Capitol View: March 24, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 3-24-09

Posted at 7:06 AM on March 24, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

All eyes are on the Red River Valley and the potential for flooding. Gov. Pawlenty also visited the area. The state is also offering flood assistance.

Gov. Pawlenty is headed to Fort Lewis, Washington today to hold a townhall meeting with soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.

A bill to be introduced today would create a consolidation of counties and name it Lake Wobegon County.

DFL Rep. Paul Marquart wants to let counties raise their sales tax. MPR, AP, Forum Communications and the Star Tribune have stories.

A bill introduced could apply the sales tax to digital music.

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits takes a look at what the various tax increases could raise.

A legislative subcommittee approves the MnSCU contracts.

A bill that would extend car seat usage for kids is approved by a Senate committee.

Opponents of the anti-bullying bill emerge.

The Minnesota newborn screening bill advances to the House floor.

A committee will hear legislation that would expand the power of eminent domain so local governments can take abandoned property more quickly.

A Minneapolis couple wants to regulate cocoa mulch.

D.C.

Minnesota financial firms are optimistic about President Obama plan on toxic mortgages.

The Dow jumped on the news.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann calls herself a foreign correspondent behind foreign lines and is calling for a revolution. Her spokesman tells that Star Tribune that she was speaking metaphorically.

Airlines ask the U.S. to preserve their global alliances. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison attends a Color of Wealth summit.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson has been spotted using an electronic cigarette around the Capitol. A lawmaker is pushing to ban them.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces breast cancer legislation.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and GOP Rep. John Kline are pushing legislation that would forbid the transfer of Gitmo detainees to Minnesota.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

The FEC says donors can pay the legal bills for Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. The Star Tribune and AP have stories.

A Coleman appeal could be a constitutional wildcard.

2010

PIM handicaps Gov. Pawlenty's chances for a third term although the speculation that Mark Dayton is the likely DFL nominee is sketchy according to most loyal and non-loyal Democrats I've spoken with.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman sends out a statement on the flooding in the Red River Valley. It builds speculation that Coleman is looking beyond his St. Paul border.

MNProgressiveProject interviews Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, who is running for governor.

2012

The DNC is already thinking about 2012 by naming a commission to study the primary and caucus calendar. Minneapolis activist Roseanne Hope is on the commission.

Finally

How do threats of a NFL work stoppage in 2011 impact the Vikings quest for a new stadium?