The Daily Digest : 4-10-08
MnDOT will make some announcements this morning related to the closed DeSoto Bridge in St. Cloud. Gov. Pawlenty hints that the bridge will be replaced.
The Minnesota House takes up its health care reform bill today. Supporters say there's still hope to pass it into law.
Tibetan activists will also hold a vigil at the Capitol today.
Gov. Pawlenty is also threatening to veto a transportation policy bill because it calls for the state to opt out of the federal government's Real ID program.
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Central Corridor's funding fight could send the project to the back of the line.
Supporters of the transit line plead for it to get done. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
Meanwhile, Gov. Pawlenty made stops yesterday touting the bonding bill. He told Bemidji they deserved the events center. He also made stops in Albert Lea and Austin.
WCCO reality checks whether the bonding bill vetoes were more politics than policy. Kessler says a bulk of the line-item vetoes were in DFL districts because a bulk of the bill focused on DFL districts.
Global warming skeptics cry foul over climate change recommendations. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
St. Paul is threatening legal challenges against banks owning foreclosed homes. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
St. Paul's city council is being urged to reconsider extending bar hours during the RNC.
The state fines the club involved in Abigail Taylor pool injury incident.
The state of Minnesota says E20 works well.
The Star Tribune picks up on the House DFL fight over Attorney General Lori Swanson.
The medical marijuana bill heads to the House floor. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.
State lawmakers are told to expect a Legislature funded report on the I-35W bridge collapse in May. The Pi Press, Forum Communications and the Star Tribune have stories.
People hampered by criminal records are looking to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Gov. Pawlenty will do his radio show from South St. Paul on Friday. That's the same day that the stockyards will have its final sale.
Congress
GOP Rep. John Kline talks about Iraq policy with MPR.
Kline also says he likes the idea of Iraqis spending the oil surplus.
How big is it? NPR says Iraq has 48 billion in oil revenues but Iraqis prefer to use American money.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman said he's disappointed with the disagreements within the GOP on home foreclosures.
A Coleman bill would let more reservists retire early.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz is seeking millions for the 1st District.
Compensation may also be possible for meat packing workers who got sick. Walz is mentioned.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann writes an op-ed at Townhall.com regarding the light bulb.
Forest Lake city officials say Bachmann refuses to allow earmarks for improvements to US-8. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is also mentioned.
Bachmann also tells ECM that there's a growing sentiment against earmarks.
The House has announced its members of a Farm Bill Conference Committee. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.
Peterson also wrote a song that blasts the Senate for stalling on the Farm Bill.
The Star Tribune says the NWA merger depends on Delta pilots. Oberstar is mentioned.
More American Airlines flights are canceled. Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Race for Senate
Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer does an interview with Minnesota Monitor.
2006 Race for Congress
A Pro-Life Women's political group is kicking off its efforts to elect pro-life candidates like GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.
The Star Tribune picks up on the national GOP support for Bachmann.
Stu Rothenberg says Minnesota's 3rd is a part of his dangerous dozen. The DFL endorsing convention is this weekend.
GOP Rep. John Kline reports having $500k in the bank.