Polinaut: January 18, 2007 Archive

Notes on the SOS

Posted at 8:08 AM on January 18, 2007 by Mike Mulcahy

I couldn't help but notice that security seemed a lot lighter this year. I guess that's the difference between election year and the year after. There was also no big protest on the gay marriage issue. In fact in the post-election Capitol the social issues are entirely off the agenda this year. (That's a cue for a hot button debate to begin!)

I thought on his way into the House chamber Gov. Pawlenty seemed to go out of his way to avoid shaking hands with GOP Rep. Mark Olson, who faces domestic abuse charges. But later I saw a shot on TV of Pawlenty shaking hands with Olson as the governor was leaving, so maybe I read too much into it. (I was busy going through my notes on the air and couldn't pay attention to what Pawlenty was doing after the speech.)

I was struck by Sen. Larry Pogemiller's declining to take issue with the governor. His post- speech comments basically amounted to taking a wait and see attitude. Later other DFL senators held a news conference to respond more forcefully to the governor. By contrast House Majority Leader Tony Sertich immediately declared a couple of the governor's ideas--the requirement that 70 percent of education money be spent in the classroom and the cap on property taxes--dead on arrival.

I overheard some fans of the governor saying after the speech they didn't think it was one of his best. He's been previewing a lot of stuff he talked about for several weeks. And while he tried to make it a typical state of the state grab-bag, the most detailed proposals were on education. By contrast he pretty much breezed through sections on energy and health care. It seems to me that state of the states are always a little disappointing because by nature they come off as unfocused. Maybe someday a governor will decide to talk about just one issue.

Even in the age of digital communications we still have some technical glitches broadcasting an event like that. In fact because of our digital signal there's a delay between what Gary Eichten says into the microphone and when you actually hear it on the radio. That makes it hard for Gary and me to talk to each other on the air when I'm in a remote location like the House gallery. Basically it involves me sticking a cell phone to one ear and hoping for the best. For some reason the cell phone kept cutting out at the start of the speech. Worst case scenario is I end up sounding like an idiot, but there's always that danger when I go on the air.

The Daily Digest: 1-18-07

Posted at 10:41 AM on January 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Governor Pawlenty's State of the State leads the digest. MPR, the Star Tribune, ECM Publishers, KTTC, AP, Forum Communications and the Pi Press have stories.

The AP also asks "Can the best be better?" and has lawmaker reaction to the speech.

Forum Communications says lawmakers don't like Pawlenty's property tax freeze proposal.

The West Central Tribune also has reaction from their local lawmakers.

The Star Tribune says Steve Sviggum still likes mixing it up.

Pawlenty and the congressional delegation want hardship pay for MN soldiers.

St. Cloud has its day at the capitol.

Congress

Norm Coleman's position on Iraq and where he will vote on a senate proposal on a non-binding resolution that opposes the troop surge. The Washington Post and the New York Times have stories. The Star Tribune quotes a Coleman aid saying the resolution is "over reaching."

The L.A. Times quotes Coleman saying National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley mostly listened to critics during a meeting in the White House.

The New York Jewish Week also says Coleman is walking a fine line on the troop surge.

Newsweek says Bush is also reaching out to Coleman before the state of the union.

Coleman also votes for ethics reform but it goes nowhere.

DFL Senator Amy Klobuchar wants oil companies to pay royalties.

Bloomberg says the social security overhaul proposal will be scrapped. DFL Congressman Collin Peterson said in the story that private accounts have to be off the table to move it forward.

Peterson is also headed to Pine Bluff, Arkansas on January 25th to talk ag policy.

The Jackson Hole paper says the federal conservation programs is also up for discussion (Peterson is mentioned).

The Wall Street Journal says Democrats in the U.S. House are planning on tackling greenhouse gas emissions. The paper says Minnesota is thinking about capping emissions (subscription required).

2008

AP says Al Franken is talking with DFL lawmakers about a possible senate run.

Politics in Minnesota has a list of reasons on why Franken could be a formidable candidate.

The Hill says federal funding for embryonic stem cell research could be a dicey issue for Coleman.

Roll Call says Coleman is hitting the fundraising circuit (subscription required).

2008 RNC Convention
AP and the Star Tribune report that the deal will be finalized today.

Blogwatch
Michael Brodkorb creates blogs for norm!

Finally, two capital reporter rock stars make an appearance on Almanac At the Capitol. Brian Bakst with the AP was there as well (that's a joke so the Brian Bakst fan club shouldn't send any nasty e-mail).