The Daily Digest (Wheelage tax, Bachmann ethics and Minneapolis charter)
Good morning!
A federal judge has stopped efforts to unionize child care providers; Congress begins its last week in session before a five week recess and the House Ethics Committee acknowledges that it is considering whether to investigate Rep. Michele Bachmann.
In Minnesota
A judge has dismissed two federal lawsuits aimed at stopping the unionization of state-subsidized child care providers. (MPR News)
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As a Thursday decision deadline looms, counties are nearly evenly divided on whether to charge the "wheelage tax." Forty counties so far have voted to collect the fee next year. (MPR News)
Can a city completely revise its rulebook without changing any actual rules? That's the question Minneapolis voters will consider this fall when they vote on the first major overhaul of the city's charter in almost a century. (MPR News)
In Washington/National Politics
The House Ethics Committee confirmed Friday that it is reviewing an ethics case involving 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and that a decision on whether to suspend, drop or further investigate the matter is due by Sept. 11. (MPR News)
Hillary Clinton's commanding position in the potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidate field has kept the spotlight off other female prospects including Sen. Amy Klobuchar. (National Journal)
Congress begins its last week of work before the summer recess. With little substantive on the agenda this week, September is likely to be a month of high-stakes fiscal showdowns. (Roll Call)
Four out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives, a sign of deteriorating economic security and an elusive American dream. (Associated Press via Talking Points Memo)
In a major shakeup for the radio industry, Cumulus Media, the second-biggest broadcaster in the country, is planning to drop influential conservative radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations at the end of the year. (Politico)