The Daily Digest: 4-12-08
Political payback leads the digest today. DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich says someone in the governor's office threatened to veto his bonding bill projects after he suggested the governor wasn't engaged in the legislative process. Sertich wouldn't name the staffer but AP reports Pawlenty's Chief of Staff had a conversation with Sertich. Pawlenty's spokesman denies a threat was issued. AP, MPR and Forum Communications have stories.
The Minnesota Department of Health sues an Elko bar over the bar's efforts to get around the smoking ban.
MPR has a story on the possible end of session strategy.
Negotiations are set to begin on a health care reform package.
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St. Paul officials vow to fight the governor's vetoes of St. Paul projects in the bonding bill.
DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher says she's 100% behind attempts to secure funding for the Central Corridor.
The U of M Board of Regents back an alternate route for the Central Corridor. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
KTLK's Tax cut rally is scheduled for today.
Norway's Ambassador will meet with Gov. Pawlenty during a trip to Minnesota.
Lawmakers push comprehensive sexual education.
The Duluth News Tribune says DFL Sen. Tom Bakk introduced legislation to prevent Duluth school district's long-range facilities plan.
A new law is a win for a massage therapist.
Congress
Anti-war protesters protest a meeting of anti-war Senators in Virginia. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.
Klobuchar is also expressing concern about the reliability of digital converter boxes.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman says health care will be a major issue for Congress next year.
The downer cattle ban could be a major issue for Dairy Farmers. Coleman is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz speaks to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce about free trade and health care. The Rochester Post-Bulletin and KTTC have stories.
Canada's Federal Industry Minister defends his veto of a takeover move by Minnesota based Alliant Tech Systems. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is balking at the decision.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison speaks out of the need for unity to Arab American News.
The St. Croix Valley Press writes about GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and the blogosphere.
The FAA faces more allegations of "complacency" with airlines. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
Oberstar said the leash on the carriers "is a very short one."
Scores of businesses are also calling for increased regulation of the FAA. Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Senate Race
Al Franken acknowledges that his business failed to pay worker's comp. The MNGOP and Coleman's campaign go after him. The Star Tribune and the AP have stories.
Franken also announced that he raised $2.2 million in the last quarter.
He'll be raising more money at the home of a Playboy exec.
MinnPost sits down with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
2008 Race for Congress
The Star Tribune has a story on today's 3rd District DFL convention contest between Ashwin Madia and Terri Bonoff.
CQ says women are inching closer to parity in Congress. Bonoff is mentioned.
2008 Race for President
Barack Obama gets slammed for his "bitter voters" remark.
John McCain talks about his fundraising strategy with GOP activists.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Robert Novak says McCain's inner circle likes Pawlenty:
A footnote: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty gets higher marks from the McCain inner circle than from conservative Republican governors and is in the running for vice president.
The Club For Growth's unofficial VP poll says Pawlenty didn't fare well among conservative bloggers.