Polinaut: April 18, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 4-18-07

Posted at 10:36 AM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Minnesota House worked into the early morning hours passing some of their budget bills. Members are back it today. Basically, the debate is long and arduous and doesn't resolve the outcome that's at the heart of the dispute.

The House passed a public safety bill, the ag and vet bill and the environment and natural resources bill.

The Senate wants to take a deeper look at 3M chemicals. AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Star Tribune says two north metro area schools are guinea pigs for new ideas.

Gov. Pawlenty visits Albert Lea.

The St. Cloud Times says a judge pushed back a trial regarding GOP Rep. Mark Olson.

Congress

The Star Tribune says the House is interested in interviewing Rachel Paulose because of the events that led to her hiring.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman also breaks with Republicans and now supports allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies over the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

The Star Tribune has a story on the effectiveness (or lack of effectiveness) of Sen. Coleman's stem cell bill.

The House also passed a taxpayer protection bill. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad was a key supporter.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison tells a Jewish group to reach out to a controversial Muslim group.

2008

Attorney Mike Ciresi makes his senate run official.

GOP Senators donate their PAC $ to Coleman.

MN Campaign Report and the Star Tribune say the Ramsey County Sheriff expects to arrest thousands during the 2008 RNC Convention.

BlogWatch

Dump Bachmann goes after Michele Bachmann (that's kind of the point of their blog) for voting against the taxpayer protection bill. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also sent out a news release criticizing Bachmann for being only one of seven who voted against the measure.

The Minnesota Family Council says comprehensive sex education isn't working because of the recent rise in STD rates.

The Senate kills revolving door bill

Posted at 11:30 AM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck

The Minnesota Senate has been flying through their policy bills this week. In fact, there has been little debate on many of the bills. So it was interesting to hear a ten minute debate on the revolving door legislation that would prevent lawmakers, commissioners and agency heads from becoming lobbyists for one year. The Senate defeated the measure on a tie vote (33 to 33). You can read the story here.

Ciresi makes it official

Posted at 11:33 AM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Attorney Mike Ciresi has officially announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate as a DFLer. MPR has a story here. The MN GOP wasted no time in calling him, you guessed it, a liberal. Comedian Al Franken is also seeking the DFL endorsement. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is running for re-election.

Elvis hours in the Minnesota House

Posted at 12:57 PM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Up all night! Sleep all day!

The Minnesota House is taking up their budget bills this week which means state lawmakers, House staff and the press corps is going to be awfully tired at the end of the week.

There appears to be a legislative stare down between the GOP and DFL in the House. Make no mistake, DFLers are offering plenty of amendments on these budget bills but the GOP is all too happy to debate every amendment to death. The House hopes to take up the E-12 education budget bill and the state government finance bill today/tonight. They also have the higher education bill, the economic development budget bill and the health and human services budget bill to go. They hope to finish all of the bills by Saturday and take up the Tax bill next week.

Up all night, sleep all day!

Live on the House floor! It's the Oscars!

Posted at 3:55 PM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck

The Minnesota House is currently debating its budget bills. I don't know if you've ever watched the floor action but it's an interesting mix of characters and debate. Some amendments create fiery rhetoric between two lawmakers (who may be from the same party). Others get on the bill with a simple yeah or nay.

This legislative dance happens every year. What's different this year is the unusual amount of time it takes to thank lawmakers, staff and others for all of the work they've done on a bill. The bill's chief author thanks the lead Republican on the committee. They then thank the vice chair. Then they thank the nonpartisan staff, by name. Then it's the partisan staff, by name. All of these folks should be applauded for their work but there seems to be a greater appreciation this year. It reminds me of those Oscar speeches. There's just isn't anyone striking up the band.

Ellison will appear on PBS show tonight.

Posted at 5:13 PM on April 18, 2007 by Tom Scheck

This came from DFL Rep. Keith Ellison's office:

Congressman Ellison will be appearing on the PBS series, "America at a Crossroads." He discusses his historic role as the first Muslim American elected to the United States Congress, the current status of civil liberties in America, the road to peace, the war on terror and other issues of interest.

It's on TPT at 8 tonight.