The Daily Digest: SOTU edition
Good morning!
In Minnesota
Nursing home owners and workers have told Minnesota legislators that they aren't getting enough money from the state to stay open and to keep the best staff in their facilities for years. (MPR News)
Education and health care now account for two thirds of Minnesota's budget. (Pioneer Press)
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A new bill would extend give Minnesota school districts the power to tax for repairs while avoiding voter approval. (AP via Star Tribune)
The debate over teacher seniority is returning to the Minnesota Legislature this session after a three-year absence. (MPR News)
The leader of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus in Minnesota's House of Representatives joined Republicans in criticizing Senate DFL plans for Capitol office space Friday. (Pioneer Press)
A close political ally of Gov. Mark Dayton's will be the next chair of the Met Council. (MPR News)
The Poligraph weighs in on a claim about whether Minnesota faces a shortage of doctors. (MPR News)
National Politics
So there's a little speech tonight...MPR News will carry it live at 7:30 CT along with analysis from NPR afterwards. Tune in here.
One of the big policy proposals President Obama will unveil is a tax hike on the very wealthiest Americans coupled with a tax cut for the middle class. (NPR)
As he delivers the speech, Obama's approval ratings are at their highest point since spring 2013 thanks to a strengthening economy. (Washington Post)
The White House announced that a Minnesotan will be among First Lady Michelle Obama's guests at the State of the Union Address. (MPR News)
A look at who the members of the Minnesota delegation are bringing as guests. (Star Tribune)
Medical device makers could be in for a double windfall if the tax on their products is repealed: they could also get a refund on taxes they've already paid. (MPR News)
The Strib profiles Rep. Tim Walz, who recently traded an assignment on the House Transportation Committee for a seat on the House Armed Services Committee. (Star Tribune)