The Daily Digest: 2-4-09
The three-judge panel in the recount trial allows the examination of 4,800 ballots. Republican Norm Coleman's campaign said it's a victory. Franken's campaign said it's neither. The Pi Press sums up the public response:
"No matter what the legal teams said, the ruling and a second order on absentee ballots issued Tuesday certainly were victories for voters who just want an end to the race."
MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and Forum Communications also have stories.
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The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear Franken's motion to force Gov. Pawlenty and Secretary of State Ritchie to issue an election certificate on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a DFL bill proposed in the Legislature would seat Al Franken on a provisional basis. Gov. Pawlenty is unlikely to sign it.
State Government
Minnesota lawmakers probe and pan Pawlenty's plan. MPR and AP have stories.
His borrowing plan is off to a slow start (in other words, it's criticized but not discounted since lawmakers need to find $1 billion elsewhere). The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.
Two mayors rip Pawlenty's cuts to LGA in this op-ed.
There's a push for car child restraints for children up to eight years old.
The Star Tribune picks up on talk about a mileage tax.
There's some reaction to the Legislative Audit of Q-Comp. The auditor says he can't say whether the program works.
The Minneapolis Pension Fund seeks a merger to stay solvent.
Owners are scrambling to make pools safe.
Congress
Tax problems plague two of President Obama's picks. Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer withdraw their nominations.
Obama says "I screwed up."
The stimulus plan tops $900 billion.
Pawlenty talks with NPR about the stimulus bill.
Northland News says the stimulus will help the Iron Range.
There are new limits on executive pay coming.
Both parties are moving to help homeowners.
Wells Fargo canceled an employee junket to Las Vegas after receiving criticism.
The bank took bailout money last fall.
Update from our business editor: Wells Fargo was not "bailed out" by the taxpayer. Wells Fargo was a healthy bank. It was not on the brink of collapse as AIG was. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Treasury Secretary Paulson gave Wells Fargo and the other banks receiving that first infusion of TARP funding no choice but to accept the money. The indications are that Wells Fargo's CEO was not happy at having to take it.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar discusses Obama's Super Bowl party.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison will speak at a green jobs conference.
The New York Times says installation of solar and wind plants is slowing dramatically because of the economy.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says his derivatives bill "must pass."
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says good-bye to the Sherburne County's sheriff.
Economy
MPR says a second mortgage related shock could hit Minnesota.
Layoffs spike.
Minneapolis fared better in sales tax collections during the RNC than St. Paul.
2010 Watch
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is on the cover of Governing Magazine.
2012 Watch
Former Vice-President Dick Cheney calls Pawlenty an "up and comer."
Holly Hughes, a big fan of Gov. Pawlenty, is named to Michael Steele's transition team at the RNC.
Finally
Good luck on your new job, David Yepsen.
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