The Daily Digest: 3-13-08
A GOP lawmaker calls for an investigation into Attorney General Lori Swanson's office. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Higher ed officials are worried about Gov. Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts to higher ed. They say tuition could increase. MPR, AP, ECM and Forum Communications have stories.
A bill in the Minnesota House says sex offenders have to stay off MySpace.
The bonding bill is hung up by the price-tag.
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Some state lawmakers want 3M to pay for the clean up of a Washington County landfill.
WCCO reality checks where Minnesota ranks on taxes.
The Star Tribune says metro area county commissioners say don't intend to work with the Pawlenty Administration on transportation issues since the governor didn't support the transportation bill. Met Council Chair Peter Bell says the Pawlenty Administration should have a bigger say.
Cabin owners say they're surprised by an increase in taxes. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
The DFL Senate Tax Chair says he'll work to change the tax hikes.
A bill dealing with the Lake Vemilion park proposal is defeated in a House Committee because of a tie vote.
A bill would lower the blood donation age to 16.
A California car emissions bill is narrowly approved by a Senate committee.
An early childhood bill is moving through the Senate.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman delivers his state of the city. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
Two employees in the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department are indicted in an FBI sting. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.
Minnesota joins a federal partnership to improve health care.
Allina's Chairman says the time to fix health care is now.
The Castle Doctrine bill is up in a House Committee today. The Pi Press has posted both pro and con op-eds on the bill.
Congress
The CDC releases a report on pollution in the Great Lakes states.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum and Gov. Pawlenty cross swords over earmarks. The Star Tribune and AP have stories. Light rail funding is at stake.
Meanwhile, the federal budget deficit soars.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum also gets assurances from Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice that no federal money will go to Israeli settlements.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is backing a bill that would end mercury production at chlorine plants.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and GOP Rep. John Kline vote against a bill that would create an outside ethics panel.
Reuters says the new Farm Bill could be simple. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.
The Senate criticizes Transportation Secretary Mary Peters over a provision that allows Mexican trucks to operate freely in the U.S. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
Southwest Airlines grounds planes due to failed inspections. Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 U.S. Senate Race
The Pi Press says Jack Shepard is taking on Norm Coleman in a primary. Shepard lives in Rome. He left Minnesota after being charged with arson.
2008 Race for Congress
Rep. Tony Cornish backs Randy Demmer for Congress. Demmer, a Republican, is running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.
The 1st District I-Ps will hold its convention in Austin.
2008 Race for President
The candidates for president take a rare day off from campaigning to do the job they're paid to do.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
The Boston Globe rates Pawlenty as "conservatively conservative." The story analyzes how the possible VP selection could happen.
The Phoenix mentions the possible VP picks.