The Daily Digest: Budget forecast day
Good morning!
In Minnesota
Minnesota's Department of Management and Budget will release the budget forecast today that lets Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature know whether the projected $1 billion surplus will either grow or shrink. (AP via Star Tribune)
A MNsure board member took state lawmakers to task on for a proposal that would turn the state's online insurance exchange into a state agency. (MPR News)
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How much does the state need for future transportation needs? No one is really sure. (MinnPost)
Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill Thursday that provides stop-gap funding for some state agencies and freezes pay for his top officials. (MPR News)
Republicans in the Minnesota House have delayed a planned vote on a teacher tenure and licensing bill, after learning that the proposed policy changes would have some unexpected costs. (MPR News)
A group of Republican state senators wants Minnesota to shift its primary election up from August to March in time for next year's presidential race. (AP via Pioneer Press)
National Politics
House Republicans will likely try to pass a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for three weeks. (Politico)
Homeland Security employees in Minnesota and local police departments are likely relieved that shutdown fears are easing. (MPR News)
DFL Congresswoman Betty McCollum has an op-ed about why she won't be attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before Congress next week. (Washington Post)
The Federal Communications Commission voted to regulate broadband Internet service as a public utility, a milestone in regulating high-speed Internet service into American homes. (New York Times)
Sen. Al Franken is taking a victory lap after the FCC's vote. (MPR News)
Jeb Bush is doing all he can to line up the Republican Party's top donors, policy wonks and operatives before rivals can tap them. (New York Times)
Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich, who was a Republican candidate for governor, died of self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday, authorities say. (USA Today)
Have a great weekend!