The Daily Digest
The House and Senate are expected to pass a $1 billion bonding bill today. The votes come one day after Governor Pawlenty said he can work with the bill agreed to by legislative negotiators. But he says he'll line item veto the bill. Pawlenty made his comments one day after DFLers criticized the plans for an expansion to the sex offender facility. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and WCCO have stories.
Democrats say Gov. Pawlenty is still siphoning off staff from other agencies to make his office budget look smaller.
The House Ag and Veterans Affairs committee approved $7 million in cuts to that division.
The House will release more cut plans next week.
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DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller is pushing a bill that shakes up several state agencies.
The Racino bill gets tabled.
Gov. Pawlenty also checked in on flood preparations in Moorhead. He said a North Dakota flood diversion deserves a review.
A House panel defeats a bill that would require background checks at gun shows.
A bill would give same sex couples death rights.
More Minnesota students are relying on free and reduced lunch.
The Met Council airs frustration with the U of M over light rail.
The Central Corridor work schedule is also revealed.
A bill could quicken the public handover of data in Minnesota.
Congress
President Obama pushes his health care overhaul bill telling the public "It's time to vote."
Negotiations on the bill, however, continue behind closed doors.
The White House also swats back at comments made by Chief Justice John Roberts.
The federal government racked up a record $220 billion budget deficit in February.
The House rejected a forced troop withdrawal. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison was the only member of Minnesota's delegation to vote for it.
The Senate passed a $140 billion tax extenders bill.
House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations.
The House also bans fake census mailings.
The TARP oversight committee finds fault with the GMAC bailouts.
The House Ethics panel won't investigate Eric Massa because he's no longer a congressman.
The Washington Post says Speaker Pelosi's office was warned about Massa in October.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says her constituents are "freaking out" over the Citizen's United ruling.
Klobuchar also said Democratic senators are going to call out GOP senators who are "blocking their priorities."
DFL Sen. Al Franken squares off with the former chair of the FEC at a hearing.
Franken also promotes Duluth's google fiber push.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz gave $21k in donations from New York Congressman Charlie Rangel to charity.
Health care overhaul opponents visit Walz's office.
President Obama retracts union transparency rules put forward under President Bush. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and other Democrats propose a big jobs package.
President Obama is at odds with the Congressional Black Caucus. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.
The CEO of FedEx said his company would stop growing if Congress makes it easier for workers to unionize at the company. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is pushing the effort.
2010 Race for Governor
GOP Rep. Tom Emmer and DFL Rep. Paul Thissen will be on MPR's Midmorning at 9 am.
Mike Wigley, a founder of the Taxpayers League, backs Tom Emmer.
Republican Marty Seifert signed a No New Taxes pledge. Emmer hasn't signed it.
Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem's backs Seifert's bid.
MinnPost calls the GOP race "contentious."
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak outlined his State of the City. He's hoping for a rebound in the Minneapolis economy.
2010 Race for Congress
Democrat Tarryl Clark hits GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann over social security in a web ad.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
Gov. Pawlenty is headed to North Dakota later this month.
Pawlenty is also not backing any candidates for U.S. Senate in Florida.
Pawlenty also wants Congress to limit the EPA rules on greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally
Finally
There won't be a digest on Friday.