Morning Report 9/29/2009

Agriculture:

• USDA says MN soybean harvest behind pace, MPR
• University of Minnesota releases new wheat variety, AP

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Unions ready to rock the governor’s race, Politics in Minnesota
• ‘Formers’ join Pogemiller, Kelliher in urging bipartisan budget work, Politics in Minnesota
• Stimulating reading: House Research jots down list of state economic development programs and proposals, Politics in Minnesota
• Interim House task force hopes to have jobs legislation for the 2010 session, Politics in Minnesota
• Stinson stresses state’s capital budget to spur economy, Politics in Minnesota
• Minnesota Poll’s progressive majority on health care, Growth and Justice
• Pawlenty’s ‘bizarro’ transportation world, mnpACT!
• What misguided thinking looks like, Let Freedom Ring
• A Pawlenty environmental flip-flop?, Capitol Chatter
• Tom Emmer: Democrats not ‘freedom-loving Americans’, Minnesota Independent
• Who did Tarryl represent?, Let Freedom Ring
• Rise in Hennepin County budget will be entirely due to health care, MN Publius
• Minnesota is off the board in 2012 — even if Pawlenty runs, MN Progressive Project
• Mystery persists about finances of Minneapolis PACs and candidates, Minnesota Independent
• Will Democrats lose 20+ U.S. House Seats in 2010? A counterpoint., Smart Politics

Business/Economy:

• GovDelivery buys D.C. government social network, Finance and Commerce
• Biodiesel refinery in Isanti is ready to rev, Star Tribune
• Major shareholders taking Gander private, Star Tribune
• Architects another victim of real estate downturn, MPR
• Poor job market for Minnesota college grads, FOX 9
• MN No. 17 on Forbes Best States For Business, MSP Business Journal
• Xcel Energy awaits vote on rates, Star Tribune
• St. Cloud software maker raises $10M in venture capital, Star Tribune

Campaigns:

• State GOP complains about mayors campaigning, Star Tribune
• Straw poll could pave way for top GOP choices, MPR
• Gubernatorial candidates shine light on legislative expenses, MPR

Congress-Senate:

• Sen. Klobuchar answers question on Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, MinnPost
• Poll: Many still making up minds on Franken, Star Tribune
• Sen. Klobuchar proposes tougher formaldehyde rules, WCCO

Crime/Police:

• Chief Deputy Bellows will run for Dakota County sheriff, Star Tribune

Education:

• Anoka-Hennepin closes six schools, KSTP

Environment:

• Once upon a time, Democrats and Republicans worked together on the Senate EPW panel, ClimateWire

Federal Stimulus:

• Rebates available soon for energy-saving home upgrades, MPR

Health Care:

• HCMC may need to turn away patients, KSTP

Legislature:

• In some states, a push to ban mandate on insurance, New York Times
• Panel to recommend fixes for MN budget woes, AP
• Leadership Summit sends recommendations; legislative subcommittee to ponder them, MinnPost

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: MnSCU should rework bonus plan, Star Tribune
• Editorial: School levy votes are serious, Mankato Free Press
• Editorial: Candidates should address LGA, Mankato Free Press
  

Pawlenty:

• Minnesota Poll: Most don’t back a Pawlenty run, Star Tribune

People:

• Edward Gearty, ‘last gentleman in Minnesota Senate,’ dies at 86, Pioneer Press
• Great Clips’ Barton always has a great hair day, Finance and Commerce
  
• GOP’s Rove to speak at Moorhead, Northfield colleges, AP

Public Health/Safety:

• Brooklyn Park plans rally against hate crimes, Star Tribune
• Minn. homeless advocates to meet in Minneapolis, AP
• Poverty steady, but food shelf use is up, Star Tribune
• Census: Poverty in Minn., Wis. remains low, AP

Technology:

• Businesses ‘tweet’ with caution, Finance and Commerce

Transportation:

• Officials say new lanes, express buses on 35W popular, MPR
• US train delegation returns from Spain, AP

Z-File: Irresistible Stories Beyond the Purview of PIM

• William Safire’s finest speech, Gawker
• Frank Lloyd Wright-designed station in Cloquet gets new life, AP
• AP Stylebook now available in the App Store, AP