The Daily Digest: 5-13-09
The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the remaining budget bills today. They reached agreement last night on the Ag and Vets, Higher Ed, K12 and State Government budget bills.
With less than a week to go, lawmakers and Gov. Pawlenty still haven't reached a budget deal. Legislative leaders and the governor met behind closed doors yesterday. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications, AP and MinnPost have stories.
The Public Safety bill is also on its way to Gov. Pawlenty.
Gov. Pawlenty's team and the GOP have been careful to not use the V word.
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DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher hinted that an override vote on the Tax Bill is coming.
Gov. Pawlenty says he's open to a "lights-on" bill but is skeptical of the bill moving through the Legislature.
KARE says a Capitol bake sale symbolizes the school funding fight.
Dentists drop their opposition to a new practitioner proposal.
The Springsteen bill becomes law.
MinnPost writes that most lawmakers wince when GOP Rep. Mark Buesgens gets up to speak on the House floor.
Most drinking water in Minnesota meets standards.
2008 Race for U.S. Senate
Republican Norm Coleman has asked the FEC to allow him to use campaign cash to pay his legal fees related to lawsuits. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune, AP and MinnPost have stories.
Former Gov. Jesse Ventura called Coleman a hypocrite and says he should quit the legal fight over the Senate race.
DFL leaning groups release a new billboard that calls on Gov. Pawlenty "to do his legal duty" and sign the election certificate.
D.C.
Medicare and Social Security finances get worse.
Support grows for southern Minnesota Rail. Pawlenty, DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and DFL Rep. Tim Walz are mentioned.
Klobuchar is scheduled to lead a hearing on tourism.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz introduces a bill that increases VA spouses' benefits.
GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen wants to eliminate a fee that power companies pay to store nuclear energy.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson calls the climate change bill "out of control."
Roll Call (subscription required) says DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is less stringent on earmarks.
Oberstar also wants to keep transportation on the fast track.