The Daily Digest: Dayton not optimistic on budget
Good morning!
In Minnesota
With less than a month to go in the legislative session, Gov. Mark Dayton and House Republicans remain far apart on spending issues. The differences are so striking that Dayton says he is not optimistic about an easy resolution to the differences between his budget proposal and the Republican plan. (MPR News)
After several Twin Cities ISIS sympathizers were arrested, the Minnesota House is proposing a $250,000 increase in funding to the Department of Public Safety to combat terrorist recruitment. (Star Tribune)
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The Minnesota House passed a GOP transportation plan that redirects about $300 million a year towards road funding. (Pioneer Press)
That's very different than the DFL plan that relies on gas tax hikes. Is it possible to pay for Minnesota's transportation needs without raising taxes? (MinnPost)
Minnesota lawmakers are trying to provide a quick response to the avian flu outbreak, but changes in the Senate version of the emergency funding bill could delay the aid. (MPR News)
Minnesota trucking firms and car dealers are suing to block the state's 10 percent biodiesel mandate. (Pioneer Press)
National Politics
The Senate has finally reached a deal on a long-stalled sex trafficking bill which also paves the way for the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as the next Attorney General. (Washington Post)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar claims credit for crafting the compromise. (Star Tribune)
Hillary Clinton: populist. (New York Times)
Ted Cruz: absentee senator. (Politico)
Jeb Bush may outsource much of his presidential campaign to a super PAC that can raise far more money than he can but can't coordinate directly with Bush. (Associated Press)
The head of the DEA is resigning after reports that the agency's agents engaged in "sex parties" with prostitutes hired by Colombian drug cartels. (Washington Post)
A Minnesota farmer testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in favor of lifting the trade embargo on Cuba. (Star Tribune)