Capitol View: January 19, 2010 Archive

Dayton to make candidacy official a year after filing

Posted at 9:35 AM on January 19, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton plans to formally announce his candidacy for governor this week.

The DFLer issued a press advisory today about the announcement, which is scheduled for Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., at the State Capitol. Dayton has been campaigning since he filed as a candidate a year ago. He's already picked up two key union endorsements and plans to run in the primary.

His advisory also announced plans for a tour of all 87 Minnesota counties in the next 87 days.

"This tour will allow me to listen to and learn from Minnesotans in every one of our counties, Dayton wrote. "People everywhere are facing very serious hardships. Our state, which used to rank near the top in economic growth, has now fallen near the bottom. We need a new governor to lead this state to it future greatness."

Bachmann backs Parry

Posted at 11:52 AM on January 19, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Pawlenty travel, Tim Pawlenty

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has weighed in on next week's special election in state Senate District 26 with an endorsement of GOP candidate Mike Parry.

Parry is running against Democrat Jason Engbrecht and Independence Party candidate Roy Srp. The winner of the Jan. 26 special election will finish the term of Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, who resigned to become a lobbyist.

Here's Parry's news release:

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann today endorsed Republican candidate Mike Parry to replace retiring state Senator Dick Day, (R-Owatonna) for the special election to be held on Jan. 26, 2010.

"I'm proud to endorse Mike Parry for the special election in Senate District 26. Mike is a strong fiscal conservative who will be a powerful voice for lower taxes, limited government and economic opportunity in St. Paul. As a small business owner, Mike understands the need to set priorities and hold government accountable for results. The people of Waseca, Steele and Rice counties will be well served by this steadfast champion of conservative values who will stand up to the big spending, big taxing liberals in the legislature."

Update: Gov. Pawlenty will hold a business round table with Parry on Wednesday night at 7:30pm in Owatonna Country Club in Owatonna.

Ellison to hold hearing on foreclosure crisis on Saturday.

Posted at 5:03 PM on January 19, 2010 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says he'll hold a hearing with Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, to discuss the foreclosure crisis. The hearing will be held on Saturday, January 23rd. Here's the news release:

Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity To Hold Twin Cities Hearing: "The Impact of the Foreclosure Crisis onPublic and Affordable Housing in the Twin Cities"

Washington, DC - Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) will join Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity at a Subcommittee field hearing entitled, "The Impact of the Foreclosure Crisis on Public and Affordable Housing in the Twin Cities." The hearing will examine the foreclosure crisis and its negative impact on the affordable rental housing market.

The hearing will be held on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. CST in Pohlad Hall at the Minneapolis Central Library.

The hearing is timely in light of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) recent announcement of $2 billion in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grants to cities, states and non-profits across the country. Under HUD's grant announcement, the City of Minneapolis received nearly $19.5 million in NSP funding, while the City of St. Paul received $18 million.

"I am pleased that we made the case that the Twin Cities could use NSP funding to rehabilitate foreclosed homes and develop affordable housing," Ellison said. "These funds will bring jobs and housing for our communities most in need," Ellison added.

These dollars will be used to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed housing; to create ownership as well as rental opportunities for low-and moderate-income households.
"I fought hard to secure nearly $6 billion in NSP funding for communities nationwide; I look forward to hearing from advocates and officials on how the Twin Cities are using these funds, and other resources and programs, to fight neighborhood blight and expand the stock of affordable housing," Chairwoman Waters stated.

Witnesses will include officials from HUD, local elected and appointed leaders, nonprofit stakeholders, housing advocates and service providers. Witnesses will be asked to describe the affordable housing challenges in the Twin Cities, explain the importance of NSP funds and provide recommendations to federal policymakers
"We craft good policy when we know the reality on the ground. Our subcommittee is excited to listen and learn from the witnesses' testimony," added Congressman Ellison.

Who: U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity: Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Keith Ellison, and Witnesses to be announced.
What: Field Hearing: "The Impact of the Foreclosure Crisis on Public and Affordable Housing in the Twin Cities."
When: Saturday, January 23, 2010
12:00 P.M.
Where: Pohlad Hall, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
MN, 55401

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