The Daily Digest
We'll get a better idea this morning of how hospitals and other health providers will fare under the deal on General Assistance Medical Care. The bill is scheduled to be released today. Note, the Senate Heath and Human Services budget committee pushed back the morning meeting to later today or tomorrow. (Update: Hearings have been postponed or canceled. Bill will be available at 6pm).
The House and Senate passed legislation that would tighten Minnesota's absentee ballot system. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and AP have stories.
A joint-state federal task force is investigating a fraud ring.
Congress
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President Obama campaigned for the health care overhaul bill.
Reports of how DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will vote on the bill are all over the place.
ABC says Oberstar will reportedly vote on the health care bill without anti-abortion language included in it.
But his spokesman told MPR that Oberstar will look at the bill first and then decide.
Now, The Hill is reporting he's leaning yes (this story also says DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is a "firm no").
Several senators reached consensus on limiting the powers of the Federal Reserve.
Democratic Congressman Eric Massa of New York says Democratic leadership forced his exit.
Northrop will drop a bid for a tanker.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the relationship between former federal officials now working in the auto industry is too cozy.
DFL Sen. Al Franken gets a comic book.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he's the first member of Congress to solicit input on earmark requests.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison cast the tie-breaking vote for the Armenian Genocide resolution.
Tea Partiers will storm the U.S. Capitol on March 16th. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is mentioned.
Bachmann will also speak at a Tea Party tally at the State Capitol on Saturday.
The Organic Trade Association honors DFL Rep. Collin Peterson.
Peterson's Ag Committee also voted for no budget cuts.
2010 Race for Governor
Republican Marty Seifert criticized fellow Republican Tom Emmer for authoring a bill that would have placed limits on campaign spending. Emmer authored the bill in 2005.
Seifert also questioned Emmer's temperament to be governor.
GOP state Reps. Tony Cornish and Mary Kiffmeyer back Emmer.
2010 Race for Congress
The GOP candidates in Minnesota's 1st District made their case to Republican activists in Mower County.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
A commentator for Frum Forum said Gov. Pawlenty's low approval ratings should put his presidential ambitions on ice (for now).
The Fix defends Pawlenty's poll numbers (along with Pawlenty's PAC spokesman Alex Conant).
Pawlenty also talked 2012 and the future of the GOP with the Dallas Morning News (nothing new here).
Charlie Cook sings the praises of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Sarah Palin went to Canada for health care (as a child).