The Daily Digest (Candidates set, tax collector hopes unmet; ditch politics of debt?)
Some big potential tax policy changes -- including proposals to tax clothing and internet sales -- will get a deeper look this morning in a key Senate committee, part of a busy day at the Capitol.
State
Panel calls for $13 million to aid sex trafficking victims (MPR News)
Advocates expected to seek $10 million from the Legislature for treating and sheltering youth victims. Much of the money would go toward housing.
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Minnesota's marriage showdown takes shape at Capitol (Star Tribune)
DFL leaders who shied away from the same sex marriage question earlier "now are not ruling out a vote on the measure this spring." Opponents vow to fight back.
Vikings stadium bill author ponders run for higher office (MPR News)
Asked whether she's running for governor in 2014, state Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont told the Daily Circuit program she's looking into a run for higher office.
Election panel: urges review of felon voting rules (Star Tribune)
Minnesota felons can't vote again until they complete their sentences, including probation. But the idea of letting felons vote once they leave prison, as North Dakota allows, is controversial.
Gov.'s office wants MinnCare paid for with federal funding (MPR News)
The Dayton administration wants to use funds available under the federal health care law to help pay for MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health plan that insures about 130,000 people under age 65.
Minnesota tax filings: No rush, state says (Associated Press)
People seeking property or business tax credits "may have to wait until late February or March because of IRS changes stemming from recent congressional action."
U president says hiring, pay criticisms off base (MPR News)
Recent criticism of administrative hiring at the University of Minnesota is not accurate, university President Eric Kaler tells lawmakers.
Nation
White House to announce gun plans today (Washington Post)
Obama guns plan to include trafficking law (Politico)
For 'Party of Business,' GOP allegiances are shifting (New York Times)
Obama has upper hand on debt deal, big lead over GOP in public approval (Washington Post)
Candidates set for special elections
There will not be a primary in House District 14A (St. Cloud area). Republican Tama Theis, DFLer Joanne Dorsher and Independence Party candidate Todd McKee will square off in the general election on Feb. 12. That seat was vacated after Rep. Steve Gottwalt, R-St. Cloud, resigned to become a lobbyist.
There will be a DFL primary in House District 19A. Clark Johnson, Karl Johnson, Timothy Strand and Robin Courrier are vying for the DFL endorsement at Saturday's convention. The candidates are vowing to suspend their campaigns even though a primary has been triggered for Jan. 29.
The winner will face Republican Allen Quist and Independence Party member Tim Gieseke on the Feb. 12 general election. That seat was vacated after Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, resigned to lobby for the Uniform Law Commission. --Tom Scheck
Tax compliance coming up short
The Minnesota Revenue Department says efforts to increase tax collections are not hitting projections. The department collected $57.3 million through November, short of the anticipated $82.3 million. Much of the new money came from increased delinquent tax collection activities. -- Tom Scheck Update: Despite not saying so in the report, a spokeswoman for the Revenue Department says they expect to hit the $82.3 million mark.
Ellison says ditch the debt ceiling
As both parties ramp up for a fight over increasing the federal government's borrowing limit, Rep. Keith Ellison will join a group of fellow liberal Democrats this morning in Washington to propose scrapping the debt ceiling entirely.
They argue that Republican efforts to force spending cuts during the last fight over the debt ceiling in 2011 harmed the nation's economy and that getting rid of the measure would allow Congress to focus on creating jobs. -- Brett Neely
New gig for Klobuchar aide
Justin Buoen, who managed DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar's 2012 campaign, has joined a Washington D.C. based political consulting firm. Buoen says he'll continue to live in Minnesota and will help the firm, New Partners, grow in the Midwest. He'll continue to manage Klobuchar's political operation but as a consultant --Tom Scheck