State Representative David Bly, District 25B

Sometimes the beauty of this area can almost be overwhelming. Each day as I drove back and forth across the house district when I was campaigning last year, I was struck by how blessed we are to live in such surroundings. I don’t pause to appreciate it often enough. Fortunately,I’ve been driving the […]

Today the Strib had a good editorial about ‘Fixing the grid: Don’t compromise the future.’ The word seems to be getting out. People are understanding that corporate greed for the profits of bulk power transactions is what is causing the system’s instability - they’re overloading the grid to its breaking point.
“Deregulation of wholesale […]

The meaning of the Republican message is in the impacts of their policies. What kind of economic plan advocates lower wages and causes the loss of millions of jobs as it watches the middle class shrink and the income gap sky rocket, at the same time plunging our nation deeper into debt than any other […]

The 2002 Water Quality Assessment under the Clean Water Act is now posted on the MN Pollution Control Agency’s web site. There’s a story in today’s (8/23/’03) Star Tribune about the posting and what it reports.
Rice County lakes (pdf) don’t fare well — only 3 are “good” and rest are “poor.” For […]

Last Sunday, I went to Belle Plaine after a member of the Belle Plaine Historical Society told me about their annual Flea Market. It was very hot but cheerful nonetheless — people were selling crafts, baked goods and antiques. I got a great tour of the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House and learned a little […]

Those Republicans are at it again, and we’re still trying to understand the Republican message. We have to look at what Republicans say are their priorities and how that matches with their policies, it’s frightening, an exercise in disbelief, but how else do we hold them accountable?
Isn’t it enough, way too much, that they […]

Last night, I attended a Northfield Precinct 2-1, neighborhood meeting hosted by Bill and Janet McGrath, a great idea for promoting citizen action and involvement. It was an open mic event and all were invited to speak. It was so encouraging to hear folks talk about their concern for their community for their […]

(First in a series)
“We have to do more with less.” Republicans are using this phrase a lot, and I roll my eyes and struggle to keep a straight face. But the problem is, it’s no laughing matter. I wish they’d say what they mean instead of harkening back to the old ’70s […]

The fourth most common lie… “There’s an energy shortage!” When you hear we need new transmission and lots of new big generation, it’s a bunch of hooey! Here’s what the industry organization says:
North American Electric Reliability Council Reliability Assessment 2002-2011
“Reserve margins are nearly twice what’s needed” (p. 17)“These are low estimates” - (p. 48)
Since […]