Capitol View: April 19, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 4-19-07

Posted at 10:09 AM on April 19, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Minnesota House takes up three budget bills today. The order is jobs and economic finance, higher education and state government. The House held another marathon session on the K12 bill. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

There are also a few stories suggesting the House floor sessions are dragging on and on and on.

The Senate kills the lawmaker to lobbyist bill. MPR, the Pi Press, City Pages and AP have stories.

The Senate passes a bill that hikes the minimum wage. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

A senate bill targets greenhouse gas emissions.

The Senate Transpo chair highlights what a gas tax increase could buy.

The Mankato Free Press says a bill allowing the use of deadly force will get a hearing next year.

The Star Tribune has a story on the Vikings stadium plans. Who's paying for it?

ECM Publishers also says there's legislation aimed at breaking a deadlock at the Anoka City Council.

The Met Council delays a decision on a bus contract.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman agrees with Democrats like DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar on negotiating drug prices but the measure is blocked.

Coleman signs on to a sealed mail resolution.

President Bush's war talks with Congressional Dems on Iraq ends in deadlock. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

The Pulse of the Twin Cities has a story saying Ellison is encouraging peace activists to keep working with him.

Ellison also wants to help distressed Liberian immigrants.

The St. Cloud Times says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann voted against a fraud bill.

A House Ag panel will hold a hearing on organic farming. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says increased timber harvesting will boost the industry.

Other

The Star Tribune talks with Minnesotans about the Supreme Court decision on partial birth abortion.

2008

Attorney Mike Ciresi officially announces his senate bid but only takes three minutes worth of questions. Hmmm? Want more? Ciresi appeared on MRP's Midmorning program on March 6th. You can listen here.

MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications, the Hill, KARE-11, WCCO, AP and ECM Publishers have stories on his announcement.

AP says big comedy helps Al Franken.

CQ has a story on Franken's fundraising.

Blog Watch
Minnesota Monitor says a comprehensive sex ed bill will help reduce the rising HIV rate.

North Star Liberty says RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) should be nervous.

Smart Politics says gun ownership is higher in the Upper Midwest than in Virginia.

MN Blue says Sen. Coleman flip-flopped on the negotiation of prescription drugs.