Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Here’s the Digest.
1.Two high-profile encounters where black men were fatally shot by Minnesota police officers sparked weeks of protest and loud calls for change. Among the concerns were gaps in training and that police forces didn’t reflect the communities they patrolled. As part of Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget, there is a $10 million recommendation to provide for more-regular courses in crisis response and other funds to diversify departments. Lawmakers in both parties appear to be on board. (MPR News)
2. Anyone who has rented a car, either for a trip or to get by while another vehicle is in the shop, knows that the quoted rate is just a fraction of the total cost. In Minnesota, taxes and fees on rentals can exceed 20 percent, even more on cars picked up at the airport. Some neighborhood-based car-sharing services are asking the Legislature for an exemption from those taxes. But the idea has run into resistance — from other rental companies. (MPR News)
3. Republican lawmakers are turning up the heat on DFL state Auditor Rebecca Otto over the legal bills she's racked up fighting a 2015 law that allows local officials to bypass her office and hire private sector audit firms. Otto appeared before the House State Government Finance Committee Wednesday to provide an agency overview and discuss budget needs for the next two years. But lawmakers questioned her almost exclusively about the lawsuit, which is currently under appeal. (MPR News)
4.President Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would no longer insist on a Palestinian state as part of a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, backing away from a policy that has underpinned America's role in Middle East peacemaking since the Clinton administration. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state" formulations, Mr. Trump said, during a news conference at the White House with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. "I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one." (New York Times)
5.Fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination to head the Labor Department on Wednesday as his support on Capitol Hill faltered. Facing criticism from both sides of the aisle, Puzder became the first Trump Cabinet pick whose nomination failed.Ahead of his scheduled confirmation hearing on Thursday, which had been delayed several times, it became less clear Puzder had support from his own party, facing pressure to withdraw. Several Republican senators signaled trouble by saying they were undecided on Puzder. (NPR)
Finally, if you’re reading this on email, I’m looking for a little feedback. Do you find this digest valuable? Would you miss it if it were gone? Do you read it every day or just sometimes? What time do you read it? Drop me a line at mmulcahy@mpr.org. Thanks.
