Polinaut: January 8, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-8-08

Posted at 10:23 AM on January 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The office of the Legislative Auditor says Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie did nothing illegal but criticized Ritchie on how he responded to the inquiry. The report was issued just minutes ago. Read it yourself here.

Ritchie released this statement:

"I am pleased with the Legislative Auditor's final report that concludes that my office acted properly in fulfilling our mission and statutory responsibility to promote citizen participation in government.

I thank the Legislative Auditor and his staff for the thoroughness of their review and diligence in bringing this matter to a prompt and rightful close."

Gov. Pawlenty renews his call to crack down on illegal immigration. DFL lawmakers say the focus should be on other things and say Pawlenty's legislative proposals have no chance of passing. MPR, the Pi Press, KARE11 and AP have stories.

The Star Tribune wonders whether Pawlenty's plan is presidential politics.

The Star Tribune says 3M is projecting that it will take years to cleanup of a landfill.

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership is hoping for a big session.

Minnesota Monitor says the dispute over auto emissions is coming to Minnesota.

The State forest draft plan will get a public review.

The Vikings stadium road show continues.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman praises the security efforts in Iraq but says the government needs to move quicker. The Star Tribune, MPR, AP, the Mankato Free Press and the Pi Press have stories.

2008

MNGOP Chair Ron Carey signs up to back Mike Huckabee. It's allowed under party bylaws but some ain't too happy. The Star Tribune, MPR and the Pi Press have stories.

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken outraised GOP Sen. Norm Coleman in the last quarter but Coleman has more cash on hand. The Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and UPI have stories.

Edina Mayor Jim Hovland officially enters the 3rd District race. AP, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and MPR have stories.

Bowling alone

Posted at 10:57 AM on January 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Last year, Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders went bowling with the hopes of breaking the partisan divide. No word on whether the bipartisan group will hit the lanes this year. But the House GOP is hoping to raise the money necessary to knock down a few DFL incumbents by knocking down some pins.

The House GOP is having a bowling fundraiser called: "Join the Seifert's Strikers!" Contributors will be able to have lunch with Governor Pawlenty and then bowl with the House GOP. Lane sponsors cost $1000. That allows one person to have lunch with the governor and four bowlers. The tournament sponsor is The Minnesota Business Partnership.

Better brush up on your bowling lingo and learn proper bowling etiquette!