The Daily Digest: Disappearing budget pie and SOTU reactions
Good morning!
In Minnesota
The state budget is projected to show a $1 billion surplus over the next two years. But the requests for a slice of that surplus far exceed the money available. (MPR News)
Minnesota Senate Republicans unveiled a plan to eliminate the state income tax on Social Security in order to keep retirees from leaving the state. (Star Tribune)
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Gov. Dayton is proposing a $100 million childcare tax credit. (MinnPost)
State health officials want to know how many Minnesotans want medical marijuana and where they live. (AP via Pioneer Press)
National Politics
In his State of the Union speech, President Obama claimed credit for an improving economy and defiantly told his Republican adversaries in Congress to “turn the page” by supporting an expensive domestic agenda aimed at improving the fortunes of the middle class. (New York Times)
Obama didn't shy away from embracing liberal priorities. (Washington Post)
Congressional Republicans’ reactions to Obama’s speech made it clear they intend to take the country in the new direction they campaigned on last year, despite the extensive list of liberal priorities the president laid out. (Politico)
Not surprisingly, the Minnesota delegation's views varied by party affiliation. (MPR News)
Minnesota and New Hampshire are tied for first place in a ranking of the best-off states. (Politico)
A last look at the federal campaign finance reports of the 2014 election. (MinnPost)