The Daily Digest: 12-1-07
There are 373 million reasons why you're receiving a special Saturday morning Daily Digest. Minnesota's state budget is forecasted to go back in the red. The state coffers are expected to be $373 million light by mid-2009. That means Gov. Pawlenty and state lawmakers will have to figure out a way to balance the budget (raise taxes, cut spending, raid the reserves).
MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, AP, Forum Communications and KARE-11 have stories..
The Pi Press also profiles someone who is struggling with the economy firsthand.
Minnesota is supposed to get hit with a heavy snowstorm today which means MnDOT folks will be out in full force plowing the roads. Anti-icing systems will also be working on some of the state's roads and bridges. The Pi Press says MnDOT continues to defend the anti-icing system even as investigators look into whether the chemicals played a role in the I-35W bridge collapse.
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There may be a crackdown on drivers who transport students. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
GOP State Sen. Dick Day (who is also running for Congress) writes a response to DFL Sen. Steve Murphy's response to an interview with Lt. Gov. (and Transportation Commissioner) Carol Molnau. Got all that?
Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles was on Almanac on Friday talking about his investigation into MnDOT and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. The DFL and GOP Party chairs also squared off on the Ritchie issue.
Congress
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is in Oman.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman talked energy during a stop in Morris.
DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez writes an op-ed criticizng Coleman on health care.
The Rochester Post-Bulletin says DFL Rep. Tim Walz is working to bridge the divide between environmentalists and energy producers on the global warming bill.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says a Farm Bill could pass before Christmas.
The National Farmers Union criticizes subsidies to nonfarmers. Peterson is mentioned.
2008
AFSCME backs El Tinklenberg and Terri Bonoff for Congress. Tinklenberg is a DFLer running in the 6th. Bonoff is a DFLer running in the 3rd.