Posted at 10:43 AM on December 19, 2007
by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest
The Legislature has hired the firm of Gray Plant Mooty to help with a joint legislative committee looking into the collapse. The cost if $500 thousand. The news was released this morning during a Senate Rules Committee. The Pi Press had a story in this morning's paper.
This is now the fourth investigation into the 35W bridge collapse. The National Transportation Safety Board is working with a private firm hired by MnDOT. The Legislative Auditor is also looking into the collapse. Here's a question for digest readers - What happens if each outfit comes to a different conclusion?
The state's unemployment rate falls below the national average. MPR and the Pi Press have stories.
The Pi Press says there are icy forecasts for the economy.
AP interviews Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan.
A panel by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approves new water rules.
Congress
The victim of a pool drain accident receives an organ transplant. The procedure comes at a when Congress passes pool safety legislation in her honor. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.
The Omnibus spending bill would provide funding for Bemidji, Duluth and Camp Ripley.
The House is planning a vote to stave off the Alternative Minimum Tax. The Mankato Free Press says the vote has DFL Rep. Tim Walz uneasy because it adds to the deficit.
The Energy bill is headed to President Bush. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.
2008
Former GOP Rep. Ray Cox wins the GOP primary in Senate District 25. The special election is scheduled for January 3rd.
Former GOP Rep. Greg Davids will seek his old seat.
Finally
Russia's Vladimir Putin is named Time's Person of the Year.
Posted at 3:36 PM on December 19, 2007
by Tom Scheck
AP released the most memorable quotes of 2007. Here you go:
The 10 most memorable quotes of 2007, according to Fred R. Shapiro, editor of the Yale Book of Quotations:
_1. ``Don't tase me, bro.'' _ Andrew Meyer, a senior at the University of Florida, while being hauled away by campus police during a speech by Sen. John Kerry.
_2. ``I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.'' _ Lauren Upton, South Carolina contestant in the Miss Teen America contest, when asked why one-fifth of Americans cannot find the U.S on a map.
_3. ``In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country.'' _ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at Columbia University in New York.
_4. ``That's some nappy-headed hos there.'' _ radio personality Don Imus, referring to the Rutgers University women's basketball team.
_5. ``I don't recall.'' _ former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to congressional questions about the firing of U.S. attorneys.
_6. ``There's only three things he (Rudolph Giuliani) mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11.'' _ Sen. Joseph Biden, speaking during a debate for Democratic presidential candidates.
_7. ``I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody who has a 9 percent approval rating.'' _ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, referring to Vice President Dick Cheney.
_8. ``(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom.'' _ Sen.
Larry Craig, explaining why his foot touched the foot of an undercover police officer in an airport men's room.
_9. ``I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man.'' _ Sen. Joseph Biden referring to rival Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.
_10. ``I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.'' _ Former President Jimmy Carter, referring to the Bush administration.
Stay tuned to Polinaut for the Top 10 Minnesota based political quotes in 2007.
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