The Morning Report 3/12/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Stories: AG’s office defends suspension of attorney, Franken says he is now free to target Coleman, MN bill would outlaw software that snaps up concert tickets, Minnesota cops promise a kinder, gentler RNC, Minneapolis Wi-Fi network is almost done, State college costs twice U.S. average, Chris Coleman to deliver State of the City speech today.

Agriculture:

• Biofuel rush makes drought a bigger economic risk, NPR

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• The chilling effect of DFL tax increases, Wright County Republican
• You don’t need a weatherman to know…, Mr. Dilettante
• Is Southwest clear for a landing at MSP?, MN Monitor
• The Pioneer Press says it’s all our fault, mnpACT!
• Norm Coleman flip flops on immigration again, MN Blue
• Attorney General-Union flap hits the House floor, The Political Animal
• Bachmann demagoguery fuels hate groups, Liberal in the Land of Conservative
• Grow predicts a nasty Senate race (boy, do I agree), MN Publius
  

Business/Economy:

• Smaller counties not sold on new tax, Star Tribune
• Duluth Metals buys mining rights near Ely, MSP Business Journal
• Hiring plans soften across industries, Wall Street Journal. Net employment down 10 percent from last quarter in Midwest.
• Governor balances budget ‘on the backs of struggling families,’ coalition says, Workday MN
• After fine, Southwest suspends three and hires specialist, New York Times. Oberstar plans a hearing on the whistle-blowers’ complaints.
• Property taxes for cabins on leased government land to skyrocket, Duluth News Tribune

Campaigns:

• Franken says he is now free to target Coleman, MPR
• Franken in lead for seat in Minnesota, Washington Times
• With Ciresi’s exit, political insiders expect negative Senate race between Franken and Coleman, MinnPost
  

Congress-House:

• Oberstar has successful hip replacement surgery, AP

Education:

• MSA forum discusses Dream Act resolution, fees, Minnesota Daily
• State college costs twice U.S. average, Pioneer Press
• Bruininks talks funding, middle-class students, Minnesota Daily
  
• Big Lake schools may lose 30 positions, Star Tribune
• Massive school changes pass in Osseo, Star Tribune
• Partnership to improve U’s wireless network, Minnesota Daily
  

Elections:

• Instant-runoff voting in Minneapolis unlikely in 2009, Star Tribune

Environment:

• Local leaders discuss how to be ‘cool,’ Austin Post-Bulletin

Health Care:

• How to reform mental health care in Minnesota, MPR
• Mayo reveals Rx for health system, Star Tribune

Judicial:

• AG’s office defends suspension of attorney, MPR
• Craig attorneys ask Appeals Court to correct ‘manifest injustice’, AP
• Who will replace the state’s retiring chief justice?, MinnPost
  

Legislature:

• MN bill would outlaw software that snaps up concert tickets, AP
• House to voters: No ID, no problem, MinnPost
  

Military:

• Honoring those who served, Session Daily. Creating a Vietnam Veterans Day in MN.
• Pawlenty proposes veterans cemetery for northern MN, AP

Media:

• Charting 4-Year circ plunge at major papers, Editor and Publisher. Daily circulation of the Star Tribune declines 10.2 percent since 2003; matches industry average.

Opinion-Commentary:

• Kathy Tingelstad and Ann H. Rest: Proposal does not pit adoptees, birth parents, Star Tribune
• Joe Soucheray: Maybe Mike Ciresi was just too regular a guy for his party, Pioneer Press
• Ron Holch, Shar Jess and Dave Bicking: Private owner, not taxpayers, should pay for new stadium, Pioneer Press
• John D. Currie: Let’s be honest about our choices - and what they mean, Pioneer Press. Public school funding in MN.
• Cynthia Paulson: It’s actually a good time to buy a home — IF you know what you’re doing, MinnPost

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Senate race: The mainstream Democrat departs, Pioneer Press
• Editorial: Schools can benefit from sharing facilities, Star Tribune
• Editorial: Education, health care key, Mankato Free Press
  
• Editorial: Parting wisdom from a retiring justice, Star Tribune
• Editorial: Protests sure sign of tribal elections soon, Bemidji Pioneer
  

Public Health/Safety:

• Regional program that fights homelessness receives state award, Bemidji Pioneer
• Minneapolis names interim fire chief, AP

Republican National Convention:

• Minnesota cops promise a kinder, gentler RNC, Village Voice

St. Paul/Minneapolis:

• Minneapolis Wi-Fi network is almost done, Star Tribune
• Chris Coleman to deliver State of the City speech today, Pioneer Press
• St. Paul market project delayed again, Pioneer Press
• New St. Paul school honors adopted son Gordon Parks, MinnPost
  

Transportation:

• Another transportation worry in Minnesota: climate change, MinnPost