Capitol View: January 4, 2011 Archive

The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:26 AM on January 4, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Republicans will take control of both the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate for the first time in nearly forty years when the legislative session begins today.

Lawmakers will have the difficult task of putting together a budget that erases a $6.2 billion deficit and they say they can do it without raising taxes. That puts them at odds with Gov. Dayton who is calling for a tax hike. The deficit will put all of the recent pledges of compromise to a test.

On Monday, Dayton urged compromise during his inaugural speech but continued to push his tax increase plan. He said he'll sign such a budget balancing bill that doesn't include tax hikes if it doesn't increase property taxes or "destroy" schools, hospitals and public safety (You can watch Dayton's speech here).

GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers both say they think they can pass a budget that will meet Dayton's challenge.

Interesting nugget: This will be the first time in decades that the governor and the legislative leaders will all be new to their positions.

MPR takes a look at one major issue facing the Legislature - improving the state's business climate.

The new Legislature may repeal the ban on new nuclear and coal power plants.

Some states are turning to laws to curb labor unions.

Congress

Republicans in the House are looking to make good on their pledge to cut $100 billion in federal spending.

The House GOP is sending President Obama a signal with their plans to repeal the health care law.

Slate says House Republicans may have created a bigger problem for themselves by pushing GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann aside.

An investigative reporter who specializes in intelligence ponders on the Washington Post whether Bachmann will divulge classified information she receives while serving on the House Intelligence Committee.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson won't vote for a wholesale repeal of the health care law.

Some deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico will be allowed to resume.

GOP Chairmen also spell out a long list of issues they plan to investigate.

The White House is considering Bill Daley for Chief of Staff.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

The Atlantic Monthly takes a look at Pawlenty's health care record.

ABC's Terry Moran of Nightline is preparing to interview Pawlenty.

Pawlenty has also been invited to attend an Illinois event honoring Ronald Reagan. The event could become a 2012 cattle call.