Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: Dayton remains popular

Good morning!

In Minnesota

Gov. Mark Dayton, a few months into his second term and in the thick of legislative session politics, has the support of 54 percent of likely voters, according to a new poll. Thirty-six percent disapprove, while 10 percent are undecided. (Star Tribune)

Dayton wants the lowest paid workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to get a raise to $10 an hour. (MPR News)

Even as Dayton and top state lawmakers vow no state money to help build a new Minneapolis stadium for the Major League Soccer franchise announced Wednesday, leaders of the House and Senate are preparing to mount a push to approve Super Bowl-related tax breaks requested by the NFL. (Star Tribune)

Advocates of a push to grant driver's licenses to people living in the country illegally packed a Minnesota House hearing, at times breaking into tears as supporters explained how the change would affect them. (AP via Pioneer Press)

DFL U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum says she’s concerned about a state plan to change a clean water standard aimed at protecting wild rice. (MPR News)

National Politics

House Republicans approved Wednesday a $3.8 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year following an unusual effort by party leaders to pump up Pentagon funding to ensure passage. (USA Today)

Fearing that Republicans will ultimately nominate an establishment presidential candidate like Jeb Bush, leaders of the nation’s Christian right have mounted an ambitious effort to coalesce their support behind a single social-conservative contender months before the first primary votes are cast. (New York Times)

U.S. Rep. John Kline is asking for an almost $60 million increase in funding to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in as part of a recent push to end many of the unsafe conditions in Bureau of Indian Education schools across the country. (Star Tribune)

An ambitious 12-nation trade accord pushed by President Obama would allow foreign corporations to sue the United States government for actions that undermine their investment “expectations” and hurts their business, according to a classified document. (New York Times)

Sen. Al Franken, once a frequent guest on Letterman in his pre-politician days, is returning to the show for an appearance next week. (Pioneer Press)

You'll definitely feel sorry for these guys: political donors who bundle donations from friends and colleagues are feeling ignored as candidates turn towards having billionaire patrons who can fund a super PAC. (Washington Post)