Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: 5-4-07

There are 17 days left in the legislative session. Gov. Pawlenty has signed 35 bills and vetoed 3. Pawlenty will sign the Ag and Vets budget bill today. The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the state government budget conference committee report, the environment budget conference committee report and the Economic Development conference report. The House will also take up the public safety conference report after passing it yesterday. DFLers in the House and Senate withdrew the good faith provision. MPR, the Star Tribune and Forum Communications have stories.

Pawlenty visited Brainerd yesterday.

The State government conference committee also removes domestic partner benefits language.

The House and Senate move Browns Valley aid through.

Eden Prairie News details what Gov. Pawlenty and lawmakers think of the session so far.

AP says the movement on the smaller budget bills mean the legislature is headed in the right direction but some outstanding issues remain.

A deal reached on economic development.

Forum Communications says northern lawmakers are wielding influence.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman wants to fund rural infrastructure.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar honors the U.S. curling team.

The Gulf Times says Democrats are digging in for the long haul in Iraq. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

GOP Rep. John Kline is pushing for National Guard transition program.

Fox9 does an investigation and finds that there aren't drug and alcohol tests for some truckers. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

2008

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum endorses Mike Ciresi

Columnist Barry Casselman says MDE is Al Franken's worst nightmare.

The Hotline says Daily Kos is raising money to defeat Coleman.

Other

Former U.S. Senate candidate Ford Bell is headed to head up the American Association of Museums.