The Daily Digest (MNsure blames federal deadlines, bullying bill, Duluth vs. Superior)
Good morning!
In Minnesota
Among DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's top legislative priorities for 2014 will be repealing a raft of tax increases passed last session. (Rochester Post Bulletin)
MNsure officials blamed federal deadlines for changes in the contract between the state and contractors responsible for building the health insurance marketplace that ultimately resulted in a series of problems. (MPR News)
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When the Minnesota Legislature convenes next month, lawmakers are expected to take up a bill designed to strengthen the state's anti-bullying law, often described as one of the weakest in the nation. (MPR News)
The minority leader of the Minnesota House, Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, was stopped by police in Montana last fall and handcuffed. (MPR News)
In Washington/National Politics
Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin are the subject of a big New York Times series about how Minnesota's path under Democratic control has diverged from Wisconsin, which is entirely Republican-controlled. (New York Times)
The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in a big constitutional fight over the balance of power between the president and the Senate. At issue is whether the president's power to make temporary appointments during the Senate recess can be curtailed by the use of pro forma Senate sessions during which no business is conducted. (NPR)
7th District Congressman Collin Peterson says House Speaker John Boehner is creating obstacles to finishing the farm bill by trying get rid of dairy programs Peterson has proposed. (MPR News)
Lawmakers are closing in on a budget deal to fund the government through the end of September. (Politico)
The Obama administration has decided to jettison the IT contractor, CGI Federal, that has been mainly responsible for building the defect-ridden online health insurance marketplace and will hire Accenture to replace it. (Washington Post)
Terry McCauliffe, a former Democratic Party fundraiser and friend of the Clintons, was inaugurated as the governor of Virginia. (New York Times)
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