You’d think rock stars would have thicker skins …Dan Browning of the Strib reports: “Journey guitarist Neal Schon filed a federal lawsuit Monday in Minneapolis accusing his ex mother-in-law — former Waseca Mayor Judy Kozan — of libeling him in blog posts by suggesting that he has failed to support his ex-wife and their children. Kozan, 63, denies ever mentioning Schon or her daughter in her blog postings. She blames a British tabloid for creating the controversy by concluding — incorrectly — that she considered her former son-in-law a deadbeat dad. ‘I have never called him a deadbeat dad, and I have never accused him of not making his payments. He makes them religiously,’ Kozan said Tuesday morning. ‘I don’t have money for an attorney so I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with this. Is he thinking he’ll take my Social Security checks?’ ”
At MPR, Elizabeth Stawicki offers a Q&A on what follows signing of the health insurance exchange bill:
“What will the plans look like and will they be affordable?
The federal health care law is ushering in many new changes to the insurance market, including that carriers must take all comers, called 'guaranteed issue.' Insurers can't turn down applicants for pre-existing medical conditions. Insurance plans say premiums will go up but the question is whether the federal government's subsidies will offset out-of-pocket costs and higher premiums.
Is the projected cost to fund Minnesota's exchange realistic?
Right now the projected cost is between $50 million and $60 million a year. That'll be paid for through a kind of user fee on premiums. In the first year (2014) the exchange will withhold 1.5% or $1.50 from every $100 of coverage; In 2015, the exchange may withhold up to 3.5% of premiums. If the exchange ends up costing more, where will the money come from?”
Really … too apt for his own good …Paul Walsh of the Strib says:“Through an enterprise he named 3 Hooligans Investments Properties, a 35-year-old Rochester man swindled more than $11 million from his clients and used the money for family vacations, and payments on his house and his wife’s luxury car. For his thievery, Jason M. Meyer was sentenced Monday in federal court in Minneapolis to five years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. Meyer was also ordered to pay restitution of $6.4 million. Meyer had described himself as a passionate marketer, a producer of elite concerts and public events, president of ‘nine companies worldwide,’ and a veteran in commercial real estate development with a master’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin. But he’s been dogged with fraud allegations for years, piling up judgments in excess of $20 million.” Beware anyone who describes themselves as "passionate."
Walsh again:“An endangered African penguin chick has been hatched at the Minnesota Zoo, a first for the species’ exhibit since it opened in the summer of 2011. The chick entered this world on March 2, the zoo said in an announcement Tuesday, and is being raised by foster parents — and away from public view — because the newborn’s biological parents were not ‘incubating the egg consistently.’ There is no immediate word on how soon visitors to the zoo in Apple Valley will be able to see the chick, whose hatching brings the exhibit’s African penguin population to 24.” I hope the little guy likes the weather.
What else are going to do if you can’t get paid?Maja Backstrom of the PiPress writes: “Musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra will play two free family-friendly concerts this weekend, as part of their ongoing effort to keep the music going during the lockout. On Saturday, March 23, the musicians will perform crowd-pleasing selections of Beethoven, Mozart and Bizet at 2 and 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd. E., Wayzata (952-473-8877). It's free, no tickets are required, and musicians will mingle during a reception between the performances.”
Gov. Dayton has nothing to lose by slamming the NRA. Tim Pugmire, at MPR, says: “Dayton leveled some sharp criticism today against the National Rifle Association and its opposition to universal background checks on gun purchases. Dayton said it would be ‘very disappointing’ if a bill requiring background checks failed this session. He also took issue with NRA claims that such measures would infringe on Second Amendment rights and could lead to gun confiscations. Dayton told reporters that no one is going to confiscate the guns of law abiding citizens. ‘It's just a total bogus, hyped up way of trying to keep their membership up,’ Dayton said. ‘It's so beyond the pale of anything anybody is considering or proposing. We don't need the NRA to be posturing around to 'protect those rights,' because they don't need to be protected. They're sanctified in the constitution and every politician I know who's elected to office — Republican, Democrat and the like — understand that that's a right, and no one is going to take it away.’ " So what they hear you saying, Governor, is, “I’m comin’ to grab yer guns!”
Stribber Adam Belz suggests Minnesota businesses keep a Plan B in mind regarding Asia:“Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products reached $5.13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, a slight increase from the same period last year that qualifies as another record for the state's businesses. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said exports were up 0.6 percent from the record fourth quarter of a year ago, led by $4.6 billion in sales for manufactured products. But Asian markets, which account for 30 percent of exports by Minnesota firms, were down 11 percent. … Sales of cereals plunged 59 percent to $29 million during the quarter, largely because corn exports to Japan fell from $31 million a year ago to less than $12,000.”
You won’t be pulling as many crappies out of Mille Lacs.The AP says: “Anglers will be allowed to keep fewer walleyes when they fish Mille Lacs Lake this year. Mille Lacs anglers will be able to keep walleyes only between 18 and 20 inches, or longer than 28. All others must be released. The limit is two, with only one longer than 28 inches. Last season all walleye from 17 to 28 inches had to be released. But the state is loosening regulations for northern pike and smallmouth bass on Mille Lacs.” Oh, sorry. I just like saying "crappies."
They must be melting down on talk radio …Kyle Potter’s AP story says: “A Senate panel passed a bill on Monday that would let illegal immigrants get a Minnesota driver's license, the most recent development in a push at the Capitol to train and ensure more drivers who aren't U.S. citizens. The Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee endorsed the bill on a 10-7 vote — with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposing the bill — to ease the state's restrictions on driver's licenses.” The independent thinking around that place just never ends, does it?