The Morning Report 5/12/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Story: With one week left in session, legislators push for budget deal with governor.
Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Sen. Murphy: whatever you do, don't apologize, MN Blue
• Blue Dog Democrats are moderates?, True North
• Pawlenty to leaders: I've got some moves, too, The Political Animal
• Congressman Kline: Playing the blame game on gas prices, mnpACT!
• Open letter to District 2 Republicans, Shot in the Dark
• Pawlenty's bad deal, MN Campaign Report
• Gov. Pawlenty Vs. Lt. Gov. Molnau, Let Freedom Ring
• The ghost of the machine, Ladies Logic
• Minneapolis City Council is moving to rescind a 40-year-old agreement over jail fees, Urban Renaissance Coalition
• Governor, legislators bow to religious right on sex-ed bill, MN Monitor

Business/Economy:

• Ground zero in the debate over ethanol, Star Tribune
• If Hazelden is healthy, why have almost all execs left?, Star Tribune
• Regional airports above merger fray, Star Tribune
• Mall of America: Hurdles to mall growth rise, Star Tribune
• Canada shuts down ATK deal, MSP Business Journal

Campaigns-Senate:

• Nelson-Pallmeyer: don't count me out, MPR
• College prof no walkover for Franken in MN Senate run, AP

Campaigns:

• Denied GOP nod, Olson might run as independent, AP
• The Obama campaign's 'unsung hero,' Politico. MN one of the states where 'strategic choices and powerful on-the-ground organizing' translated into delegates.
• Already, Obama and McCain map fall strategies, New York Times. Both campaigns say MN is one of the states 'clearly in play.'

Crime/Police:

• 2 sentenced in Twin Cities bank fraud of more than $2.3 million, Star Tribune

Education:

• Duluth at war over future of its schools, Star Tribune
• Bill to raise dropout age to 18 is headed to governor, AP
• Duluth school bill in overall tax bill, Duluth Budgeteer News
• Site ensures closed schools more than just memories, Chicago Tribune. U of M Morris has 'Center for Small Towns.'

Environment:

• House overwhelmingly passes gaming bill, MinnPost
• 2 suburbs cut off sale of harmful fertilizer nutrient, Chicago Tribune. MN prohibited fertilizer containing phosphorous except in areas where the soil lacks it.

Health Care:

• Software bugs delay signup portal for MN health programs, AP
• For Mayo Clinic, $1 billion within reach, AP

I-35W Bridge Collapse:

• Victims’ fund won’t end I-35W bridge litigation, Finance and Commerce

Judicial:

• Judge delivers setback to Big Stone II project, MPR

Labor:

• The Union Police, Wall Street Journal. 'If Republicans [like Norm Coleman] can't even oppose monopoly unionization, who needs Republicans?'

Legislature:

• 2008 legislative session: All that scrapping paying off this time, Star Tribune
• Budget blowout? DFL optimistic about deal, GOP offers doom and gloom, MinnPost
• DFL prepares its own budget package, West Central Tribune
• One week to adjournment, legislators push budget bills, MPR
• Legislature's final push -- seven days, seven questions, AP
• Lawmakers wade through 8,000-plus bills, Red Wing Republican Eagle

Opinion-Commentary:

• John Kline: High prices: We've got to do something, Star Tribune
• Lori Sturdevant: Citizens, officials: Can you still dance together?, Star Tribune
• Tony Barrett: Five questions for the Iron Range, Duluth News Tribune
• Nick Coleman: State can salute 150-year mark, but it'll have to be hush-hush, Star Tribune
• Thomas L. Friedman: Call your mother, New York Times. Columnist's mother 'never lost the generous "Minnesota nice" demeanor that characterized her in her better days.'

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Central Corridor hardening the bargain, Pioneer Press
• Editorial: Grant underscores school funding flaws, Star Tribune
• Editorial: Don’t buy GOP’s gas tax smear job, Mankato Free Press
• Editorial: Minnesota celebrates a meaningful 150th, Star Tribune
• Editorial: Cuts threaten a key food supply sentry, Star Tribune

Pawlenty:

• Molnau lands walleye before Pawlenty in fishing opener, AP
• Pawlenty tops Post VP list, Star Tribune

People:

• Hard-to-peg attorney general defined by those around her, Star Tribune
• Gen. Vang Pao's last war, New York Times. 'Today more than 200,000 Hmong live in the United States, mostly in CA, MN, and WI. More than half are under 18.'

Public Health/Safety:

• House rejects measure to upgrade seat belt offense, MPR
• Room for improvement: Minnesota's DWI rankings, MinnPost

Republican National Convention:

• RNC Director resigns after criticism, Pioneer Press

St. Paul/Minneapolis:

• Celebration, somber protest at Capitol, Star Tribune

Transportation:

• Central Corridor roars back?, MinnPost
• Lawmakers try to save federal light rail funding, WCCO

Z-File: Irresistible stories beyond the purview of PIM

• Taking art-rock literally, Wall Street Journal. Painting to the music of Minneapolis rock band Cloud Cult.