The Daily Digest
The Minnesota Supreme Court holds oral arguments today in the case that challenges Gov. Pawlenty's decision to unilaterally cut spending to balance the state's budget. MPR and AP have setup stories on what a ruling could mean for the state's budget situation.
The Star Tribune profiles Galen Robinson, the legal aid attorney who is taking on Pawlenty.
MPR News will provide live coverage of the hearing at 9am.
Gov. Pawlenty, who was in Florida over the weekend and has a Florida fundraiser scheduled for tonight, has to act on the bonding bill by midnight tonight or all of $1 billion worth of projects become law.
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MPR says 44 of the 47 Republicans in the Minnesota House sent a letter to Pawlenty urging him to line item veto the bill to $250 million. Two Republicans, Mark Buesgens and gubernatorial hopeful Tom Emmer, sent a separate letter urging him to veto the bill entirely. Morrie Lanning of Moorhead didn't sign either letter. Here is the link to the letters.
A House committee approved a bill that would cut $207 million in state spending.
Reinventing care for the poor means relying less on the Emergency Room.
MPR says 55 of the 374 people who were issued handgun permits eventually received the permit through appeal.
The state's teacher's union is the lone opponent to a bill that changes pension requirements.
The Pi Press says tough times have prompted an increase in the number of thefts among local government officials.
Small town officials are worried about cuts in LGA.
The House passed a bill that makes changes to election laws.
A bill aims to protect pets in domestic disputes.
Legislation would reinstate bounties on coyotes.
A current state lawmaker and a former state lawmaker defend the state's moratorium on nuclear construction in an op-ed.
A panel in the Minnesota House passed a bill that tightens the law on civil asset forfeitures.
The school year will start before Labor Day in southwest Minnesota.
Congress
Census forms should start arriving in mailboxes today.
The Pi Press says same sex couples are glad to be counted.
The White House is predicting the health care overhaul bill will become law by next week.
The Duluth News Tribune says DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will vote for the health bill.
But there are reports that Democrats are still short of the votes.
Bart Stupak, the Democrat pushing for tougher anti-abortion language in the bill, said Democratic leaders are pressing ahead without him.
A group representing Catholic hospitals supports the bill.
The New York Times says President Obama will face a vastly different political landscape after the health vote.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann led a rally to "Kill the Bill" before thousands in St. Paul. MPR, the Star Tribune and WCCO have stories. Listen to her speech here.
MPR fact-checks the new ads targeting the health bill.
The president is also reportedly "livid" about the announcement of new settlements in Israel.
Obama nominates a young, liberal law professor for the Appeals Court.
The president also wants to overhaul No Child Left Behind.
Obama also gave his Nobel money to charity.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd says he'll release a financial overhaul bill today.
Lehman Brothers is reportedly using accounting tricks to get $50 billion of troubled assets off their books.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson want to expand exports to Cuba. It's a key priority for Minnesota farmers.
DFL Sen. Al Franken will headline Netroots Nation this year.
Republicans in the House will oppose all earmarks. GOP Rep. John Kline is pleased.
USA Today says election year boosts law making. Kline is mentioned.
GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen will attend a news conference this week that pushes for safer truck stops.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says President Obama should stop trying to appease his detractors. He made the comments after members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with Obama.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will hold a press conference this morning in Stillwater to discuss the Stillwater Bridge.
2010 Race for Governor
Howard Dean backs R.T. Rybak's campaign for governor.
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer backs John Marty for governor.
The top two Independence Party candidates, Rob Hahn and Tom Horner, squared off on Almanac. Here's a write up of their appearance.
Republican Marty Seifert seeks to undo the state's renewable energy mandate. Seifert voted for the bill initially.
Seifert and Tom Emmer squared off in a debate on Friday.
2010 Race for Congress
A former DFL lawmaker turned independent challenges DFL Rep. Collin Peterson.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
A Rasmussen Poll of Minnesota voters finds 38% would support a Pawlenty run for president. Here's a link to the poll.
Politico polls Tea Parties about the 2012 candidates. Pawlenty gets a 6.5 out of 10.
Mitt Romney spoke at the California GOP Convention.
John Thune is hitting the campaign trail.
The New York Times profiles Newt Gingrich.
Mike Huckabee says he isn't sure if he'll run in 2012.
General Petraeus is headed to New Hampshire a day before Pawlenty is scheduled to be in the state.