The Daily Digest: 5-13-08
Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders are expected to resume behind closed doors budget talks later this morning. MPR, Forum Communications and AP say the property tax cap issue is holding things up. The Pi Press says Democrats believe the governor is deliberately delaying by not providing information about the impact of the property tax cap. Pawlenty officials say it's tough to put it together. The speaker says the Revenue Department has not given the info to her yet this morning.
I'm told the Governor also canceled a Wednesday trip to Washington DC to attend a "Crisis in Education" conference in order to be in Minnesota for budget talks.
He's in Thief River Falls this morning for the Capitol for a Day festivities. He was in Bemidji yesterday and unveiled a new stamp.
KSTP says there are three outcomes for budget talks.
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The House and Senate sent Gov. Pawlenty a health reform bill that the governor says he'll veto. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
The House and Senate are expected to take up an education finance bill this morning.
The Mall of America proposal gets a renovation in the Tax Conference Committee report.
The pool safety act and dining with dogs were approved.
The House also passed a bill that creates rules for surrogate mom contracts.
Pawlenty signs the Ag and Vets bill which includes a higher biodiesel mandate. AP and Forum Communications have stories.
Speaking of biofuels, an ethanol plant proposal is dividing Eyota.
The House passed a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide if an outside citizens group should determine lawmaker pay.
Pawlenty signed legislation Monday requiring insurance companies and agents to annually notify insured clients whether flood coverage is included in their policy.
He vetoed a bill that banned the sale of two chemicals.
DNR officers are put on paid leave as conference is probed.
NWA CEO Doug Steenland says most jobs will stay in Minnesota.
Forum Communications says lawmaker retirements spur speculation.
Congress
A study says the use of wind energy is expected to grow dramatically.
Politico says nutrition groups are pushing for the Farm Bill passage.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she's pushing to redirect tax subsidies to oil companies to alternative energy.
Klobuchar's husband dines with First Lady Laura Bush and the other Senate spouses.
Northrup Grumman says the House Armed Services Committee will vote on a bill that could provide jobs to Minnesota. The news release singles out GOP Rep. John Kline.
A former businessman and backer of GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann agreed to pay nearly $3 million to settle debts. The payment is a result of a court agreement.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says a tunnel for Central Corridor could be back on the table. The Met Council says no.
2008 Race for President
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson (Minnesota's remaining uncommitted superdelegate) said on MPR this morning that "Senator Obama won my district by a pretty good margin. So that'll be heavily weighted in my decision." I'll link to the interview when it goes up.
Voters in West Virginia head to the polls today. Hillary Clinton is expected to win.
Bob Barr, a former GOP Congressman from Georgia, announces that he'll run as a Libertarian.
2008 Race for U.S. Senate
Barr (see above) gave money to GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. So did the lobbying firm DCI.
The American Future Fund hits Democrat Al Franken with an web attack ad.
Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer campaigns in Hutchinson.
2008 Race for Congress
3rd District DFL candidate Ashwin Madia is mentioned in this story focusing on the growing number of Indian Americans who are running for office.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Pawlenty gets the VP questions in Bemidji.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman talks up Pawlenty.
The Washington Post/ABC News poll looks at potential VP picks.
The American Prospect via the New York Mag says RedState doesn't want Pawlenty picked (got all of that?).
KARE is putting the cart before the horse by speculating on a possible Gov. Molnau. I saw some blogs speculating on who Molnau would select as her Lt. Gov. She can't pick anyone. The president of the Minnesota Senate (in this case Jim Metzen) would take Molnau's slot. See Article 5, Section 5 of the Minnesota Constitution.