City and State

 
Senator Calling for a Special Session on Merger

 Bemidji Pioneer – Idaho

            Bemidji Pioneer – St. Paul – One Minnesota Senator wants Governor Tim Pawlenty to call for a special session for the purpose of blunting the impact of a merger between Northwest Airlines and Delta.

According to Senate finance Committee Chairman Dick Cohen lawmakers might not know the results of the negotiations between Northwest Airlines and the state before May 19, the date of the Legislature’s adjournment deadline.  As a result a special session could be helpful.

            Cohen says he’s concerned about the merger’s effect on the economy in Minnesota.  Though he dislikes special sessions Cohen believes that it is one way to limit the damage done by the merger.

Nation and World

 Oil Prices Increase Yet Again

 New York Times – On Tuesday oil prices surged to nearly $114 a barrel.  This new rise was apparently cause by pipeline interruptions and a weak dollar.

            On the New York Mercantile Exchange Crude oil jumped more than $2 to $113.93 per barrel.  These prices have risen more than 18 percent since the beginning of the year.

            This newest price set a new record for oil prices and also increased gas prices.  On average retail gasoline now costs $3.39 a gallon according to AAA.  That number is more than 50 cents higher than last year.  Diesel prices on the other hand have increased $1.18 since last year to an average of $4.12 a gallon.

            This rise in oil prices is primarily been blamed on a string of interruptions in pipeline operation in Nigeria and the Caspian region.  Furthermore there was a shutdown of terminals in the Gulf coast due to bad weather.

            Despite slowing economic growth worldwide the increase in energy prices are showing no signs of slowing.

 
-Briefs compiled by Travis Grimler