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Capitol View: January 10, 2011 Archive

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The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:30 AM on January 10, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The U.S. Attorneys office has charged Jared L. Loughner with five federal counts, including the attempted assassination of a member of Congress.

The gunman is charged with shooting Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona. Giffords is in critical condition. Loughner also allegedly shot and killed six others including a federal judge and a nine-year old girl.

The New York Times has a profile of Loughner.

Minnesota's delegation reacts to the shooting.

Several members of Minnesota's delegation say they won't change how they interact with the public but they are reviewing their safety precautions in light of the shooting.

President Obama called for a moment of silence for the shooting victims at 11am Eastern today.

Expect a greater review of a report by the Legislative Auditor that says the State Capitol that said the building has significant security threats.

Congress

The House of Representatives is suspending action this week including a vote on a bill that would repeal the health care law.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and DFL Sen. Al Franken will travel to northwestern Minnesota to promote job creation.

Klobuchar and Attorney General Lori Swanson go after phone bill "cramming."

Klobuchar is also proposing a bill that would allow the police to ask the IRS to release a list of people who claimed missing children as dependents.

Franken says the new food safety bill will save lives.

Congressional offices prepare for budget cuts.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says Democrats are welcome to attend discussion over constitutional issues.

Under the Dome

House and Senate Republicans will announce their top initiatives today. Senate Republicans will propose a bill that would streamline permitting and cut the state's corporate income tax.

The proposal shows that House and Senate Republicans are delivering on the MN Chamber wish list.

MPR says Senate Republicans intend to cut their per diem while House Republicans say they'll cut the lodging allowance.

Gov. Dayton calls for a review of the Revenue Department after an employee is charged with allegedly steering overfraud payments to herself, her sister and her niece.

Dayton also wants to reapply for federal school money.

Dayton's inaugural ball was held on Saturday.

Dayton added Bob Hume, spokesman for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, to his team.

Expect this to be a hot topic for the GOP controlled Legislature (and a potential thorn in Tim Pawlenty's 2012 bid): the Census Bureau says the state's payroll hasn't decreased during the recession.

The Minnesota DNR asks for higher fishing and hunting license fees.

The DNR will released a draft invasive species plan.

The state of Minnesota and 3M are in accord over a permit to clean up perfluorochemicals. Minnesota's Attorney General is still suing the company over cleanup costs.

MPR says the state's teacher's union faces a new political landscape.

The Minnesota Family Council will hold a marriage amendment class for legislators.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

Tim Pawlenty hits the road this week to promote his book. He will be on Hannity tonight to promote his book. His book will hit shelves tomorrow. Pawlenty will appear on The View on Tuesday, The Daily Shows on Wednesday and will speak to the National Press Club on Thursday. He'll be signing books on Friday in Tampa, FL and will speak to the Hispanic Leadership Conference.

Mitt Romney is on a tour of the Middle East.

Bachmann for Prez Watch

When asked whether she's running for president on ABC News, GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann responsed: "I'm going to Iowa, there's your answer."

Bachmann also discussed a possible presidential run and the federal deficit with MPR News. MPR fact-checked some of her comments.

2012 U.S. Senate Race

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will visit 14 Minnesota communities as a part of an "Innovation Tour." Klobuchar will visit Ada, Aitkin, Alexandria, Backus, Bagley, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Glenwood, Little Falls, Long Prairie, Moorhead and Park Rapids.

Senate Republicans unveil jobs bill

Posted at 1:32 PM on January 10, 2011 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature

Republican leaders in the Minnesota Senate have unveiled a package of job-creating measures that would provide businesses with regulatory relief and $200 million in tax cuts.

The first bill of the 2011 session would gradually reduce the business income tax rate by half over the next six years. It would roll back business property taxes to 2009 levels and also speed up the process of state government permits for business projects. Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said the bill gives job creators a reason to choose Minnesota.

"We don't just compete with Wisconsin and Iowa any more," Michel said. "We have to compete with Singapore and Malaysia. So, we need to set a basic foundation for Minnesota job creators, and we need to welcome them back to the state."

Michel said the Senate jobs package will have to travel through several committees, and might not be completed until the end of session.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, criticized the GOP bill. He said Republicans are sending the wrong message on job creation.

"Cutting corporate taxes is a poor tool to spur economic growth," Bakk said. "Not only is it extremely costly to our state, it provides absolutely no guarantee it will create jobs or help Minnesota's small businesses and entrepreneurs. All this bill does is shift a greater share of the state's tax burden onto working families."


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Iowa poll: Pawlenty and Bachmann in single digits

Posted at 9:06 PM on January 10, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty

A new poll of Iowa Republicans shows that former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and GOP Rep. Michel Bachmann are polling in the single digits.

The poll shows former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the lead followed by Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich round out the top four.

Pawlenty is fifth in the poll at 4 percent. Bachmann polled at two percent but her name wasn't included in the full poll.

Both Pawlenty and Bachmann have reason to be hopeful. The pollster for Grassroots Solutions says Indiana Congressman Mike Pence and Pawlenty have "made a positive impression on the state:

"With Pence heavily rumored to be considering a run for Indiana Governor, Pawlenty is the man to watch here and could be a sleeper."

The pollster also said Bachmann could be the "wildcard" in the race:

"Bachmann could be dangerous if she is serious about the campaign and is taken seriously as a candidate (her support seemed to come from Huckabee in particular and also Palin, but these are small numbers and it's difficult to draw a conclusion)."

More than half of those polled also recognize Pawlenty and Bachmann. The poll found that Pawlenty's name ID was 64 percent. Bachmann's name ID was 60 percent.

Both Bachmann and Pawlenty will make visits to Iowa this month. Bachmann will speak to the Iowans for Tax Relief PAC on January 21st.

Pawlenty will sign his book in Ankeny and Des Moines on January 30th and 31st.

(H/T Politico)

Sertich to run Iron Range Resources

Posted at 10:29 PM on January 10, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Gov. Dayton has appointed DFL Rep. Tony Sertich to be the next commissioner of Iron Range Resources according to a person with knowledge of the hire. Sertich will meet with the media in Chisholm to discuss the hire on Tuesday. He could not be reached for comment tonight but told MPR News earlier today that he applied for the job.

Sertich will be tasked with crafting a vision to help revitalize northeastern Minnesota. The Board gives business financing, low interest business loans and economic development grants to businesses.

Sertich is the first state lawmaker to be appointed to a position within the Dayton Administration. Hewas in line to be Minnesota Speaker of the House but lost that position when Republicans won control of the House.

The appointment means Gov. Dayton will have to call a special election to replace Sertich. I'm told the tentative plan for a special election will be a primary on February 1st and the general election on February 15th. The legislative district, which includes Chisholm, is a heavy DFL area so the biggest question mark will be to see who wins what is expected to be a crowded DFL Primary.

The Mesabi Daily News was first to report the hire.

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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated true, misleading, false or inconclusive. More

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