Polinaut: March 12, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 3-12-08

Posted at 9:11 AM on March 12, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Attorney General Lori Swanson suspends an attorney who spoke out about the office. Swanson did not comment but another person in her office says it wasn't for union busting. MPR, AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

Minnesota Lawyer calls the AG's rationale as "weak."

The Pi Press says a new report finds that state college cost twice the national average. U of M President Bob Bruninks will have to answer to that one during a committee hearing today.

Gov. Pawlenty proposes a new state park in Jay Cook State Park. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, WDIO and Forum Communications have stories.

The Star Tribune says the odds seem stacked against a south metro rail line.

Smaller counties are not sold on the metro area tax for transit.

Some complain that budget cuts could target the poor.

There's a push to ban salvia and a software system that scoops up tickets.

A House panel rejects a bill that would track obesity in kids.

Lawmakers continue to talk about changing sex offender laws - five years after the death of Dru Sjodin.

Lawmakers look to close a loophole on teacher/student relationship.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman gives his state of the city address today.

Congress

The Farm Bureau talks Ag issues in DC. Nearly the entire delegation is mentioned.

Congress agrees to a one month extension of the Farm Bill.

Reuters says Congress and the Bush Administration are $4 billion apart

The Bemidji Pioneer says the lack of a Farm Bill agreement is causing some concern.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz would support a ban on earmarks if the funding was directed at balancing the budget.

A new ethics office has been approved after a controversial vote. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad supported the measure.

Lawmakers are concerned about proposed cuts to health programs. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is now one of two Muslims in Congress.

The leader of an Arab American group is calling for Congress to censure an Iowa Congressman for saying "terrorists will be dancing in the streets" if Barack Obama is elected. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned in the Des Moines Register.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar has successful hip replacement surgery.

Southwest Airlines puts three people on leave after an FAA review. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

Congress is calling for an investigation into cross border spending.

2008 U.S. Senate race

Franken says he is now free to target Norm Coleman. MPR, AP and the Washington Times have stories.

MinnPost says insiders say the race could get negative with Ciresi out of the race. The insiders said the race would be negative whether Ciresi was in the race or not.

2008 Race for Congress

Democrat Ashwin Madia is claiming the lead in the race for the 3rd District endorsement.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Mitt Romney says he'd be honored to take the VP slot.

Fred Barnes details the candidates.

Finally

It's come to this. CJ critiques Pawlenty's hair.

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NWA is lobbyin' up

Posted at 2:05 PM on March 12, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Northwest Airlines may be preparing for any backlash from a potential merger with Delta Airlines.

The Campaign Finance Board says Northwest hired some high powered lobbyists as well as some well known, former DFL lawmakers and people who served in the Pawlenty Administration.

Many of the lobbyists were hired in the month of February. The same time Governor Pawlenty and lawmakers were thinking about taking action to protect the state's interest and threatening hearings.

Here's the list of lobbyists:

Jeffrey N Davidman hired 12/3/2004 Served in Pawlenty Administration

Jenny R Glumack hired 2/12/2008 Served in Pawlenty Administration

Ronald A Jerich hired 1/16/1996 DFL lobbyist

Valerie Jerich hired 1/16/1996 DFL lobbyist

David H Johnson hired 2/8/2008 Former DFL State Senator

Douglas J Johnson hired 2/22/2008 Former Senate Tax Chair

Andrew Kozak hired 2/25/2008 DFL lobbyist - tight with DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller

William P Luther hired 2/22/2008 Former DFL Congressman

Roger D Moe hired 2/25/2008 Former DFL Senate Majority Leader

Andrea Fischer Newman hired 2/12/2008 worked with NWA since 2001. Served in White House under Vice President George Bush

Nice Suit

Posted at 2:22 PM on March 12, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The chair of the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Policy and Finance Division was critical of Gov. Pawlenty's budget request. DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina, who never misses a chance to take a shot at Gov. Pawlenty, told the committee that the governor's budget proposal is unacceptable because it would hike tuition costs. Rukavina also complained the rich people weren't paying enough taxes while college students were expected to sacrifice.

Rukavina then welcomed the well dressed University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks to the committee with this comment:

"Nice Suit."