Polinaut: July 23, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 7-23-07

Posted at 10:21 AM on July 23, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty officially becomes the chair of the National Governor's Association today. He tells the Pioneer Press that he will focus on clean energy during his year long term.

AP and the Star Tribune focus on Pawlenty's rise.

The NGA also wants the federal government to focus on more money for children's health care. There is also talk about immigration.

The Pi Press has a great story on the difficulty that some National Guard troops may have transitioning from the battlefield to the home. MPR says those troops will also be studied for trauma.

DNR officials tour Lake Vermilion.

DFLer Patty Wetterling was hired as the state sexual violence coordinator.

Congress

Lawmakers table bills that protect people who shield people reporting suspicious activity.

A spat in the Senate over a Bush pardon and the Fairness Doctrine. GOP Senator Norm Coleman is mentioned.

A CQ columnist looks at the politics of Iraq and GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.

The Star Tribune profiles GOP Rep. Michele Bachman.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz holds a summit in Austin.

GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned in this story on mental health parity legislation.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned in this story on the group Christians United for Israel.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned in this story on what voters will accept in terms of a candidate's religion and in a Newsweek cover story on Islam in the U.S.

Reuters says a bill would give $450 million in food aid to the world. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

There is also a deal on meat origins.

But President Bush may veto the entire Farm Bill.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar, McCollum and Ellison tell President Bush to get out of Iraq or lose funding.

2008

The Star Tribune says national dems are worried about DFL U.S. Senate candidates.

The Star Tribune also details who is NOT running for the seat.

Meanwhile, DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken criticizes Coleman over his Iraq war votes.

House District 28B is getting plenty of statewide attention.

2008 RNC Convention

MPR says local consultants are selling the convention.

The Pi Press sits down with the event organizer.

Finally

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis is headed to Germany.

Pawlenty officially becomes chair of the NGA

Posted at 12:39 PM on July 23, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty has now stepped into his role as chair of the National Governors Association. He's the first Minnesotan to lead the organization since Harold Stassen. AP has a story. Here's an interview that MPR's Tom Crann did with Pawlenty earlier this morning. Pawlenty, a Republican, will be chair for one year. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat, will become chair next year.