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Why would anyone turn down $1 Million in federal funding? Minnesota House Majority Leader Tony Sertich wanted to know why Governor Tim Pawlenty did. So Sertich asked the man who prepared the paperwork for the Governor, Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman.
Ludeman said the money was just an assessment grant to help the state get another grant. “Planning to plan” as Ludeman put it, and the Governor didn’t think that was worthwhile.
Governor Tim Pawlenty has discovered a loophole in Minnesota’s law that was intended to require him to apply for federal grants. Commissioners for the Governor today told legislative leaders that the law required them to apply for “one or more”, but not “all” grants from the recently passed federal health care reform legislation.
Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher said that was not the intent of the law, and suggested to legislators who will “be here in the future” to learn from the experience. Kelliher is not running for re-election to the House.
She then wondered how long Governor Tim Pawlenty’s lawyers had worked to figure out a way not to apply for the Federal grants. She called the Governor’s actions “disappointing” and wondered what Representative Tom Emmer who is running for Governor would do.
Kelliher pointed out that the dollars in the federal grant the Governor did not apply for were tax dollars paid to the federal government by Minnesota taxpayers.
Minnesota’s Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson announces that Governor Tim Pawlenty has decided to apply for and accept federal $260 Million in Medicaid funds.
Previously the Governor had ordered the state not to accept any money from the federal health care reform bill.
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With the state of Minnesota considering a line of credit and short-term borrowing, Governor Tim Pawlenty has decided to accept federal healthcare funds. But Pawlenty will only be applying for grants that are in Minnesota’s best interest, Commissioner of Human Services Cal Ludeman told the Minnesota Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy. What’s best for Minnesota, Representative Tony Sertich said, is for Minnesota tax dollars to come back from Washington.
The session turned into a semantics tango over language about how many grants the state should apply for. The commissioners leaned toward “one or more” meaning “one and no more,” while House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher interpreted “one or more” as meaning “all.”
When asked for a list of a list of grants the state hasn’t applied for, Ludeman said it would be quicker to read the list of grants the state has applied for.
TUESDAY, September 7, 2010 – 10:30 AM
Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy
Room: 15 State Capitol
Chairs: Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller
Agenda: ● Cash flow update
● Short-term borrowing
● Medicaid/FMAP
● Other federal grants
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The New York Times is reporting President Obama is planning to visit Minnesota before the November election. The Twin Cities have been the site of several of President Obama’s big speeches. The first was his speech where he claimed the Democratic nomination at St. Paul’s Xcel center, the same place a few weeks later the Republicans would be holding their national convention to endorse John McCain. The second was at the Minneapolis Target Center which was the first of his many campaign-like appearances as part of his successful bid to reform health care
Details on the trip were not in the article, but it appears the purpose of this visit may be a fundraiser, presumably to help Democrat Terryl Clark unseat Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann or to help Mark Dayton with his campaign for Governor against Tom Emmer and Tom Horner.
State Republican Deputy Party Chair Michael Brodkorb was long-time Republican blogger. As such he was always granted access to DFL conventions and other events even though the Republican conventions were always closed to bloggers identified as possibly unfriendly or liberal.
Now as GOP Deputy State chair he tries to ignore questions posed by bloggers and he gets agitated when the questions are pointed.
Seeing a collection of press, he took to the podium to counteract effect of Dayton press conference with Twin City Mayors Rybak and Coleman and DNC Chair Tim Kaine to focus on state and city cooperation.
When you continue reading… the full unedited version of the events so you can see everything that happened: … Continue Reading
Mayors Release Budget Simulator That Allows Candidates for Governor, Public To Outline Key Priorities and Show How They Would Balance The Budget. You can find the simulator on this website.
CGMC Senior Policy Analyst Steve Peterson notes that the three candidates for Minnesota Governor have been asked to use the site. They have links to the plans that they have offered so far. Mark Dayton (DFL) has proposed a plan that has about a $600 Million dollar gap. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner has offered a plan that has more than two billion in unspecified cuts and redesign. Tom Emmer (R) has not offered any specifics except to say there would be no new revenue.
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The Minnesota State Fair claims over 50 items on a stick at the 2010 Fair. Most are edible, some are informative and some defy classification.
Pro-Choice Resources distributes a wide range of sexual education material for teens, parents and older partners. Along with the literature, buttons and T-Shirts are bowls of condoms on a stick. Visitors must ask for them, the bowls are not allowed on the front table.
The Minnesota AFL-CIO hosted a health care forum on Senior Day at the Minnesota State Fair, August 30, 2010. 5th CD Rep Keith Ellison and 4th CD Betty McCollum lead off the discussion. They outlined new benefits for seniors and others in the new Health Care Act.
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish spiritual calendar and the birth of the world.
“If I said the sky was blue, they would say no. If I said fish live in the sea, they would say no.”
President Obama calls an end to combat from the same desk President Bush started it all 7 1/2 years ago.
Visit to Fort Bliss from the Commander-in-chief.
The first of 532 National Guard troops are set to begin their mission in the southern Arizona desert
According to the White House, Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Iraq to participate in a Change of Command and Change of Mission Ceremony, fulfilling the commitment made by the President in his first month in office. A White House press release says this is the Vice President’s sixth …
Assessment grant was just for “planning to plan”.
Word play provides Governor a loophole to avoid applying for federal funding.
Does it mean one and no more, or all? Millions hang on the answer.
Pointed questions agitate MN GOP Deputy Party Chair
Mayors Release Budget Simulator That Allows Candidates for Governor, Public To Outline Key Priorities and Show How They Would Balance The Budget
The Minnesota State Fair claims over 50 items on a stick at the 2010 Fair. Most are edible, some are informative and some defy classification.
5th CD Rep Keith Ellison and 4th CD Betty McCollum lead off the discussion about senior health care benefits.
Health care is one of the debate topics in the debate sponsored by the Twin Cities Joint Chambers Of Commerce
Mark Dayton (DFL), Tom Horner (I) and Tom Emmer (R ) debate in Duluth.
Business is the topic for the three candidates for Minnesota Governor
Business Issues in Minnesota are Covered at the MN Governor Candidates’ Forum at the University of St. Thomas.
Tom Emmer and Mark Dayton debate. Tom Horner tries to get a word in edgewise.
Minnesota Public Radio News hosts the final DFL Gubernatorial Debate at The Fitzgerald Theater. MPR’s Gary Eichten moderates the debate between the three Democratic candidates for governor: Mark Dayton, Matt Entenza and Margaret Anderson Kelliher. This is the candidates’ final debate before the August 10 DFL primary. To replay our …
Appearing at today’s Farmfest Minnesota Gubernatorial debate are the three party endorsed candidates: Tom Emmer (Republican) Margaret Anderson Kelliher (Democratic Farmer Labor) and Tom Horner (Independence Party). Also participating are their opponents in the August 10th primary, Mark Dayton (Democratic Farmer Labor), Matt Entenza (Democratic Farmer Labor) and Rob Hahn …
Watch live streaming video from theuptake at livestream.com DFL endorsed candidate for Governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher debated her two opponents for the August 10th primary Friday night in Mankato, MN. This is a video replay of the debate between Kelliher, Mark Dayton and Matt Entenza. To read the live …
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