Capitol View: May 15, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-15-07

Posted at 10:06 AM on May 15, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

It's quiet at the Capitol. Too quiet. There are six days remaining in the legislative session. After going on a PR blitz for the past two weeks, Governor Pawlenty has gone underground. No public events yesterday. One public event this evening. Perhaps he's thinking about those fish he caught last weekend or the fish he hopes to catch next year. Or maybe, just maybe, he is letting DFL lawmakers stew a bit. Hmmmm. He has to take action on the income tax hike/property tax break bill today.

The House and Senate passed a transportation bill that includes a nickel a gallon gas tax. There are enough votes to override in the Senate. The House is in doubt since a few who voted for it won't vote to override a veto. Two DFLers who voted against it say they're open to an override. What do you think DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina wants in exchange for an override vote? MPR, ECM Publishers, AP, KARE-11, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and the Star Tribune have stories.

Forum Communications says the budget pressure is building. DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher are scheduled to be on MPR's Midday this morning at 11.

GOP Rep. Steve Sviggum has an op-ed saying lawmakers don't need to raise taxes.

Congress
The Senate will vote on Iraq war funding this week. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is mentioned.

Coleman says he sees a Baghdad exit by 2008 (the same year he's up for re-election). Here's the speech Coleman delivered to the U of M.

Coleman in mentioned in this L.A. Times story on offshore tax havens. Coleman has introduced legislation to crack down on them.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces a bill that would create a greenhouse gas registry.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz talks with shoppers. No word if he recommened tomato sauces or recommended which fruits and vegetables were ripe.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum backs a bill changing redistricting so it can only be done once every ten years.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar was on MPR's Midmorning this morning.

The Star Tribune's Washington Bureau goes dark (temporarily) since their intern is leaving.

2008

MPR News has a poll on GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's approval ratings and head to head match ups with Al Franken and Mike Ciresi.

Al Franken travels to Wisconsin to speak at a Founder's Day gala. Stories here and here.

Comment on this post