The Daily Digest

Gov. Dayton and GOP legislative leaders are meeting today to discuss the budget. It's the first time they're meeting this week.

The Minnesota House is making legal preparations in the event of a shutdown. They hired former MN Supreme Court Justice Eric Magnuson to represent them in court.

GOP Sen. John Howe is proposing an expansion of the sales tax.

Minnesota courts are being forced to handle lots of shutdown cases.

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GOP legislative leaders were on MPR's Midday. Listen to the show here.

Several lawmakers will discuss the budget, a possible shutdown and the Vikings stadium tonight in Minneapolis.

The state may sidestep big costs of layoffs after reaching a deal with the state employee unions.

The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against GOP Sen. Gretchen Hoffman.

Congress

President Obama is likely to cut 10,000 troops from Afghanistan.

The Senate confirmed Leon Panetta to be Defense Secretary.

The Supreme Court ruling on Wal-Mart could have a ripple effect in Minnesota.

GOP Rep. John Kline criticizes new rules put forward by the National Labor Relations Board.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the proposed House cuts in agriculture would not impact the 2012 Farm Bill.

Race for President

Tim Pawlenty will start running ads in Iowa.

Here's the ad.

Pawlenty is wavering on signing a No New Taxes pledge.

Pawlenty also tries to stay aggressive on Mitt Romney during an interview with Politico.

The Des Moines Register says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will officially announce her run for president today.

The Des Moines Register also questions whether a late start in Iowa will hurt Bachmann's chances.

The New York Times profiles Michele Bachmann.

Fundraising strategists leave Newt Gingrich's campaign.

Mitt Romney announced his debate plans.