Polinaut: August 6, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 8-6-07

Posted at 8:53 AM on August 6, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The I-35W bridge collapse leads the digest again today. More than 1,000 people attend a Sunday memorial service. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.

Legislature

The Minneapolis delegation along with the members of the House and Senate transportation committees will survey the wreckage today.

It looks like Gov. Pawlenty will call a special session to deal with the bridge collapse. Pawlenty is also willing to accept a gas tax increase.

Transportation officials say the rapid push to replace the bridge could delay other road projects.

AP says the bridge collapse tests Pawlenty.

Pawlenty also asks for disaster aid because of the drought.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman wants to create a commission to study the nation's infrastructure.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says funding the nation's infrastructure is a matter of priorities.

A lot of the state's congressional delegation tours the site with President Bush. The Pi Press and MPR have stories.

The House and Senate vote for bridge funding. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar, along with Coleman and Klobuchar, led the effort.

The Rochester Post Bulletin says DFL Rep. Tim Walz is using his campaign funds to pay for babysitting.

Here's a rundown of FarmFest.

2008

DFL Senate candidates Al Franken and Mike Ciresi suspend their campaign activity in light of the collapse.

House District 28B Special Election.

The Winona Daily News and the Rochester Post Bulletin have profiles of DFLer Linda Pfeilsticker

The Winona Daily News and the Rochester Post Bulletin also profile GOP candidate Steve Drazkowski.

The Red Wing Republican Eagle rounds it out.

2008 RNC

The pinstripe brigade will help RNC protesters.

RNC members say they like their chances in 2008. It would be news if they didn't like their chances.

The Pi Press profiles Jeff Larson.