The Daily Digest

Welcome to the Daily Digest, where Minnesota has more revenue than expected, a new poll shows the 8th CD race is in a dead heat, and the VP candidates debate tonight.

Around Minnesota

Minnesota collected more taxes than expected, which could bode well for the state's upcoming budget forecast.

Minnesota budget officials estimate the state's new health insurance exchange will cost $40 million.

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A court rejected a bid to block the Minnesota wolf hunt.

Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson and Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer debated the voter ID amendment.

The Cato Institute gave Gov. Mark Dayton an "F" for fiscal policy.

The Iron Range board will consider economic development loans today.

In Washington

A U.S. House committee held a hearing on the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Libya. The hearing took on a partisan tone, the New York Times reports.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in an affirmative action case.

The Race for Congress

A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll of voters in the 8th Congressional District show and extremely tight race in the 8th Congressional District.

Rick Nolan has 46 percent of the vote, while Chip Cravaack has 45 percent. Nine percent are undecided. The margin of error was 4.2 percent, so that's a dead heat.

Read all the results here.

KSTP's Tom Hauser says more polling results are on the way for other races.

Politico reports that the conservative American Action Network is boosting its investment in select congressional districts in the coming weeks, including in the 8th.

State Rep. Kurt Bills, who is running against Sen. Amy Klobuchar, suggested that the latest jobs numbers were cooked.

He's also criticizing Klobuchar for voting in favor of the Budget Control Act - a bill that reduced spending, but also lined the country up for deep budget cuts at the start of the year that are contributing to the "fiscal cliff."

The Presidential Race

Tonight, the vice presidential candidates debate.

The New York Times says that the best thing Vice President Joe Biden and candidate Paul Ryan can do is be memorable.

Politico reports that unions aren't spending as much helping President Barack Obama this year. Rather, they're putting their money into smaller races, including Congressional races. Minnesota's 8th Congressional District is one of them.

Mitt Romney campaigned with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in Ohio on Wednesday.

He gets higher marks for leadership in recent polls.

Romney is trying to capitalize on a moderate image during the last month of the general election.

Bookmark this page for election night.

For the Movie Buffs

The Daily Circuit will be discussing the best political films of all time. I, for one, am excited to see "Election" made the list.