The Daily Digest (state tax collections up, Obama campaign operation turns to policy , IRS vows to regain trust)
It's a gray day here in St. Paul. But prospects are looking brighter for state finances, as tax collectors pull in more than expected. And President Obama's campaign organization gets yet another life as Organizing for Action.
State
Obama's Minn. campaign pivots to leverage volunteers (MPR News)
The latest itineration of President Obama's campaign infrastructure in Minnesota is organizing to push the president's agenda on the ground.
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Minnesota pulls in $300 million tax windfall; schools stand to gain
(Star Tribune)
Tax collections appear to be stronger than expected, which could lead the state to replenish its reserves and pay back money borrowed from schools.
Union seeks to intervene in child care lawsuit (MPR News)
AFSCME Council 5 filed a motion in U.S. District Court asking that a lawsuit challenging a law allowing government-subsidized child care workers to unionize be dismissed.
Did Bakk trade away the minimum-wage measure for Capitol-repairs bonding bill? (MinnPost)
James Nord follows speculation that DFL Senate leaders traded a minimum wage increase and anti-bullying law for a bonding bill funding Capitol repairs. Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk of Cook says the body just ran out of time.
National
U.S. House food stamp proposal may keep some Minnesotans from receiving aid (MPR News)
A provision in the U.S. House that would make it tougher to qualify for food stamps would leave 32,344 Minnesotans ineligible for benefits.
Obama will challenge Republicans with 3 federal appeals court nominations (Associated Press)
The president has proposed three candidates for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Some Republicans see it as an attempt to" pack the court."
Top DC political appointees use secret email accounts (Associated Press)
Some of Obama's top appointees are using secret email addresses to conduct government business. The appointees say the secret emails are necessary to avoid being overwhelmed by email. But the practice would make it difficult for the agencies to cooperate with public record requests or other inquiries.
New IRS head says taxpayers no longer trust agency(Associated Press)
The new head of the Internal Revenue Service says scandals have undermined the public's trust in the agency. Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel, who will head a 30-day review of the agency's policies, was at Capitol Hill to ask Congress for a budget increase.
Jones' ATF confirmation hearing postponed(MPR News)
A hearing to consider B. Todd Jones' nomination as head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was postponed for a week at the request of Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley.
Minn. Dem Among Group Urging NFL To Change Redskins' Name (WCCO)
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and other members of the U.S. House Native American Caucus sent letters to the National Football League and all 32 teams criticizing the Washington Redskins' name.
Walz to push for STOCK Act enhancements (MinnPost)
Following the disclosure that White House staffers met with representatives of political intelligence firms, which gather political information to gain an investment advantage, Walz says he'll push to revive provisions in the STOCK Act that were stripped out in April.
Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot (New York Times)
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie finds himself in a quandry following the death of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Will he appoint a Republican and delay the election, perhaps facing allegations of sidestepping elections? Or will he risk an energized turnout in support of Democrat Cory Booker if he calls a special election?
House Republicans broken into fighting factions (Washington Post)
Some GOP lawmakers are concerned that the Republican majority in the U.S. House is "adrift," without a coherent strategy to address major policies like immigration.