Polinaut: May 7, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest:5-7-07

Posted at 8:47 AM on May 7, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There are 14 days remaining in the legislative session. Gov. Pawlenty has signed 35 bills, vetoed 3 and line-item vetoed one bill.

Do you feel like you've been reading the same story over and over and over again? Gov. Pawlenty and DFLers in the Legislature are still in the legislative stare down. I've been talking to long time lobbyists and legislative staff, veteran reporters and lawmakers. Everyone is scratching their hands on how this session wraps up.

AP has a status update.

The governor says more vetoes are coming. MPR and the Star Tribune have the details.

He also signed some legislation. Like the ag and vets bill and the radon bill.

Forum Communications says little provisions are lurking in big bills.

The St. Cloud Times says a bonding bill is unlikely this session.

The state requires standards for 3M chemicals.

Pawlenty honors a soldier who lost both legs to a roadside bomb.

MPR says suicide prevention programs are struggling to find money.

AP says primary seatbelt bill may become law.

AP says smoking costs are more than the cig fee is bringing in.

Gov. Pawlenty and his administration say it's important to distinguish between support and funding for the iron range steel mill project.

The Vikings say they want to kick in $250 million for a new stadium. Hey Zygi, didn't you offer to kick in $280 million last year?

WCCO says the Twins value increased as a result of the new stadium.

Congress

DFL Rep. Tim Walz addresses the VA clinics, talks about the Iraq war and is called a populist.

GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad supports a resolution calling for free trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Politico says House Democrats are in turmoil over deadlines regarding a troop withdrawal from Iraq. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says he can't support it without deadlines.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is back in the cockpit.

Peterson also wants permanent disaster aid.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar promises a quick fix to San Francisco maze.

Oberstar and several other state lawmakers are mentioned in this story on the Tower harbor.

2008

The strib goes into full detail into why GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is vulnerable in 2008.

Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg says he won't run for Congress.

2008 RNC Convention

Security planning is getting more specific.

2010

Former DFL Sen. Mark Dayton says he may run for governor. The MN GOP looks for their talking points. MDE has one of them.

Blog Watch

Remember that post a few days ago mentioning Barry Casselman's praise of MDE? Well, Beltway Blogroll criticizes the theory. The number one example: Mark Kennedy.

Minnesota Monitor says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is named the holiest congresswoman.

Finally, the next spiderman?

The annual difficulty of passing a gas tax increase.

Posted at 11:59 AM on May 7, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Take a look at these stories (here, here and here) on the spike in gas prices.

The spikes happen every year around this time as oil refiners work to meet the peak summer driving demand. It's also the same time state lawmakers get down the nitty gritty of budget negotiations as the session draws to a close.

Jump to this session. A bipartisan group of lawmakers are pushing for a 10 cent a gallon gas tax increase to pay for transportation projects across the state. Gov. Pawlenty opposes the gas tax increase and has been touting this Survey USA poll saying a majority of Minnesotans oppose a gas tax increase.

Supporters of the gas tax increase now have a tough decision ahead. Do they go against public sentiment for something they believe is for the greater good? Or maybe they should wait and pass the transportation bill in January when the price isn't as high.