Morning Report 2/13/2012

• Local journalism’s Bachmann failure, The Same Rowdy Crowd
• Teddy Roosevelt’s progressive speech on Lincoln’s birthday, Growth & Justice
• Saint Paul takes a dive, Fraters Libertas
  
• Gov. Dayton’s battle versus The Clowns continues, MN Progressive Project
• Gov. Dayton, Who’s the extremist?, Let Freedom Ring
• Magnetation still considering Range, Superior sites, Minnesota Brown
  
• Proposal asks Minnesota’s renters to pay the price to end business property tax, MN Budget Bites
• Chanting Points Memo: Nothing Here But Us Extremists, Shot in the Dark
  
• The Crisis (of credibility): Mike Parry discusses “common sense”; Tom Paine rolls over in grave, Bluestem Prairie
  

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BUSINESS / ECONOMY

• Gambling a big surprise in new KSTP/Survey USA poll, KSTP 2/12/12 10:30 p.m.

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CAMPAIGNS

• Super PACs, outside groups prepare onslaught in 8th District, MPR
• Rochester banker to run for Minnesota House as DFLer, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/11/12 9:23 a.m.
  

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CONGRESS – SENATE

• Sen. Al Franken criticizes defense act as Occupy rally targets California Democrats, AP 2/11/12 11:04 p.m.
• Klobuchar: Employer wellness programs can cut sick leave 25 percent, Alexandria Echo Press 2/11/12 1:56 p.m.
  

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DAYTON

• Dayton vetoes GOP civil litigation bills, AP
• Dayton touts Ramsey County, rips Minneapolis council on stadium efforts, MinnPost 2/10/12 2:07 p.m.
  

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EDUCATION

• Special education gets fresh look in Minnesota schools, Pioneer Press 2/11/12 10:27 p.m.
• Cassellius: No Child waiver shows law wasn’t working, MPR

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ENVIRONMENT

• Forrest Boe to head state DNR Division of Forestry, Pioneer Press 2/10/12 4:52 p.m.
  

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GOVERNMENT – LOCAL

• Mild Minnesota winter lets public works get jump on spring, Pioneer Press 2/12/12 6:02 p.m.
• Frac sand hearing Monday, Winona Daily News 2/11/12 12:00 a.m.
• Houston County considers silica sand mining moratorium, Rochester Post-Bulletin
  
• Woodbury’s soccer ‘bubble’ days are nearing an end, Pioneer Press 2/11/12 9:41 p.m.
• Houston County property lawsuit dismissed, Winona Daily News 2/11/12 12:00 a.m.
• Minn. city councilman defends his Confederate flag, AP 2/13/12 8:54 a.m.
  

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HEALTH CARE

• Minnesota groups watch and wait on Obama’s health policy compromise, MPR
• Mayo Clinic lobbying to allow nurses to practice across state lines, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/10/12 9:10 a.m.
  

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LEGISLATURE

• Minnesota GOP wants to cut business property taxes, Pioneer Press 2/11/12 9:33 p.m.
• After botched staff firing, assertive Commission members push their independence, MinnPost 2/10/12 3:25 p.m.
• Rhetoric up, cooperation down at Capitol, Alexandria Echo Press 2/11/127:29 p.m.
• Constitutional amendment proposals carry GOP dreams, West Central Tribune 2/13/12 12:00 a.m.
• Legislators respond to property tax complaints, St. Cloud Times 2/11/12 11:49 p.m.
  
• Austin lawmakers back bill to toughen penalties for child abuse, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/11/12 9:23 a.m.
  
• Venture capital credit could complement angel investor credit, Session Daily
• Byron, La Crescent officials ask lawmakers for help, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/10/12 11:08 a.m.
  

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OPINION – COMMENTARY

• Thomas B. Aitken: Politics has no place in health-care exchanges, Duluth News Tribune 2/12/12 12:00 a.m.

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OPINION – EDITORIAL

• Editorial: A waiver’s all the rage, but don’t overlook the value of NCLB, Pioneer Press 2/11/12 3:53 p.m.
• Demand for sand gives counties leverage, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/11/12 6:42 a.m.
• Sartell does kids right by ending talk of fee hikes, St. Cloud Times 2/12/12 11:16 p.m.
  

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PUBLIC HEALTH / SAFETY

• Even critics of safety net depend on it increasingly, New York Times
  
• Family, sheriff at odds over death in jail of accused Minnesota courthouse shooter, Duluth News Tribune 2/12/12 6:00 a.m.
• Dakota County adult felony charges up 17% in 2011, Pioneer Press 2/11/12 9:39 p.m.
  

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SAINT PAUL / MINNEAPOLIS

• Crumbling Minn. Capitol reaches ‘tipping point’, AP
• Landlords’ suit against St. Paul over ‘problem properties’ going to trial, MPR
• Strong convention tourism expected in 2012, MPR
• Minneapolis City Council delays action on Bottineau Transitway, MinnPost 2/10/12 1:26 p.m.
• Minnesota Capitol building needs $241 million restoration, experts say, AP 2/12/12 11:43 p.m.