The Daily Digest: 2-18-09
State lawmakers will try to get a better idea of how the stimulus bill will impact the state. Staffers from the Department of Education and Management and Budget will brief lawmakers today. One important phrase to learn - Maintenance of Effort.
Fox9 and the Pi Press explain what the stimulus package means to you.
MinnPost talks with the state's top finance chief about the stimulus.
St. Paul's Mayor says the stimulus won't save the city from cuts.
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Hennepin County looks to secure $202 million in projects.
Washington County will cut $3.2 million in expenses. Mostly staffers.
Meanwhile, House and Senate Republicans hold a news conference today to call for a pay cut for lawmakers and constitutional officers.
ECM says job creation and bonding are on the plate of state lawmakers.
DFL Sen. Keith Langseth proposes a $300 million bonding bill. MPR and Forum Communications have stories.
MnDOT seeks input on a 20-year transportation plan.
A bill urges tighter rules for guardians.
A group works to renew tax breaks that they hope will lure moviemakers back to the state.
Gov. Pawlenty downplays his proposed cuts to LGA.
Pawlenty also visited Winona.
Principals are doubtful of meeting No Child Left Behind Standards. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
DFL Sen. David Tomassoni will take over as chair of the Iron Range Resources Board.
Common Cause urges voting changes.
The MPCA says mercury levels keep rising in walleye.
The St. Cloud Bridge replacement is on schedule.
A green jobs bill moves forward.
Paul Koering, the only openly gay Republican member of the Legislature, said he'll vote against the marriage equity bill (h/t Minnesota Independent).
GOP Sen. Geoff Michel says Pawlenty's budget is on target in this op-ed.
There's another push to lower the state's drinking age.
The Swamp
One day after signing the massive stimulus package, President Obama takes on home foreclosures.
Cities may have to wait longer for stimulus money.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the stimulus bill should help.
High Speed Rail is a part of the stimulus package.
The stimulus package also gives Obama and Democrats a political chip - Two of the largest tax cuts in the history of the U.S.
The Dow drops nearly 300 points.
Automakers seek $14 billion more in aid.
Obama OKs 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan.
A group backing Children's Health Insurance (supported by Phrma) is running ads on behalf of DFL Rep. Tim Walz and GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann said "We're running out of rich people in this country." (h/t DumpBachmann). She also blogged that all the world is providing tax cuts except the U.S.
Illinois Senator Roland Burris is in some hot soup.
2008 U.S. Senate Race
The court tries to streamline the election contest. MPR, the Pi Press, MinnPost and the Star Tribune have stories.
The Coleman campaign is focusing on how Carver County elections officials handled absentee ballots.
Some speculate that Coleman is laying the groundwork for an appeal.
AP says the stimulus vote highlights the Minnesota recount.
2010
DFL Rep. Paul Thissen writes an op-ed in the Bemidji Pioneer that focuses on the plight of the state's seniors.