The Daily Digest: 11-15-07
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Gov. Pawlenty says he will not call a special session so lawmakers can pass a tax bill that includes property tax relief and local government aid. AP and the Pi Press have stories.
That kind of takes the air out of a news conference scheduled today by a bipartisan group of mayors. They are scheduled to urge the governor to call a special session.
Democrats also blast the governor over the recent job losses.
Pawlenty will join other governors today in Milwaukee to announce agreements among several Midwestern states. The New York Times and the AP have stories. The announcement comes as greenhouse gas emissions increase in Minnesota. MPR has that story.
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Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says the Midwest could be a renewable energy leader.
Ethanol hits a milestone in Minnesota.
Two grieving parents want tighter regulations on those who drive children.
St. Cloud's bonding requests are reviewed.
The Commission to End Poverty makes a stop in Willmar.
Kessler reality checks Minnesota's rankings.
Fox9 says some lawmakers will push to change the ticket scalping law.
Nurses are warning of a staffing shortage.
Congress
The House passes a transportation spending bill despite veto threats. AP and the Star Tribune have stories. All five DFLers (in Minnesota's Congressional delegation) and GOP Jim Ramstad voted for the bill. GOP Reps. John Kline and Michele Bachmann voted against the bill. Here is the roll call. The bill included funding for the I-35W bridge among other things. No need to guess if this vote will end up on some campaign lit.
Bachmann released this statement last night explaining her vote:
"Congress has missed key opportunities over the past three months to provide funds for the I-35W Bridge, including two spending measures that were signed into law and a bill I sponsored to appropriate $195 million for repair and reconstruction. Now, funding for the bridge has been added to an irresponsible bill that will be vetoed over excessive spending levels. Rather than using a tragedy to help pass billions in excessive, pork-barrel spending, Congress should do the right thing for Minnesota and send the President a clean bill that will be signed into law and provide full funding to rebuild the I-35W bridge."
Speaking of transportation, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says toll roads are the future.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman wants to collect back taxes on Medicare providers who didn't pony up.
Marketplace wants to know if Medicare can't stop paying tax cheats.
A House VA Committee passes a veterans bill. DFL Rep. Tim Walz and GOP Rep. John Kline are mentioned.
Walz also hired a new chief of staff.
GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad nominated New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for the Nobel Peace Prize.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says the Capitol needs to continue to have the welcome mat out even if there is an increase in security.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says he's proud to vote for the ENDA bill.
Rachel Paulose speaks before the U of M's Humphrey School on Tuesday.
2008
The Hill quotes Edina Mayor Jim Hovland as saying DFL Rep. Betty McCollum asked is he'd be interested in running for Congress. Why is this important? Because McCollum is on the recruitment committee for the DCCC.
MPR profiles Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, a DFLer who is running for the U.S. Senate.
The Minnesota director for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has been arrested for drunken driving twice in two weeks earlier this year. Fox9 picks up on a MNPublius post.
Finally
MinnPost says Jesse Ventura has written another book.
