Polinaut: May 1, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-1-07

Posted at 9:19 AM on May 1, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

20 days until the end of Legislative session. The govenor has signed 27 bills and vetoed one bill. That veto came yesterday. He's expected to veto all or parts of the bonding bill that is being sent to him. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, KTTC and Forum Communications have stories on the bonding bill.

Pawlenty likes the DECC funding but not in the bill it's in. I'm shocked! Shocked that there's politics going on around here.

AP and Forum Communications say the bonding bill is the first of several budget slices on its way to Governor Pawlenty. The Ag and Vet budget bill will be voted on today.

Governor Pawlenty is on MPR's Midmorning program today. DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher and DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller were on Midday yesterday.

56% in a poll approve of Pawlenty's job.

Senate approves health care rights for domestic partners. The Star Tribune and the AP have stories.

A bill that would tighen the regulation of chemicals that 3M used to make is on its way to Governor Pawlenty. The Pi Press and AP have stories.

A step to slow textbook costs is in the higher ed conference committee.

A new plan for I-35W?

Congress

Minnesota's congressional delegation is split on the Iraq war vote.

The National Review Online profiles Norm Coleman.

GOP Rep. John Kline joins a groundbreaking for senior housing units.

The Hill says Illinois Sen. Barack Obama failed to raise $ for the Congressional Black Caucus. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

Hatch quits!

Posted at 11:51 AM on May 1, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Former Attorney General Mike Hatch has submitted his resignation to current Attorney General Lori Swanson. Hatch wrote in a letter to Swanson that:

"In recent days there has been commentary about a number of changes I made during my administration are unfairly being attributed to you. It is not appropriate that you should become the target of complaints involving my administration..."

"...I hope that with this resignation the public will continue to focuse on the good deeds that you are undertaking on behalf of ordinary citizens.

Swanson also issued a statement saying:

"Mike Hatch was a fantastic Attorney General ans is one of the most talented, successful, and hardworking lawyers I know. I'm grateful for his public service during the transition."

Swanson is currently in public disagreement with the members of AFSCME Local 5 regarding efforts to organize the attorneys in her office. Pi Press columnist Ruben Rosario wrote this morning that Hatch should be fired or resign.