Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: 4-1-09

The three judge panel dealt another blow to Republican Norm Coleman's chances of heading back to Washington. The court wants to review 400 ballots - a third of what Coleman wanted - on Tuesday. His attorney already said the campaign will appeal. You can read the order here.

MPR, AP, the Pi Press, Politico, CNN, the New York Times, The Washington Post, MinnPost, Forum Communications, The Hill and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Political Animal picks up on a possible mistake by the Coleman team.

Franken sat down with Politico over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Republican Jewish Coalition touts Coleman's contributions.

Under the Dome

WCCO says $400k was spent to renovate the Attorney General's office (including sound proof doors). The report says the project was initiated when Mike Hatch was in office.

A sales tax for property tax tradeoff starts moving through the Minnesota House.

Fox9 takes a look at a company that allegedly over-billed the state.

Minnesota and Wisconsin agree to share some services. The governors for the two states say they will initially save approximately $10 million each. MPR, AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

The House is moving along a smaller bonding bill. Gov. Pawlenty says it's more acceptable than the Senate version.

Lawmakers are pursuing energy funds.

DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark is pushing changes to Q-Comp.

Increased court costs are possible under a bill.

3M cuts 1,200 jobs worldwide. Several hundred Minnesota workers will lose their jobs.

D.C.

NPR reports that the Justice Department will drop all charges against former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.

Minnesota's biggest stimulus project proves controversial.

President Obama faces his first foreign policy test.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann blogs that Obama's plan on the auto industry is the right message but the wrong time.

Obama's HHS nominee owed back taxes.

MinnPost says the real action on the budget battle will be between Democrats.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson wants and IRS extension for flood victims.

Klobuchar also backs "an overhaul of federal rules so all food sold in schools must meet nutritional standards similar to school lunches."

The Wall Street Journal says DFL Rep. Tim Walz returned cash for his office to the government.