The Daily Digest: 11-2-07
The Digest is chock full of news today. We have endorsements, a federal infusion of cash for the bridge and a showdown on SCHIP. Let's start with the...
I-35W bridge
The U.S. Transportation Secretary says the working theory on the bridge collapse is both design and weight. AP is now reporting that Transpo Secretary is seeking to clarify her comments. Here's a quote from the story:
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"The secretary is in frequent contact with NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker, but doesn't know more than the public because the NTSB makes all its findings public, spokesman Brian Turmail said."
I'll link to the story when it goes online.
More federal funding is on the way as the major bridge digging starts. The Star Tribune, MPR, AP, WCCO, KARE and the New York Times have stories.
The cash infusion means the state is less likely to delay other projects.
The U of M held a vigil to remember the bridge collapse victims.
GOP State Sen. Michael Jungbauer wants to create a transportation endowment fund.
The Chamber of Commerce was in Willmar to hear a pitch to increase the state's gas tax.
State Government
AP says a big levy stampede is coming as schools struggle for funding.
KSTP says ticket scalpers are cashing in on Twin Cities tickets.
The PUC is cooling to a clean coal plant proposal on the Iron Range.
The Legislative Auditor says some public safety data is not secure.
Some bar owners weigh the impact of the smoking ban after one month.
Congress
The Senate passes the children's health bill despite a veto threat.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar voted for the bill.
Klobuchar says she will propose an amendment that forbids the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission from accepting trips from the industry. She's making the call after a Washington Post report said the the head of the CPSC traveled the world on the industry pocketbook.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is pushing for authorities to release a journalist who is being held at Guantanamo.
Ellison also meets with a delegation from Bangladesh.
A group calls on DFL Reps. Tim Walz, Collin Peterson and Jim Oberstar to hold hearings on the Clean Water Restoration Act.
A House Bill aims to cut the cost of birth control on college campuses. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.
A Florida appointee is the latest person to get a degree from a questionable institution. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned in the story because she has proposed a bill to crack down on the issue.
Forum Communications says DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is worried that the new Ag Secretary will have to "toe the Bush Administration line" on the Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill could also affect research at the U of M.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar does not support an exemption that would allow the Delta Queen to keep rolling along.
2008
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman backs former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani for president. AP, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Politico and Forum Communications have stories.
But the Minnesota Family Council's Tom Prichard says Giuliani is trying to have all sides on the abortion issue.
DFL Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer visits Tower and Ely.
Michelle Obama (wife of Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama) will be in Minneapolis on Nov. 7th.
2008 RNC
Protesters may have found a loophole regarding protest permits.
Finally
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