Morning Report 3/19/2012

• Rep. Kalin: Vikings funding plan ‘held together with duct tape and bubble gum’, Let Freedom Ring
• Hey Big Spender, Hennepin County Taxpayer Watchdog
• District 57 Convention: Power play – the politics & the personal, mnpACT!
• Southwest ‘Lie’ Rail, Speed Gibson
• Path to end of 2012 Legislature is fuzzy, Capitol Chatter
• MNGOP may not have the votes for union-busting amendment, MN Publius
• Liberal myopia at the Star Tribune, Power Line
  
• Mary Franson looking to badger up Gopher State, Bluestem Prairie
  
• This is responsible education budgeting?, mnpACT!
  

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BUSINESS / ECONOMY

• Lawmakers pitch ways to increase startup money, Finance and Commerce 3/16/12 3:36 p.m.
• Goodhue wind project developers still plan June construction start, Rochester Post-Bulletin 3/16/12 10:03 a.m.
  

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CAMPAIGNS

• Suss says he’s better prepared for seat at Capitol this time around, Marshall Independent
• Brown County Republican Convention foreshadows GOP campaigns, New Ulm Journal
• Rick Santorum wins Minnesota’s GOP caucus but not its cash, Star Tribune 3/19/12 5:15 a.m.
  

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CONGRESS – HOUSE

• Republicans say they have a shot at unseating DFL U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, MPR
  

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CONGRESS – SENATE

• Sen. Klobuchar welcomes home troops in Brainerd, WCCO 3/18/12 5:42 p.m.
  

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ELECTIONS

• Bringing both sides to the table, Marshall Independent
  

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ENVIRONMENT

• Franklin, MN, an unlikely biomass test kitchen, West Central Tribune 3/19/12 12:00 a.m.
  

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HEALTH CARE

• ACMC lease issue taken to court, Marshall Independent
  

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LEGISLATURE

• Capitol affairs are in Michael Brodkorb’s cross hairs, Star Tribune 3/15/12 11:23 p.m.
• Minnesota legislators tread softly around possible Brodkorb lawsuit, AP 3/17/12 8:49 p.m.
• Michael Brodkorb raises the stakes for GOP, MinnPost
• Ugly cloud hangs over Capitol, puts Legislature in bad light, senator says, Marshall Independent
  
• State Rep. John Kriesel explains why he’s leaving Legislature, MinnPost
• Zip Rail faces steep legislative climb, Rochester Post-Bulletin 3/17/12 7:58 a.m.
• Iron Range board transparency measure clears hurdle in Minnesota House, Duluth News Tribune 3/19/12 12:00 a.m.
  
• Plan to curb welfare seen as reform – or cruelty, Star Tribune 3/18/12 10:19 a.m.
  
• Huntley to run for 11th state House term, Duluth News Tribune 3/17/12 12:00 a.m.
• Senjem offers his bonding predictions, Rochester Post-Bulletin 3/19/12 8:00 a.m.
  
• Rep. Kriesel: ‘My kids don’t want me to run for re-election’, MPR
  
• Nelson’s digital learning bill advances, Rochester Post-Bulletin 3/16/12 8:46 a.m.

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OPINION – COMMENTARY

• Joe Soucheray: 45 mph freeway suits St. Paul just fine, thank you, Pioneer Press 3/17/12 10:28 p.m.
• Lori Sturdevant: Can one color outside lines at the Capitol?, Star Tribune 3/17/12 4:23 p.m.
• Steve Kolar: A proper approach to treating cancer, Star Tribune 3/18/12 6:16 p.m.
  

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OPINION – EDITORIAL

• Editorial: Public pension reform gains momentum, Pioneer Press 3/17/12 5:13 p.m.
• Editorial: Worthy attention to north river corridor, Star Tribune 3/18/12 6:14 p.m.
  

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PEOPLE

• John Cowles Jr. left his mark on Minneapolis arts and culture, Pioneer Press 3/18/12 10:25 p.m.
  

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PUBLIC HEALTH / SAFETY

• Willmar showing the way to a more diverse Minnesota, MPR
• Minnesota seniors facing a spike in long-term care cost, Star Tribune 3/19/12 5:29 a.m.
• Bullying task force to meet for first time, KSTP 3/19/12 8:14 a.m.
  

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SAINT PAUL / MINNEAPOLIS

• Urban farms a tricky row to hoe for Minneapolis City Council, MPR
  

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STADIUMS

• Kriesel says Vikes stadium won’t happen, WCCO 3/18/12 10:00 p.m.
• Vikings stadium turning into legislative hot potato, Pioneer Press 3/16/12 10:09 p.m.
• Rival Vikings stadium bill takes step forward in Senate, Pioneer Press 3/16/12 10:07 p.m.
• Zellers calls deadline least of stadium bill snags, AP