While Minneapolis and Saint Paul are dealing with Norm Coleman and Jeff Larson’s Republican National Convention, Al Franken is still concentrating on the rest of Minnesota. On Tuesday, Franken toured with Congressman Tim Walz and
stopped by the Wagon Wheel in Mankato:
Franken said the problems have worsened for Americans as costs have escalated for health care, child care and education, while at the same time Minnesota’s unemployment rate is at a 22-year high.
Walz’s proposal for middle-class relief includes an average benefit of $750 for 61 million Americans by doubling the standard deduction. He would allow people to deduct property taxes on their income-tax returns and expand the child tax credit.
He said the program could be paid for by cuts to oil company subsidies, reducing offshore tax shelters and closing an investment manager tax loophole.
Franken, a Democrat hoping to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, is proposing a set of tax credits on families care for children or the elderly family members, a new family leave policy and a 401(U), a new type of account that would provide retirement accounts for more workers.
Meanwhile, Coleman still continues to party it up. Last night, a couple friends met up at Pizza Lucé to comparing RNC party notes. Coleman introduced Five For Fighting less than a half block from where police in riot gear were controlling the crowd after Rage Against the Machine at the Target Center. Coleman’s venue was selling cigars where the lowest-price individual cigar was just under $40. They went up from there.
Earlier in the day, Coleman was grabbing more money at a more lavish fundraiser:
As the final touches were being put in place, including flowers and silverware, Nancy Nicholson, clad in an elegant black dress, welcomed me into her impressive home. She said railroad tycoon James J. Hill built the place for his son at the turn of the century.
We passed through a grand foyer before heading up one side of a split staircase to Nicholson’s 3,000 square foot ballroom.
“You’re shocked. Come on, I want to hear the oooh’s and ahhh’s,” said Nicholson.
“I am. It’s beautiful. It’s like a movie set in here,” said reporter Mark Zdechlik.
My favorite part of the piece is where Coleman changes his answer about how many fundraisers he has:
“There are a couple of events in which I’ll have the opportunity to raise some money,” said Coleman.
Asked Wednesday, Coleman updated that number.
“A few, ha ha ha,” said Coleman.
Ha, ha, ha. Well, the joke is on Saint Paul and Minneapolis this week, unfortunately.
Also, if you didn’t see the Washington Post article about Coleman’s “fundraising bonanza,” check it out.
People Are Shouting
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