The Daily Digest: 3-26-09

President Obama met with members of the Minnesota and North Dakota congressional delegations to discuss the impact of the floods in North Dakota and northern Minnesota.

Gov. Pawlenty is seeking quick disaster aid for flooding in northwestern Minnesota. Here is the latest on the flood.

Under the Dome

Gov. Pawlenty will meet with DFL legislative leaders this afternoon to talk about the budget.

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

GOP Rep. Paul Kohls writes an op-ed saying the state must live within its means.

A House panel will consider tonight whether the state's nuclear ban should be lifted.

Pawlenty will release a website today that will detail state spending.

The Star Tribune says Walgreen's requires the state to pay more for drugs than other consumers.

The Star Tribune takes a look at a bill that would dramatically change the criminal justice system.

A Senate committee sets aside a bill that would expand the reporting of gifts to doctors.

Attorneys say the NTSB is wrong about the I-35W bridge collapse. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

Legislation would also place a weight limit on the Stillwater Lift Bridge.

The Sex Offender program needs money quickly.

State lawmakers and Attorney General Lori Swanson are not happy with the spike in credit card interest rates.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Gov. Pawlenty says having one senator is "frustrating."

The USO honors Al Franken.

The Senate race breaks a record.

WCCO wonders whether the new Senate will get back pay.

D.C.

President Obama starts courting Democrats on the budget.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is at the center of budget negotiations.

Obama continues to poll well in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar gets some face time with President Obama. The pictures came after she and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson met with Obama to discuss the flooding in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Klobuchar also says she's pinching pennies.

Klobuchar will speak to a group of Iowa Democratic women in Des Moines on Saturday.

The location for a new Veterans clinic in Austin is still unknown. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen and GOP Rep. John Kline want to make sure that the I-494/169 project is on track.

Paulsen is also considered a young gun of the GOP.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison will reportedly push for funding for a southwest rail corridor.

The Washington Post says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is one of several lawmakers questioning the Fed's decisions.

Nine Brainerd area communities receive stimulus aid. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

2009

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's lone challenger drops out of the race.

Rybak outlines his economic agenda in his state of the city.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman moves to collect the lodging tax.

2010

Former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza releases a list of supporters.