The Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty will propose an amendment to the state constitution this morning. He didn't offer specifics but said it relates to economic issues and government spending.

He kicked off his national political action committee on Wednesday night. About 300 people attended the Minneapolis fundraiser. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

You can listen to his speech to donors here.

Pawlenty also talked with Iowa reporters before his Saturday speech in Des Moines.

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Forum Communications takes a look at what Pawlenty has to do to be successful in Iowa.

The new mayor of Manchester, NH says he got calls from Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and George Pataki.

Pawlenty is also helping raise money for state lawmakers. He's scheduled to be a part of a November 16th fundraiser for Tim Sanders.

Sarah Palin will sign books in Minnesota on December 7th.

Under the Dome

Democrats will tour a Minneapolis hydroelectric site.

The new seat belt law spurs 10,000 citations.

Anti-gang funding for the metro area has hit a bottleneck.

Lawmakers want more money from school trust lands.

2010 Race for Governor

DFLer Tom Bakk will hold a news conference today that will focus on jobs.

DFL Sen. Dan Skogen is backing Bakk.

A bipartisan group of candidates participated in a St. Cloud debate.

Supporters say they're ready to back R.T. Rybak for governor.

The Pi Press says the Independence Party is looking for the next gov candidate.

Congress

The House is set to vote on the health care bill on Saturday. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is hoping that today's rally will stop the vote.

Actor Jon Voight will speak at Bachmann's rally.

A top aide to Bachmann quits.

Democrats are tackling some hot button issues before the vote.

The FAA chief says pilots have to refocus on professionalism.

President Obama is trying to get schools to change with state dollars.

Democrats are debating their course after Tuesday night's losses.

An energized GOP is looking to avoid intraparty feuds.

The Senate approves more jobless benefits.

Groups are pushing DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar on energy issues.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum didn't like Israeli ambassador's decision to skip the J Street conference last week, so she wrote him a letter.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is one of the poorest members of Congress.

Ellison also condemned Congress for not holding hearings on a report on violations of international law related to the Gaza war of late 2008.

2010 Race for Congress

Two DFLers have jumped in the race for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd District. Jim Meffert and Maureen Hackett both filed paperwork with the FEC. The winner of the DFL nomination will face GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen.

Republican Allen Quist is preparing to run in the 1st District. Quist would challenge DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

DFLer Dan Powers will officially announce his campaign for Congress on November 17tt. Powers will challenge GOP Rep. John Kline.