The Daily Digest: 10-4-07

Posted at 9:02 AM on October 4, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There will be two hearings today on transportation. The first will focus on the Wakota Bridge. The committee will have plenty to talk about now that the Star Tribune reports that a board faults Carol Molnau for her actions related to the Wakota Bridge.

This will give Molnau critics more ammo. DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher is the latest person to call for Carol Molnau to resign as Transportation Commissioner. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

Kelliher will also attend a hearing on whether they should authorize $195 million in state money for the I-35W bridge (that's the 2nd hearing for those keeping score).

Meanwhile, another committee wants to hire a special counsel to investigate MnDOT. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

The Star Tribune wonders whether savvy bridge firms were duped our outsmarted. We're still waiting on the Admin. Department's ruling on the protest letter.

Kessler asks "Where's the bridge money?"

State Government

The Legislature is pushing an agency to do more to protect wetlands.

MPR has a story questioning whether No Child Left Behind is unfair to special ed students.

Pawlenty announces that they finalized a deal on a forest. This proposal to do it was announced last year. As one colleague put it, Governor Pawlenty must be green since he even recycles the news (ba da bing!)

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen (who is also running for Congress) talks about the upcoming trade mission to India.

Congress

A Star Tribune poll says 65% of those polled are gloomy about the nation. A record low 30% of those polled think President Bush is doing a good job.

Speaking of President Bush, he vetoed SCHIP, the children's health insurance program. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Amy Klobuchar are both disappointed with the veto.

Minnesota lawmakers are hoping for a review for education benefits for many Minnesota veterans that they thought they were entitled. Coleman, Klobuchar and GOP Rep. John Kline are mentioned.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is pushing for a ban on lead in children's toys.

The U.S. House passes a historic Ramadan resolution. Ellison is mentioned.

Ellison is also invited to the White House for an iftar. This report says Ellison will attend.

AP says southern farmers have dodged cuts in the new Farm Bill. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

There is also concern about pest inspections. Peterson is mentioned.

2008

Gov. Pawlenty is headed to Vermont on Monday. Why Vermont? It's next to New Hampshire.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz has $700k in the bank.

MDE says Joyce Peppin will not run to replace GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad.

MNBlue and MnCampaign Report
say Bob Hill will drop his bid for Congress (6th) and will run for a state house seat.

Democrat Steve Sarvi will run against GOP Rep. John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama's campaign for president is gearing up in Minnesota. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

New Mexico Senator Peter Domenici quits which CQ says is another blow to GOP hopes. Coleman is mentioned.

2008 RNC

There's a new logo for the 2008 RNC.

• E-mail this page
• Print this page
• Save to Delicious
• Submit to Digg
• Share this

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories

Become a Sponsor