Polinaut: January 16, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-16-07

Posted at 8:22 AM on January 16, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

2008 leads the digest. Governor Pawlenty is named co-chair of John McCain's exploratory committee for president. MPR, AP, the Star Tribune and The Hill have stories. Pawlenty first made the announcement on Bill Bennett's radio show. You can listen here.

Hotline and Reuters ponder a McCain/Pawlenty ticket.

While Pawlenty is backing McCain, The Washington Post is reporting that former GOP Congressman Vin Weber is backing Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Why does it matter? Because Weber backed McCain in 2000.

Pawlenty may be making a few road trips to Iowa for McCain. Roll Call says former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is a bit more popular than the Arizona Senator (subscription required).

There's more 2008 news. The Star Tribune calls Norm Coleman "politically agile" while MPR details Coleman's evolution on Iraq.

Colorado Senator Wayne Allard's decision to not run again means Coleman's ranking as one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents gets a little higher. Stu Rothenberg puts him on the watch list.

The L.A. Times and the New York Times have stories on Allard (Coleman mentioned).

The Washington Post is reporting that Coleman is offering a max out package to lobbyists to raise money for his campaign.

2007 Session

Governor Pawlenty gives his State of the State speech on Wednesday. The Star Tribune's Lori Sturdevant interviewed him for Sunday's paper.

It's also news conference time. Special interest groups will be holding news conferences, rallies and meet and greets to build support for their proposals. Children's health care, education and energy are on tap today.

Governor Pawlenty promises more school aid but wants greater accountability.

The Pi Press takes a look at all day kindergarten.

There are two stories in the Bemidji Pioneer on property taxes. One on the Senate DFL plan. The other on a possible cabin tax compromise.

The St. Cloud Times Lawrence Schumacher writes about the per diem issue. WCCO's Pat Kessler reality checks per diem.

Pi Press columnist Dave Beal writes about how business could fair with a DFL controlled Legislature. The Star Tribune's Neal St. Anthony also has a column on it.

MPR has two stories on transportation. One says inflation may send transportation funding off of a cliff. The other asks whether a mileage tax will replace the gas tax.

MPR has a story on yesterday's march for single payer health care.

The Rochester Post Bulletin has a story on how former GOP House Speaker Steve Sviggum is adjusting to his new role.

Congress

DFL Congressman Tim Walz criticizes the troop buildup in a radio address.

He also supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

AP says Congressional leaders and Bush are divided on the farm bill and there's another story on how energy may be a big ag issue than corn in this year's farm bill. (DFL Congressman Collin Peterson is mentioned).

The Star Tribune says DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar is the go to guy on transportation. Oberstar is also mentioned in this story on how the state could end grain inspections in Duluth (Oberstar mentioned).

GOP Senator Norm Coleman is mentioned in this story on ethics.

GOP Congressman John Kline pushes a fuel blend.

DFL Congresswoman Betty McCollum visits Laos.

2008
See above

2010
Minnesota Monitor interviews Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner about her decision to run for governor.

Blog Watch
AAA says McCain isn't a conservative and is worried Pawlenty will put pressure on the GOP to support the Arizona Senator.

Quote of the day
"I am focused on being governor and will remain governor. I love Minnesota and just because I'm volunteering to help John McCain doesn't mean I'm not going to stay governor of Minnesota." GOP Governor Tim Pawlenty on the likelihood of being a V.P. pick for Arizona Senator John McCain.

DFL decides when to be partisan in Senate

Posted at 5:56 PM on January 16, 2007 by Tim Pugmire

It could have been a flare up of partisan disharmony on the floor of the Minnesota Senate today, but DFL leaders wielded their control over decorum like a six-inch fire hose to quickly extinguish the spark.

Sen. Ray Vandeveer , R- Forest Lake, rose to ask a provocative question of Senate majority leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis.

"I've had some constituents calling me and asking me questions, Vandeveer said. "They're of the opinion that the Senate announced the need for a number of tax increases one week, and then gave themselves a big increase the next. Now I know that probably isn't exactly what happened, but I'm wondering what I should tell them about that and if you have any suggestions first of all?"

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee voted last week to increase the maximum daily expense checks for meals and incidental costs, also known as per diem, from $66 to $96. The week before, DFL leaders introduced a package of legislation that included proposed increases in the sales tax and gas tax.

Vandeveer served five terms in the Minnesota House. This is his first term in the Senate. Pogemiller turned the question into a learning moment.

"Typically what you're doing right now is something that's not done in the Senate," Pogemiller said. "That's more what they do in the House. And I would not presume to suggest to you how to talk to your constituents."

Vandeveer countered by saying he would be more comfortable if the full Senate voted on the per diem increase. He asked Pogemiller for procedural advise. None was offered. The Senate then adjourned.