Tim Pawlenty doesn’t like popular, successful programs
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Of any kind — GAMC, MinnesotaCare, pfffft. Get outta here, poor people. Continue Reading
Overriding the GAMC veto
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The MN House and Senate passed a bill to reprieve the poor, elderly and mentally ill from absentee Governor Tim Pawlenty’s unallotment of the healthcare they receive through General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
This bill passed the House 125-9. Continue Reading
Remembering Paul Gruchow
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Writer Paul Gruchow, who was born and raised in western Minnesota, died on February 22, 2004.
Gruchow wrote primarily about nature and rural culture. I don’t recall, precisely, how I first became a big fan of his work. Continue Reading
Keith Ellison dishes on goatees, health care and birthday cupcakes
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Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and I sat down at a coffee shop near his congressional office in Minneapolis to talk. I wanted to find out his take on health care reform, what’s coming up in Congress and see “the goatee” for myself.
“I started it over August recess last year,” Keith said. Continue Reading
Responses to Pawlenty’s budget proposal
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It seems pretty clear, now that the dust has settled, that Tim Pawlenty’s budget proposal is more focused on burnishing his anti-community credentials for the 2012 presidential primary rather than actually solving issues here in Minnesota. Continue Reading
Want to create jobs? Provide health care
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As the MN legislature races to pass a bonding bill to put Minnesotans back to work, I hope they remember to solve some of the problems behind the anemic economy. A major economic factor is that employers aren’t hiring. Why? According to a HealthPartners survey of 180 employers, the number one reason was affordable health care.
For most of us, this makes sense. Continue Reading
Bonding bill: It’s all about priorities
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The theory behind the legislative bonding process is pretty straightforward: purchase bonds now, and pay them off later, when dollars are cheaper due to inflation.
Problems arise when you’re stuck in a cycle of regressive tax cuts pushed by a governor who clearly doesn’t care about long-term outlooks.
Don’t get me wrong, the current bonding bill is likely to have an immediate im Continue Reading
Controversial resolutions at caucuses
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Hopefully this will be my last post about the goings-on at Tuesday’s caucuses — as we look forward to actual delegate elections, Tuesday’s specific events will be less important.
A curious trend in right-wing rhetoric
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It’s become apparent in recent weeks that there are very carefully scripted talking points behind charges of SOCIALISM ZOMGZ from people like Minnesota’s own Michele Bachmann when they’re leveled at the Obama administration. Continue Reading
Update on Senate District 26 special election
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According to MPR, Jason Engbrecht is leading in the money race leading up to next week’s special election in Senate District 26. Continue Reading