The Daily Digest: 2-20-2008

A report by the Legislative Auditor throws some proverbial gasoline on the fire that is the transportation debate (cue the groans). The report says the state's bridges are in better shape than in 2002 but the roads are worse and MnDOT won't have enough money to meet basic needs. Democrats say the report is proof they need the transportation bill to pass. MPR, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

State officials wait for word of the NWA merger. Gov. Pawlenty canceled his Tuesday trip to Las Vegas to stay on top of the potential merger.

Gov. Pawlenty orders a hiring freeze out of fear of a larger budget deficit. It may not make a difference in the overall budget discussions but it's a signal that the forecast will be bad. MPR, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

Pawlenty calls a bus crash that killed four a "sad night for Minnesota."

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A bill that would create a victim's compensation fund keeps moving through the House and Senate. AP says the fund could get caught up in budget woes.

A bill that targets cell phone contracts is moving through the Legislature.

The smoking "play" hits Maplewood.

WCCO says a new Minnesota divorce law may settle custodies.

A bill that would target online drug sales is proposed.

The minimum age for blood donors would drop to 16 under a bill.

Pawlenty is one of a group of governors who want Great Lakes protection passed.

MinnPost says the St. Louis County Board is skeptical of Pawlenty's park plan.

State lawmakers take another crack at consumer privacy laws.

A coalition warns that chronic disease taxes health care.

Forum Communications says the House takes on the fish disease fight.

A bill that would lower the cost of fishing license for certain anglers is proposed.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman writes an op-ed on the economy.

Coleman is also pushing for a crackdown on offshore tax shelters.

KARE reports on the digital TV conversion. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

Delta's CEO tells Klobuchar that there is no merger yet.

Klobuchar also held a global warming forum at Gustavus.

GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad, DFL Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar want billions in new conservation funding in the Farm Bill.

A Farm Bill deal could come within three weeks. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

The Hill says cotton is looking for a bailout. Peterson is mentioned.

The Wall Street Journal says federal regulators aren't worried about antitrust problems in a potential NWA deal. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

Oberstar is also mentioned in this story on the gas tax.

2008 Race for President

Barack Obama wins Wisconsin and Hawaii. John McCain wins Wisconsin and Washington.

Pawlenty for VP watch

Reuters handicaps the potential VP picks.

British bookmakers place Pawlenty at a 4 to 1 favorite to be McCain's VP.

2008 Senate Race

The Star Tribune writes about the latest Rasmussen poll that shows Democrat Al Franken leading GOP incumbent Norm Coleman.

The UAW endorses Franken.