The Daily Digest: Tax bill moving
Good morning!
In Minnesota
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler faces an uphill battle at the Capitol if he's going to convince state lawmakers to spend more taxpayer money on continuing a 2012 tuition freeze. (Pioneer Press)
One plan raises $6 billion over the next decade and has been criticized as a burden on the pocketbook of Minnesota families. Another plan raises $0 has been called “pure fantasy.” Welcome to the 2015 Minnesota transportation debate. (MinnPost)
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The Minnesota House taxes committee advanced a bill that conforms state law to federal tax changes after adding a provision related to the Destination Medical Center in Rochester. (MPR News)
The bill would benefit teachers who spend on classroom supplies and Minnesotans attending college. (Star Tribune)
A Minnesota state senator who filed for bankruptcy after reneging on a six-figure small-business loan, was relieved of $840,000 in debt last year. (Star Tribune)
National Politics
At least they have college football. That appeared to be the only subject of real agreement between congressional Republicans and President Obama on Tuesday as both sides met for the first time this year. (Washington Post)
Foreshadowing a possible presidential bid, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker delivered the state of the state address last night. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
So did New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. (New York Times)
The Internal Revenue Service will lose 1,800 tax collectors through attrition and do 46,000 fewer audits this year because of congressional budget cuts to the tax agency. (USA Today)
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is part of a new task force organized by House Democrats that party leaders hope will reboot their messaging strategy ahead of 2016. (Politico)
Several members of Congress are preparing legislation to take gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Wyoming off the endangered list in an attempt to undo court decisions that have blocked the states from allowing wolf hunting and trapping for sport and predator control. (AP via MPR News)
DFL Sen. Al Franken is offering an amendment to the Keystone XL pipeline bill requiring it to be built with American steel. (MinnPost)
Cringeworthy political story of the day: A Virginia lawmaker who resigned his seat following a sex scandal involving a teenager has won it back in a special election. (USA Today)