Polinaut: June 15, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-15-07

Posted at 11:13 AM on June 15, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty signed a bill he signed earlier on greenhouse gas emissions.

A panel has also been created to reduce global warming.

Pawlenty also celebrates the opening of an ethanol plant.

The ethanol industry says higher food prices aren't their fault.

The St. Cloud Times says lobbying efforts for special education pay off.

Pawlenty honors some boy scouts.

The President of the Minnesota Senate pleads guilty to DWI. KARE 11, AP, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman says there may be a way to break the immigration logjam.

The Hill says Coleman's amendment allowing state and local law enforcement to ask about a person's immigration status is in play.

Congress is targeting some Pacific islands as offshore tax havens. GOP Sen Norm Coleman is mentioned.

Coleman also signed on to a bill that ensures that the federal government will not open sealed mail.

Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar support a tougher renewable energy standard.

Klobuchar also talks to the Orthodox Union.

The Mankato Free Press says DFL Rep. Tim Walz is working to create more wind energy.

The St. Cloud Times details some of the delegation's personal finances.

Drug court officials lobby for federal funding. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.

Ramstad also blogs about it here.

The Bush Administration warns that a bill that would allow journalists to shield their confidential sources could benefit terrorists. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is one of several to raise doubts during a committee hearing.

2008

Al Franken tells Talking Points Memo that he thinks the Democrats should make the President cut off funding to the troops.

The Hill says several groups will target Coleman during this "Iraq summer."

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is in Minnesota today. Arizona Senator John McCain is in St. Paul next week.

The DFL picks Rochester for the State Party Convention.

Finally

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Richardson raises $, meets with members of the Latino and Indian Community

Posted at 4:21 PM on June 15, 2007 by Tom Scheck

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was in the Twin Cities today to raise money and meet with Latino and Indian community leaders. He raised about $75,000 at two fundraisers. The first was sponsored by former Minneapolis Deputy Mayor Chuck Neerland at the Minneapolis Club. He also said he met with former Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser and about ten Latino leaders (including Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL - St. Paul, and Rep. Willie Dominguez, DFL-Minneapolis). The other fundraiser was with the Shakopee Mdwanketon Sioux. He said his experience as governor, U-N ambassador and U.S. energy secretary give him the best credentials to be president.

"I do believe the next president should be somebody that's chosen on the basis that's chosen on qualifications and what they're going to do for America rather than who has the most money or who's the biggest rock star. That's the reason I'm campaigning hard around the country."

Richardson says he has to do well in the early caucuses and primaries in order to continue his campaign. You can listen to Richardon's q and a with reporters here.

The funniest part of the interview was when Richardson couldn't remember last year's DFL candidate for governor (Mike Hatch) who he called "Nixon." The second funniest was when he told a camerman in a hawaiian shirt and shorts that he appreciated him dressing up for the event (which I think was after the interview). You can read an AP story here and a Star Tribune story here.

He says he hopes to campaign in Minnesota again this summer.