Morning Report 2/5/2010

---

BEST OF THE BLOGS

• Photos: Day 1 at the Legislature, Politics in Minnesota
• Kelley drops out of governor’s race, Politics in Minnesota
• Hansen introduces bill prohibiting party conventions while the Legislature is in session, Politics in Minnesota
• Lanning under pressure in bonding bill debate, Politics in Minnesota
• The 2010 Legislative Session begins, MN House GOP. Audio from Republican House members.
• For Sen. Parry, swearing in a reminder of previous pride, Hot Dish Politics
• MN Publius must apologize to Emmer and LOWV, Minnesota Democrats Exposed
• Minnesota GOP Caucus gubernatorial straw poll voter turnout up over 20 percent from 2002, Smart Politics
• First Day, Mary’s Page - TPT
• Otto: 2 GOP auditor candidates can’t count, The Political Animal
• Pawlenty thinks the teacher’s union is the problem?, mnpACT!
• Bachmann to join Pawlenty at CPAC, Minnesota Independent
• Tinklenberg writes fundraising letter for Tarryl, Let Freedom Ring
• ‘Other’ legislative issues, Capitol Chatter
• Sure sign Legislature has convened, Hot Dish Politics
• Lawmakers eye gambling, Capitol Chatter
• Lindstrom: More talk, less substance, True North
• Why Minnesota Democrats should be thankful Tim Pawlenty is not running for reelection, Smart Politics

---

BUSINESS / ECONOMY

• ATK promotes DeYoung to CEO; reports strong Q3, MSP Business Journal
• Lender: Hecker is making excuses, Pioneer Press

---

CAMPAIGNS

• Ex-Sen. Kelley first to fall in MN gov race, AP
• DFLer Steve Kelley drops out of gov race, MPR

---

CONGRESS - HOUSE

• Kline optimistic Red Bulls will receive overdue pay soon, MPR
• Term limits rule rankles ranking GOP, Politico. Kline says there will be exceptions.

---

CONGRESS - SENATE

• Al Franken lays into David Axelrod over health care bill, Politico

---

EDUCATION

• Outlook bleak for state-funded college financial aid, MPR
• Charter schools’ growth promoting segregation, studies say, Los Angeles Times

---

ENVIRONMENT

• Energy saving stimulus projects delayed by environmental rules, Finance and Commerce
• Proposed copper-nickel mine draws ‘extraordinary’ interest, Star Tribune
• 23 Minn schools get grants for cutting carbon, AP
• When windmills don’t spin, people expect some answers, New York Times. Too cold to spin in MN.

---

GOVERNMENT - LOCAL

• Dakota County park will go nameless until suitable choice found, Star Tribune

---

HEALTH CARE

• RNs back off plan to protest meeting, Pioneer Press

---

LEGISLATURE

• Session starts with $1 billion proposal, Star Tribune
• Parry sworn in to Minnesota Senate, AP
• House bonding bill includes millions for St. Cloud projects, St. Cloud Times
• Dems open session with $1B borrowing plan, AP
• Will St. Cloud get its wishes in new Legislative session?, St. Cloud Times
• Threats against city candidates prompt bill, AP
• Lawmaker: No bottled water for state workers, AP
• Lawmaker wants to restrict lobbyists, AP
• Mayo Civic Center among bonding projects, Rochester Post-Bulletin
• Minnesotans rally to restore safety net health care program, Workday MN
• Gardner apologizes for Twitter gaffe, Polinaut - MPR
• Huge pier breaks bank and DNR rules, KSTP

---

OPINION-COMMENTARY

• Matt Kane and Dane Smith: From MEED to SEED, a Minnesota idea, Pioneer Press
• John Spry: Two reforms for a more prosperous Minnesota, Pioneer Press
• Samantha Chadwick: Transportation bill would benefit Minnesota, nation, Duluth News Tribune

---

OPINION-EDITORIAL

• Editorial: Legislature, at least get done on time, St. Cloud Times
• Editorial: Northland, stay focused in St. Paul, Duluth News Tribune
• Editorial: U fumbled after campus shooting, Star Tribune

---

PAWLENTY

• Pawlenty to make play in Vegas, AP
• Pawlenty hones comedy bit at chamber dinner, AP

---

PUBLIC HEALTH / SAFETY

• State housing tax credit could deliver low-cost housing, Finance and Commerce

---

ST. PAUL / MINNEAPOLIS

• A second chance for foreclosed homes: A look at Minneapolis and St. Paul’s Neighborhood Stabilization funding, Finance and Commerce
• Met Council reacts to MPR lawsuit, MPR

---

STADIUMS

• Vikings say they’d commit to 40 years, Pioneer Press
• DFL leaders to Pawlenty: You go first on Vikes stadium, Polinaut - MPR

---

TRANSPORTATION

• Rail line subject of information forum, Pioneer Press

---

Z-FILE: IRRESISTIBLE STORIES BEYOND THE PURVIEW OF PIM

• For Scots, a scourge unleashed by a bottle, New York Times. “In a study of litter in a typical housing project, 35 percent of the items identified were Buckfast bottles.”