Polinaut: January 13, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-13-09

Posted at 8:44 AM on January 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The state budget will get worse according to State Finance officials. The Christmas shopping season was worse than expected, the recession could be the worst since World War Two and tax collection signals a larger budget deficit in the February forecast. Forum Communications and the Star Tribune have stories.

Here's the report.

A report says the state budget problems are here to stay. MPR and AP have stories.

Democrats at the Capitol are working to secure every federal dollar available.

Cities scramble to trim budgets as state cuts loom.

A Senate committee is working to extend unemployment benefits.

Gov. Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle hold a news conference today to announce what they call a "major collaboration" on joint purchasing.

AP says states are looking to gain greater sales taxes from the internet.

Despite the bottom dropping out of every government bank account, DFL Rep. Mindy Greiling continues to push for her "New Minnesota Miracle" education funding package. She argues that it can be phased in.

2008 Senate Race

The three judges have been named to hear the arguments in the Election Contest phase of the race. MPR, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

DFLer Al Franken asked Gov. Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to sign his election certificate. They say no way. The Star Tribune, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

Congress

President-elect Obama makes his case for the second part of the bailout.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz wants to make sure rural America gets its part of the stimulus package.

Some Liberians living in Minnesota are hoping for an extension to their residency. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

Republican goes to Senate floor to warn against seating Franken

Posted at 10:33 AM on January 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Politico is reporting that Arizona Sen. John Kyl went to the Senate floor today to warn Democrats against trying to seat Al Franken.

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Rybak running for reelection, won't rule out run for governor

Posted at 12:17 PM on January 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said in a video message on his website that he will run for reelection. You can watch it here.

Update:

Rybak tells MPR's Brandt Williams that he won't rule out a run for governor in 2010. I'll post interview if I can get my hands on it.

Here's the full interview:

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Franken asking MN Supremes to issue election certficate

Posted at 3:04 PM on January 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Al Franken's attorney, Marc Elias, said the campaign is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to issue an election certificate. Gov. Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said they won't sign the election certificate. They argued that they can't sign it until the court clears up Republican Norm Coleman's complaint in the courts. Update: Here's the petition that was just filed.

Update: Here's the conference call featuring Franken attorney Marc Elias:

Listen

Coleman's team will hold a conference call shortly.

Coleman campaign attorney Fritz Knaak called Franken's filing the "epitome of arrogance" and said Franken's team knows it can't win in the election contest phase of the election. Here's the audio from the call:

Listen

FYI - Bob Collins live-blogged the Franken call on MPR's News Cut Blog.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: A bunch of voters file suit to have their votes counted in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race. Here's the petition.