Morning Report 2/21/2012

• Will new map bring Minnesota more competitive US House races?, Smart Politics
• House OKs sex offender notification; Hilty objects to rush, Capitol Chatter
• TakeAction Minnesota condemns racist online imagery pushed by MN Majority, photo ID supporters, MN Progressive Project
• Racism alleged in voter ID campaign, Capitol View
• Bachmann returns, with a bipartisan call to action, Hot Dish Politics
• Sen. Bakk’s Vikings stadium proposal doesn’t add up, Let Freedom Ring
  
• Awaiting the Redistricting, Mr. Dilettante’s Neighborhood
  

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BUSINESS / ECONOMY

• Battle is brewing for business borrowers, Finance and Commerce 2/20/12 5:21 p.m.
• Businesses seeing reward from Grove City loan program, West Central Tribune 2/21/12 12:00 a.m.

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CAMPAIGNS

• DFL-backed organizations set sights on winning Legislature, MPR
• Tim Pawlenty pays down debt from presidential campaign, Politico 2/20/12 7:27 p.m.
• DFLers highlight Cravaack family move to New Hampshire, MinnPost 2/20/12 12:25 p.m.
  

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CONGRESS – HOUSE

• Bachmann wants Medicaid rates to get closer scrutiny, Pioneer Press 2/20/12 11:53 p.m.
• Bachmann plans run regardless of redistricting, AP 2/20/12 11:52 a.m.

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ELECTIONS

• Secretary of State Mark Ritchie offers Voter ID alternative: electronic poll books, MinnPost 2/20/12 3:24 p.m.

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ENVIRONMENT

• Trust for Public Land facing scrutiny on fees, donations, Star Tribune 2/21/12 1:10 a.m.
• Smaller, renewable energy projects setting roots across west central Minnesota, West Central Tribune 2/21/12 12:00 a.m.
  

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GOVERNMENT – LOCAL

• Buffalo County issues fourth frac sand mine permit, Winona Daily News 2/21/12 12:00 a.m.
• Public health director may also lead Kandiyohi County family services on interim basis, West Central Tribune 2/20/12 12:00 a.m.
• Zumbrota seeks federal grant for land purchase, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/20/12 8:54 p.m
  

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LEGISLATURE

• Sen. Miller: Not so fast on constitutional amendments, Winona Daily News 2/21/12 12:00 a.m.
• Bills to prevent future state shutdowns shut down, Mankato Free Press
• Legislators propose sunset law on rules created by state agencies, MPR
• Rep. Mindy Greiling on how redistricting changes a politician’s home turf, MPR
• Tuesday will be most stressful day of the decade for most Minnesota legislators, MinnPost 2/20/12 9:30 a.m.
  
• House committee advances bill banning union dues deductions from child-care subsidy payments, Pioneer Press 2/20/12 3:23 p.m.
  
• Senate OKs bill requiring teachers pass basic skills test, now moves to Gov. Dayton, AP 2/20/12 2:26 p.m.
  
• House passes sex offender notification bill, AP
• With Brodkorb gone, new GOP Senate style emerges, MinnPost 2/20/12 9:45 a.m.

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OPINION – COMMENTARY

• Ken Harycki: Respect Stillwater’s history, Rep. McCollum, Pioneer Press 2/20/12 6:10 p.m.
• Julie Johnson and Christopher Decker: Senators should inspire others to oppose pharmacy merger, Duluth News Tribune 2/21/12 12:00 a.m.

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OPINION – EDITORIAL

• Senjem’s statement earns a place among the most preposterous, Rochester Post-Bulletin 2/21/12 7:37 a.m.
• Editorial: Cigarette tax hits low incomes again, Albert Lea Tribune 2/20/12 12:50 p.m.
  

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PEOPLE

• Josh Wise is new director of Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition, MinnPost 2/20/12 1:01 p.m.
  

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PUBLIC HEALTH / SAFETY

• State is auditing autism centers, including Rochester one, Rochester Post-Bulletin
• State’s largest county notes 38% drop in violent crime, MPR
  

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REDISTRICTING

• Mapping out politics in Minnesota, Marshall Independent
  

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SAINT PAUL / MINNEAPOLIS

• In St. Paul’s Ward 3, endorsing process criticized, Pioneer Press 2/20/12 11:50 p.m.
  

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STADIUMS

• Minnesota Vikings stadium talks in holding pattern, Pioneer Press 2/20/12 11:52 p.m.

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TRANSPORTATION

• Recent exam failed to detect weak Sabo Bridge cable, Finance and Commerce 2/20/12 5:00 p.m.
• Mpls. pedestrian bridge remains closed after cable support breaks, KSTP 2/21/12 8:19 a.m.