The Daily Digest
Democrats say they'll try to override Gov. Pawlenty's veto of a bill that extends General Assistance Medical Care. Pawlenty vetoed the bill while in Washington D.C. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.
Speaking to Nevada reporters from Washington D.C., Pawlenty wouldn't specify why he vetoed a bill that affected Minnesotans.
Firefighters say Pawlenty isn't keeping his commitment to protect public safety. They say he's raiding money from a training fund. MPR, Fox9 and the Star Tribune have stories,
AP says Pawlenty has introduced plenty of splashy proposals but many die on the vine for lack of follow through.
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The IRRB passed a resolution against Pawlenty's raid on the Doug Johnson fund.
Several lawmakers are pushing legislation that would allow school districts to raise property taxes as high as they want (through a referendum) to pay for schools. That could cause a problem since some school district officials say wealthier school districts are getting rich while the poor ones get poorer.
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson sued six debt settlement companies. The Star Tribune and MPR have stories.
Parents of a murdered teen are lobbying for a cell phone ping law.
Gun control fears boost funds for fish and wildlife spending.
Congress
The White House said it's near agreement on a health care bill.
The GOP sees an upside in next week's health care summit.
Democrats, like DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and DFL Sen. Al Franken, are still pushing the public option.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she supports creating the public option through reconciliation.
President Obama met with the Dalai Lama.
He also set up a debt panel.
He's also campaigning for candidates in Colorado and Nevada.
Obama will also tout housing help while in Nevada.
AP says excitement alone won't help the GOP win seats.
Toyota's president will testify before Congress.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar urges small business owners to think exports.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz discussed the economy and health care with business owners in St. Peter.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will speak at CPAC today.
Bachmann also talks social security.
Officials with the Ag Department are seeking solutions to map out a new ID system for animals. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is pushing for another stimulus bill. He said the current stimulus created jobs.
Oberstar also said Minnesota is playing catch-up with high-speed rail money.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
Gov. Pawlenty will speak to CPAC today at 9am Central. You can watch the event here.
A conservative blogger says Pawlenty better deliver or he'll have a hard time gaining ground in the 2012 race.
Pawlenty is also scheduled to be on Meet the Press on Sunday and will be in Washington state in April.
Mitt Romney spoke to the group yesterday.
Mike Huckabee visited South Carolina.
Mike Pence will visit New Hampshire in March.
2010 Race for Governor
Republican Marty Seifert picked Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah as his running mate. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Sivarajah slipped up on an E-85 question after Seifert joked that she knew what E-85 is.
Here's video of the announcement.
Seifert's top GOP opponent, Tom Emmer, says he's not focused on picking a running mate.
Democrat Mark Dayton will make a campaign stop in Chaska on Saturday.
2010 Race for Congress
Charlie Cook says a GOP takeover of the House is a possibility. He also adds that GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann are increasing their chances of keeping their seats.
A DFL leaning group runs a radio ad criticizing Bachmann.
Five Republicans are running against DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar.