The Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty releases his budget plan this morning and big cuts are on the table. MPR, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

Pawlenty also appears skeptical of the GAMC fix moving through the Legislature.

The House is set to vote on the bonding bill today.

The Minnesota Senate is set to vote on the August primary bill.

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The state crime lab has a backlog.

A bill introduced in the Senate would allow the state to spend more to buy the Lake Vermilion property.

Do you remember Pawlenty's directive on permitting in his State of the State? It was a worksheet directed verbally.

The DNR wants a fall ban on feeding wildlife.

A Republican in the Minnesota Senate asks the MNGOP to stop calling phones on the Senate floor. The MNGOP Chair said it's not up to the Senator.

2010 Race for Governor

Two Republican candidates, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert, appeared on Almanac on Friday night. It was a mostly tame affair.

Earlier in the day on Friday, Emmer targeted Seifert on an amendment to stop the state from engaging in cap and trade.

Rob Hahn, an I-P candidate for governor, wants to expand gambling.

Congress

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar visited Haiti.

GOP Rep. John Kline gets an invite to attend President Obama's health care summit.

The Ag Secretary will be in Marshall today. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

President Obama is said to be making plans to use his executive power.

The Obama Administration is flexible on the venue for the 9/11 trials.

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney rips the Obama Administration. Vice-President Joe Biden hits back.

Some small business owners are wary of the jobs tax credit. DFL Sen. Al Franken is mentioned.

MinnPost says DFL Rep. Keith Ellison was trying to rally Democrats during his snow days.

Ellison is also mentioned in this story that says a new law makes it harder for teens to get credit cards.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann attended a rally in North Dakota.

The St. Cloud Times also posted a q and a with Bachmann.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

Gov. Pawlenty is headed back to New Hampshire.

Pawlenty also said the financial crisis was overblown in an interview with Esquire.

It looks like Mitt Romney will be in Minnesota in April.