(VIDEO) Ellison Pushes for Major Projects

Rep. Keith Ellison is pushing for what he calls a “Putting America Back to Work Act.” On Hardball With Chris Matthews, he said the country should spend more on infrastructure.

“You know, bridges are falling down, we need fiber optic cables, transit, roads and we need people to do this work.”

The pitch got a cold reception from Matthews, who said he didn’t like the word “infrastructure” and thought progressives should be more aggressive in taking the message to Republican territory.

President Barack Obama also pushed for infrastructure spending on his bus tour, which included a stop in Cannon Falls, MN. Ellison and other DFL leaders joined Obama while he was in Minnesota, according to The Pioneer Press.

Ellison Pushes to Spread Out Flights

Following on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 12-day funding standoff, the Twin Cities Daily Planet reports that groups are proposing to “eliminate high concentrations of flights at peak hours by spreading flights more proportionately throughout the day.” Ellison is getting in on the discussion, as well.

Minnesota’s federal policymakers, led by Congressman Keith Ellison, are advancing such ideas by asking FAA to change air traffic control procedures, reduce congestion and slow down operational rates at major airports, including MSP.