The Daily Digest
Gov. Pawlenty may have a fishing line in one hand and talking down the telephone line in the other as he tries to hammer out a budget deal with lawmakers this weekend.
With just three days left to the end of the legislative session, Pawlenty and lawmakers still are working to come up with a way to erase a nearly $3 billion budget deficit. Pawlenty, who is in northern Minnesota for the annual fishing opener, said he doesn't think the distance will be a factor.
MPR and AP say the key sticking points remain from Wednesday night's discussion: ratifying Pawlenty's unallotment, the k12 shift and the early expansion of Medicaid.
Democrats say early Medicaid expansion is a key factor to the budget deal. That provision was in a HHS budget bill that Pawlenty vetoed. He signaled, however, that he's willing to talk. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
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The Star Tribune gets some Washington D.C. reaction as to why the $400 million in federal funds won't come to the Legislature before the legislative deadline to adjourn. State lawmakers tell MPR that they're looking at booking the money as a "contingency plan" but are worried that booking the funds could affect the State's bond rating.
Pawlenty named Justice Lorie Gildea as the Chief Justice of The Minnesota Supreme Court.
He also picked David Stras, a 35 year old U of M law school professor who sided with Pawlenty on the unallotment case, as an associate justice.
The House passed a bill that limits a governor's unallotment powers.
The House approved rules that tighten civil forfeitures.
The latest TCF stadium booze plan allows the U of M to get a liquor license if alcohol to be sold in a third of general seating area.
The Secretary of State's office says a media lawsuit could cost the state $224,000 in legal fees.
Pawlenty approved a revised driver's license for border crossings.
The union representing the State's conservation officers settled with the DNR for $35,000.
Congress
President Obama is expected to tee off on BP about the oil spill.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar met with Elena Kagan.
The U.S. Senate passed DFL Sen. Al Franken's amendment that stops banks from shopping for a credit agency.
GOP Rep. John Kline says he's concerned about giving more money to Race to the Top.
Kline also wants extra electronic spy sensors placed in the far outposts in Afghanistan.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is no longer on the foreign operations appropriations subcommittee.
A food expert says food stamps should be banned from being used on sugary sodas. DFL Rep Collin Peterson says it's something they should look at.
U.S. Airlines fight a plan to allow for higher ticket taxes. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
2010
Democrats criticize Republican Tom Emmer for missing votes in the past week.
The MNGOP counters that Democrat Margaret Anderson Kelliher also missed votes since she won the DFL endorsement.
Democrat Matt Entenza talked about his plan for economic growth.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign website has been hacked.
Bachmann's DFL opponent, Tarryl Clark, rips Bachmann for her out of state travel.
Finally
Republican Marty Seifert, a former candidate for governor, writes a must read on what it takes to run for governor.