Capitol View: February 28, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 2-28-07

Posted at 9:16 AM on February 28, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There are plenty of forecasts in the news today. There's the wintry weather forecast for Minnesota. The February forecast which lawmakers will use as their budget blueprint and there's the economic forecast which could make things interesting for the 2008 elections. But the digest leads with three people dying at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

Minnesota Finance officials release the February forecast today. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and the AP have look aheads. Guess what? Most folks are calling for restraint.

Two lawmakers and a handful of metropolitan mayors want a half cent sales tax in the metro area for transportation projects. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Star Tribune says the Mall of America wants a $234 million tax break package.

The Pi Press says most senators who voted against per diem are now taking it.

AP says a cloning ban was included in the stem cell bill. The bill moved through the House Higher Ed Committee.

The Star Tribune comes to the HPV vaccine story a few weeks late.

MPR has a story on a bill that would ban foreign made flags.

There was also a hearing on a bill that allows for bathroom breaks and a bill that requires parental approval for kids who want body piercings.

AP has a story on the push for domestic partner benefits.

A panel rejects three of Pawlenty's regent picks. Former DFL Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson says he wants the job.

WCCO and KARE-11 says students rallied for the DREAM Act.

Experts warn that the state needs to prepare for the aging boomer.

Pawlenty enjoys a nice dinner in Washington, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman gets a mouse award and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar visits the Big Easy. Here's the rundown.

The Duluth News Tribune says DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina says a bill meant to help a friend wasn't serious. The story follows last week's story in the Tower Timberjay.

Congress

AP says Coleman doesn't think the candidate for ambassador to Belgium should not be disqualified because he gave money to the Swift Boat for Veterans group.

Coleman also signs onto a bill that allows Illegal immigrants who lost loved ones on 9/11 could become legal residents.

Coleman also backs a bill that calls for the federal government to study the viability of driver's licenses between the U.S. and Canadian border.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will speak at Emily's List convention.

The Washington Post says South Dakota Senator John Thune's railway link (he was a lobbyist for DM&E) may have doomed the loan.

GOP Rep. John Kline honors Chaskans.

The Mankato Free Press says Kline's grilling of Defense Secretary Robert Gates inspired the Mankato Symphony Orchestra to play for troops in the Iraq.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is on his way to Selma this weekend.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he could support DM&E if they reassess the proposal.

2008

The DSCC raises more than their GOP counterpart (Norm Coleman sighs).

Politico says Barack Obama is looking for Congressional support. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

The Chicago Sun Times calls Ellison an "Obama whip."