Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Jon Collins

The Daily Digest (Minn. prepared for Medicaid costs, Senate passes immigration overhaul)

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Welcome to Friday's edition of The Daily Digest.

It appears that Minnesota will take less of a hit than other states when costs associated with an increase in Medicaid enrollment kick in. And GOPers want a special session to repeal a business tax.

In Washington, the U.S. Senate managed to pass a bipartisan immigration overhaul, but prospects in the House are murky.

Minnesota

Minnesota likely to avoid states' budget shock from ACA's 'welcome mat' effect (MPR News)

The state expects a 15 percent bump in Medicaid enrollment, and has been preparing for that increase since 2010. Even states that opted out of Medicaid expansions can expect to see increased state costs, partly due to the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to sign up for insurance and a streamlined Medicaid process.

GOP foes of warehouse tax want special session, repeal (MPR News) Even though the tax doesn’t kick in until April 2014, Republicans said businesses are already cutting back their operations and costing the state jobs. GOP leaders want a special session to repeal the tax. DFLers say they’ll have plenty of time next session.

More paperwork released in Brodkorb case (MPR News)

The lawsuit filed by former GOP staff Michael Brodkorb after he was fired for an affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch is about to enter the deposition phase. In a final flurry of paperwork, lawyers for the state Senate are requesting information about Brodkorb’s legal fees, medical records and documentation of affairs between other staffers. The trial date is set for July 2014.

Stewart Mills, Minnesota congressional hopeful, is a Packers fan (City Pages) After the Minneapolis alternative weekly unearthed photos of the new 8th District GOP candidate wearing a Packers jersey, Mills explained that his family traces their support for Green Bay back to 1941, before the current incarnation of the Vikings existed. No worries though, other members of his family do cheer for the Vikings.

National

Immigration overhaul: Senate passes historic bill (MPR News and Associated Press)

Sixty-eight Senators voted for an immigration bill that would allow 11 million people currently in the United States to start on a path to citizenship. It would also beef up security on the southern border by adding 20,000 new border guards and using technology like drones. The bill faces an uncertain future in the U.S. House, where some conservatives oppose the provisions allowing people who immigrated here without authorization to become citizens.

RATINGS CHANGE: Minnesota’s 8th District (Roll Call) The Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call has changed their rating of Minnesota’s 8th District from currently Safe Democrat to Lean Democrat after the formal entry of Stewart Mills into the race. The piece notes that Nolan’s campaign appears to have perked up, referring to Mills in fundraising appeals.

Chief Justice Roberts Plays a Long Game on Supreme Court (New York Times) Roberts has been able to convince his more liberal colleagues to join him on some compromise opinions, which he’s been able to later use to leverage more rulings sympathetic to conservatives.

What happens with farmers, food stamps and the USDA with no farm bill? (Washington Post)

Unless Congress acts, farm programs will revert to policies in the 1949 farm bill, which could lead to a spike in milk prices. Because they’re both permanent law, food stamp and crop insurance legislation would continue as usual.

A Bill Allowing More Foreign Workers Stirs a Tech Debate (New York Times)

A provision in the immigration bill would allow more foreign professionals to work in the United States. The tech industry pushed strongly for it. But labor groups say it’s meant to hold down wages.