The Daily Digest
Drip, drip drip...
There's more information coming out regarding DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher's fundraising problems. On Friday, Kelliher said three donors helped her pay for the use of the DFL voter file. But on Monday, DFL Party Chair said three people had their money refunded. He said Kelliher claimed credit for a total of seven donors for the file. Kelliher's campaign manager told the Star Tribune that the other donors gave $6,000 to help Kelliher. The Campaign Finance Board will figure this all out.
This isn't a ton of money in the world of campaign finance laws but the issue speaks to the credibility of the Kelliher campaign.
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While Republicans may be slinging arrows at Kelliher, they may want to watch what's happening to their moderates. Tom Horner, a long-time moderate Republican, is thinking about running for governor on the I-P ticket. That could erode the GOP's base in a general election. MinnPost, MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
Republicans Pat Anderson and Marty Seifert spar over energy policy.
Tom Emmer won the Sibley County GOP straw poll.
Democrat Mark Dayton takes issue with the state's top expert. He said the stump speeches regarding his "Tax the Rich" comments don't amount to his proposal. Dayton said there's no release date on his formal proposal.
DFLer John Marty posts an entry on DemConWatch.
Congress
The White House tells Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to cut a deal on health care reform.
That means the Senate may scrap the Medicare expansion portion of the bill.
Obama will meet with several Senate Democrats including DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
DFL Sen. Al Franken goes after Republican Sen. John Thune (SD) on the Senate floor.
A Senate amendment would alter the medical device tax. Klobuchar and Franken are mentioned.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will lead a "prayer cast" against the health care bill.
President Obama wants banks to start lending more.
Obama is also expected to announce today that some Gitmo Bay detainees will be shipped to an Illinois prison.
MPR says $3.9 billion in Minnesota earmarks were included in the budget bill. GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen voted against the bill but still got an earmark.
Here's a list of the Transportation projects earmarked for Minnesota that were included in the budget bill.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison introduces the Stand With Iranian People Act.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann was on Sean Hannity's show last night and repeated misleading and false information. Media Matters takes her to task for it.
Under the Dome
Minnesota leans on higher education to pay the bills.
Gov. Pawlenty said he's going to cut government spending to balance the budget.
He also says he is opposed to Racino. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
GOP Rep. Matt Dean offers a proposal to fix GAMC.
The Star Tribune tells us what we already know. Moving an influx of GAMC patients into MinnesotaCare would bankrupt the Health Care Access Fund.
States are working to secure sales taxes from online purchases.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
Gov. Pawlenty heads to New Hampshire later this week. The Pi Press has a look ahead.
Gov. Pawlenty said the science on climate change is "unsettled." He also said cap and trade is headed in the wrong direction.
2010 Race for Congress
Retirements worry House Democrats.
The Hill suggests DFL Rep. Collin Peterson could retire as well.
Other
The Fix puts the 2002 and 2008 U.S. Senate races in the Top Ten Best Senate Races of the decade.
Finally
Tim Pugmire has graciously agreed to do the Digest on Wednesday. I'll be back on Thursday.