Polinaut: October 5, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 10-5-07

Posted at 9:00 AM on October 5, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

MnDOT has financial problems. The news came as two committees focused on the I-35W bridge and Wakota Bridge projects. MPR, the AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

One committee also threatened subpoenas for documents regarding the Wakota. The Wakota has seen plenty of delays and may see more as the bridge gets more expensive.

MnDOT is putting together a list of unspecified projects that could get whacked if the $195 million is not authorized. The Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

The Pi Press and AP say lawyers representing bridge victims sue MnDOT.

State Government

Three new judges have been appointed to the MN Court of Appeals to reduce the backlog.

The Marshall Independent says GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert is praised for backing an infant hearing test plan.

The governor also urged an upgrade of America's perception of Africa. He made the comments at the Pan African Trade Summit.

Congress

A judge says Larry Craig is still guilty but Craig promises to serve out his term.

His stance poses a dilemma for GOP colleagues like GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.

Coleman immediately denounced Craig's decision.

Coleman will talk health care next Wednesday in Rochester.

Coleman and a whole bunch of Minnesota's Congressional delegation back a bill that would exempt foreign hotel and resort workers from a cap on visas.

The Army secretary promises a quick review of the education benefits for Minnesota National Guard soldiers. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is also working to fix the problem.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will talk about the transportation system on Monday.

2008

Al Franken raises more than Norm Coleman in the third quarter but Coleman has more cash on hand.

AP says Coleman took money from an Alaska based oil company that's under investigation. $6,000 to be exact.

The Hill says Democrats want to make Minnesota the Massachusetts of the Midwest.

The paper makes the comments after Iraq war vet Steve Sarvi decides to run against GOP Rep. John Kline.

It's official, Bob Hill is out of the race for the 6th.

MDE says Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek will not run for Congress.

Pawlenty is getting back on McCain's Straight Talk express.

Posted at 11:34 AM on October 5, 2007 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

We mentioned in Thursday's Daily Digest that Governor Pawlenty is headed to Vermont to speak before the Grafton County GOP. That's Grafton County, New Hampshire (which is right on the New Hampshire/Vermont border). Pawlenty is the co-chair of Arizona Senator John McCain campaign for president. It appears that he'll be working on McCain's behalf in the coming months. Pawlenty also sat down with CBS News to talk about McCain's chances, the Pawlenty for VP talk and the nation's infrastructure.

I wonder if Gov. Pawlenty supports McCain's position to have former fed chairman Alan Greenspan to lead an overhaul of the nation's tax code even if Greenspan was dead.

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Groups target Bachmann over SCHIP

Posted at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

I just got a release from Americans United for Change saying several unions, MoveOn.org and others will run ads targeting GOP House members on SCHIP. One of those members is GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, who represents Minnesota's 6th District. Here's the ad.

Bachmann voted against the children's health insurance proposal that passed the House on September 25th. Bachmann told the St. Cloud Times that she supports SCHIP but not this bill.

“I strongly support SCHIP and legislation that is truly focused on helping needy children,” Bachmann said in a statement. “This bill will not be signed into law because, sadly, it plays politics with children’s health care,” she said.

Instead, Bachmann is co-sponsor of a bill to extend the program for 18 months at its current funding level of $25 billion.

Bachmann's vote is sure to be popular among conservatives who call SCHIP another step to "socialized medicine" but it could be a political liability among middle of the road voters. I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty about this vote over the next 13 months.

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