The Daily Digest: 2-29-08
Happy Leap Day!
Minnesota faces a $935 million budget shortfall. The Star Tribune, Forum Communications, KARE, AP, MPR, the Pi Press, ECM, Fox9, the St. Cloud Times and MinnPost have stories.
Here are some reasons behind the deficit.
Mining and Ag are some economic bright spots.
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MPR says the deficit could get worse because there is uncertainty in the economy.
The House passes a Victim's Compensation bill. The Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.
The Minnesota removes Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau from her job as Transportation Commissioner. AP, MPR, Forum Communications, the Pi Press, WCCO, the New York Times, KTTC and Fox9 have stories.
Bob McFarlin, special assistant to Molnau, has been named acting commissioner.
The Star Tribune says MnDOT is set on a new path.
The MAC has paid a bunch in the prosecution of Idaho Sen. Larry Craig.
PFBA not as toxic as previously thought. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
MPR says foreclosure prevention programs don't work for everyone.
Congress
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman talks immigration with the Marshall Independent.
The Star Tribune asks when is it ok for police to check immigrant status. Pawlenty and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann are mentioned.
Congress examines payments between doctors and medical device makers. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is in NYC today.
Democratic leaders in Congress are pushing for Farm Bill action.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says the Delta Queen is unsafe.
The federal government proposes increasing the habitat for the lynx.
2008 U.S. Senate Race
The Fix moves the race down a notch:
6. Minnesota : Comedian Al Franken (D) continues to impress, winning the endorsement of the state's Service Employees International Union earlier this week -- a decision that further consolidates the support of organized labor behind him heading into the party convention in June. Roughly 1,400 Democratic delegates will pick between Franken, attorney Mike Ciresi and professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer; all three candidates have pledged to abide by the results of the convention and Franken has emerged as the clear favorite. Sen. Norm Coleman (R) is well-funded and savvy but Republicans who believe they will caricature Franken as a Hollywood liberal running as a lark would do well to take the Democrat more seriously. (Previous ranking: 5)
AP picks up on the Coleman letter to the editor flap.
UPDATE:
The Owatonna People's Press says the Senate contest could be about character.
The Duluth News Tribune says DFL delegates will determine which U.S. Senate candidate to back at its local convention.
2008 Race for President
UPDATE: The DFL Party Chair and the DFL Associate Party Chair back Barack Obama.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
USA Today talks up Pawlenty:
The most logical road leads to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 47, of Minnesota. He shores up McCain on age and executive experience. Pawlenty was one of McCain's earliest endorsers. Tactically, Pawlenty could concentrate on the politically and culturally similar swing states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, which collectively have 27 electoral votes.
More VP speculation here.
Two people write to the Wall Street Journal defending Pawlenty. The letters come after a column by conservative radio host, Jason Lewis.
2008 Race for Congress
Republican Alan Roebke writes an op-ed in the Hutchinson Leader criticizing DFL incumbent Collin Peterson.
Serious question of the day
Why did they put Leap Day in February? Why not June or September when the weather is warmer?
Finally
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