Gov. Pawlenty campaigns at College City Beverage



Governor Tim Pawlenty visited the offices of College City Beverage this afternoon about 2 PM, as he did a campaign swing through southern Minnesota.

Upper left: the Guv and Rep. Ray Cox with a significant majority of the student Republicans at Carleton College. Click photos to enlarge.


Click play to watch this 2 minute video clip of Gov. Pawlenty talking about K-12 education.

8 Comments

  1. Lance said:

    I’m confused. How can Gov. Pawlenty’s claim in this clip of more money for education be reconciled with the huge operating levy we are about to vote on in Northfield? Wasn’t it loss of funding to schools under Pawlenty that led to this levy vote in the first place? Is he putting the money back now? Can I vote no on the levy and still rest assured that I haven’t condemned all of NOrthfield’s youth to working the assembly line at the turkey plant?

    November 1, 2006
  2. Bob said:

    Mr. Pawlenty’s talk about increased academic rigor in the High Schools is nice retoric but only that when state funding leaves us with classroom sizes like AP calculus at 45 plus. Talking a good game about increased expectations is only valid if it is supported by the dollars to make it happen. Oh, well, I guess we will have a nice new ballpark so maybe these kids will be good at baseball . . .

    November 1, 2006
  3. Griff Wigley said:

    Lance, I think Pawlenty would say that the improving economy/state revenues means that more state money can flow to education, whereas 4 years ago, the state had a big deficit and had to say no to education increases.

    I’ve said that I don’t think the Northfield Board has been fully forthcoming about how some of its decisions back in 2002 or so have contributed to their financial troubles.

    If the levy fails this year, the current levy remains in place for one more year. If it fails next year, then probably the turkey plant assembly line scenario will have some legitimacy.

    November 1, 2006
  4. Griff Wigley said:

    Bob, what would be your suggested quid pro quo for more money? And did you support the QComp plan?

    November 1, 2006
  5. Bob said:

    Griff,

    I don’t have a quid pro quo for more money; I think we need to increase taxes to cover it. Costs, (health insurance, unfunded mandates and energy, etc.), have gone up significantly more than state funding. These costs need to be covered at a state level or locally. Pawlenty’s rhetoric has left some people (to Lance’s point) with the impression that the state has it covered and everything is fine.

    I do support Q-comp, but I don’t get to vote on that. I like the idea of holding teachers accountable for performace and this is a good step in that direction.

    As I do get to vote on the levies, I am supporting them this year. With only the current smaller levy in place, we would still need to cut roughly $400,000 this year. After the recent cuts of $3.3 million, (with a community-wide task force to determine them) I have to trust the current board that we don’t have room for these additional cuts.

    I’m not familiar with mistakes the board may have made in 2002, but I have confidence that the new superintendent has tightened things up. I don’t like increasing taxes, but I think in this case it is needed.

    November 1, 2006
  6. Griff Wigley said:

    Well-said, Bob…. which is why I’m voting for both referenda, too.

    But I’m still troubled. More thinking to come!

    November 1, 2006
  7. Erin Kinney said:

    College City Beverage Distributor,
    Thank you for thoughtfulness, because of generous donations like yours, my benefit at the Clover Leaf Bar & Grill was a GREAT success!!
    The heartwarming donations to the benefit, made it possible to purchase a sensor that will help control my Type 1 diabetes.
    Your generosity is very much appreciated!!!!

    With Love,
    Erin Kinney & Family

    April 7, 2007
  8. Griff Wigley said:

    Erin, it’s unlikely that the College City Beverage distributor (in Hastings?) that you’re referring to will see your note of appreciation here… nor will the CCB headquarters staff. It’d be best if you sent a letter via USPS. Hope your health is improving!

    April 7, 2007

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