The Daily Digest (Bonding bill requests total $2.8 billion, Emmer leads 6th CD fundraising)
Welcome to Tuesday's edition of The Daily Digest.
Although the next legislative session is still months away, we're getting a better idea of the bonding requests that will be on the table as state agencies and local governments put in their wish lists.
In Washington, the filibuster showdown continues as Senate Democrats threaten to restrict the practice.
And as the 2014 election slowly approaches, former state Rep. Tom Emmer is putting up some impressive fundraising totals in Minnesota's 6th District race.
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Minnesota
Bonding bill requests total $2.8 billion (MPR News) The bonding requests include $2.1 billion from state agencies and $682 million from local governments. The requests haven't yet been reviewed by Gov. Mark Dayton or Minnesota Management and Budget.
No, smokers are NOT paying for the new Vikings stadium (MPR News) Although the funding scheme is complicated, if everything works according to the state’s plan, smokers will be footing only a small portion of the cost for the new Vikings stadium. And even that $26.5 million will end up in a reserve fund and likely not be directly applied to the principal.
Metropolitan Council: Dayton reappoints all but one board member (Pioneer Press) The council oversees transit, parks and wastewater treatment in the metro area. The new member, Katie Rodriguez of Maple Grove, will represent the 1st District.
Hundreds protest Zimmerman verdict in Minneapolis (MPR News) Reaction to the verdict in Minneapolis was peaceful. Some protesters saw echoes of Trayvon Martin in the death of Terrance Franklin, a young black man killed in a south Minneapolis basement in an apparent struggle with police in May.
National
Filibuster fight: Senators scrapping over nominees (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is threatening to force through a change in rules that would restrict use of the filibuster when the Senate considers presidential or cabinet appointments. No deal has yet been reached to avoid what Capitol insiders have termed the "nuclear option."
Vacancies and Partisan Fighting Put Labor Relations Agency in Legal Limbo (New York Times) The 80-year-old National Labor Relations Board has functioned without its full membership for the entirety of President Barack Obama’s presidency. Republicans, who think the agency is too closely aligned with unions, have blocked appointments. The White House warns that Republicans are trying to dismantle the agency for idealogical reasons.
Aide to Rep. Michele Bachmann charged with theft (MPR News) Javier Sanchez, a senior legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, has been arrested and charged with thefts in a House office building. NBC News 4 says Sanchez was arrested after a hidden camera sting operation caught him stealing envelopes of cash from coworkers.
Bachmann pays down presidential debt (MPR News) U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann has used funds from her flush congressional account to bring down debt she incurred as a presidential candidate. Her debt currently stands at just over $30,000, most of which is owed to accountants.
Former Bush official in Mpls to make economic case for immigration reform (MPR News) Former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutiérrez stopped in Minneapolis as part of a cross-country tour advocating for a comprehensive immigration overhaul. Gutiérrez is chairman of Republicans for Immigration Reform and supports the bill passed by the U.S. Senate. House Republicans have said they plan to approach immigration piecemeal, rather than through a single piece of legislation.
Immigration reform a test for suburban Republicans in Minnesota (Star Tribune) Democrats see GOP Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen as possible votes in favor of a comprehensive immigration overhaul in the House. Both come from swing districts where many voters support changes to immigration law.
2014
Emmer zooms to early lead in 6th District money race (Associated Press via Pioneer Press) Former state Rep. Tom Emmer has raised about $225,000 since announcing his bid for the 6th Congressional District seat. His GOP opponents are far behind. State Sen. John Pederson has raised $35,000, while Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah raised over $19,000.
In targeted races, Kline, Emmer haul in the cash (Star Tribune) U.S. Reps. John Kline and Collin Peterson both had successful fundraising quarters. Kline now has about ten times as much money in the bank as his Democratic opponent Mike Obermueller.