Polinaut: March 3, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 3-3-08

Posted at 7:43 AM on March 3, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The House is expected to release its bonding bill proposal this morning. Both the House and Senate hope to hold floor votes on the different bonding bill proposals by the end of the week.

Pawlenty show no sign of frustration from a bad week during a Friday stop in Olivia.

It could be a couple of years before Minnesotans notice a difference from the money coming from the transportation bill.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says the transpo bill will yield federal money and blasts Pawlenty for not signing the bill.

It will also give more money to counties.

The acting Transpo Commissioner is unsure of a longer appointment.

Pawlenty names a new commission to overhaul tax code.

A House panel disregards MDH's recommendation on a psych hospital.

Forum Communications says Rep. Urdahl is unhappy with the leadership changes.

The Duluth News Tribune says the Lake Vermilion state park plan is clinging to life.

U.S. Steel has set a March 15th deadline to get a deal done.

Proposed biosciences buildings funding for the U of M hits a snag.

Forum Communications says the birthday bash may lack cash.

Regional businesses are calling for more foreign workers.

Employers are also worried about a requirement to check backgrounds of workers.

The Pi Press says some lawmakers want a voice in curbing greenhouse gases.

Smoking ban supporters don't want the show to go on. Some bars have found a loophole in the law that allows actors to smoke. Every customer is apparently an actor.

Here's what the Minnesota Department of Health has done about the change:

But the performances also have caught the attention of authorities charged with enforcing the ban. Doug Schultz, a state Department of Health spokesman, said the agency is monitoring the situation but has yet to receive a formal opinion from Attorney General Lori Swanson on whether the performances are legal. There have been no formal complaints, he added.

The Pi Press also says most adults at schools may also get added scrutiny.

AP says a proposed coal fired power plant in South Dakota faces Minnesota scrutiny.

Sen. Olson introduces a dock measure in the Senate.

A lawmaker is pushing for pesticide notification.

MinnPost says stem cells may be the next big battle in the Legislature.

Gov. Pawlenty will be in Rochester on Thursday.

Congress

The House sets a Wednesday vote on the Mental Health Parity Bill. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman questions plans to reduce the number of auditors and investigators at its development agency in Baghdad.

A National Park gun ban may be eased. Coleman complained about the ban.

The Star Tribune wonders whether the No Child Left Behind Law will be renewed in current form. GOP Rep. John Kline and DFL Rep. Betty McCollum are mentioned.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is mentioned in this story on the Cottonwood crash and immigration.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says he's optimistic the Farm Bill is signed into law in April.

WCCO says Oberstar still opposes a possible NWA merger.

Oberstar is also mentioned in this AP story on the Delta Queen.

The Star Tribune says big spenders are going after issues not candidates.

2008 U.S. Senate Race

MPR says Norm Coleman's campaign is ramping up for the competitive contest.

Minnesota's 7th District held DFL and GOP conventions.

2008 Race for President

It appears that Gov. Pawlenty went to Sedona over the weekend to visit with John McCain.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Reuters says McCain has a tough choice.

The Salt Lake Tribune wonders whether the Utah Governor's dogged devotion could lead to a VP slot. Pawlenty is mentioned.

The New York Times brings up Pawlenty in this story.

2008 Race for Congress

Democrat John Powers drops his bid for Congress in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

The Uptake has a roundup of last week's DFL debate in the 3rd Congressional District.

2010

The Political Animal writes on whether DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher is thinking about running for Governor.

Finally

Would the GOP nominee's convention speech conflict with the NFL opener?

Mourning the mourning dove

Posted at 8:43 AM on March 3, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Committees in both the House and Senate will consider legislation today that would ban the hunting of mourning doves. In 2004, Gov. Pawlenty and state lawmakers allowed the hunting of the birds after the practice was banned for nearly sixty years. This is always a lively and emotional issue that doesn't cut along party lines. Check the MPR coverage in 2004 here and here. The Pi Press has a blog entry here.

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Brian Sullivan jumps on Straight Talk Express

Posted at 5:47 PM on March 3, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Brian Sullivan, who was the co-chair to Minnesotans for Mitt Romney, is now backing John McCain for president. Why does this matter, you ask? Well, Sullivan had this to say about McCain on Super Tuesday:

"He has, in my opinion, gone out of his way to poke a stick in the eye of Republicans with his stance on a number of issues. One of the challenges when you ask for their support is that you may not get it."

Well, apparently he got Sullivan's support. Here's the release from the McCain Campaign:

ADDITIONAL RNC MEMBERS ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that 19 additional Republican National Committee Members have endorsed John McCain for president.

"The Republican Party continues to rally around John McCain," said RNC Vice Chairman Chuck Yob. "John McCain will unite our party, and his broad electoral appeal will lift all Republicans running for office against stiff Democratic competition this November. He has shown that he has the experience and tested judgment to lead our nation and our Party from his first day in office."

John McCain thanked the RNC members, saying, "I am grateful for these RNC delegates' support. Their service to our party has been admirable and I am proud to have them on my team."

Members of the Republican National Committee are automatically seated as delegates at the Republican National Convention.

ADDITIONAL RNC MEMBERS FOR MCCAIN

Saul Anuzis, Michigan
Henry Barbour, Mississippi
Morton Blackwell, Virginia
James Bopp Jr, Indiana
Giovanni Cicione, Rhode Island
Sharon Day, Florida
Mark Ellis, Maine
Jim Greer, Florida
Virginia Haines, New Jersey
Ray Hoffman, Iowa
Douglas McKinney, West Virginia
Cindy Phillips, Mississippi
Steve Roberts, Iowa
Steve Robertson, Kentucky
Katherine Russell, Kentucky
Bob Schaffer, Colorado
Paul Senft, Florida
Robin Smith, Tennessee
Brian Sullivan, Minnesota

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