The Daily Digest

A bill that would extend the Bush era tax cuts for another two years and extend unemployment insurance for jobless Americans is headed to President Obama. The House passed the measure late last night.

MinnPost says Democrats Tim Walz, Jim Oberstar and Collin Peterson joined Republicans John Kline and Erik Paulsen in supporting the bill. Republican Michele Bachmann joined Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison in opposition.

President Obama says the U.S. is on track in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The feds act to cut debit card fees.

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Fed officials plan a stepped up effort against Asian Carp.

The Minneapolis Fed says the regional economy should improve.

A FEC complaint has been filed against DFL Sen. Al Franken's Political Action Committee.

GOP Rep. John Kline is considering a measure that would block efforts to tighten student aid for for-profit colleges.

GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack gets a slot on the Transportation Committee.

The National Journal dubs Cravaack "The Most Unlikely Member" in its 2010 awards.

The DCCC kicks off its recruitment push and Cravaack is a top target.

Under the Dome

Minnesota's unemployment rate holds steady at 7.1% but the state lost 5,100 jobs.

GOP Rep. Mark Buesgens resigned as State Government Finance Chair. He's the second Republican to quit as chair and the GOP hasn't taken control of the House yet.

Democrat Mark Dayton met privately with incoming GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and incoming Assistant Majority Leader Geoff Michel. They held a news conference after the meeting. Watch video of the newser here.

Dayton says waiting until October for the MA expansion to go into effect is "totally unacceptable." Minnesota's Medicaid Director said earlier this week that it could take that long.

The three say they will focus on job creation and business.

They also briefly discussed the Vikings stadium bill.

Attorney General Lori Swanson is suing a firm that claims to help people with debt.

The MN Chamber says it's time for a new Vikings stadium.

A State Department official says the Census count of Somalis in Minnesota is too low.

2012 DNC Watch

DNC insiders tell Politico that Minneapolis is all but out of the running. It looks like Charlotte and St. Louis are the top two.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

PolitiFact gives Pawlenty a Pants on Fire rating for his recent op-ed ripping public employees.

GOP 2012 debates have been scheduled for Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Politico says Pawlenty is looking at late March or early April to announce.

Public Policy Polling says Sarah Palin tops the GOP field in a poll that surveyed Republicans. One in ten back Pawlenty.

Finally

I'm taking two weeks off from doing the Digest. There will still be posts on the blog but the Digest will be taking a hiatus. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.