Polinaut: February 23, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 2-23-09

Posted at 8:27 AM on February 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty's political aspirations lead the digest today. Pawlenty wouldn't rule out a run for president when asked on Fox News Sunday (transcript here). He sidestepped a follow up on the possibility saying he may run for a third term as governor. He told Pajamas Media "he's thinking about" a possible presidential run.

Asked about his own presidential prospects, he eschewed the usual denial of any interest and said, "I'm going to take some time to think about it." He then quickly added that he was focused on his state's immediate budget needs."

The story also said he will campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia this year.

Pawlenty also told the AP that President Obama failed at being bipartisan.

He also told The Hill that the GOP should be shaped in a more conservative fashion rather than in a centrist fashion.

Under the Dome

A Minnesota bill that aims to reduce foreclosures gets the first hearing this week.

An audit of Minnesota prison industries was released today. It calls for increased oversight over business practices.

A proposed deal would preserve 187,000 acres of wetland and forest. A news conference is scheduled to announce the plan this afternoon.

The Star Tribune examines the impact Gov. Pawlenty's budget will have on the courts.

White Bear Lake residents wrestle with budget cuts.

The Pi Press says Pawlenty is planning to eliminate an Environmental Quality Board and moving duties the MPCA.

People pack a legislative hearing in Worthington.

The Star Tribune takes a look at the scramble for stimulus money.

Even with funding from the stimulus bill, schools are making cuts.

MACCRAY delivers an upbeat report card on the 4-day school week.

Gov. Pawlenty urges Madoff investors to file claims.

An uptick in homes sales may be a good sign in Minnesota.

The Swamp

President Obama says he'll cut the federal deficit in half.

An investigator will oversee the stimulus funding.

President Obama says the tax cuts will be felt by April first.

There's also some talk about nationalizing a few banks.

Democrats are resisting Obama's plans on Social Security.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says food safety should be shifted to the USDA.

He will also hold food safety hearings.

Peterson also says it could take some time to get a VA Home in Bemidji.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar backs a marine highway.

2008 U.S. Senate Race

The Star Tribune says the recent rulings have diminished Republican Norm Coleman's recount chances.

Democrat Al Franken tells Air America that "We will win soon."

Franken's campaign attorneys suggest a review of about 1,500 ballots.

Coleman wants to preserve information from the absentee ballots.

The RNC is sending $250k to help Coleman's legal efforts.

Pawlenty tells the National Review that "Coleman has a good chance to have the recount ruling overturned in the courts."

Coleman's deputy press secretary is taking a job with GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen.

A professor watching the trial says it's lost on observers.

Is Pawlenty "thinking about" a run in 2012?

Posted at 8:42 AM on February 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty sidestepped questions about a possible run for the White House in 2012 during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. He told Pajamas Media, however, this:

Asked about his own presidential prospects, he eschewed the usual denial of any interest and said, "I'm going to take some time to think about it." He then quickly added that he was focused on his state's immediate budget needs."

The story also said he will campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia this year.

State wants evey dime of stimulus, maybe

Posted at 1:31 PM on February 23, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chief financial advisor is assuring legislators that Minnesota will accept its share of the federal economic stimulus bill.

Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson told a joint hearing of the House Finance and Ways and Means committees today hat his office is preparing a certification letter to accept the estimated $4 billion available to Minnesota. Gov. Pawlenty has said he doesn't like the stimulus, but he wants the money anyway. Hanson told lawmakers that the federal money is a good thing.

"It's hard to anticipate a situation where we wouldn't accept the federal money," Hanson said. "But if it requires matching money in the current biennium and we have to make budgeting decisions, if it requires an ongoing, things like that. But I think in general you can anticipate we're going to do our best to accept every dime."

Hanson said any decisions to decline small portions of the federal stimulus would be made jointly with legislators. President Obama told the nation's governors today that Medicaid money from the stimulus will be available to states by Wednesday.

Taking on water

Posted at 1:41 PM on February 23, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Washington D.C. is known for its leaks but an incident at GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen's office takes that meaning to a whole new level. Politico is reporting that water starting spritzing out of one of Paulsen's office walls this morning:

At first it was somewhat containable, filling up those small recycling bins every 15/20 seconds, spokesman Andrew Foxwell tells us, but it "wasn't overwhelming." But then, things got worse. Five minutes into the shower, the water caused a hole two inches in diameter to burst open. People sprang into action. "We had runners, basically. People were transporting water back and forth," Foxwell says, into the closest option: the Congressman Paulsen's bathroom.

Video of the leak is here.

Maybe Paulsen's recent hiring of Luke Friedrich will stop such leaks in the future (ba da bing!).