The Daily Digest: 6-16-09

Gov. Pawlenty will release his plan to balance the state's budget on his own at a Capitol news conference at 2 pm. MPR will provide live coverage of the announcement on the radio and will also live stream it on the web.

MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune and Forum Communications have preview stories.

The Pi Press also says cities are bracing for cuts. City Councils, like Mankato's, are preparing for the worst.

WCCO reality checks whether you can balance the budget with cuts alone.

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MDH announces the first H1N1 flu death in Minnesota.

D.C.

President Obama speaks out about the Iranian election.

U of M students also protest the election in Iran.

President Obama says health care is a ticking time bomb.

The Congressional Budget Office says a bill that would dramatically reduce the ranks of the uninsured will cost $1 trillion.

A GOP consultant says Obama is unifying Republicans.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar nominates Sharon Lubinski, the assistant police chief of Minneapolis, to serve as Minnesota's new U.S. Marshal.

Klobuchar also introduces a bill that would save broadband money.

Reuters and The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) say Klobuchar also wants the FCC to investigate cell phone companies that have exclusive phones.

GOP Rep. John Kline is still working to win the top GOP slot on the House Education and Labor Committee.

The GOP House Minority Leader says he's torn on whether to back Kline or the other two candidates.

Playwright Tony Kushner brings up GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann when discussing his new play.

A Lake Elmo auto dealer dropped by Chrysler is weighing his options. Bachmann is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson said he would support plans to zero out funding for an Animal ID law unless it becomes mandatory.

Business is working to make changes to the cap and trade law. Peterson is mentioned.

Several groups say the U.S. moved too fast in the wolf delisting.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will release his plans for the transportation bill later this week.

Former GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad will be honored for his efforts to fight cancer.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says he won't push for the so-called card check bill until Democrat Al Franken takes office.

2010

A source close to GOP state Rep. Laura Brod says Brod is running for governor.

MNProgressive Project is reporting that Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat, a Democrat, is considering a run for governor.

GOP Rep. Marty Seifert is also taking steps to run for governor.

ECM takes a look at the Democrats running for governor.

The Rochester-Post Bulletin details who Rochester area DFLers are backing.

2012

Washington Whispers (a U.S. News and World Report blog) says Pawlenty will work the country to see if he can mount a White House bid in 2012.

Will Gov. Pawlenty's followers take the course that the fans of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal took?

David Letterman apologizes to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her family.