Polinaut: May 21, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 5-21-08

Posted at 8:18 AM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There's a big meeting today regarding the Central Corridor Light Rail Line. The Pi Press says the U of M is sticking by its alternate route plan despite a study that says the route would fail federal scoring.

State lawmakers get a report on the bridge collapse investigation today. The Legislature funded the investigation. It is separate from the NTSB investigation. MNN and the Star Tribune have stories.

Forum Communications says property tax increases will slow not stop.

The Star Tribune writes about the back door dealing that led the Chanhassen Dinner Theater singing the blues about being excluded from the Mall of America expansion.

Gov. Pawlenty vetoes a bill that governs newborn genetic testing. AP and the Pi Press have stories.

MinnPost says the political stakes are high for a stem cell bill that's sitting on Gov. Pawlenty's desk.

The Star Tribune says Gov. Pawlenty also has to consider a bill that includes a provision that deals with a burner in Minneapolis.

The governor is attending the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Spring Meeting in Arlington, VA today.

Apple Valley students are suspected of Capitol vandalism. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

Comprehensive sex ed fails at the Capitol.

The Senate GOP tours the state to warn about the economy. AP and Forum Communications have stories.

The Court of Appeals rules against Northshore Mining.

Half of those polled in the latest Star Tribune poll say they believe Delta's acquisition should be allowed to happen.

Congress

AP says Congress is negotiating a reduction in cell phone fees. Everyone would see the change in rules not just members of Congress.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar are working to restore funding for St. Paul's green stairway.

A project for the 148th Duluth Fighter Wing is also funded.

Some farmers complain about the earmarks in the Farm Bill. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

The bill also helps sugar growers.

Politico writes about the rockin' Collin Peterson.

A new study says Coast Guard inspectors are unqualified. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

2008 Race for President

Barack Obama says the nomination is within reach. Hillary Clinton won Kentucky. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar dismissed Clinton's argument that Obama would struggle with white working-class voters against McCain.

2008 Race for Senate

The Star Tribune says the senate candidates are trading barbs over campaign funding.

AP says Dean Barkley is also thinking about a Senate run.

2008 Race for Congress

The Rothenberg Political Report has its House ratings. Minnesota's 3rd is a toss-up, the 1st leans Democratic and the 6th is Republican favored.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Pawlenty is voted off the VP Madness Island. It's now down to Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin.

Survey USA takes a look at Pawlenty on the ticket in Pennsylvania.

The New York Sun suggests Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman for McCain.

2008 RNC

The Chair of the RNC is in Minneapolis this morning.

Finally

A showcase for the worst political ads.

Bill Clinton not coming to St. Paul

Posted at 2:54 PM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck

We reported earlier that former President Bill Clinton was holding a Thursday fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Buck Humphrey, the Minnesota Campaign Chair for Clinton, said the fundraiser has been canceled but will be rescheduled.

Bridge investigation online

Posted at 3:51 PM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck

An investigation looking into the I-35W bridge collapse says funding concerns may have influenced MnDOT's decisions on the bridge. The Legislature authorized and funded the Minneapolis firm of Gray Plant Mooty to conduct the investigation. The report isn't meant to examine the technical reasons as to why the bridge collapsed but focuses on MnDOT's internal management and decision making.

You can find the entire report here.

McCain to meet possible running mates

Posted at 4:54 PM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Associated Press and the New York Times report that John McCain will be meeting with possible running mates this weekend. The New York Times reports that Gov. Pawlenty will not be attending because he has to attend a wedding.

Here's the AP's broadcast wire story:

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Memorial Day guest list at Sen. John McCain's Arizona home runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as vice presidential running mates, but a top aide said Wednesday that vetting possible veeps is not on the agenda. "It's purely social," said Mark Salter, a senior adviser to McCain. He said Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and their wives were all invited to a Memorial Day gathering at the senator's home in Sedona, Ariz. Romney ran for the Republican presidential nomination in last winter's primaries, but dropped out months ago and has endorsed McCain. Salter said 10 couples in all were invited, adding that McCain often hosts friends and political acquaintances at his compound. McCain said more than a month ago that he was in the "embryonic stages" of selecting a running mate for the fall campaign, but neither he nor aides have disclosed additional information in the weeks since.

Nice new digs. Hand in your keycard.

Posted at 6:14 PM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to speak at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Thomson Reuters Data Center in Eagan. It appears company executives may have to prepare some other talking points.

Thomson Reuters to cut 3 percent of jobs

Monday, May 19, 2008; 4:49 PM

NEW YORK -- Thomson Reuters Corp. will cut 1,500 jobs as the newly combined financial and professional information provider moves to consolidate operations and reduce costs, a person familiar with the matter said Monday.

Thomson Reuters had been widely expected to eliminate overlaps between the companies and make job cuts following Thomson Corp.'s acquisition of Reuters Group PLC on April 17.

Thomson, a Canadian company that sells legal, professional and market information, paid about $15.8 billion to acquire Reuters, a London-based financial news and information company.

The cuts represent about 3 percent of Thomson Reuters' global work force of about 50,000.

The person familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous since there was no formal announcement of the job cuts, said the layoffs would be completed by the end of the year, and include about 140 editorial positions.

The person would not say where the job cuts were planned.

Thomson and Reuters have several areas of overlap, including some news operations as well as services that provide earnings estimates for publicly traded companies.

The company had said on May 1 when it reported earnings that it expected to see annual cost savings of up to $1 billion by the end of 2010, earlier than had been previously expected.

In addition to financial news and data, the company is also a major information provider to the legal, medical, tax and accounting professions.

Thomson Reuters shares rose 30 cents to $37.95 Monday.

I demand an investigation on myself!

Posted at 6:19 PM on May 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

MPR's Tim Pugmire reports that DFL Sen. Satveer Chaudhary is asking a Senate Committee to formally investigate him for possible ethical misconduct:

DFL Senator Satveer Chaudhary of Fridley has asked the Senate subcommittee on ethical conduct to determine whether his relationships with two sponsors of the outdoors program he hosts are a conflict of interest. A recent newspaper report said Chaudhary borrowed a snowmobile for an episode from Thief River Falls-based Arctic Cat, and then purchased the machine at a discount. Chaudhary, who is chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, later supported a measure to require the state DNR to purchase snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles from Minnesota manufacturers. His show also received sponsorship money from the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters after he backed a bill the union was pushing in 2007.

Chaudhary denies either relationship violates state law or ethics rules, but he wants the ethics panel to resolve the issue.

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