Polinaut: May 9, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-9-07

Posted at 10:46 AM on May 9, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There seems to be a theme at the Legislature this year. Lawmakers send Gov. Pawlenty a bill and he promptly vetoes it and sends it back. The Star Tribune and MPR have stories. For the record, there are 12 days remaining in the legislative session. The governor has signed 47 bills into law, vetoed six and line-item vetoed two. Bill log here.

A gas tax proposal that will be at least a nickel a gallon will be released today. The Pi Press and AP have stories.

Pawlenty vetoes the HHS bill. The Pi Press and MPR have stories.

A higher ed bill also faces a veto. The Pi Press, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

Revenue department officials urge caution on increased tax enforcement.

The Pi Press says there has been an agreement on the smoking ban.

There will be a Mall of America cookout on the Capitol lawn. Lobbying or simple discussion?

A commission appointed by the governor releases a report on conservation. Guess what? It comes up with the things the governor and others already called for.

Pawlenty also surveyed the wildfire in northeastern Minnesota.

Congress

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison wants to see records on former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger and current U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson will hold a hearing on food inspection and safety. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is also mentioned.

The Senate will consider funding for a Goodview Water plant. Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

The New York Post says Klobuchar will attend a fundraiser headlined by Warren Buffet.

GOP Rep. John Kline voices his opposition to a proposed change to the National Labor Relations Board.

Ag news says the omnibus ag bill increases funding for agriculture.

2008

Vote Vets will run ads ripping GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. Watch the ad here.

CQ says a GOP crowd is forming to take on DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

The Washington Post also has a story where NRCC head Tom Cole says he's excited about the chances of defeating Walz in '08.

Pogemiller and Seifert on TPT tonight.

Posted at 11:48 AM on May 9, 2007 by Tom Scheck

DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert will be on TPT's Almanac At the Capitol tonight.

UPDATE--- I'm told Pogemiller decided not to be on the show. They're trying to find someone else.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE -- DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich will be on the show.

Catch and release?

Posted at 12:12 PM on May 9, 2007 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty made his annual trip to Joe's Sporting Goods this morning to get his fishing license and tackle. Roger Rucci is the gentleman helping him get his gear. The governor's fishing opener will be on Leech Lake this year.

Pawlenty seized on the fishing opener theme during his trip to Joe's by comparing his fishing practice with his recent vetoes:

"I'm going to practice catch and release just like I do with the DFL tax increases and budget through the roof bills. We do a little legislative catch and release when they send me these big tax hikes and spending bills. We're going to do the same on the lake this Saturday."

This is sure to catch the ire of DFLers in the Legislature. So here's the question -- Is the rhetoric getting hotter as the days get closer to the end of session? Does it help or hurt?

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