Capitol Update for March 6, 2009

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This week’s update from lobbyist John Tuma:

“Quartzite”*

This was the one word telegram that Tams Bixby and his group of investors received in 1894 from a gem expert in New York City.

I’m getting a little head of myself.

Fendi Spy – Flower Braided hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci New Britt Medium Hobo – Mauve hand bag Gucci Belt Handbag- Coffee hand bag!
Prada Nylon Messenger Bag – Black hand bag! Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Mahina M – Black hand bag Versace Canyon Medium Bag-All Black hand bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Boston Bag -White hand bag Gucci Shoulder Hobo -Green hand bag?
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Coach Signature Stripe Pocket Tote-White/Beige hand bag Chanel Quilted Leather Tote- White hand bag
Coach Ergo Tote -Blue/Monogram hand bag; Buy fake replica Fendi Clutch – Patent Black hand bag Gucci D Gold Large Tote -ALL Black hand bag
Prada nappa gaufre bag-cream hand bag prada fairies handbag-gold hand bag 330. Buy fake replica Miu Miu Coffer Bag Blue Velvet hand bag Chanel Ultimate Soft Medium Handbag- Black hand bag
Chanel 2.55 Quilted Flap – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Givenchy Nightingale Satchel – Yellow hand bag Coach Signature Tote Small -Deep Coffee/Monogram hand bag
Chanel Flap Croc bag-Deep Coffee(L) hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Pelham Small-Coffee hand bag Chanel Luxury Ligne Bowler-White hand bag
Chanel Chain Tote-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Stripe Messenger Bag -Coffee/Monogram hand bag Fendi B Medium Bag -Dark Coffee hand bag
Coach Signature Stripe Tote-White/Beige hand bag! Buy fake replica Coach Bleecker Signature Stitched Pocket Hobo-Light Blue/Beige hand bag Kooba Handbags Carly Knot Bag in Black hand bag
Gucci Tote -ALL Black Trim hand bag Buy fake replica Marc Jacobs Stam -Deep Blue hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Speedy 30 hand bag
“Prada Frame Bag -White hand bag” Buy fake replica Chanel Grand Shopping Tote-Black hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag
Louis Vuitton Utah Iroquois Tote-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Bag – All Black hand bag Fendi White with Pink hand bag
“Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Bronze hand bag” Buy fake replica Fendi B Bag -Coffee hand bag Fendi Spy Bag – Blue hand bag
Louis Vuitton Multicolore Rita – White hand bag Buy fake replica D&G Tote -Silver hand bag Gucci Small Boston Tote -Deep Coffee hand bag,
Chanel Handbag -Grey hand bag; Buy fake replica Chanel Large Lambskin Tote-Pink hand bag Fendi B Medium Bag – Black hand bag
Chanel Messenger Diaper Tote -All Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Hasler Tote-Deep blue hand bag Gucci Hysteria Tote-Coffee hand bag,
Gucci Large Boston Bag-Full black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Mahina S-Deep Coffee hand bag Gucci Purse – Coffee hand bag;
Chanel Quilted Satchel – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci large Tote with band – All Black hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Tisse Rayure Wallet(L) hand bag
Gucci Abbey Large Tote -All Black hand bag Buy fake replica Prada Napa Antic Handbag-Black hand bag Prada Jacquard Hobo Medium – Coffee hand bag
Chanel Flap Vintage Bag-Black hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci Medium Tote -Beige hand bag Fendi B Bag – Deep Coffee hand bag
Gucci Joy Small Boston Bag -Black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires -Red hand bag Chanel Cambon Multi-Biege hand bag;
Prada Jacquard Canvas Frame Bag -Silve Grey hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Suhali Le Superbe – Black hand bag Coach Signature Stripe Travel Tote -Red/Monogram hand bag
Chanel Braided Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Givenchy Horsebit Nail Medium Boston- Black hand bag Bordeaux Par Cartier Week-end Bag – Red hand bag;
Kooba ‘Linda’ Handbag – Brown hand bag Buy fake replica Christian Dior logo Tote- Black hand bag Chanel Grand Shopping Tote -Coffee hand bag
Gucci Cruise 2006 Handbags- Blue hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Abbey Large Tote -Coffee hand bag Gucci Abbey Large Tote -Pink hand bag,
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Ski Collection Purse- Gold hand bag Isabella Lavish Kelsey Frame Bag hand bag
Gucci Britt Medium Shoulder Bag-Patant Black hand bag Buy fake replica Coach Signature Stripe Tote-Deep Red/Beige hand bag Miu Miu Patchwork Tote -Gold With Silver hand bag
Gucci Floral Horsebit Hobo-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag Gucci Tote -Coffee hand bag
Gucci belt bag- black hand bag louis vuitton monogram nice hand bag 436. Buy fake replica Prada Nappa Gaufre Bag-Cream hand bag “Gucci Tote -Deep Coffee hand bag”
Prada Jacquard Hobo Medium – Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Wave Large Hobo – White hand bag Prada nylon messenger tote – black hand bag prada nylon computer bag – black hand bag 368.
Gucci Duffle Small – Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Tiffany&CO Cuboid Enchase Diamond Necklace hand bag Gucci Aviatrix Boston Bag-Gold hand bag!
Prada Large Horsebit Hobo-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Monogram Montsouris Tote hand bag Louis Vuitton Cup Tourmentin-Deep Blue hand bag
“Prada Cervo Lux Tote-Coffee hand bag” Buy fake replica Chanel Chain Strap Tote-All Black hand bag Gucci Hysteria Large Handbag-All Black hand bag
Fendi Spy Bag – Black/F hand bag Buy fake replica Tod’s Treccia Bag-Black hand bag Chanel 2.55 Reissue Wallets on Chain-Black hand bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Bosphore Backpacks hand bag? Buy fake replica Prada Leather Tote-Black hand bag Mulberry Jody Tote-Light Yellow hand bag
“Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Red hand bag” Buy fake replica Prada Fairies handbag-Gold hand bag Miu Miu Patchwork Tote -Silver hand bag
Gucci D Gold Large Tote -Silver hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci Large Signature Tote-White hand bag Coach Legacy Signature – Silver/Monogram hand bag
Bottega Veneta Barcelona Cabat-Bronze hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Peggy Medium -Black hand bag Gucci Small Hobo – All Black hand bag,
Fendi B Bag -Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Grand Shopping Tote-All Black hand bag Gucci Princy Medium Boston Bag – Black hand bag
Fendi Spy – Flower Braided hand bag? Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Monogram Hudson hand bag Gucci Belt Handbag- Coffee hand bag!
Prada Nylon Messenger Bag – Black hand bag! Buy fake replica Gucci 85th Series Tote -Coffee hand bag Versace Canyon Medium Bag-All Black hand bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag Buy fake replica Prada Cervo Lux Tote-Coffee hand bag Gucci Shoulder Hobo -Green hand bag?
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Square Vintage Bag-White hand bag Chanel Quilted Leather Tote- White hand bag
Coach Ergo Tote -Blue/Monogram hand bag; Buy fake replica Gucci Carry-on Large Duffle -coffee hand bag Gucci D Gold Large Tote -ALL Black hand bag
Prada nappa gaufre bag-cream hand bag prada fairies handbag-gold hand bag 330. Buy fake replica Chanel 2.55 Reissue Wallets on Chain-Black hand bag Chanel Ultimate Soft Medium Handbag- Black hand bag
Chanel 2.55 Quilted Flap – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Tote -Coffee hand bag Coach Signature Tote Small -Deep Coffee/Monogram hand bag
Chanel Flap Croc bag-Deep Coffee(L) hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Bag -Deep Blue hand bag Chanel Luxury Ligne Bowler-White hand bag
Chanel Chain Tote-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Monogram Tisse Rayure series-Orange hand bag Fendi B Medium Bag -Dark Coffee hand bag
Coach Signature Stripe Tote-White/Beige hand bag! Buy fake replica Chanel Chain Strap Tote-Black(L) hand bag Kooba Handbags Carly Knot Bag in Black hand bag
Gucci Tote -ALL Black Trim hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Large Boston Bag-Full black hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Speedy 30 hand bag
“Prada Frame Bag -White hand bag” Buy fake replica Gucci Large Joy Strap Bag – Deep Red hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag
Louis Vuitton Utah Iroquois Tote-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Ski Collection Purse-Grey hand bag Fendi White with Pink hand bag
“Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Bronze hand bag” Buy fake replica Versace Canyon Medium Bag-Black hand bag Fendi Spy Bag – Blue hand bag
Louis Vuitton Multicolore Rita – White hand bag Buy fake replica Mulberry Jody Tote-Beige hand bag Gucci Small Boston Tote -Deep Coffee hand bag,
Chanel Handbag -Grey hand bag; Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Bag-White hand bag Fendi B Medium Bag – Black hand bag
Chanel Messenger Diaper Tote -All Black hand bag Buy fake replica louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Eva hand bag Gucci Hysteria Tote-Coffee hand bag,
Gucci Large Boston Bag-Full black hand bag Buy fake replica Cartier Libre Necklace hand bag Gucci Purse – Coffee hand bag;
Chanel Quilted Satchel – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Boston Bag – All Black hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Tisse Rayure Wallet(L) hand bag
Gucci Abbey Large Tote -All Black hand bag Buy fake replica Fendi Spy Bag -Beige hand bag Prada Jacquard Hobo Medium – Coffee hand bag
Chanel Flap Vintage Bag-Black hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci Floral Horsebit Hobo-Deep Coffee hand bag Fendi B Bag – Deep Coffee hand bag
Gucci Joy Small Boston Bag -Black hand bag Buy fake replica Prada Leather Tote-Beige hand bag Chanel Cambon Multi-Biege hand bag;
Prada Jacquard Canvas Frame Bag -Silve Grey hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Coco Mademoiselle-Deep Coffee hand bag Coach Signature Stripe Travel Tote -Red/Monogram hand bag
Chanel Braided Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Miu Miu Patchwork Tote-Dark Coffee hand bag Bordeaux Par Cartier Week-end Bag – Red hand bag;
Kooba ‘Linda’ Handbag – Brown hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Square Vintage Tote-Black Leather hand bag Chanel Grand Shopping Tote -Coffee hand bag
Gucci Cruise 2006 Handbags- Blue hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Icons Flap Bag-Coffee hand bag Gucci Abbey Large Tote -Pink hand bag,
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Abbey Medium Cluth -Silver hand bag Isabella Lavish Kelsey Frame Bag hand bag
Gucci Britt Medium Shoulder Bag-Patant Black hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Grand Shopping Tote-Black hand bag Miu Miu Patchwork Tote -Gold With Silver hand bag
Gucci Floral Horsebit Hobo-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Red hand bag Gucci Tote -Coffee hand bag
Gucci belt bag- black hand bag louis vuitton monogram nice hand bag 436. Buy fake replica Kooba Naomi Small Perforated Tote-Yellow(L) hand bag “Gucci Tote -Deep Coffee hand bag”
Prada Jacquard Hobo Medium – Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Medium Messanger Bag -Beige hand bag Prada nylon messenger tote – black hand bag prada nylon computer bag – black hand bag 368.
Gucci Duffle Small – Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Prada Pleated Tote – Light Coffee hand bag Gucci Aviatrix Boston Bag-Gold hand bag!
Prada Large Horsebit Hobo-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Tote- Coffee hand bag Louis Vuitton Cup Tourmentin-Deep Blue hand bag
“Prada Cervo Lux Tote-Coffee hand bag” Buy fake replica Coach Soho Weekend Multi-Function Tote – Coffee/Monogram hand bag Gucci Hysteria Large Handbag-All Black hand bag
Fendi Spy Bag – Black/F hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Signoria Medium Hobo-Silver hand bag Chanel 2.55 Reissue Wallets on Chain-Black hand bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Bosphore Backpacks hand bag? Buy fake replica Miu Miu Patchwork Hobo-Red hand bag Mulberry Jody Tote-Light Yellow hand bag
“Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Red hand bag” Buy fake replica Gucci D Gold Large Tote -Silver hand bag Miu Miu Patchwork Tote -Silver hand bag
Gucci D Gold Large Tote -Silver hand bag? Buy fake replica Mulberry Mable Patent Leather Bag-White hand bag Coach Legacy Signature – Silver/Monogram hand bag
Bottega Veneta Barcelona Cabat-Bronze hand bag Buy fake replica Givenchy Nightingale Satchel Black hand bag Gucci Small Hobo – All Black hand bag,
Fendi B Bag -Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Shoulder Tote (S)-Light Gold hand bag Gucci Princy Medium Boston Bag – Black hand bag
Fendi Spy – Flower Braided hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci Boston Bag – All Black hand bag Gucci Belt Handbag- Coffee hand bag!
Prada Nylon Messenger Bag – Black hand bag! Buy fake replica Miu Miu Patchwork Tote – Purple hand bag Versace Canyon Medium Bag-All Black hand bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag Buy fake replica Coach Ergo Tote – White/Monogram hand bag Gucci Shoulder Hobo -Green hand bag?
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Suhali Le Superbe – Gray hand bag Chanel Quilted Leather Tote- White hand bag
Coach Ergo Tote -Blue/Monogram hand bag; Buy fake replica Gucci Princy Medium Boston Bag – Black hand bag Gucci D Gold Large Tote -ALL Black hand bag
Prada nappa gaufre bag-cream hand bag prada fairies handbag-gold hand bag 330. Buy fake replica Hermes Croc Birkin-Deep Coffee hand bag Chanel Ultimate Soft Medium Handbag- Black hand bag
Chanel 2.55 Quilted Flap – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Marc Jacobs Stam -Black hand bag Coach Signature Tote Small -Deep Coffee/Monogram hand bag
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“Prada Frame Bag -White hand bag” Buy fake replica Prada Jacquard Canvas Tote – Coffee hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Mini Lin Diaper Bag-Yellow Soil hand bag
Louis Vuitton Utah Iroquois Tote-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci large Tote with band- Black hand bag Fendi White with Pink hand bag
“Cartier Marcello De Cartier -Bronze hand bag” Buy fake replica Chanel Chain Tote-Coffee hand bag Fendi Spy Bag – Blue hand bag
Louis Vuitton Multicolore Rita – White hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Large Signature Tote-All Black hand bag Gucci Small Boston Tote -Deep Coffee hand bag,
Chanel Handbag -Grey hand bag; Buy fake replica Chanel Flap Bag – Black hand bag Fendi B Medium Bag – Black hand bag
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Gucci Large Boston Bag-Full black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Cup Tourmentin-Deep Blue hand bag Gucci Purse – Coffee hand bag;
Chanel Quilted Satchel – Black hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Bag- Coffee hand bag Louis Vuitton Monogram Tisse Rayure Wallet(L) hand bag
Gucci Abbey Large Tote -All Black hand bag Buy fake replica Fendi Paillette Spy Bag -Black hand bag Prada Jacquard Hobo Medium – Coffee hand bag
Chanel Flap Vintage Bag-Black hand bag? Buy fake replica Gucci Belt Bag-Deep Coffee hand bag Fendi B Bag – Deep Coffee hand bag
Gucci Joy Small Boston Bag -Black hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Grand Shopping Tote-Gold hand bag Chanel Cambon Multi-Biege hand bag;
Prada Jacquard Canvas Frame Bag -Silve Grey hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Large Tote With Signature-Pink hand bag Coach Signature Stripe Travel Tote -Red/Monogram hand bag
Chanel Braided Bag-Black hand bag Buy fake replica Louis Vuitton Onatah Leather Pochette-White hand bag Bordeaux Par Cartier Week-end Bag – Red hand bag;
Kooba ‘Linda’ Handbag – Brown hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Duffle Small – Coffee hand bag Chanel Grand Shopping Tote -Coffee hand bag
Gucci Cruise 2006 Handbags- Blue hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Quilted Leather Tote-Patent Red hand bag Gucci Abbey Large Tote -Pink hand bag,
Tod’s Treccia Bag-Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Gucci Joy Small Boston Bag -Black hand bag Isabella Lavish Kelsey Frame Bag hand bag
Gucci Britt Medium Shoulder Bag-Patant Black hand bag Buy fake replica Chanel Luxury Ligne Bowler-Black hand bag Miu Miu Patchwork Tote -Gold With Silver hand bag
Gucci Floral Horsebit Hobo-Deep Coffee hand bag Buy fake replica Fendi emulates Handbag-Patent Black hand bag Gucci Tote -Coffee hand bag
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The story actually starts in the summer of that year when an early homesteader was walking along the shore of Lake Bemidji.  Well, on his pleasant stroll along that beautiful lake, mixed among the rocks along the shore he saw the most brilliant and glistening stones he had ever seen.  This was the land of unknown riches after all . . . could it be diamonds?  Could he have by chance homesteaded on a diamond mine?

Gathering up several of the stones, he headed back down river to St. Paul to connect with some possible investors.  Tams Bixby organized a small group of investors and sent the stones to New York to be examined.  Impatient for the results, they pooled their money and quietly started to acquire options to every foot of land that might possibly bear diamonds along Lake Bemidji, which, in the Ojibwe tongue means, “a-place-a-river-runs-into-and-out-again.”  Their visions of immense wealth soon faded with the one word telegram from New York City: “quartzite” — a common clear and pretty stone often confused with diamonds.  What is perceived as good news at first can often be disappointingly deceiving.

The initial headlines this week in St. Paul indicated the state may have found some diamonds, with talk about the state budget deficit actually shrinking from $4.85 billion to a deficit of $4.57 billion.  Unfortunately, in reality what we received was little more than quartzite.  Absent the direct effect of the federal stimulus package, the state’s budget deficit would actually have been $6.39 billion for the next biennium.  As a result of the bad economic conditions, the forecast actually worsened by $1.318 billion.  The federal stimulus made available to the state is $1.359 billion for the next budget cycle.

The immediate fiscal stimulus package also helped the remaining budget which ends on June 30, 2009.  We will finish this cycle in the black by $236 million.  The good news is that this means the Governor will not unallot any more programs through the end of this budget on June 30, 2009.  Therefore, when you combine that with the $236 million left over from this biennium, along with the poor budget forecast and the additional stimulus money, you arrive at the $4.57 billion shortfall.

It would be fair to assume that we’re doing better.  After all, we had about a $4.3 million deficit in 2003 and we found a solution.  Unfortunately, the budget situation is much more complicated now because of the bleak economic conditions.  First, the state has spent down all of our reserves to remain in the black this budget cycle.  If the state is to maintain a prudent fiscal structure, it will need to come up with about another $500 million or more to replenish the reserves.

Further adding to the problem is that the stimulus money does create a few budgeting problems for the state.   The federal government requires that a certain level of state funding be maintained for specific programs in order to receive the federal stimulus.  This is often referred to as“maintenance of effort.”  Those requirements could cause as much as $200 to $400 million of the Governor’s original budget cuts in medical assistance to no longer be appropriate.

Another complication is the fact that the stimulus money acts as a one-time infusion of dollars similar to that Clean Water Legacy money we received a few years back.  It is there to spend now, but it disappears in future years.  Thankfully, the voters helped save the Clean Water Legacy program with the passage of the constitutional amendment.  The reality with the federal stimulus one-time money is it helps make this budget cycle manageable, but the state is quickly approaching a cliff with the next biennial budget, often referred to as the state fiscal years 12/13.  The good news is the budget forecast indicates an economic improvement by fiscal years 12/13.  If that economic recovery prediction holds through the next biennium, the budget deficit would only be $9.7 billion, as compared to the $9.9 billion predicted back in November.  That’s correct, I said $9.7 billion.  This is not counting inflation.  If you calculate in inflation, the economists are predicting a budget deficit of over $11 billion.  Folks, that is even after an economic recovery.  Repeat after me: “we have a structural problem.”

Because of this huge future budget cliff, several of the common budget gimmicks used in 2003 would not be advisable.  Add into the equation the fact that the Governor strongly indicated opposition to a tax increase and you can see the Legislature is between a rock and a hard place.  Trying to come up with cuts to address the present $5 billion hole is no small task; that is in the neighborhood of 15% of the budget.  Therefore, the stimulus package gives the impression of being useful diamonds, but it appears to only be a short-term fix.

Outside of the poor economic news, MEP’s other legislative priorities are moving along.  The Minnesota Clean Cars bill passed by a 10-8 vote in the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee on Tuesday.  Chief author Melissa Hortman (DFL- Brooklyn Park) did an excellent job mining for votes.  She was joined in support of the bill by chair Kent Eken (DFL – Twin Valley), Karla Bigham (DFL – Cottage Grove), Andrew Falk (DFL – Murdock), Paul Gardner (DFL – Shoreview), Rick Hansen (DFL – So. St. Paul), John Persell (DFL – Bemidji), Brita Sailer (DFL – Park Rapids), Phil Sterner (DFL – Rosemount), Paul Thissen (DFL – Minneapolis), and Jean Wagenius (DFL – Minneapolis).

The Building Sensible Communities legislation also passed the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee on a very solid bipartisan voice vote.  The legislation continues to move forward with a strong bipartisan coalition.  We are at the stage of the legislative game where deadlines are only a few weeks off.  Therefore, our chief authors Frank Hornstein and Scott Dibble are working diligently behind the scenes to build support from cities and the Metropolitan Council.

Speaking of diamond mines, our efforts around safe mining to protect our waters have been moving slowly.  We continue to see a vigorous debate within the press.  To our disappointment, there hasn’t been any debate in the legislative committees, due to lack of a hearing.  The mining team continues to press for hearings in the environment committees in both House and Senate prior to the committee deadlines at the end of March.

Things may be looking challenging for the state budget, but lawmakers might want to take a lesson from the ingenuity of old Tams Bixby and the rest of his investors.  Instead of giving up on their investment on this diamond mine located at the furthest northward reach of the Mississippi River, they used a little creative long vision.  They developed the Bemidji Town Site Company.  Bixby used his connections as the Secretary for the Governor in St. Paul to have Bemidji named the county seat for the newly established Beltrami County.  Bixby and his investors used their connections with James J. Hill to redirect the route of a Great Northern Railroad line through the southern portion of their new town.  Soon the diamond mine became a booming center of commerce in northwestern Minnesota.  It was reported the Bemidji Town Site Company made at least $300,000 in profits, a pretty sum for that time period.  They might have even afforded a couple of diamonds for their wives out of the deal.  Let’s hope our state leaders can show some similar ingenuity in working their way out of this daunting budget deficit.

*101 Best Stories of Minnesota, Merle Potter, Harrison and Smith Co., 1931, page 104-106.

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