The Daily Digest: 7-1-08

Posted at 6:30 AM on July 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Filing for political office starts today. Candidates have until July 15th to file.

Mike Hatch is still getting plenty of attention even though he's been out of the Attorney General's office for a year and a half. The Legislative Auditor says he may investigate a deal between the AG and a credit card company that occurred during Hatch's tenure. Current Attorney General Lori Swanson was Hatch's Solicitor General at the time of the deal. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

The Legislative Auditor also released a report on charter schools. He said they need greater oversight. The Star Tribune and AP have stories.

Gov. Pawlenty is in Austin, Texas today to start his term as chair of the Education Commission of the States.

The New York Times says budget pains hit the states with no relief in sight.

The Minnesota Health Department is reporting that the number of abortions is down slightly in Minnesota.

The St. Cloud Times takes a look at the new laws that take effect today.

The metro area sales tax for transit kicks in today.

The Taste of Minnesota will offer on site voter registration. It's part of the 80 percent by '08 campaign.

Northshore Mining Co. was fined for landfill violations.

Minnesota pays $65k in legal expenses for the failed game law.

The City of St. Paul spurns Ford and goes with Toyota.

UPDATE: Here's a comment from St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's spokesman: "That partnership with Toyota was for funding we put into our parks department, and the donation of vehicles. The implication that there was some sort of Ford/Toyota option there was not based in anything that resembles any kind of facts."

Pawlenty makes appointments to the Broadband Task Force.

Congress

There's a new chief of Minnesota's federal bench.

2008 Race for President

Barack Obama is headed to Fargo on Thursday.

Obama also takes a swipe at MoveOn.org. Paging Sister Souljah!

ABC says Obama shifted on Welfare Reform.

Politico says John McCain's support for ending the moratorium on offshore drilling papers over the divide with conservatives on environmental issues.

John McCain is headed to Latin America where one of his advisers has long ties.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

The DFL tries to keep pressure on GOP Sen. Norm Coleman on his rental arrangement. MPR, Minnesota Independent, the Star Tribune, KARE and MinnPost have stories.

Coleman acknowledges hard times in his latest ad.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The New York Times looks at the timing of picking a running mate.

Politico says former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is the front runner.

Pawlenty continued to make the national media rounds on Monday.

Here's a recap of Pawlenty's media appearances in the last week. He did phone interviews with Michigan based WJR and WTIC out of Hartford, CT.

He appeared on ABC's This Week on Sunday.

He sat down for an interview with the Christian Broadcast Network.
The interview is split in clips:

Pawlenty says he's not bashful about his faith in Christ. Video clip here.

Pawlenty says McCain will make Evangelicals proud. Video clip here.

Pawlenty on McCain's relationship with Evangelicals. Video clip here.

Pawlenty on VP speculation. Video clip here.

On Monday morning, he appeared on Fox News.

Pawlenty was also on Sean Hannity's Radio show on Monday but I can't find an audio link.

Investor's Business Daily says McCain needs to go for broke with his VP pick. Pawlenty is mentioned.

2008 RNC

Politico says a lobbying loophole funds conventions.

MPR says the RNC will come to Minneapolis too.

Ron Paul's Revolution Convention could feature Willie Nelson.

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