Polinaut: May 5, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-5-08

Posted at 8:31 AM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Gov. Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders are expected to meet again to discuss the budget. They met privately for several hours on both Saturday and Sunday and didn't reach a deal. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and Forum Communications have stories.

No late talks tonight since Gov. Pawlenty will reportedly be in Michigan. UPDATE -- I found the confirmation on the Michigan Republican Party blog. Update: Trisha Hamm, with the governor's campaign, just sent a note saying the governor has canceled his trip to Michigan so he can continue to work on budget negotiations.

He's headed to Kansas tomorrow.

Outdoors issues may hinge on a budget deal.

The House takes up the Tax Bill today. It includes a property tax plan that is different from the Senate and Gov. Pawlenty. The Pi Press wonders how they agree when they're proposing dramatically different plans.

Revenue Commissioner Ward Einess writes an op-ed ripping the House DFL tax plan.

Delta's President will appear before two legislative committees today to discuss the Delta/NWA deal. The Pi Press says state angst is growing over the deal.

The Star Tribune says taxpayers paid for game wardens to meet.

The Star Tribune writes about the possibility of raising the drop-out age to 18.

MPR says sex education is all over the map in Minnesota.

The I-35W bridge may open three months early.

Stiffer teen driving rules in Wisconsin reduced teen driving deaths.

Forum Communications says Nursing homes face a crisis.

Minnesota's Supreme Court will hear the UnitedHealth case.

Pawlenty catches one in the throat.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is fighting for his future.

Congress

Congress is still struggling to finish the Farm Bill.

The Wall Street Journal says negotiations are stuck on sugar support. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

The meapacker ban is rejected.

Congress will address toy safety. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and GOP Sen. Norm Coleman are mentioned.

Klobuchar was also looking for hope in the latest job numbers.

Klobuchar also attended a fish fry in South Carolina.

Coleman is backing the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act and some don't like the idea.

Disabled veterans are getting some relief. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

Walz also spoke about the economy.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison holds a hearing on the issues facing the Horn of Africa.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar rips a gas tax holiday proposal.

2008 Race for President

MPR interviews some African American church goers about the Rev. Wright flap.

2008 Race for Senate

A new KSTP/Survey USA poll says voters aren't happy with Democrat Al Franken's tax troubles. More than half say he should drop out of the race. Here's the poll on Franken's tax troubles. Here's the poll showing Coleman with a double digit lead over Franken.

The Star Tribune says the DFL wants a winner but wonders who it will be. The delegates quoted in the story don't seem to worried about Franken's tax troubles.

MinnPost says Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is still working to win delegates.

AP profiles conservative blogger Michael Brodkorb.

2008 Race for Congress

Steve Sarvi wins the DFL endorsement in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. He'll square off against GOP Rep. John Kline. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune, the Rochester Post-Bulletin and AP have stories.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar officially announces that he's seeking an 18th term.

2008 Race for Legislature

Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer won the GOP endorsement over GOP Rep. Mark Olson. The St. Cloud Times reports that the GOP blocks audio and recording devices at another convention.

2008 RNC

AP says Bloomington expects some protesters in that city.

Busy as a bee

Posted at 9:14 AM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Update: Trisha Hamm, with the governor's campaign, just sent a note saying Gov. Pawlenty was canceling his trip to Michigan so he can continue to work on budget negotiations.

It's going to be a busy couple of weeks for Gov. Pawlenty.

He spent the weekend in private budget meetings with legislative leaders.

He's headed to Michigan tonight for a fundraiser for Michigan House Republicans. Here are the details:

Today, the HRCC will be holding its annual dinner on May 5th. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will deliver the keynote. This will be a great event. Details including location, time and cost below. Diamond Center Rock Financial Showplace 46100 Grand River Avenue Novi, MI 48374

To RSVP please call 517-371-1830 or mihrcc@gmail.com

5:00 - 6:00 PM ~ VIP Reception
$5,000/Couple

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ~ Strolling Dinner
$1,000/Person
$5,000/Silver Sponsor*
$10,000/Gold Sponsor**
$20,000/Platinum Sponsor***

Pawlenty will be in Kansas tomorrow for an energy event on behalf of the National Governor's Association.

He has the fishing opener at Breezy Point on Saturday and will speak before the Wisconsin Republican Party on May 16th.

Delta: No Minnesota HQ

Posted at 12:20 PM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Delta's president told state lawmakers today that Delta will not move the headquarters of the newly merged Delta/NWA to Minnesota.

Jesse's back!

Posted at 12:24 PM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck

At least for a book signing at the Mall of America, the Star Tribune reports. Here's the info on the Mall of America website. The former governor was also on the Colbert Report a few weeks ago. The money quote was "Everybody thinks Che Guevara is dead. I know better."

Pawlenty: The cap is the key

Posted at 1:20 PM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty said today that capping property taxes is the key to passing a budget. In his latest budget offer, Pawlenty also reduced the amount of money he wants to take from the Health Care Access Fund from $125 million to $50 million. The governor made the budget comments after he signed the bovine TB eradication bill into law.

Bill Clinton to raise money in St. Paul for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign

Posted at 8:52 PM on May 5, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The fundraiser will be held on May 22nd at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Bill Clinton has been actively campaigning for his wife's presidential campaign. New York Senator Hillary Clinton is engaged in a fierce battle with Illinois Senator Barack Obama to win the Democratic nomination. Obama won Minnesota's precinct caucuses in February and has a substantial lead in endorsements from the state's superdelegates, who aren't bound by the caucus votes. Obama has the endorsement of ten superdelegates. Clinton is being backed by three. DFL Congressman Collin Peterson has yet to say who he'll endorse. Two unpledged add-on delegates will also be chosen at the State Party Convention in June.