The Daily Digest: 5-6-08
We lead the Digest today with the Declaration of Independence which is making a rare appearance in Minnesota. Since I grew up near the Birthplace of America, I've seen the parchment plenty of times and it always impresses me.
Take your kids, your parents and anyone else interested in history, politics and democracy
Now back to regular scheduled programming.
The House passed a Tax Bill that included property tax relief (or an income tax increase) and eliminates JOBZ for new businesses. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, AP and Forum Communications have stories.
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Republicans amended the bill to include income tax exemptions for military pensions.
Efforts to amend a gas tax holiday provision to the bill failed. The New York Times says several states are going that route.
Mankato is waiting to see if city tax initiatives will be in the final product. Which leads us to this question: Will there be a final product?
Gov. Pawlenty and legislative are continuing to negotiate an overall budget deal. They say budget talks are progressing. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
Gov. Pawlenty stands by his call to cap property tax increases.
The bridge compensation package is on its way to the governor. AP, Forum Communications and the Pi Press have stories.
A Delta executive tells state lawmakers that there will not be headquarters in Minnesota but he also says the planned deal with NWA won't hurt rural air service. AP, the Pi Press, AP and Forum Communications have stories.
Pawlenty signs the Bovine TB prevention bill.
The Minnesota Senate approves a bill that would slow foreclosures. AP, Forum Communications, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune and MPR have stories.
There's a new threat to the duck population.
Congress
The Farm Bill fight is over subsidies. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Rep. Tim Walz are mentioned.
Coleman says a Farm Bill veto would be a terrible mistake.
Coleman also signs on to a health care reform package.
Stearns County gets a federal grant for a domestic abuse court. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.
Klobuchar also announces a federal grant for Duluth aviation safety.
Klobuchar held a climate change forum at St. Olaf.
GOP Rep. John Kline signs on to a companion to the GI Bill.
The Washington Times writes about efforts to provide parity to mental health coverage. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison said in an op-ed that the recent Supreme Court decision deals a blow to voting rights.
Ellison will also deliver the graduation address at U of M Morris.
Ballast water regulations are getting stricter. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Race for President
Indiana and North Carolina voters head to the polls today.
Former President Bill Clinton is headed to St. Paul in two weeks to raise money for his wife's campaign. MPR and the Pi Press have stories.
MinnPost says Ron Paul supporters are trying to reshape the GOP.
2008 Race for U.S. Senate
The Star Tribune and The Hill pick up on the Survey USA poll on Franken's tax issue.
MinnPost says DFLers and liberal bloggers cry foul over the poll's questions.
2008 Race for Congress
3rd District DFL candidate Ashwin Madia liveblogs on the liberal Daily Kos.
2010 Race for Governor
The Rothenberg Political Report speculates on who could run for governor.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Gov. Pawlenty didn't make a scheduled fundraiser in Michigan because of budget talks. He did, however, speak to supporters via a conference call.
A new poll takes a look at what voters want in McCain's VP Choice.
Bill Kristol speculates that it could be Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and says a McCain staffer suggests against a McCain/Romney ticket.
The Rochester Post-Bulletin says Pawlenty's name doesn't get searched as often as others.
2008 RNC
The Pi Press says the ACLU stymies a Bloomington vote on public gatherings.