Capitol View: April 22, 2012 Archive

The Daily Digest (End of session push?, Bonding bill revived, GOP goes 23 rounds in the 1st)

Posted at 11:16 PM on April 22, 2012 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

This is the last full week for the Legislature to meet their self-imposed deadline to adjourn by April 30.

Gov. Dayton met privately with DFL Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk and DFL House Minority Leader Paul Thissen on Sunday night to discuss the path forward for a bonding bill, a Vikings stadium and other issues.

Vikings Stadium

The House Ways and Means Committee will hear a bill that aims to finance the stadium. The plan, which relies on electronic pull-tabs, doesn't specify funding for the stadium but the author said he was willing to accept it.

On Friday, a Senate Committee approved the stadium just hours after the NFL Commissioner met privately with Gov. Dayton and GOP legislative leaders.

Bonding Bill

House Republicans released a retooled bonding bill.

With many unfinished projects, some are questioning why there's an urgency to pass a bonding bill.

Brodkorb Scandal

The Minnesota Senate is paying an outside attorney $330 an hour for legal advice in the upcoming lawsuit from Michael Brodkorb.

The announcement came after months of public pressure to release the information.

Under the Dome

A plan gives DHS more oversight in state mental health services.

Gov. Dayton vetoed a ban on child care money being spent for union dues.

The PoliGraph says GOP Rep. Joyce Peppin's claims on RU-486 are mostly false.

The Minnesota House passed a bill that would require abortion facilities to pay license fees and undergo inspections.

The New York Times says the RNC is growing more concerned that state Legislatures are focusing on social issues.

U of M

The Athletic Director for Virginia Commonwealth University is the sole finalist to be the Athletic Director at the U of M.

A bill allowing beer to be sold at TCF Bank stadium is closer to reality.

Congress

President Obama was briefed as the Secret Service scandal unfolds.

Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman is calling for a wider investigation into the Secret Service.

The Washington Post says POTUS will target tech uses in human rights abuses.

The New York Times says Mr. Obama has been using his executive powers more than other past presidents.

The GAO says a Medicare test project is wasting $8 billion.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann concluded a trip to Afghanistan.

Chuck Colson died.

Gas prices are starting to decline.

Race for Congress

Republicans in the 1st District were unable to back a candidate in Congress. The Rochester Post-Bulletin and the New Ulm Journal detailed the 23 ballot endorsement fight between Mike Parry and Allen Quist.

The Mankato Free-Press says they'll try again in May.

GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack is holding a jobs fair today in the Twin Ports.

Republicans endorsed GOP Reps. Chip Cravaack and John Kline. They also backed Anthony Hernandez in Minnesota's 4th District.

Democrats backed DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

The Star Tribune interviews Democrat Jim Graves, who will challenge GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Race for U.S. Senate

Ron Paul is an unlikely figure in Minnesota's Senate race.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar toured a North Dakota oil patch.

Race for the Legislature

GOP Rep. Mike Lemieur isn't running for reelection.

The New York Times says the RNC is growing more concerned that state Legislatures are focusing on social issues.

Race for President

President Obama will attempt to woo young voters with a focus on student loans.

Mitt Romney rips Obama on the eve of campaigning for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Romney is taking heat for hiring a gay spokesman.

He's also taking heat from GOP hopeful Jon Huntsman.