The Daily Digest (heating assistance, tax cuts, Obama visit)
Welcome to the Daily Digest.
Minnesota:
The Minnesota House approved $20 million in heating assistance on its first day back in session. (MPR News)
A House committee reversed changes made last year that loosened the state's long-standing ban on legislators taking gifts from lobbyists. (MPR News)
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Gov. Mark Dayton wants legislators to pass tax breaks and repeal a set of new business taxes by the middle of March. (MPR News)
Minnesota may become the first state to ban triclosan, an antibacterial chemical found in some soaps. (MPR News)
After a rocky few months, MNsure officials say improvements made to the health insurance website and its call center are paying off with higher enrollment. (MPR News)
President Barack Obama speaks today in St. Paul about a $300 billion transportation funding plan. Why are Minnesota Republicans happy about the president's visit? (MPR News)
By the way, Sen. Al Franken says he won't be at the Obama speech because he has to go to a funeral. You can hear the president's speech live on MPR News today at about 2 p.m..
A Hennepin County prosecutor has been removed from a case involving the state's sex offender program because of emails he sent to other lawyers (Star Tribune)
Washington:
Attorney General Eric Holder says that state attorneys generals are not required to defend state bans on gay marriage if they believe those laws are discriminatory. (New York Times)
Democrats across the country are looking at a tough midterm election season. But they have a secret weapon: Bill Clinton. (The Washington Post)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which typically sides with Republicans, is pushing the GOP to pass immigration reform this year. (Politico)
Obama and House Speaker John Boehner met yesterday in a closed door meeting. A Boehner aid said the two discussed a "wide range of issues, including manufacturing... immigration, the president's health care law..." (Roll Call)