Capitol View: February 28, 2012 Archive

The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:40 AM on February 28, 2012 by Catharine Richert (2 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Welcome to the Daily Digest where the GOP is weighing an alternative to voter ID, the St. Croix bridge could get a vote this week, and Arizona and Michigan hold their primaries today.

Around Minnesota

Republicans are weighing an alternative to a voter ID legislation. The bill would incorporate "electronic poll books," technology that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has said is a less expensive alternative to a state-issued voter ID card.

With a federal subsidy gone, ethanol margins have dropped sharply.

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would let schools lay off teachers based on performance.

Rushford school officials hope a bonding bill will help pay for a new school.

DFLers want to pay back the school shift with higher corporate taxes.

A Senate committee passed two bills supported by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, a group that opposes abortion.

In Washington

President Barack Obama wants the nation's governors to invest more in education.

A vote in the U.S. House on the St. Croix bridge could come as early as tomorrow.

The National Journal says that Rep. Keith Ellison was among the most liberal Democrats in the House in 2011 based on his voting record.

In Wisconsin

Gov. Scott Walker says he won't be challenging the signatures that would force a recall election.

On the Minnesota Campaign Trail

Two GOP Senate candidates are backing out of their bid to oust Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

On the Presidential Campaign Trail

Michigan and Arizona hold their primaries today.

Both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum were in Michigan campaigning.

At least one poll shows that Santorum has a very narrow lead in Michigan, the state where Romney was born and raised and where his father was governor.

Santorum is seeking Democratic support in the Michigan primaries. Anyone can vote in the state's nominating contest.

Newt Gingirch is criticizing Santorum as a "big labor Republican."

Santorum is getting flack for his calling Obama a "snob" for suggesting kids go to college.

Politico explains why Romney isn't attacking Santorum on social issues.

Romney has a lead over Rick Santorum nationally, according to the latest Gallup poll.

Romney will campaign in Fargo Thursday.

The extent of the Romney campaign's reliance on outside firms is unusual, the Washington Post reports.