The Daily Digest: 3-2-09

Posted at 7:03 AM on March 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

We get a better idea of how bad the state's financial picture will be when the budget forecast is released on Tuesday.

The State Economist tells the Pi Press that the downturn is getting worse but will get better.

The Star Tribune says everyone at the Capitol is bracing for a wild budget ride.

AP says, however, that the budget woes in states will outlast the recession.

The federal stimulus money will help but Politics in Minnesota says the state's red ink will meet the fed's red tape.

AP says there is talk of taxing clothing.

Extra money for the arts and outdoors could be a budget casualty.

Cities are making the push to preserve state aid.

Long-term care facilities also worry about the impact of Gov. Pawlenty's budget.

The recession has prompted fewer people to gamble at Casinos.

Theaters are bracing for state cuts to the Arts Board.

A legislative panel will recommend U of M regents this week.

A bill introduced would eliminate the state's fish hatcheries.

Another bill would allow people to opt out of getting phone books.

Welfare checks haven't increased with the cost of living.

MnDOT will use stimulus money to shore up a road over abandoned mine shafts.

Pawlenty is a guest host on WCCO Radio today at noon.

He will speak to the Dakota County Chamber on March 9th. He's been speaking to plenty of business related groups since he released his budget proposal.

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher will speak at the U of M's Humphrey Institute this morning. She will also appear at a forum examining how the government can safeguard children from toxic chemicals.

D.C.

The AP says President Obama's budget will face obstacles. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson criticized Obama's plan to limit payments to farmers.

The Star Tribune says some Minnesota farmers will face the budget ax. Peterson is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar also isn't happy with how Obama aims to allocate transportation funding.

A Republican says the era of big government is back.

The U.S. will reportedly give AIG another $30 billion.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says Austin will get housing aid.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison wants a 25% cut in defense spending.

Liberians are worried that their temporary citizenship status will be over at the end of the month. Ellison is mentioned.

The FAA reauthorization plan could get decided this month. Oberstar is mentioned.

City Pages examines what the delegation drives.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is Obama's pick for HHS Secretary.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Pawlenty tells The Hill that Republican Norm Coleman's chances are still plausible.

The Star Tribune has a q and a on the status of the recount trial.

The Pi Press says they've finished up five weeks of the trial.

Duluth's election director doesn't want to testify unless given more cash.

2010

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner held a fundraiser in Bemidji.

Former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza is staffing up for a run for governor.

2012

Gov. Pawlenty polled near the bottom in the 2012 Straw poll at CPAC.

Pawlenty spoke to the group on Saturday. MSNBC writes about the speech here. The Note says it focused on faith and family. CNN says the GOP needs to reach out to Sam's Club voters. Judge the speech by yourself by listening here.

Finally

Good-bye (or should I say Good Day) Paul Harvey.

Comments (2)

I read the court filing defining the dollars requested for the witness to appear for the Coleman trial and question the $60 per hour rate as well as the 50.5 cents per mile.
First if any employee is being paid $60 per hour that would mean a salary of $124,800 ... which is almost the salary that Coleman or Franken would earn as Senator.
So, let's assume that the attorney who is defending the rate means that is a billable rate ... then that is too high also. At best the employee and city should be compensated for the hourly wage plus matching FICA payroll taxes ... no other costs as vaction pay, unemployment taxes, pension and other employee related costs would not be affected.

Assuming that it is normal that an individual be re-imbursed when called as a witness, then the question should be how much ? Should a witness be reimbursed any different than a member of a jury ? If so, jurors receive 27 cents per mile plus $10 per diem in Minnesota courts and $40 per day plus travel expenses in Federal courts ... why not the same for the Duluth witness ?

I wonder if Coleman will weigh in on this as if Franken prevails, he will end up having to pay for Franken's expense.

Posted by Minnesota Central | March 2, 2009 12:44 PM

If I recall, one of Coleman's last votes in the Senate was a "No" on extending loans to the auto industry because he thought their workers were compensated too much.

Posted by Chris | March 2, 2009 4:58 PM

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