Polinaut: July 31, 2006 Archive

The Daily Digest - 7-31-06

Posted at 11:00 AM on July 31, 2006 by Tom Scheck

The Star Tribune's story focusing on how the gay marriage issue has forced some primary contests among state legislative candidates leads the digest.

Former Minneapolis City Council member Dean Zimmermann's bribery trial begins today.

Hennepin County Sheriff Pat McGowan endorses former DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson for Congress in Minnesota's Fifth District. He said Republican candidate Alan Fine has no chance of winning the race and that DFL endorsed candidate Keith Ellison has done nothing for law enforcement during his years in the state Legislature.

Here's the Star Tribune's article on the 5th District DFLers and their differences.

Mike Hatch, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, proposes funding for embryonic stem research at the University of Minnesota.

The National Journal also has a story focusing on stem cells as further proof of the politicization of science (GOOD NEWS! No subscription required on this story)

Guess what? It looks like Hatch and other Democrats view embryonic stem cell research and a minimum wage hike as wedge issues:

Some optimistic members of the minority party say a focus on middle-class matters could lead to Democrats' recapturing both chambers. By contrast, Republicans next month plan to highlight a need to strengthen the porous borders and to keep the conversation either on local issues or security matters, such as terrorism. Democrats say domestic topics give them the edge as they try to appeal to voters who are disenchanted with the way the majority is running the country.

Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty releases his latest health care reform package at a news conference today. Here's what the Associated Press reports:

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday he will require large amounts of state-purchased health care to measure up to quality standards, potentially savings millions in unnecessary care. Pawlenty unveiled the "QCare" plan at a news conference in Moorhead and was scheduled to speak about it in St. Paul later Monday. He signed an executive order requiring state agencies to use the standards. The plan focuses on two of the most common and costly medical problems - diabetes and heart disease - as well as preventive care and hospital stays. The state will use existing measurements of quality and require health plans and providers to report more data on costs and outcomes. It's designed to pay more for better care and avoid unnecessary care. Until now, state efforts to keep health care costs down have focused mostly on prices, not quality. A prepared statement from Pawlenty's office said the state could save more than $153 million a year by following all the standards. The initiative applies to the state employee heath plan and subsidized programs such as MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance.

The DFL Party issued a news release saying Pawlenty is using his office for campaign purposes. This is just days after the Independence Party claimed that DFL candidate Mike Hatch was using his office for campaign purposes. Here's what DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez says about the Pawlenty event:

Tim Pawlenty has filed as a candidate for governor. He is making campaign stops today in five Minnesota cities, but he's making the taxpayers foot the bill. Sometimes it's legitimate for a sitting governor to travel the state at public cost, but a whistle-stop tour isn't a legitimate government expense. Tim Pawlenty is making an election-year proposal that he could easily make from the governor's office at the State Capitol - where the legislature that would have to pass any of these proposals actually meets. Instead, he's once again gallivanting around the state for his own political benefit, and he's sticking Minnesota taxpayers with the bill.

The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the minimum wage, pension reform and the estate tax debate going on in Congress (subscription required).

The Pioneer Press has a story on how the Stars and Stripes is being flown at half staff more often in recent years. Here's a glimpse:

The ups and downs of the Stars and Stripes have the state teetering on the brink of half-staff overkill - as the custom loses its impact with repetition.

In Minnesota or Wisconsin, a half-staff flag could mean a solider has died. Or a football player. Or a police officer, president, murder victim, business leader or senator. Or former Sauk Rapids Fire Chief Bruce Trushenski, who was given the honor last year in Minnesota.
"When I was a kid in the '60s, the flag at half-mast was a really big deal," said Douglas Kline, spokesman for Lunds and Byerly's stores.

The stores lower their flags for some - but not all - official periods of mourning.

"Lately there's been a lot more flag-lowering," Kline said. "And for who? For what?"

A 2004 Minnesota law called for the honor to be extended to "personnel killed in the line of duty." Gov. Tim Pawlenty decides who qualifies. He has interpreted that to include Minnesota soldiers as well as law officers killed in the line of duty.

Fox News has a story on MN's 6th District race:

In Minnesota, two women who couldn't be more opposed in their political views are running for an open U.S. House seat that has become one of the most coveted of the midterm election.

DFLer Tim Walz is calling on Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht to debate him because the GOP incumbent's position on Iraq is unclear:

It was just two short weeks ago that Rep. Gutknecht returned from Iraq, recanted his previous “stay the course” remarks and admitted to voters, “I guess I didn’t understand the situation [in Iraq.]”

Yet just last Friday Gutknecht released his weekly newsletter in which he quoted an article from Foreign Affairs magazine that he summarized as follows.

“. . . we withdrew most U.S. forces from Vietnam while building up the South's ability to defend itself. The result was a success -- until Congress snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by cutting off funding for our ally in 1975. Washington should follow a similar strategy now, but this time finish the job properly."

This latest newsletter leaves the impression that Gutknecht’s plan to partially withdraw troops is meant to translate into ‘stay the course – with fewer troops.’

The Washington Post says the federal government is working on bioterrorism issues behind closed doors.

A new group of state laws goes into effect tomorrow. Hooray for the Honey Crisp! Boo to identity theft!

MPR also has a story on a new state law allowing more electric car use

The Chicago Tribune has a fascinating story on how some politicians are using public access television to get their message out

Finally be sure to check out MPR's Campaign 2006 website if you're interested to see where a candidate stands on an issue, want to know how they speak on the stump or want to hear a speech you missed. It's chock full of nuts (that's a cliche on how much information is on the site not a shot at the candidates) and is updated regularly with speeches, interviews, etc. It's a wonderful resource.

Judge: Video game law is unconstitutional

Posted at 12:52 PM on July 31, 2006 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

ST. PAUL (AP) - A federal judge has thrown out a pending state law that would have fined minors for obtaining adult-only video games.

U-S District Judge James Rosenbaum says the law is unconstitutional.

The law would have fined youths 25 dollars for renting or buying video games designed for adults. It would have taken effect tomorrow.

Video game makers sued to stop the law, saying it violated the right to free speech.

Rosenbaum's ruling says the law's supporters failed to show the graphic video games were harmful to children. Even if they were, he says that wouldn't have outweighed the law's "chilling effect" on free speech.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-07-31-06 1338EDT

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