The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:42 AM on February 8, 2011 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Republican negotiators in the House and Senate have reached agreement on a bill that cuts nearly $1 billion in spending. The key change from bills that passed the House and Senate is a reduction in unspecified cuts. The total is now $100 million that State Finance officials have to find.

The goal is to send it to Governor Dayton by the end of the week. Dayton has yet to say whether he'll veto the measure but he has criticized lawmakers for taking a "piecemeal approach" to the budget.

Former Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman heavily edited a report on sex offenders to reflect the views of his boss, Tim Pawlenty.

Surly Brewing Company wants to build a new brewery/restaurant/beer garden in Minnesota. The problem is their plan needs a law change and things could get ugly as the promise of new jobs conflicts with concerns over the livelihoods of bar and restaurant owners.

Food stamp use jumped 17% in Minnesota.

Background checks are the new gun rights battleground.

Sen. Ellen Anderson says she was dumped from the LCCMR.

The Met Council has published a list of its finalists.

There are five bidders for Gov. Dayton's radio show. Dayton isn't giving up editorial control of the show.

Congress

President Obama urges CEOs of the nation's businesses to work with him.

The Congressional Budget Office says the federal government's share of taxes this year will be the lowest since 1950.

The level of federal judicial vacancies is reaching a crisis point.

Several lawmakers, including Sens. Kobuchar and Franken, are pushing for a new border patrol facility in Hallock.

Biobusiness booms in Minnesota. Franken is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz held a town hall in Winona.

GOP Rep. John Kline returned from a trip to the Middle East.

Several House Democrats, including DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, are pushing for a resolution on Egypt.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

MPR takes a look at Tim Pawlenty's health care claims and find that his claims on savings are slim.

Tim Pawlenty has opened a conservative series in Iowa. He tried to showcase his conservative values during his appearances.

President Obama appointed Pawlenty's pastor to his council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Pawlenty and Bachmann will face off in a CPAC straw poll this weekend.

Bachmann for Prez Watch

The Federal Elections Commission is asking questions about GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's fall campaign fundraising report.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will take part in a Tea Party town hall tonight.

Bachmann is inviting a budget expert to a Tea Party Caucus meeting.

Comments (5)

Michele Bachmann submits a sloppy and incomplete financial report to the FEC? Bachmann has been filing sloppy campaign reports for years. Where have you guys been?What do you expect from someone who keeps a dead man registered as general partner in her family farm?

http://rippleinstillh2o.blogspot.com/2011/01/michele-bachmanns-family-farm-operating.html

Posted by Karl | February 8, 2011 7:10 AM

Pawlenty caught lying twice in one digest? First faking a government report on sex offenders, then making up medical cost savings to pad his meager resumé? Just an ordinary day in Minnesota, really. Sun rising in the east, again; cold weather in January, again; Pawlenty lying, again. Nothing newsworthy here.

Posted by Ralph Crammedin | February 8, 2011 7:21 AM

From the MPR story: a Minneapolis police lieutenant "... recounts a conversation with a recent applicant whose paperwork showed he had not completed treatment. 'You're a danger to yourself and you're also dangerous to other people,' Hildreth said he told him. 'You're hearing voices and you know, you're not oriented to time and place.' "

The Republicans in the Minnesota legislature want to eliminate the background check for this person to buy guns. What is wrong with these people?

Posted by Ralph Crammedin | February 8, 2011 8:29 AM

Just curious, yesterday it was mentioned that Erik Paulsen and Tim Walz were both holding Town Hall Meetings ... but there is only a story on Congressman Walz.
Was Paulsen's event cancelled ? closed to the press ?

Posted by MinnesotaCentral | February 8, 2011 11:40 AM

Paulsen's event was open press. I didn't see any coverage of it.

Posted by tom scheck | February 8, 2011 9:35 PM

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