The Daily Digest (Minn. prepared for Medicaid costs, Senate passes immigration overhaul)
Welcome to Friday's edition of The Daily Digest.
It appears that Minnesota will take less of a hit than other states when costs associated with an increase in Medicaid enrollment kick in. And GOPers want a special session to repeal a business tax.
In Washington, the U.S. Senate managed to pass a bipartisan immigration overhaul, but prospects in the House are murky.
Minnesota
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Minnesota likely to avoid states' budget shock from ACA's 'welcome mat' effect (MPR News)
The state expects a 15 percent bump in Medicaid enrollment, and has been preparing for that increase since 2010. Even states that opted out of Medicaid expansions can expect to see increased state costs, partly due to the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to sign up for insurance and a streamlined Medicaid process.
GOP foes of warehouse tax want special session, repeal (MPR News) Even though the tax doesn’t kick in until April 2014, Republicans said businesses are already cutting back their operations and costing the state jobs. GOP leaders want a special session to repeal the tax. DFLers say they’ll have plenty of time next session.
More paperwork released in Brodkorb case (MPR News)
The lawsuit filed by former GOP staff Michael Brodkorb after he was fired for an affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch is about to enter the deposition phase. In a final flurry of paperwork, lawyers for the state Senate are requesting information about Brodkorb’s legal fees, medical records and documentation of affairs between other staffers. The trial date is set for July 2014.
Stewart Mills, Minnesota congressional hopeful, is a Packers fan (City Pages) After the Minneapolis alternative weekly unearthed photos of the new 8th District GOP candidate wearing a Packers jersey, Mills explained that his family traces their support for Green Bay back to 1941, before the current incarnation of the Vikings existed. No worries though, other members of his family do cheer for the Vikings.
National
Immigration overhaul: Senate passes historic bill (MPR News and Associated Press)
Sixty-eight Senators voted for an immigration bill that would allow 11 million people currently in the United States to start on a path to citizenship. It would also beef up security on the southern border by adding 20,000 new border guards and using technology like drones. The bill faces an uncertain future in the U.S. House, where some conservatives oppose the provisions allowing people who immigrated here without authorization to become citizens.
RATINGS CHANGE: Minnesota’s 8th District (Roll Call) The Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call has changed their rating of Minnesota’s 8th District from currently Safe Democrat to Lean Democrat after the formal entry of Stewart Mills into the race. The piece notes that Nolan’s campaign appears to have perked up, referring to Mills in fundraising appeals.
Chief Justice Roberts Plays a Long Game on Supreme Court (New York Times) Roberts has been able to convince his more liberal colleagues to join him on some compromise opinions, which he’s been able to later use to leverage more rulings sympathetic to conservatives.
What happens with farmers, food stamps and the USDA with no farm bill? (Washington Post)
Unless Congress acts, farm programs will revert to policies in the 1949 farm bill, which could lead to a spike in milk prices. Because they’re both permanent law, food stamp and crop insurance legislation would continue as usual.
A Bill Allowing More Foreign Workers Stirs a Tech Debate (New York Times)
A provision in the immigration bill would allow more foreign professionals to work in the United States. The tech industry pushed strongly for it. But labor groups say it’s meant to hold down wages.