Statewide Blog

Cravaack spending $1,000 per month for car

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Freshman Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack is making a hefty car payment and Politico is scrutinizing this use of tax dollars.

Minnesota Rep. Chip Cravaack, who unseated longtime Iron Range Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar, spent $1,700 on an automobile lease in March. His office said the price tag is inflated because of initial purchasing costs, but the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox AWD will cost taxpayers "roughly $1,000 [per month] for the remainder of the lease." ... Cravaack's office said he needs the car because of the size and climate of the district, frequent trips home and "an extensive mobile office constituent outreach program."

During recent visits back to the state Cravaack touted the need to cut the budget. He told an audience in Baxter, "It's not that we are taxed too little. It's that Washington spends way too much."

Also clicking on MN Today

Trade mission to China delayed by budget woes

The first major fallout from Minnesota's budget impasse is postponement of a planned early August trade mission to China (Fargo-Moorhead Forum).

Republican leaders propose way to prevent shutdown

Republican House Majority Leader Matt Dean said the GOP has a budget compromise, and now the ball is in Governor Mark Dayton's court to prevent a state government shutdown (WDAZ).

Fewer Minnesotans upside down than elsewhere in the nation

Though house prices continue to fall and foreclosures dominate the market, the number of Minnesotans who owe more than their house is worth has remained stable and is far below the national average (Star Tribune).

SCTCC grad helps familiarize health field with Islam

The former Technical High School student worked in part with Patrick McGuire, director of the cardiovascular technology program and an instructor at SCTCC, so she could remain true to her culture while receiving a Western-style education (Saint Cloud Times).

Two endangered historic properties compete for national grant

The Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center and Elk River's Jackson Street Water Tower were selected to participate in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's This Place Matters Community Challenge (Alexandria Echo Press).

Woodpeckers work for forests

Walking into the forest leads to discovery. Going slow at this time of the year allows the absorption of songs of the many territorial songbirds. Searching beyond the sounds to the soundless will reveal sapsuckers, flickers and several species of woodpeckers (Ely Echo).

Commentary

Jeremy Miller: We deserve more than partisanship

Minnesotans deserve facts, real numbers, real logic, and real positions without the emotional and empty hyperbole (Winona Daily News).

Debate

The Insight Now debate on whether consensus exists for a new Stillwater bridge moved in a different direction yesterday. Some in the online discussion have said that the middle path approach to finding a solution has been ignored. It's a sentiment also shared by others.

This got the attention of Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki, one of our two debaters, who wonders what more proponents could do to reach consensus.

As the debate continues, we ask: Has there been enough community input, enough mediation and vetting to allow this Stillwater Bridge proposal to go ahead?

Minnesota Scenes

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