The Daily Digest – 7-31-06

The Star Tribune's story focusing on how the gay marriage issue has forced some primary contests among state legislative candidates leads the digest.

Former Minneapolis City Council member Dean Zimmermann's bribery trial begins today.

Hennepin County Sheriff Pat McGowan endorses former DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson for Congress in Minnesota's Fifth District. He said Republican candidate Alan Fine has no chance of winning the race and that DFL endorsed candidate Keith Ellison has done nothing for law enforcement during his years in the state Legislature.

Here's the Star Tribune's article on the 5th District DFLers and their differences.

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Mike Hatch, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, proposes funding for embryonic stem research at the University of Minnesota.

The National Journal also has a story focusing on stem cells as further proof of the politicization of science (GOOD NEWS! No subscription required on this story)

Guess what? It looks like Hatch and other Democrats view embryonic stem cell research and a minimum wage hike as wedge issues:

Some optimistic members of the minority party say a focus on middle-class matters could lead to Democrats' recapturing both chambers. By contrast, Republicans next month plan to highlight a need to strengthen the porous borders and to keep the conversation either on local issues or security matters, such as terrorism. Democrats say domestic topics give them the edge as they try to appeal to voters who are disenchanted with the way the majority is running the country.

Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty releases his latest health care reform package at a news conference today. Here's what the Associated Press reports:

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday he will require large amounts of state-purchased health care to measure up to quality standards, potentially savings millions in unnecessary care.

Pawlenty unveiled the "QCare" plan at a news conference in Moorhead and was scheduled to speak about it in St. Paul later Monday. He signed an executive order requiring state agencies to use the standards.

The plan focuses on two of the most common and costly medical problems - diabetes and heart disease - as well as preventive care and hospital stays. The state will use existing measurements of quality and require health plans and providers to report more data on costs and outcomes.

It's designed to pay more for better care and avoid unnecessary care. Until now, state efforts to keep health care costs down have focused mostly on prices, not quality.

A prepared statement from Pawlenty's office said the state could save more than $153 million a year by following all the standards.

The initiative applies to the state employee heath plan and subsidized programs such as MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance.

The DFL Party issued a news release saying Pawlenty is using his office for campaign purposes. This is just days after the Independence Party claimed that DFL candidate Mike Hatch was using his office for campaign purposes. Here's what DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez says about the Pawlenty event:

Tim Pawlenty has filed as a candidate for governor. He is making campaign stops today in five Minnesota cities, but he's making the taxpayers foot the bill. Sometimes it's legitimate for a sitting governor to travel the state at public cost, but a whistle-stop tour isn't a legitimate government expense. Tim Pawlenty is making an election-year proposal that he could easily make from the governor's office at the State Capitol - where the legislature that would have to pass any of these proposals actually meets. Instead, he's once again gallivanting around the state for his own political benefit, and he's sticking Minnesota taxpayers with the bill.

The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the minimum wage, pension reform and the estate tax debate going on in Congress (subscription required).

The Pioneer Press has a story on how the Stars and Stripes is being flown at half staff more often in recent years. Here's a glimpse:

The ups and downs of the Stars and Stripes have the state teetering on the brink of half-staff overkill - as the custom loses its impact with repetition.

In Minnesota or Wisconsin, a half-staff flag could mean a solider has died. Or a football player. Or a police officer, president, murder victim, business leader or senator. Or former Sauk Rapids Fire Chief Bruce Trushenski, who was given the honor last year in Minnesota.

"When I was a kid in the '60s, the flag at half-mast was a really big deal," said Douglas Kline, spokesman for Lunds and Byerly's stores.

The stores lower their flags for some - but not all - official periods of mourning.

"Lately there's been a lot more flag-lowering," Kline said. "And for who? For what?"

A 2004 Minnesota law called for the honor to be extended to "personnel killed in the line of duty." Gov. Tim Pawlenty decides who qualifies. He has interpreted that to include Minnesota soldiers as well as law officers killed in the line of duty.

Fox News has a story on MN's 6th District race:

In Minnesota, two women who couldn't be more opposed in their political views are running for an open U.S. House seat that has become one of the most coveted of the midterm election.

DFLer Tim Walz is calling on Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht to debate him because the GOP incumbent's position on Iraq is unclear:

It was just two short weeks ago that Rep. Gutknecht returned from Iraq, recanted his previous