alden to Highway 13, would cover 12 miles in each direction.
The improvements would not only benefit people from Freeborn County who drive on I-90, but also motorists passing through, said Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever.
“I think anybody who’s driven that portion of I-90 understands the need that’s out there on that particular stretch,” Kluever said.
Kristine Hernandez, public affairs coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said the I-90 project was originally scheduled for 2011 but got moved up two years.
While it is under construction, there will be ramp closures at the state Highway 109 and Highway 13 exits, and MnDOT will set up head-to-head traffic in the westbound lanes while contractors work on the eastbound lanes. Then it will switch when crews are working on the westbound lanes.
She estimated the cost for the project at $13.6 million. MnDOT will open bids March 13 with work tentatively scheduled to begin in May.
“That’s the nice thing about this economic recovery package,” Hernandez said. “We have five jobs scheduled on I-90 that wouldn’t have happened this year. It was a good thing because our interstate is more than 50 years old.”
County Road 46
Piggybacking on the I-90 project will tentatively be the overlay of County Road 46 from Lake Chapeau Road in Albert Lea to Freeborn County Road 6, which is 8.7 miles.
Kluever said this is a project Freeborn County Engineer Sue Miller worked diligently to obtain funds for.
“This is a project that needed to be done and probably would have gotten done at some point in time, but now it’s in a more timely fashion,” Kluever said. “It’s a direct big benefit for the residents of Freeborn County.”
Miller said she worked to submit the project starting in mid-December when there was talk of stimulus funds and about standards projects would need to follow to qualify for funds.
She worked to package the county’s project with MnDOT’s project on I-90 to try to save money for both parties, she said.
Bids for the County 46 project are also tentatively scheduled to be opened March 13. Like many county roads, it is considered a state-assist route. If the project comes to fruition, it would be under a MnDOT contract but would be run by Freeborn County. The estimated cost is $4 million.
Miller said obtaining funds for the project would be of great benefit to the county, as the project costs more than one year of the county’s entire construction budget. As a small county, she said, she looks for grants and other opportunities wherever she can.
“We were all very excited we were able to fold our plans in with MnDOT,” she said.
Minnesota Highway 13
Tentatively scheduled to be completed in 2010 is a project on state Highway 13, starting north of Interstate 90 to state Highway 30 near New Richland, Hernandez said.
It will cover almost 15 miles and will include culvert replacement, mill and overlay, turn lanes and guard rail, she said.
The estimated cost is $3.5 million.
Another project that will affect all of the counties in District 6 is the installation and replacement of various guardrails. Hernandez said the project will cover a span of 12 miles and will include 184 guardrails. It may also involve temporary lane closures.
“These are some very worthwhile projects,” state Sen. Dan Sparks said. “It’s even more important than ever to get these contractors to work.”
District 27A Rep. Robin Brown echoed those comments.
“I’m very pleased there will be stimulus money coming to the Albert Lea area,” Brown said. “I look forward to seeing these projects up and running.”
The translation of the project will mean more jobs for contractors and hopefully more for area businesses too, she said.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Web site, state projects were selected for the economic recovery funds based on the following criteria.
•Project readiness: MnDOT’s top priority is to use the available funds, so it looked for projects that are ready to start, according to the site. A project’s readiness was assessed based on the status of criteria such as environmental review and percent of right of way purchased.
•Consistency with performance-based needs: MnDOT is giving priority to projects with a demonstrated performance need so that it can meet its commitment to make a lasting transportation improvement, the site continued.
•Statewide coverage: Because the intent of the economic stimulus bill is to create jobs statewide, MnDOT wanted to ensure that the program would do just that.
•Balanced program: Using the entire capacity of Minnesota’s highway construction industry.
•Project advancement: For projects to be funded with economic recovery funds, the projects have to be advanced within the State Transportation Improvement Program.
Minnesota is expected to receive more than $596 million for state and local highway and transit projects over the next two years as a result of the federal legislation, according to a news release. About 30 percent of the highway funds are available for local governments, with the remaining 70 percent for MnDOT projects.
I am glad to see this work being done. One project I have not heard about for a while now is the replacement of the dam on Albert Lea lake. this is a project that needs to get done. It might be time for the public to put some pressure on your county commissioners!
Click here for contact info for your commissioner. Please tell him to get this job done !!!!!!!!
The Albert Lea Tribune has this article
Get ready for additional local road construction
Two highway projects in Freeborn County are tentatively scheduled to be constructed in 2009 with federal economic stimulus funds, while one is tentatively scheduled for 2010.
Interstate 90
The first, which involves the bituminous overlay on westbound Interstate 90 from Minnesota Highway 13 to Alden and then unbonded concrete overlay on Interstate 90 eastbound from Alden to Highway 13, would cover 12 miles in each direction.
The improvements would not only benefit people from Freeborn County who drive on I-90, but also motorists passing through, said Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever.
“I think anybody who’s driven that portion of I-90 understands the need that’s out there on that particular stretch,” Kluever said.
Kristine Hernandez, public affairs coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said the I-90 project was originally scheduled for 2011 but got moved up two years.
While it is under construction, there will be ramp closures at the state Highway 109 and Highway 13 exits, and MnDOT will set up head-to-head traffic in the westbound lanes while contractors work on the eastbound lanes. Then it will switch when crews are working on the westbound lanes.
She estimated the cost for the project at $13.6 million. MnDOT will open bids March 13 with work tentatively scheduled to begin in May.
“That’s the nice thing about this economic recovery package,” Hernandez said. “We have five jobs scheduled on I-90 that wouldn’t have happened this year. It was a good thing because our interstate is more than 50 years old.”
County Road 46
Piggybacking on the I-90 project will tentatively be the overlay of County Road 46 from Lake Chapeau Road in Albert Lea to Freeborn County Road 6, which is 8.7 miles.
Kluever said this is a project Freeborn County Engineer Sue Miller worked diligently to obtain funds for.
“This is a project that needed to be done and probably would have gotten done at some point in time, but now it’s in a more timely fashion,” Kluever said. “It’s a direct big benefit for the residents of Freeborn County.”
Miller said she worked to submit the project starting in mid-December when there was talk of stimulus funds and about standards projects would need to follow to qualify for funds.
She worked to package the county’s project with MnDOT’s project on I-90 to try to save money for both parties, she said.
Bids for the County 46 project are also tentatively scheduled to be opened March 13. Like many county roads, it is considered a state-assist route. If the project comes to fruition, it would be under a MnDOT contract but would be run by Freeborn County. The estimated cost is $4 million.
Miller said obtaining funds for the project would be of great benefit to the county, as the project costs more than one year of the county’s entire construction budget. As a small county, she said, she looks for grants and other opportunities wherever she can.
“We were all very excited we were able to fold our plans in with MnDOT,” she said.
Minnesota Highway 13
Tentatively scheduled to be completed in 2010 is a project on state Highway 13, starting north of Interstate 90 to state Highway 30 near New Richland, Hernandez said.
It will cover almost 15 miles and will include culvert replacement, mill and overlay, turn lanes and guard rail, she said.
The estimated cost is $3.5 million.
Another project that will affect all of the counties in District 6 is the installation and replacement of various guardrails. Hernandez said the project will cover a span of 12 miles and will include 184 guardrails. It may also involve temporary lane closures.
“These are some very worthwhile projects,” state Sen. Dan Sparks said. “It’s even more important than ever to get these contractors to work.”
District 27A Rep. Robin Brown echoed those comments.
“I’m very pleased there will be stimulus money coming to the Albert Lea area,” Brown said. “I look forward to seeing these projects up and running.”
The translation of the project will mean more jobs for contractors and hopefully more for area businesses too, she said.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Web site, state projects were selected for the economic recovery funds based on the following criteria.
•Project readiness: MnDOT’s top priority is to use the available funds, so it looked for projects that are ready to start, according to the site. A project’s readiness was assessed based on the status of criteria such as environmental review and percent of right of way purchased.
•Consistency with performance-based needs: MnDOT is giving priority to projects with a demonstrated performance need so that it can meet its commitment to make a lasting transportation improvement, the site continued.
•Statewide coverage: Because the intent of the economic stimulus bill is to create jobs statewide, MnDOT wanted to ensure that the program would do just that.
•Balanced program: Using the entire capacity of Minnesota’s highway construction industry.
•Project advancement: For projects to be funded with economic recovery funds, the projects have to be advanced within the State Transportation Improvement Program.
Minnesota is expected to receive more than $596 million for state and local highway and transit projects over the next two years as a result of the federal legislation, according to a news release. About 30 percent of the highway funds are available for local governments, with the remaining 70 percent for MnDOT projects.
I am glad to see this work being done. One project I have not heard about for a while now is the replacement of the dam on Albert Lea lake. this is a project that needs to get done. It might be time for the public to put some pressure on your county commissioners!
Click here for contact info for your commissioner. Please tell him to get this job done !!!!!!!!
Earmarks
I have been ran over the coals over the years by my Republican friends for promoting legislation that would put people to work.
But it looks like my GOP friends have to mentality of "do as I say and not as I do"
I found this on "The Hill" Website
Some GOP critics love their earmarks
By Alexander Bolton
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and other Republicans are drawing criticism for sponsoring hundreds of millions of earmarks in the $410 billion omnibus that they themselves have blasted as fiscally irresponsible. Vitter is the most obvious target because he holds himself a fiscal conservative, a position that often serves him well. In the midst of a heated debate over earmarks, however, Vitter finds himself ducking charges of hypocrisy
The criticisms undercut the GOP’s weekend effort to frame omnibus as a Democratic Christmas tree. “Even though Vitter has been styling himself as a fiscal conservative he has been more willing to team up with [Democratic Sen. Mary] Landrieu [La.] and belly up to the bar and take more than his fair share of earmarks,” said Steve Ellis, the vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group that tracks earmarks.Vitter, for example, threatened to hold up Senate action on the omnibus unless Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) promised him a vote on an amendment to eliminate automatic pay increases for lawmakers. “In a lot of ways he’s trying have his cake and eat it too,” said Ellis. “He talks about being fiscal conservative and then brags back home what he was able to deliver to the state.”John Alyosius Farrell, Tip O’Neill’s biographer, singled Vitter out for ridicule on the Thomas Jefferson Street blog. “The self-righteousness among Republicans on the issue of government spending is rank and overwhelming. The GOP is acting as if federal spending is a Democratic monopoly.” The Huffington Post, a liberal-leaning online publication, ran an article discussing Vitter’s earmarks entitled, “Red States Gobble Up Omnibus Earmarks.” This barrage of criticism comes as a surprise considering that Vitter has positioned himself as one of the staunchest fiscal conservatives in the Senate. Vitter, however, defends his actions even while he criticizes the torrid spending pace Congress has set in the last six months.“I have strongly supported fundamental spending reform, including complete openness and transparency and significantly lower budget number,” Vitter told The Hill in a statement. “As I do that, though, I am proud to stand by my specific funding requests for critical transportation, law enforcement and hurricane recovery needs.” “These represent serious Louisiana needs, which have not been met even as Congress has passed trillion dollar spending and bailout bills,” said Vitter.
Vitter, of course, represents New Orleans, which is still recovering from the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina. A study of nearly 9,000 earmarks in the omnibus showed that showed that Vitter is the fifth-biggest recipient of earmarked funds in the Congress.Vitter has sponsored or cosponsored nearly $250 million in earmarks, according to the study by Taxpayers for Common Sense. Two other Republicans topped the list of biggest earmarkers: Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.), senior Republican on the Appropriations Committee; and Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss). Of the ten lawmakers who sponsored or cosponsored the largest sums of earmarked funds, 6 were Republicans. Several of them, such as Cochran and Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), are members of the Appropriations panel. This has caused grumbling on conservative Websites. A contributor to a discussion forum on conservative television host Sean Hannity’s website lamented that Cochran, Wicker and Vitter were three of the biggest sponsors of earmarks in the omnibus.“So much for GOP fiscal responsibility,” griped the anonymous commentator. "Leading Republicans in the House and Senate pushed for a better solution: a spending freeze that would strip the omnibus bill of all its airdropped earmarks and hold government spending at current levels,” House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio), wrote in an opinion editorial published Saturday. “Democratic leaders in both chambers scoffed at this common-sense proposal.” Vitter managed to steer hundreds of millions of dollars to his home state despite not serving on Appropriations by teaming up with a Democrat, Landrieu, his home state colleague. As a member of the Appropriations panel who faced a difficult re-election last year, Landrieu received special consideration from Democratic leaders who ultimately control Congress’s purse strings. Landrieu sponsored more money in earmarks than any Democrat in Congress. Nevertheless, Vitter told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he would vote against the omnibus because it is “just too expensive.”Vitter claimed it is not inconsistent to win money for projects in a bill likely to become law but vote against it because of broad fiscal concerns.
Seems the Republicans have a fondness for earmarks.
But it looks like my GOP friends have to mentality of "do as I say and not as I do"
I found this on "The Hill" Website
Some GOP critics love their earmarks
By Alexander Bolton
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and other Republicans are drawing criticism for sponsoring hundreds of millions of earmarks in the $410 billion omnibus that they themselves have blasted as fiscally irresponsible. Vitter is the most obvious target because he holds himself a fiscal conservative, a position that often serves him well. In the midst of a heated debate over earmarks, however, Vitter finds himself ducking charges of hypocrisy
The criticisms undercut the GOP’s weekend effort to frame omnibus as a Democratic Christmas tree. “Even though Vitter has been styling himself as a fiscal conservative he has been more willing to team up with [Democratic Sen. Mary] Landrieu [La.] and belly up to the bar and take more than his fair share of earmarks,” said Steve Ellis, the vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group that tracks earmarks.Vitter, for example, threatened to hold up Senate action on the omnibus unless Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) promised him a vote on an amendment to eliminate automatic pay increases for lawmakers. “In a lot of ways he’s trying have his cake and eat it too,” said Ellis. “He talks about being fiscal conservative and then brags back home what he was able to deliver to the state.”John Alyosius Farrell, Tip O’Neill’s biographer, singled Vitter out for ridicule on the Thomas Jefferson Street blog. “The self-righteousness among Republicans on the issue of government spending is rank and overwhelming. The GOP is acting as if federal spending is a Democratic monopoly.” The Huffington Post, a liberal-leaning online publication, ran an article discussing Vitter’s earmarks entitled, “Red States Gobble Up Omnibus Earmarks.” This barrage of criticism comes as a surprise considering that Vitter has positioned himself as one of the staunchest fiscal conservatives in the Senate. Vitter, however, defends his actions even while he criticizes the torrid spending pace Congress has set in the last six months.“I have strongly supported fundamental spending reform, including complete openness and transparency and significantly lower budget number,” Vitter told The Hill in a statement. “As I do that, though, I am proud to stand by my specific funding requests for critical transportation, law enforcement and hurricane recovery needs.” “These represent serious Louisiana needs, which have not been met even as Congress has passed trillion dollar spending and bailout bills,” said Vitter.
Vitter, of course, represents New Orleans, which is still recovering from the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina. A study of nearly 9,000 earmarks in the omnibus showed that showed that Vitter is the fifth-biggest recipient of earmarked funds in the Congress.Vitter has sponsored or cosponsored nearly $250 million in earmarks, according to the study by Taxpayers for Common Sense. Two other Republicans topped the list of biggest earmarkers: Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.), senior Republican on the Appropriations Committee; and Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss). Of the ten lawmakers who sponsored or cosponsored the largest sums of earmarked funds, 6 were Republicans. Several of them, such as Cochran and Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), are members of the Appropriations panel. This has caused grumbling on conservative Websites. A contributor to a discussion forum on conservative television host Sean Hannity’s website lamented that Cochran, Wicker and Vitter were three of the biggest sponsors of earmarks in the omnibus.“So much for GOP fiscal responsibility,” griped the anonymous commentator. "Leading Republicans in the House and Senate pushed for a better solution: a spending freeze that would strip the omnibus bill of all its airdropped earmarks and hold government spending at current levels,” House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio), wrote in an opinion editorial published Saturday. “Democratic leaders in both chambers scoffed at this common-sense proposal.” Vitter managed to steer hundreds of millions of dollars to his home state despite not serving on Appropriations by teaming up with a Democrat, Landrieu, his home state colleague. As a member of the Appropriations panel who faced a difficult re-election last year, Landrieu received special consideration from Democratic leaders who ultimately control Congress’s purse strings. Landrieu sponsored more money in earmarks than any Democrat in Congress. Nevertheless, Vitter told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he would vote against the omnibus because it is “just too expensive.”Vitter claimed it is not inconsistent to win money for projects in a bill likely to become law but vote against it because of broad fiscal concerns.
Seems the Republicans have a fondness for earmarks.
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