Capitol View: November 12, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 11-12-2007

Posted at 10:22 AM on November 12, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Federal, state and local offices are closed today in honor of the Veterans Day. We'll lead the digest today with the nation's veterans.

The Pi Press has a compilation of remembrances from the family members of the fallen soldiers in Iraq.

MPR has a story on an employer that eases vets back into civilian life.

Forum Communications has a story on a report saying the state isn't doing enough to provide mental health benefits for veterans.

The Star Tribune and Pi Press have stories on a St. Paul event that honored the Hmong veterans of the Iraq war. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.

Governor Pawlenty and others will release a package of proposed benefits for veterans this afternoon. It will be considered in the 2008 legislative session.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman attends some Veterans Day events in southwest Minnesota.

The Winona Daily News says a World War 2 vet wins a 14 year battle with the VA. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

Walz and Pawlenty praise veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony in Rochester.

GOP Rep John Kline writes a column on honoring the nation's veterans.

MNBlue writes about an Al Franken rally. Former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey spoke at the event.

I-35W Bridge

Construction work on the bridge will ramp up this week.

MnDOT has fallen short of hiring women and minority contractors. MPR has the story.

MnDOT fires an emergency manager who didn't return to Minnesota after the bridge collapse. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and AP have stories. .

The Star Tribune follows up on records search that AP did weeks ago on the communications between URS and the agency.

Lawmakers consider a compensation fund for bridge victims. The Star Tribune and WCCO have stories.

The bridge rebuild will force a plumbing company to move.

State government

There have been several rumors that Gov. Pawlenty will call a special session to deal with transportation funding. I'm told a bipartisan group of mayors are also lobbying the governor to call a special session to deal with Local Government Aid. Pawlenty gives Don Davis, with Forum Communications, a firm no to the possibility.

Governor Pawlenty hits the road this week to talk about climate change. He'll be in Washington D.C. to speak before a conference hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy. He'll also be in Milwaukee for the The Midwestern Governors Association Energy Summit later in the week.

The Star Tribune writes about a health department infant screening program that has some worrying about an invasion of privacy.

Anti-smoking groups are now going to target condos and apartments.

The city of Falcon Heights puts out a call for volunteer fire fighters. The shortage is a problem for cities across the states.

A Minnesota House committee will hold a hearing on flood damage in southeastern Minnesota.

Congress

The Senate passes a health bill that could receive a veto. That could put some Bemidji projects in jeopardy. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar are mentioned.

KSTP interviews Klobuchar on her toy safety legislation.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is co-authoring a bill that would add two to five cents to the price of a stamp to pay for veterans care.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison wants everyone to vote. A House committee debated the measure on Friday. The Star Tribune and AP have stories.

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey will meet with a crop of "young turks" to talk about "tactics to rebuild the conservative brand," One of those he'll meet with is GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

The Ag Secretary says a Farm Bill could pass this year. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will present a six year vision of Amtrak next year.

2010

Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson says he's thinking about running for Governor in 2010 (scroll down on Forum Communications story). Peterson is a former DFL lawmaker. Does he want to be king or kingmaker?