Polinaut: March 26, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest 3-26-08

Posted at 8:47 AM on March 26, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy
Filed under: Daily Digest

I'm filling in for Gary Eichten on Midday today, so this may be one of the quickest Daily Digests on record. (By the way, my guest is acting transportation commissioner Bob McFarlin, so listen in if you can)

As I mentioned yesterday, Sen. Norm Coleman officially kicks off his re-election effort today. Democrat Al Franken launched a preemptive strike yesterday with a "major speech" at a Capitol rally. Bottom line: Franken says Coleman is doing a poor job. The Star Tribune, the Pioneer Press and MPR have items and the AP takes a look at Coleman.

Legislature

At the Capitol, the Senate tax committee is expected to release a tax bill today. House Democrats offered a peek at their budget fix.

The Star Tribune reports the big health care bill is in trouble.

And the sales tax is going up...at least in some counties. MPR's Midmorning is doing an hour on it.

Congress

Things in Iraq are going from bad to worse.

Michele Bachmann is ready to take a stand. On light bulbs.

Another national post for Pawlenty

Posted at 1:46 PM on March 26, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office said today that the governor will become chairman of the Education Commission of the States summer. What's the Education Commission of the States, you ask?

Let's go to the press release:

ECS is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders. As the only nonprofit, nonpartisan, nationwide organization involving key leaders from all levels of the education system, ECS creates unique opportunities to build partnerships, share information and promote the development of policy based on available research and strategies.

Got it?

The current chair is Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has also been mentioned as a possible running mate, but for Barack Obama, not John McCain.