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Governors to Pawlenty: Let's talk
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a bit of a splash last month when he asked other governors to join him in exploring the idea of allowing states to sell one another's health insurance.
The responses back to Pawlenty and his commerce commissioner, obtained by the Star Tribune, showed the other states are intrigued -- but not quite ready to sign on.
"My boss is definitely interested, but we need to learn more about how it would work," said a response from Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican.
"Your governor's letter is sure stirring up some great conversations. ... All positive," said an e-mail from the insurance commissioner under Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat. "We are just watching to see what comes out of Washington first."
What emerges nationally may negate the need for Pawlenty's initiative. Both the House and Senate bills would allow interstate health insurance compacts and set rules for them, said Gary Claxton, a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. States already can form cross-border health insurance deals without federal changes, but haven't done so.
Claxton said even if states permitted cross border health sales, policy prices might not decline.
RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER
Track recovery yourselfWith a computer click, Minnesotans can now find out about the $6.2 million in federal stimulus money that is going to build a 21-bed Alzheimer's and dementia unit at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home. They can learn about the 15 jobs created and retained with federal stimulus for Sleepy Eye's water treatment plant and new well.
At www.recovery.mn, users can click the transportation stimulus button and watch a state map fill with icons of blue and yellow trucks. Click on the truck for Beltrami County, and learn that the Paul Bunyon Transit Facility received $1 million in stimulus money.
"Citizens can now easily track where and how stimulus funds are used in their state, county, or backyard," said Tom Hanson, state management and budget office commissioner.
The site, available from the management and budget office, is divided into sections, such as the category award section, which shows that Grand Rapids got $498,375 to remodel five commercial buildings and convert an old hospital into a 36-unit rental housing complex.
Public safety projects in the state, according to the website, have been allocated $66.6 million and created or retained nearly 130 jobs.
MIKE KASZUBA
Set your TiVo, The Body's backMinnesota's only professional wrestling governor, Jesse (The Body) Ventura, is returning to the ring on Monday as the host of a WWE three-hour extravaganza dubbed "A Raw Thanksgiving" on the USA Network.
Who needs cuddly, feel-good holiday specials when you can watch Jesse snarl at the bad boys and girls of wrestling?
It's unlikely Ventura will do any wrestling during his one-night stint as host. The network has announced that he will be "arranging matches, dictating stipulations and managing the entire Raw roster of WWE Superstars and Divas for the evening."
The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck writes that Ventura has had a rocky history with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, but they "have shown in the past that they won't hesitate to do business together if it's mutually advantageous."
Trivia question: When was the last time Minnesotans saw The Body in The Ring? Answer: 1999's Summerslam, when Ventura shocked the world a second time by becoming the only U.S. governor to referee a professional wrestling match while in office.
Ventura recently spoke to Wrestling Daily about his decision to leave professional wrestling (factoid: "My true goal now is to become as good a surfer as I was a wrestler").
Other recent hosts of "Monday Night Raw" include Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Snoop Dogg and Al Sharpton. Monday's special will be broadcast live from the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. It starts at 7 p.m.
ERIC ROPER
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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