Capitol View: May 8, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-8-07

Posted at 9:56 AM on May 8, 2007 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

The digest is so excited. There have been over 100 e-mail postings over the past two days saying that this is the "Best site ever!" Imagine the excitement. People would refer friends who would refer friends. Polinaut would become so big that the masses would not only be interested in political coverage but become active participants in their communities. Oh, wait. What's that? It’s e-mail hawking unmentionables.

Sigh.

Nothing like a few vetoes and veto threats to get the news business jumpin'.

There are 13 days (unlucky 13 - Gasp!) remaining in the legislative session. Gov. Pawlenty has signed 43 bills, vetoed five and line-item vetoed one bill.

The governor seems to be in a groove. He's vetoing bills and threatening vetoes. The Pi Press and AP have stories.

Despite the veto threat, the The House and Senate passed the HHS bill. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

AP has a glance at the HHS bill.

The higher ed bill no longer contains the DREAM Act. The conference committee did, however, included more than $3 million to keep tuition the same for anybody at six different schools. That would allow the children of illegal immigrants to go to those schools and pay the same price as Minnesota residents. GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert is hopping mad about that.

The Senate passes the primary seat belt bill.

The bill will also honor DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar and former VP Walter Mondale.

The Pi Press tries something called the Capitol forecast. Looks good but can you tell me if I can play golf on Sunday. What about my Friday night softball game? Where's the news I can use?

Pawlenty orders national guard to help with BWCA fire. He's headed up there this morning.

KARE-11 says DFL Sen. Terri Bonoff's cabin burned down in the fire.

Congress

Democrats may seek short term funding for the war. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is mentioned.

The Washington Post says September could be critical. Coleman is mentioned.

AP says Coleman is one of those GOP Senators worried that their loyalty to President Bush could hurt.

The New York Sun says Coleman may be one of the first Republicans to defect over Iraq.

Coleman also votes to water down the drug reimportation bill.

GOP Rep. John Kline's top aide is leaving for a private sector gig.

GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad releases report over mental health parity hearings.

CQ says advocates are waiting for consumer protection legislation to pass. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

2008

Ned Lamont is helping John Kerry target Coleman and other vulnerable GOP Senators.

Gov. Pawlenty posts his reasoning for supporting John McCain on Powerline.

Blog Watch

A Blue Stem Prairie says DFL Rep. Tim Walz isn't happy with the VA Secretary.

MDE says Mike Hatch will raise money for Attorney General Lori Swanson.

Minnesota Monitor says it's time for Swanson to come clean or quit.

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