Empowered or otherwise?

The Star-Tribune goes over the he-said-HUD-said differences that continue to surround the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone. (The Inspector General report mentioned in the news articles is the third one down on this list.) Minneapolis has one of the "Round II" Empowerment Zones, which in theory follow the Clinton-era model of giving cash grants for economic development, but which depend on the continuing goodwill of Congress for fresh appropriations each year toward the total grant funds they've been promised. In currently debated appropriations bills, according to the Star-Tribune, the Minneapolis EZ may get no further cash assistance at all.