The Daily Digest: Proposed body cam law raises concerns
Good morning!
In Minnesota
A bill introduced in the Minnesota House would keep any videos recorded by police body cameras private, alarming those who say it would hinder efforts to hold police accountable. (MPR News)
The Republican Party of Minnesota has agreed to pay a $26,000 fine to settle federal campaign finance reporting violations. (AP via Pioneer Press)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The top Democrat in the Minnesota Senate is raising doubts about whether a big bonding bill is needed this session. (MPR News)
A package of proposals to reform family law in Minnesota are the result of more than a decade of negotiations capped with difficult but successful compromise, a group of bipartisan lawmakers said Thursday. (Star Tribune)
A Minnesota lawmaker wants to make it harder for parents to leave their children unvaccinated. (Pioneer Press)
Sen. David Tomassoni, facing criticism for taking a job as executive director of an organization that lobbies the Legislature, is being represented in the matter before a state board by an attorney who is also a registered lobbying. (Star Tribune)
National Politics
The Senate approved legislation mandating construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, setting the stage for a veto showdown with President Obama. Minnesota's two Democratic senators voted no. (Washington Post)
Obama will ask for more a seven percent federal budget increase next week, setting off another potential fiscal fight with Republicans. (New York Times)
The Obama administration will request $1 billion in funding for American Indian education, including millions for school construction desperately needed at schools like one in Minnesota. (MinnPost)
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is doing all the things a potential Republican presidential candidate might do. (Washington Post)
At this point, pretty much every Republican in the Senate is running for President. The latest candidate: South Carolina's Lindsay Graham. (Politico)
A new report from a prominent environmental think tank says government efforts to promote biofuels have been a misguided idea that has raised food prices and done little or even harm to the environment. (New York Times)
Falling crop prices are raising cost projections for new farm programs even before producers have signed up this spring. (Politico)