The Daily Digest: 5-1-08
It's May Day, the National Day of Prayer (or the National Day of Reason if you're an Atheist) and the 5th anniversary of Mission Accomplished.
There will be rallies all over the place at the State Capitol. RNC Convention protesters start marching this morning. The National Day of Prayer is at noon on the Capitol Lawn. The Atheists have the National Day of Reason at noon in the Capitol Rotunda. Immigrant groups will march to the Capitol this afternoon.
The Minnesota House will take up an increase to the state's minimum wage bill today.
Governor Pawlenty held a news conference yesterday to discuss his latest budget offer to DFLers. He said he wants to meet face to face with them this weekend. MPR, the Star Tribune, Pi Press and AP have stories.
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Pawlenty put Central Corridor back on the table but with conditions.
DFL Rep. Alice Hausman said she's encouraged by Pawlenty's action but is worried that the U of M is working to scuttle the Central Corridor. Folks were joking during bonding bill negotiations that a U of M lobbyist should name his next dog HEAPR. They scuttle this deal and the dog may have to be named MnSCU (ba da bing!)
Pawlenty says he has some reservations about the current Mall of America expansion proposal.
Forum Communications says get your budget negotiation dancing shoes.
UPDATE: There may be a deal on the bridge victim's compensation fund.
New MnDOT Chief Tom Sorel sits down with the Pi Press and AP.
MnDOT inspects the gusset plates on a Duluth bridge.
A Delta exec will appear before a House Committee next week.
A Senate Committee also questions Northwest.
NWA and Delta execs say the deal is a plus for Detroit.
A bill to honor Korean War Vets is headed to the governor.
New census numbers say Minnesota is getting older. Funny, since the state doesn't look a day over 150 (ba da bing!).
Congress
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman will lobby President Bush to support the Farm Bill.
But President Bush rejects the deal because he doesn't like the subsidy proposal.
Farm Bill conferees are now working to craft a veto proof bill.
Crop subsidies are switched to feeding the needy as food prices rise. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will help negotiate toy safety.
Minnesota's pork producers are struggling. Klobuchar is mentioned.
The New York Times says Coleman was one of six Republicans who voted for the Fair Pay act.
The House votes on requiring combustible dust rule changes. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned.
Newport tries to revive the levee issue. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.
A security guard union looks to expand after contract victory. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.
A housing package advances and moves to the House Committee vote. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is mentioned.
$11 million in transportation funds are headed to northern Minnesota. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Race for President
John McCain blames the Minneapolis bridge collapse on wasteful spending. What happened to the "Let's keep politics out of the bridge collapse" line?
The Star Tribune says Pawlenty's health care proposal is similar to McCain's.
Barack Obama will be on Meet the Press this weekend.
A study says public opinion isn't advancing health reform.
2008 Race for U.S. Senate
MPR says Al Franken is working to repair campaign damage.
DFL leaders tell the Star Tribune that they still back Franken but his accountant is told to say "No comment."
WCCO Reality Checks Franken's tax issue.
Politico and Roll Call (subscription required) also write about Franken's tax issue.
Franken sits down with Almanac At the Capitol and KARE.
MinnPost says Franken is ok for now.
2008 Race for Congress
Roll Call (subscription required) says the Blue Dog Democrats back 6th District DFL candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
CQ starts VP Madness.
2010 Race for Governor
Campaign and Elections says 2010 will be a big year. Pawlenty is mentioned.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis tells the St. Cloud Times that he doesn't want to be governor. Raise your hand if you thought Kleis would run for governor.