The Daily Digest
Budget talks are inching forward to Monday's deadline. The latest deal is a GOP proposal that relies on making Gov. Pawlenty's unallotments permanent and using some of the money to pay back a K12 shift. The only problem is it doesn't fix the entire budget deficit. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and AP have stories.
3 Associate Supreme Court Justices are interviewing for the top job. The same three who sided with Pawlenty in the unallotment case.
The House passed a K12 bill that slightly opens the door to professionals to become teachers. But the House defeated attempts to include an alternative teacher licensure measure to the bill. DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, voted against the amendment. Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP endorsed candidate didn't vote on the amendment.
Lawmakers continue to work on a health care compromise.
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The House passed a bill that would give same sex couples some rights. The Senate is expected to approve it and send it to Pawlenty. Pawlenty's spokesman said this about the bill:
"This legislation is unnecessary and seems to be a political exercise to get the term 'domestic partner' into state law."
Congress
President Obama meets with Afghanistan's president.
Oil executives shift blame in the Senate.
The Obama Administration also wants to overhaul the offshore drilling agency.
2010
The Star Tribune says the governor's race tilts on taxes.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
The GOP picks Tampa for the RNC.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune is taking a low key approach to 2012.