The Daily Digest: 7-25-07

It's hot outside. This heat and humidity just saps me of all of my energy. Did someone say energy? (segway alert!)

Governor Pawlenty promises to spend plenty of energy pushing clean/renewable energy over the next year.

MPR says Xcel Energy is being praised for cleaner energy moves. Pawlenty will appear at a dedication this morning.

The Wall Street Journal says coal doubters are blocking power plant plans. Minnesota is mentioned (subscription required).

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Ramsey County will see property tax hikes. Gov. Pawlenty and state lawmakers are blamed.

Bemidji says Pawlenty's veto of the tax bill cost the city $427,000.

There's contamination at the old Ford Plant in St. Paul.

The push is on for an increase to the state minimum wage.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals rules parents can paddle their kids. AP and the Pi Press have stories.

A Wall Street Journal editorial (subscription required) says Gov. Pawlenty objects to a provision in Congress that forbids states from hiring private companies to administer the state?s food stamp program.

A study says Minnesota is the best state to raise children.

GOP Rep. Steve Gottwalt will help lead a health care reform group.

Congress

Democrats are battling over the Farm Bill at a time when a full House vote is looming. AP and Forum Communications have stories.

The Star Tribune says Minnesota leaders are working to save a GI Program. This is a follow up to an AP story. Gov. Pawlenty, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and GOP Rep. John Kline are mentioned.

Coleman is also pushing for legislation that would forbid U.S. funds to go to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Investigators can't find a lot of equipment that's supposed to be at VA Centers. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

Walz also promises care for wounded vets.

AP says Minnesota's 1st Congressional District is #1 in crop subsidies among Freshman Democrats.

GOP Rep. John Kline gives a floor speech commending Chaska.

The GAO says tax exempt groups owe $1 billion in taxes. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.

There's a greater call for HIV/AIDS funding in Africa. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann takes a page from former Congressman Mark Kennedy's book and backs cuts to Amtrak. The effort failed.

The Paul Bunyon bicycle trail link is purchased.

2008

A Survey USA poll says more Minnesotans disapprove of GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's job than approve.

President Bush's approval ratings are doing worse.

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken's campaign says he has the most Minnesota donors.

Franken also campaigns in Moorhead while his DFL opponent, Mike Ciresi, campaigns in Sauk Centre.

Linda Pfeilsticker wins the DFL nomination in House District 28B. AP and the Rochester Post Bulletin have stories.

The Red Wing Republican Eagle says her funding comes under fire.

A potential Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Oregon meets with DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Other

Joe Repya wants an audit of the MNGOP.

The Star Tribune talks to the two kids who made the YouTube snowman.

Finally

There will be a Digest on Thursday but there will not be a Digest on Friday or Monday.