Polinaut: July 14, 2009 Archive

Daily Digest

Posted at 7:20 AM on July 14, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

DC

Judge Sonia Sotomayor will face questions today about her nomination to the Supreme Court. Minnesota's senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, made opening statements yesterday as members of the judiciary committee.

Meanwhile, Franken's staff plans to hold office hours throughout Minnesota in the coming weeks.

Minnesota's delegation is divided over health care reform.

Congressman Tim Walz is sponsoring wind energy legislation.

Congressman Eric Paulsen has introduced legislation aimed at examining the impact of federal bailout funding on small businesses.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum says efficiencies can help pay for health care reform.

Congresswoman Bachmann sponsors bill to limit census data.

Bachmann also wants September designated as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.

Minnesota

A prison conference room gets a pricey makeover.

City officials in Red Wing say Gov. Tim Pawlenty's cuts in state aid have made them less confident in their longterm ability to protect the Prairie Island nuclear plant.

State Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, vents on unallotment.

Elton Redalen, a former state legislator and agriculture commissioner, has died.

2010

DFL gubernatorial hopeful Susan Gaertner hires a communications director for her campaign.

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Bachmann sings?

Posted at 12:32 PM on July 14, 2009 by Mike Mulcahy (3 Comments)

Well, not really. But this is pretty entertaining.

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Pawlenty and Gingrich will talk health care at U of M

Posted at 4:14 PM on July 14, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich are scheduled to speak Wednesday at the University of Minnesota.

The two Republicans, who are often mentioned as possible presidential candidates in 2010, will participate in a health care reform workshop titled "Creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System in Minnesota." Pawlenty and Gingrich will present "The Future of Health and Healthcare in Minnesota," a conversation focusing on current opportunities and strategies within the state of Minnesota. Gingrich is founder of the Center for Health Transformation.

Earlier in the day, Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman will moderate a panel discussion on health information technology.

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E-mail: Ramstad won't run for governor

Posted at 4:24 PM on July 14, 2009 by Mike Mulcahy (0 Comments)

An e-mail from former GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad's congressional spokesman Lance Olson quotes Ramstad as saying he will not run for governor. Here is what it says:

Former U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad today said he will not seek the position of Governor in 2010.

"I hope whoever is elected Governor will bring people together and work in a bipartisan way to address the serious problems facing our state," said Ramstad.

A few weeks ago Ramstad certainly sounded like he was seriously weighing a run.

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