Daily Digest: Will September be special?
You made it to Friday. Reward yourself with a weekend of leisure. Absorb this Digest and come back for new ones next week.
1. Gov. Mark Dayton is due for a check-in with House Speaker Kurt Daudt. Their private, no-staff meeting is expected include discussion of where previous special session discussions went wrong and whether they can still get one on track for this year. It's a reminder never to take the suggestions that something is "dead" at the Capitol at face value. (MPR News)
2. Donald Trump's standing on Minnesota's ballot is under fire. The Minnesota DFL announced late yesterday it was seeking to have the Republican nominee stricken from the ballot, arguing that the state Republican Party didn't follow the law with its required selection of electors and alternates. There's a rush to get this resolved since early voting begins Sept. 23 (MPR News)
3. Who's ready for a 2017 election? There's one set for Valentine's Day. It will decide the 134th House member. The Minnesota Supreme Court voted down Rep. Bob Barrett's re-election bid after declaring him ineligible to hold the seat because of a residency violation. Democrats who long argued Barrett's housing arrangement didn't add up may have won a temporary victory, but could have trouble winning the larger battle. February turnout will no doubt be far smaller than the higher-interest general election. (MPR News)
4. Speaking of vacancies, it's hard to believe it has been almost six months since President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for the ninth spot on the U.S. Supreme Court. His nomination hasn't moved an inch. Democrats have been making new noise about the inaction and hosting new meetings with Garland. Senate Republicans insist they won't move ahead now or before the next president takes office. Expect both sides to make the composition of the Supreme Court a November turnout tool. (Washington Post)
5. Third-party candidates often express annoyance that political journalists don't give them enough attention. Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson got plenty of it yesterday, but for all the wrong reasons. Johnson had a tough time on morning television with a question about the conflict in Syria and spent the rest of the day trying to recover. The whiff comes as Johnson is making his case to be on the presidential debate stage next to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. (Politico)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.