What are your thoughts about the role of manufacturing in Minnesota and the role government should play to help us get out of this recession?
It‟s encouraging to hear that close to 80 percent of the companies surveyed last year were optimistic about their own futures. It‟s consistent with the message I‟m hearing from companies in my district, a few of which I‟ve visited in recent months. It‟s encouraging to find these little nuggets or jewels out there about high-tech manufacturing that exist, which can be attributed to Minnesota‟s success story, the medical device industry in particular. I‟m co-chair of the medical technology caucus here in the House, so I‟ve been trying each week to tour a medical device or technology company and I‟m learning something new all the time. The government should be paying more attention to how we can help our manufacturing or small business community as a whole more than anything.
The number-one concern among small manufacturers is health care. So many of these companies take great pride in being able to provide great benefits, which gives them a competitive advantage – even more so now at this time. What are your thoughts on what’s happening in the world of health care and the changes that are being pondered, and how it will or won’t affect these businesses?
I‟m really worried that the approach Congress is taking with health care is not going to be helpful to small businesses because there are additional penalties, mandates, and additional surtaxes that will be components of the bill. I think we should first and foremost work on lowering health care premiums, not only for small business but also for families and individuals. The House bill improves access the health care and it does that through subsidies, which is why the bill is so expensive. When seven out of 10 jobs are created by small business, we need to help them by allowing them to pool together to spread out risk and extend their own access to care, which will keep their own costs down. That‟s not a component of the bill we passed, even though there‟s strong bi-partisan support for moving toward that initiative on its own. There are some common sense things that aren‟t in the mix of the congressional leadership‟s plan, which is a little bit frustrating to me.
What can lawmakers or manufacturers do to elevate or change manufacturing’s image and importance in the minds of the public, and attract the skilled labor they’re going to need in this economic recovery?
It‟s really exciting when I visit one of these small medical technology companies. They‟re going through a manufacturing process that‟s really high-tech, meeting vigorous clean and testing standards, ultimately having to pass muster with the FDA. Even though certain manufacturing may be moved off-shore, this high tech, value-added manufacturing is still being done right here at home. Of course, they‟re struggling in a tough economic time, without a doubt. But I‟m really excited about what‟s happening with these companies.
To: Delegates and Alternates to the 2010 Hennepin County Republican Convention
Pursuant to the laws of the State of Minnesota, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota and the Constitution of the Third Congressional District Republican Party and the Constitution of the Fifth Congressional District Republican Party and by virtue of the authority of the Republican Party of Minnesota, the 2010 Hennepin County Republican Convention is hereby called to convene at South View Middle School, 4725 South View Lane, Edina, Minnesota, 55424, Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 7pm.
Registration will begin at 6:30pm and close at 7:30pm. The registration fee is $10.00.
A few months ago, congressmen Erik Paulsen (CD3 R) and Tim Walz (CD1 D) announced a presser, advocating ending the moratorium in Minnesota to increase the nuclear power plants in Minnesota. I was thrilled, not just to have attention put by federeal level reps, but by a united effort from both parties. Today, they put out an op-ed in the Strib.
If Minnesota is to participate in this advantageous shift, it must drop its ban.
President Obama recently announced that the federal government will support the construction of two nuclear reactors in Georgia by providing $8.3 billion in loan guarantees. Construction of the reactors, the first in the United States in more than 30 years, would represent an important step forward in a debate that has long divided political parties, advocacy groups and elected officials.
For decades, the debate over nuclear energy has been stalled, largely along ideological lines. During that time, our nation's primary energy sources have drastically narrowed. Our emissions have increased. High and volatile energy prices have become standard. As a result, our nation is heavily reliant on energy sources that come from countries and regions often hostile to our interests.
The recognition that we must address these critical issues has changed the nuclear debate for the better. There is little disagreement that we must diversify our energy portfolio to meet future energy needs. Equally important, there is a growing consensus that nuclear energy must be a part of that equation.
As an energy source, nuclear energy is on par with traditional sources like coal and natural gas. Unlike with some renewable sources, we can count on it for consistent power -- come rain, snow, sun or clouds. The U.S. Department of Energy forecasts that the United States will need 28 percent more electricity by 2035, so new power sources are critical. Nuclear plants are also the lowest-cost producer of always-available electricity.
Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., and a bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would make Congress a little more paperless and save taxpayers as much as $2.2 million this year, he said Friday.
In a statement from Pomeroy’s office, he said H.R. 4640, or the Stop the Overprinting (STOP) Act, would change congressional rules that now require all members to receive multiple printed copies of bills they introduce. If passed, members would get paper copies only if they request them.
The bill was sponsored and introduced Feb. 22 by Rep. Chris Lee, R-N.Y. It had 36 co-sponsors, including Reps. Pomeroy and Erik Paulsen, R-Minn.
“The federal budget deficit is a real concern, and we must get spending under control,” Pomeroy’s statement said.
“When compared with the total deficit, this $2.2 million in savings is a small step toward a balanced budget. But if we are going to get our budget under control, we need a sustained, bipartisan focus on trimming wasteful spending wherever we can. I believe this is another important step in that direction.”
Golden Hydrant goes to Feds for spending $145 Million on stupid TV commercials to market Census 2010
As I was paying bills the other night during the Olympics, I saw yet another of those annoying 2010 U.S. Census commercials and decided - as I was grumbling about government waste under my breath - that it was time to award another Golden Fire Hydrant.
The U.S. government is spending $340 million to market the 2010 Census. About $145 million of that is for the creation and airing of television commercials, which can be seen during the most expensive time slots in TV (including a $2.5 million 30-second spot during the Super Bowl).
The ads stink, by anyone’s definition. They use marginally famous actors in a painfully unsuccessful attempt to be humorous. They share practically no useful information (not even telling viewers to fill out their census forms) and are unlikely to convince anyone who is opposed to or disinterested in completing the form to do so.
The Hydrant usually goes to a Hennepin County expenditure and, in the past, I have avoided calling out federal programs (as I would be posting on wasteful spending four times a day). But the combination of paying my bills and seeing one of these annoying multi-million dollar commercials for the umpteenth time put me over the edge.
When finally given the opportunity to speak, Representative Zellers calls out House Democrats for silencing debate on the $1 billion borrowing bill February 15.
Janitors will clean Hennepin County buildings during the day.
Yesterday’s Star Tribune included a story (”Cleaning in the Light of Day“) about the upcoming change to janitorial services in Hennepin County buildings:
Janitors typically do their work sight unseen, after everyone else has gone home. But soon that’s going to change at the Hennepin County Government Center and other heavily used county buildings.
By shutting off the lights and turning down the thermostats at night, the county expects to save at least $100,000 a year in energy costs.
Starting March 1, about half of Hennepin County’s buildings - 63 in all - will be vacuumed, wiped down, swept and emptied of trash during the daytime rather than at night. It’s thought to be the first public entity in Minnesota to move to day cleaning, a trend that has gained popularity in the private sector.
In addition to the $100k in proposed energy savings, it’s estimated that another $350,000 will be saved annually through reduced work hours for janitors, since many workplaces that are cleaned during both the day and night will now only be cleaned during the day.
This might not seem like a big deal to some in the private sector, but changes like this don’t come easy in government and we should celebrate when they occur.
By Derek Brigham
Golden Hydrant goes to Feds for spending $145 Million on stupid TV commercials to market Census 2010
