Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: 4-30-09

State health officials are still waiting for test results from the CDC on whether the first case of swine flu has surfaced in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

Gov. Pawlenty will travel to Cold Spring today to discuss the issue.

School districts are scrambling to draft an action plan.

The Minnesota Poll says the public supporters taxes, if they're on someone else. Two-thirds of those polled support raising taxes on wealthier Minnesotans.

Senate DFLers approve $67 million for flood relief.

The medical marijuana bill clears the Senate.

The Pi Press adds that the U of M has to open up alcohol sales to all if they allow drinking in the new stadium.

The Minnesota Gang Strike Force is under fire again. This time, a lawsuit says the group took $4,500 from an individual without cause.

The House oks mini-trucks but not drinking in rest stops.

Minnesota plans to buy easements on forest land.

The House also votes for the repeal of the Real ID driver's license provision.

Minnesota tries to block online gambling.

The Minnesota Workers Comp rating system is under scrutiny.

The Mall of America hopes for a state subsidy to help a planned expansion, again.

Gov. Pawlenty canceled his speech at Harvard to deal with swine flu.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Republican Norm Coleman told the Pi Press that Arlen Specter's decision to switch parties alters nothing.

The Star Tribune says Coleman will submit his appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court today.

Democrat Al Franken hires his chief of staff.

An ad will urge Gov. Pawlenty to sign the election certificate.

President Obama says he's under no illusions that he's going to have a "rubber-stamp" Senate.

D.C.

President Obama holds a primetime news conference to mark his first 100 days in office. He said he's gravely concerned about the situation in Pakistan.

Survey USA says Obama's approval rating in Minnesota is at 63%.

MinnPost talks to the delegation about Obama's first 100 days.

The House and Senate pass a $3.5 trillion budget. Minnesota's delegation voted along party lines.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar backs the Senate e-filing bill that's related to fundraising.

Klobuchar, Pawlenty and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson will be in Washington on Tuesday to lobby for flood funds.

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen toured nations in Africa and the Middle East.

Paulsen also wants to allow the IRS to dock federal income tax refunds to collect criminal restitution and court penalties.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison will appear at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in June.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann speaks out against a hate crimes bill.

She also blogs that government run health care is a "proven failure."

2010

Gov. Pawlenty's approval rating is at 48%, a new low.

2012

Gov. Pawlenty is absent from John McCain's townhall schedule. McCain is holding the forums to help rebrand the GOP. AP says he's noticeably absent but is a McCain supporter.