The Daily Digest
Gov. Dayton delivers his first State of the State Address today at noon. He's expected to outline his vision for the state and hint at parts of his budget recommendation.
MPR News will air Dayton's speech live.
Republicans in the Minnesota House are scheduled to meet at 4:30 today to take up the Phase 1 budget plan. The bill would cut $900 million in state spending. It would also cut funding for child protection services. Dayton opposes the bill but hasn't said if he'll veto it.
The Senate Ethics Committee will review a complaint against GOP Sen. Scott Newman.
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A committee in the Minnesota House approved a bill that would require voters to present a photo ID at the polls. Dayton is cool to the idea.
Lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. In particular, the fact that seven sex offenders may get released.
Several lawmakers complained that former Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman edited a report on the program. The Legislative Auditor is also scheduled to release a report on the Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders soon.
Dayton suggests he'd like to lead a trade delegation to China in August.
Lawmakers question the fees HMOs take from the state.
Gov. Dayton appointed two former lawmakers, GOP state Sen. Dennis Frederickson and DFL/IP state Sen. Bob Lessard, to the DNR. Pi Press outdoors writer Chris Niskanen will also be the new spokesman for the agency.
The Star Tribune takes a look at the Vikings Stadium options.
Gov. Dayton has finalized his cabinet. On Tuesday he picked Josh Tilsen to lead the Bureau of Mediation Services, Kevin Lindsey will lead the Human Rights Department and Spencer Cronk will lead the Department of Administration.
Here's his full cabinet.
The push for Racino starts.
A bill encouraging joint custody gets its first hearing.
House Democrats blast a GOP backed bill that would scrap the equal pay provision.
Congress
Republicans in the House failed in their attempt to reauthorize portions of the Patriot Act when several rank and file Republicans voted against it.
The White House criticizes the Egyptian government and the vice president.
President Obama is also planning to phase out of Fannie and Freddie.
Democrats are lining up against a bill that would cut off federal funding for abortion even if a woman's life is in danger. DFL Sen. Al Franken is mentioned.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar targets Smurfberries. In particular, charges on Iphone games.
GOP Rep. John Kline says he's impressed with the progress made in Afghanistan.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison will testify at a hearing that focuses on the threat of homegrown Islamic terrorism.
Special Election
Party bosses are trading accusations over a GOP flier.
The campaign lit is targeted at DFLer Carly Melin.
2012 Race for Congress
GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack is listed in Politico's Top 10 House races to watch.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
CPAC starts this week. Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann will both be there.
The Star Tribune takes a look at how the two Minnesotans will square off in the CPAC Straw poll.
CNN has a 2012 GOP poll out that shows Pawlenty at 3%.
Pawlenty is relishing his role as underdog.
Bachmann for Prez Watch
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann took part in a Tea Party town hall where she warned that future generations "might not know freedom."
Bachmann also notes that she supports a "temporary extension of the Patriot Act." Her release was also careful to note that the vote was not a full reauthorization of the Patriot Act.