The Daily Digest: 6-13-07
Here's the problem with rankings. One day they work for you. The next day they don't. Gov. Pawlenty's office was all too eager to rush down a news release saying Minnesota is no longer in the top ten in tax burden. Today the news isn't so good. That's because Minnesota's unemployment rate is higher than the national average for the first time in 31 years. The Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.
It's also that time of year when state lawmakers and the caucuses start raising money. AP says lawmakers are filling up their war chests.
DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher and GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert talk about the session in Marshall.
Kelliher also tells AgriNews that the legislative pace reminds her of farming.
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AP says Minnesota had the tenth highest graduation rate in the nation. There's those darn rankings again!
The Minnesota Association of Townships talks voting machines.
Gov. Pawlenty opens up the governor's mansion to the public which puts an end to the age old question "Who's your housekeeper and what you keep in your house (points to those who correctly guess the hip hop artist who said that)?
Fixes are planned for Fort Snelling.
Congress
The Senate Energy bill debate begins. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned in this Wall Street Journal story.
Senate Dems plan a new round of Iraq war votes.
The Senate passes an oil consumption bill backed by GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.
The FCC is in trouble for not overhauling the fund that is dedicated that guarantees rural telephone service. Klobuchar is mentioned.
Skateboarding in the U.S. Capitol? It's part of an outdoor recreation effort. I don't believe he actually skateboarded just brought the skateboard into the building. Klobuchar is mentioned.
GOP Rep. John Kline is headed to France as a part of a trade group.
The Farmington Post Office will be renamed and Kline is expected to attend.
2008
The Hill picks up on the Joe Repya hokey pokey (you put the right leg in you put the right leg out) on whether he'll challenge GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. The story is fine but the headline makes it seem like he's already in.
One reason for Repya's possible candidacy, says Captains Quarters, is that "conservatives mistrust Coleman."
ABC News writes on the VP sweepstakes and someone you know is mentioned. The Digest will give you one guess.
Finally...
Cool maps!