The Daily Digest: 1-25-07
Thomson West tax breaks lead the digest. The Pi Press, AP and MPR have stories. The Star Tribune takes a look at the Thomson West executives who donated to Governor Pawlenty's campaign in relationship to the tax break.
MPR and KARE-11 have stories on a bill that would require everyone in a car to wear a seat belt. The bill would also allow police to pull over a motorist for not wearing a seat belt. AP has a basic breakdown of the bill.
AP has a story saying the state may subsidize jobs for welfare recipients to meet federal criteria.
The Star Tribune says there's a push to ensure that call centers are in the U.S. when personal or financial information is used.
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The U of M wants more money and rallies at the capitol.
The folks pushing a statewide smoking ban hold a news conference today. The Winona Daily News says a bill was introduced in the Senate earlier this week.
Forum Communications also covers the Senate hearings on the outdoors amendments.
The Senate also held hearings on health care proposals.
The Crookston Daily Times takes a look at the regional projects proposed in Pawlenty's budget.
Congress
GOP Senator Norm Coleman criticized President Bush's troop surge plan but votes against a non-binding resolution criticizing it. AP has the story.
Coleman and DFL Senator Amy Klobuchar back a minimum wage increase bill but those attempts failed.
GOP Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's attempts to get President Bush's attention at the State of the Union are all over the blogs and media outlets today. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press and AP have stories. Bachmann tells the St. Cloud Times that she kissed President Bush to give him some encouragement. The Star Tribune cartoonist also weighs in.
MPR talks with a former social secretary at the White House to see if Bachmann's actions were appropriate.
GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad is mentioned in this The Hill article on stop loss
Several members of Minnesota's congressional delegation aren't happy that the spy plane is leaving Minnesota.
2008
MSNBC looks at Coleman and Iraq and 2008.
The National Journal's Chuck Todd says Pawlenty would be more inclined to roll the dice in '08 if President Bush's approval ratings were better. The story focuses on the GOP's tough winter.
I'll post about another DFLer who is thinking about running for the U.S. Senate in a few minutes.
Quote of the Day
"With the president's poll numbers, he could use a little encouragement." GOP Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on her excitement around President Bush after the State of the Union.
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