The Daily Digest: 5-19-08
Gov. Pawlenty, DFL legislative leaders and GOP Senate leadership have scheduled separate tours of the state to tout their accomplishments of the legislative session. The victory lap comes when day after the Legislature finished its work. They finally reached the budget deal with less than ten hours to go before the midnight deadline to adjourn. MPR, AP, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Forum Communications, Fox9 and ECM have stories.
AP has the features of the session ending agreement.
The Mall of America was part of the deal.
Lawmakers also passed a bonding bill that includes funding for Central Corridor and to acquire a new park on Lake Vermilion. AP has a broad look at the bill.
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The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories on the choo choo.
The Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories on the new park.
Mankato also got some tax breaks.
12 House members announced their retirements. ECM and AP have stories. You can see the list here.
Minnesota's biofuels mandate is mentioned in the Lousville Courier-Journal.
DFL Sen. Satveer Chaudhary says his work never crossed ethical lines.
The DNR is working to craft new rules for new rules for waterfront construction.
Congress
The Senate revisits the war in Iraq this week.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is headed to Willmar today to talk about the Farm Bill.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz visited Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The Postal Service unveils a new Minnesota stamp. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison speaks to graduates at the U of M, Morris.
Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr tells potential donors that his leadership fund played a crucial role in getting GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann elected. Cox News Services says the fund only gave modest contributions to her.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says he expects the Farm Bill to be sent to President Bush on Tuesday.
The FAA and American Airlines quibble over who is at fault for flight cancellations. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Race for President
Barack Obama and John McCain are vying for Hillary Clinton voters.
2008 Race for Senate
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman has a big lead over his DFL rivals in the latest Star Tribune poll.
The L.A. Times says the GOP struggles to reinvent without losing itself. Coleman is mentioned.
2012 Race for President
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned as a possible presidential contender in the future. AP and the New York Times have stories about the up and coming female candidates.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee wants the VP slot.
Bloomberg mentions Pawlenty in its story on Huckabee.
Al Hunt says Pawlenty is on the short list for McCain.
The Club for Growth wonders whether Pawlenty can carry Minnesota.