The Daily Digest: 8-23-07

Posted at 9:53 AM on August 23, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty says a special session is likely to deal with the I-35W bridge collapse and flooding in southeastern Minnesota. But he hasn't called it yet. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

Meanwhile, lawmakers squabble over a comprehensive transportation package and transit options during a hearing on the I-35W bridge rebuild. The Star Tribune and KARE-11 have stories.

Two Republicans who voted to uphold Gov. Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill now say they want a special session to address transportation.

WCCO does a reality check on how the disasters are stretching us to the limit.

GOP Sen. Michael Jungbauer completed his 12th talk on global warming. He is skeptical of the science.

Attorney General Lori Swanson sues a sham charity.

I-35W Bridge collapse

The NTSB is focusing on the de-icing system on the I-35W bridge in its investigation. AP, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

Pigeon droppings could have played a role in the bridge collapse.

A Red River bridge is closed after inspectors find a crack.

Southeastern Floods

Governor Pawlenty asks for federal assistance. FEMA begins its flood assessment in southeastern Minnesota. The Winona Daily News, the Pi Press and the Rochester Post Bulletin have stories.

Congress

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar tours the flooded areas.

2008

The latest Survey USA poll shows GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's approval rating slightly increasing but is still below 50%. Remember that it's a long time between now and election day. A poll is a snapshot in time not an indicator of an election.

An ad campaign is meant to keep pressure on lawmakers to continue support for the war. Coleman is mentioned.

An anti-war group also starts running an ad that criticizes GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann for her stance on the war. Get ready to see the Bachmann "kiss" for the next year and a half.

The Washington Post says all of these ads are in advance of the surge report.

Some are saying candidates should get active on Facebook. Klobuchar is mentioned.

2008 Presidential Politics

The Minnesota House GOP held a straw poll on Wednesday night. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said hundreds participated. Here are the results:

Fred Thompson (write-in), Former Tennessee Senator: 21% Mitt Romney, Former Massachusetts Governor: 20% Ron Paul, Texas Congressman: 16% Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York: 13% John McCain, U.S. Senator of Arizona: 11% Mike Huckabee, Former Arkansas Governor: 8% John Cox, Illinois businessman: 4% Duncan Hunter, California Congressman: 2% Tom Tancredo, Colorado Congressman: 2% Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator from Kansas: 2% Newt Gingrich (write-in), Former Speaker of the House from Georgia: 2%

State Fair

The State Fair starts today.
The DFL Party says Al Franken will speak at the DFL booth at noon on Saturday. Jim Cohen will speak at 3 pm on Saturday. Mike Ciresi will speak at 3 pm on Sunday. You can find the other speakers at the DFL blog.

Please let me know if you know of other candidates who will be speaking at their booth, a party booth or at the beer garden (that would be news!). I'll try to post them.

By the way, Franken, Ciresi and Cohen will participate in a debate on TPT's Almanac on Friday. Watch live or set your tivos.

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Comments (1)

The possibility of the pigeon poop causing accelerated structural deterioration of the bridge is very, very real.

There are many protective measures that could have been utilized over many years to prevent the pigeons from congregating freely but not by trying to kill every pigeon in the state.

Bird Netting, Bird Spikes and electronic dispersal systems are commonly applied to many different structures, including bridges, that prevent nesting and roosting behaviors. There are even effective products for Canada Goose control which cause other kinds of public health issues.

Joe Seid
Bird-X Inc.
Chicago
800 662-5021

Posted by Joe Seid | August 24, 2007 10:19 AM

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