Capitol View: February 14, 2012 Archive

The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:18 AM on February 14, 2012 by Catharine Richert (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Welcome to the Daily Digest, where some GOP lawmakers printed precinct pamphlets with taxpayer money, Washington reacts to Obama's budget, and Santorum surges in the polls.

Around Minnesota

MPR finds that some Republican state senators handed out pamphlets at precinct caucuses that were printed on the taxpayer's dime.

A federal investigation into Minnesota's HMOs is underway.

That could mean some fireworks at today's 12:30 House Health and Human Services meeting on HMO transparency.

A new report shows how taxpayer dollars are helping improve the state's water quality.

Two state Republicans are asking Gov. Mark Dayton to reverse a decision to free a sex offender, the Post-Bulletin reports.

A bill would require teachers to prove they can read, write and do basic math.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board adopted the "Respectful Learning Environment" policy.

The ACLU of Minnesota is offering $1,000 for an example of voter impersonation.

A new report shows that 1 in 8 voter registration forms have errors.

The state House Tax Committee chair says that the Minneapolis tax used to pay for the convention center should be axed.

The Vikings aren't talking about going to LA.

Two Rochester Republican lawmakers are proposing a tax increase on cigarettes.

In Washington

President Barack Obama laid out his latest budget proposal, which includes higher taxes for the rich.

The GOP doesn't like it.

Typically, the president's budget is largely meant to highlight the administration's priorities for the coming fiscal year. This year, Obama is using the budget to set the tone for the upcoming presidential election.

You can check out every aspect of the proposal here.

Relevant to Minnesota: the budget includes $300 million for Great Lakes clean up.

The state's farmers and health care companies would be affected by the budget, the Star Tribune reports.

In a reversal, House Republican leaders proposed an additional extension of the payroll tax credit extension without finding other ways to make up for the lost revenue.

Around the Nation

Same-sex marriages are legal in Washington State.

The New Jersey Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage.

On the Campaign Trail

The latest Gallup poll is more good news for Rick Santorum. The survey has him tied with Mitt Romney for first place.

Politico writes that upcoming nominating elections Michigan and Ohio are where Santorum is looking to make the it race a two-man contest.

It's not an unreasonable plan given one poll has Santorum leading in Michigan - Romney's home state - by 14 percentage points.

Ramesh Ponnuru, who is editor of the conservative National Review, says that Santorum poses the biggest threat to Romney yet.

Most of Romney's top donors are unknown.

Newt Gingrich says he's not leaving the race any time soon.