The Daily Digest

Governor Mark Dayton told the state's largest business last night that the state's budget deficit can't be fixed by cuts alone. He delivered a message as to why taxes need to be raised to a group that is mostly opposed to tax hikes. Dayton's comments came before the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, one of the business organizations that campaigned against him.

You can listen to Dayton's speech and a roundtable with the legislative leaders here.

Dayton will speak about education when he gives an early morning speech education leaders in Falcon Heights.

His inaugural ball is tomorrow. Dayton also said he's headed to Thief River Falls next week.

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Dayton also appointed conservationist Tom Landwehr to be his DNR Commissioner.

GOP Sen. Julianne Ortman, who chairs the Senate Taxes Committee, ripped Dayton's appointment to head the Revenue Department.

Attorney General Lori Swanson will hold a news conference with DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar today to discuss a lawsuit targeting illegal "cramming"

MLK Day

Newark Mayor Cory Booker will speak at this year's MLK Breakfast in Minneapolis.

Congress

The Pentagon is seeking the largest cut in military funding since before 9/11.

The Congressional Budget Office says repealing the health care law would deepen the deficit.

Republicans, including GOP Rep. John Kline, won't support efforts to amend their legislation that would repeal the federal health care law. Kline says Congress owes it to the American people to hold "an up or down vote on the law."

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann moves quickly to repeal the Wall Street regulatory law passed less than a year ago.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is named to be a national chair to the DCCC.

Ellison voted against a bill that would cut the Congressional Office budget.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

Tim Pawlenty's new book focuses on his faith and his blue collar upbringing. It will be released on Tuesday.

Advance copies of the book were embargoed until Tuesday but AP purchased copies of the book in Roseville and Madison, WI so the embargo had to be lifted.

Pawlenty will be on ABC's Nightline tonight. He called Sarah Palin "a force of nature."

Tim Pawlenty told Politics Daily that "It's a free country" when asked about GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's possible run for the White House.

Pawlenty is sixth in the latest New Hampshire poll. Mitt Romney leads the poll.

Bachmann for Prez Watch

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will be on MPR's Morning Edition this morning.

Finally

Good-bye Vang Pao.