Capitol View: April 3, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 4-3-09

Posted at 7:14 AM on April 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty and North Dakota's governor will call for increased flood protection at a news conference this afternoon.

On Thursday, Gov. Pawlenty promised state aid for the flood.

MnDOT may cut back on its highway and bridge plans because of declining revenues.

GOP Sen. David Hann wants the Legislative Auditor to probe the Attorney General's office remodel. WCCO and the Star Tribune say an independent security analysis was done by the current director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. Here's Hann's letter.

The Minnesota Senate repeals the ban on nukes.

A House committee defeats a bill that would alter how presidential electoral votes are counted.

The tech firms are lining up against any digital download taxes.

Lawmakers also consider a new way to approach redistricting.

The Duluth Airport fears a loss of stimulus money.

Gov. Pawlenty's deer opener will be in Thief River Falls.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Republican Norm Coleman is working the GOP crowd to counter reports that he's going to lose the race. Roll Call says he met yesterday with the NRSC and GOP funders.

MinnPost snags a brief interview with Coleman but it merits little news.

Coleman also continued his blitz of talking to conservative talk radio.

Here's a question: Where is Democrat Al Franken?

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar ripped Texas Sen. John Cornyn for suggesting that Minnesota's Senate seat could be open for years.

The Fix says Coleman's political future is at risk if he doesn't concede.

Politico says Coleman faces a range of problems if he does win.

The Hill also looks deeper into Coleman's plans to pay his non-Senate legal bills from his campaign fund.

D.C.

Residents of flooded counties will get an IRS extension.

The G-20 will give $1 trillion to restore credit.

The Senate followed the House and passed President Obama's budget plan.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz applauds the budget.

NPR reports that Congress is rewriting the rules of finance. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

The House approves FDA control over tobacco. MinnPost gets reaction from the delegation.

The head of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve announced his retirement.

The Hill says crossover voters are flummoxing the parties. GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Better McCollum encourages President Obama to strengthen ties with Turkey.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson will hold an interactive forum in several Minnesota cities on Community based food groups.

Peterson also opens hearings on food safety.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar questions the operations status of Virgin American.

2010

Gov. Pawlenty's approval rating increased in the latest Survey USA poll.