The Daily Digest

The Digest is a bit late this morning after I was engaged with a heated argument with myself over workload. I'm kidding of course but that's what two pilots cite as the reason they flew 150 miles past MSP. The pilots have been suspended and federal investigators are looking into it.

Congress

ABC News said the Senate health care bill is likely to include a public option but moderates are plotting to stop it.

A deal on Medicare geographic inequities now means DFL Rep. Betty McCollum will vote for a health bill that includes the public option. DFL Rep. Tim Walz said he's more inclined to back a bill with the public option as long as the Medicare fix is included. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and MPR have stories.

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The National Journal says Democrats in the House now have 218 votes for the public option because of the Medicare deal.

Here's where Minnesota's delegation stands on health care reform.

The medical device tax included in the Senate Finance bill is still under fire.

The state's health care industry is spending millions lobbying Congress.

A military pay hike passes Congress.

A House panel oks a consumer protection agency.

$108 million in LIHEAP funds are on their way to Minnesota.

The Hate Crimes bill is set to become law.

Franken's anti-rape amendment may be stripped.

Franken's first bill clears Congress.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz will speak at an event for geography teachers.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison said increased sanctions against Iran won't work.

A House bill ensures that states can have oversight over big banks. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Shipping companies are lobbying to block the EPA from imposing clean air rules. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

Under the Dome

The draft of an environmental review of the proposed Polyment mine in northern Minnesota is expected today.

Educators fear that the K12 shift will become a permanent cut. It's set off an interesting discussion among education finance experts at the Capitol.

The lower unemployment rate means fewer benefits for some.

The Minnesota Supreme Court says bong water can be considered an illegal drug.

The suit over the 35W bridge contract will head to the MN Supreme Court.

A study finds the need for a new coal powered fire plant in MN.

The new St. Cloud bridge will be dedicated on Monday.

H1N1

Three more Minnesotans died from H1N1.

There's a scramble to parcel out the vaccine nationwide.

MDH's flu line has also been swamped.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

About 500 people attended the small dollar fundraiser for Pawlenty's federal PAC in Washington D.C. MinnPost, Politico and the Star Tribune have stories.

Here's a portion of the speech.

The Washington Times isn't happy that the Pawlenty events were closed press.

Pawlenty's Iowa speech will be broadcast on C-SPAN.

A poll (tied to Democrats) said President Obama beats Gov. Pawlenty in a head to head match up but Pawlenty has a high upside among GOP candidates.

Pawlenty isn't backing a candidate in the special election in New York's 23rd District and the conservative RedState bashes him for it.

2010 Race for Governor

The state's largest public employee union, AFSCME will screen candidates for governor this weekend.

AP says the unions aren't united in the governor's race.

DFL groups and donors are reportedly organizing a group to help the DFL candidate for governor.

Missed this one yesterday. Fox9 takes a look at whether Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is too busy running for governor to debate the other candidates for mayor.

There are a few stories that surfaced from Wednesday's forum in Rochester. The Rochester Post-Bulletin said R.T. Rybak and Mark Dayton got some attention at the forum.

MPR says Matt Entenza ripped Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Kelliher said she can attract indies and R.T. Rybak said he's open to a sales tax on clothing.

Kelliher releases her list of supporters but a DFL blogger said some on the list aren't really supporters.

2010 Race for Congress

Maureen Reed, a DFLer running for Congress in the 6th, visits Washington.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann endorsed conservative Doug Hoffman over the GOP Dede Scozzafava in the upcoming New York special election.

2009 Local races

The Star Tribune says there could be a long wait for winners to be declared in certain Minneapolis races. IRV will make the process go slow.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says he's done a good job as mayor.

Coleman's GOP endorsed opponent, Eva Ng, considers herself a problem solver.

Finally

Tee it up on the world's longest golf course.