Category Archives: Policy

Blue Over Red Tape

Posted on 18 February 2012 by JC

Quick post.  The Economist cover story this week calls out an important inconvenience in American public policy. Over-regulated America The home of laissez-faire is being suffocated by excessive and badly written regulation …But red tape in America is no laughing … Continue reading →

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Senator Santorum in Luverne, Minnesota

Posted on 31 January 2012 by JC

Senator Rick Santorum made a quick stop at the Palace Theater, next to the Pizza Ranch in beautiful downtown Luverne, Minnesota, on Monday 30 January 2012.  Luverne, Minnesota, you say?  Why, yes, Luverne, Minnesota: He talked about his faith and … Continue reading →

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Meth: “You’re holding a flame-thrower in your hands”

Posted on 24 January 2012 by JC

The life cycle of our local (county) All Hazard Mitigation Plans has tracked the growth, and recently contraction, of methamphetamine use in rural America.  We classified meth as a hazardous substance, a technological hazard, due to the unique impacts of manufacturing—the … Continue reading →

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Broadband Briefing: LightSquared vs GPS

Posted on 12 January 2012 by JC

Cross-posted from Blandin on Broadband blog, originally prepared for Southwest Regional Development Commission. LightSquared vs. GPS A new wireless start-up with Minnesota connections has been in the news lately with plans to provide a unique wireless-satellite communications network that could … Continue reading →

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GreenStep Cities

Posted on 6 December 2011 by JC

Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of best practices.  These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focused on cost savings and energy use reduction, and … Continue reading →

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Doing Our Broadband Homework

Posted on 21 November 2011 by JC

I met Mark Forseth in 1994, when as Chairman of the Traill County Economic Development Commission Mark hired me as Executive Director to help facilitate economic opportunity in the Red River Valley.  TCEDC didn’t limit itself to recruiting footloose branch … Continue reading →

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Of the people, By the people, For the people

Posted on 19 November 2011 by JC

On this date in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke for two minutes at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where savage battle had raged for three days, words that would ring true for centuries… Transcription Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought … Continue reading →

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Kicking Demo Projects When They’re Down

Posted on 15 November 2011 by JC

Tuesday is time for measured introspection from NewGeography.com: In the wake of Solyndra’s failure, pundits have latched on to a simple, compelling narrative: government can’t do energy right. From synfuels to solar panels to “clean coal” (written, inevitably, with knowing … Continue reading →

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Beacon Power Pulls the Plug

Posted on 2 November 2011 by JC

It may be darkest just before the dawn, but it doesn’t seem like there’s much of any light shining out of the US Department of Energy’s Energy Policy Act loan guarantee program. First solar energy manufacturer Solyndra went lights out in September. … Continue reading →

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The Junk Science of Ethanol-Food Price Pressure

Posted on 31 October 2011 by JC

With harvest wrapping up here in the Upper Midwest, I wanted to share this Op-Ed from Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Republican Bill Northey. It came out last spring, but is still timely this fall. Rising Food Prices: Don’t Blame Ethanol … Continue reading →

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