Last week's House passage of H.R. 436, the Health Care Cost Reduction Act, was a victory for Rep. Erik Paulsen, its sponsor. The Minnesota Republican's political success may provide a boost to his investment portfolio, as well, the congressional watchdog site Open Secrets reports. The bill, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, would repeal an excise tax on medical devices. That includes devices sold by two companies that Paulsen owns stock in.

DFL challenger Brian Barnes has been eager to meet Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., for a debate in the District 3 race, but Paulsen hasn't agreed to any. So Barnes suggested that they duel in a state fair-themed contest. Paulsen didn't respond. That's too bad, Comedy Central says.

The Wall Street Journal profiles Latisha Cunningham, an unemployed 30-year-old from Minneapolis, as part of an analysis over the broader long-simmering debate on the role of states and the federal government in managing welfare. The issue has been the topic of testy exchanges between the Obama and Romney campaigns.

Minnesota Republican Erik Paulsen's bill exempting medical device manufacturers from a new health care tax has passed the House. But it may not get any farther. Democrats in the Senate are not likely to take up the measure. The White House says it will be vetoed if it gets to the president's desk.

Two morning radio personalities on KDAL-AM radio in Duluth were disciplined last week over comments they made on air to describe a strip club. KDAL Morning Show hosts Ken Buehler and Johnny Lee Walker were apparently discussing the latter's going-away party from the station Wednesday when the missive describing the strip club was used.

Republican Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen has sponsored legislation that would overturn a rule that stops many people from signing up for flexible spending accounts. FSA contributions which can boost your income because they aren't taxed, can be used for many medical expenses, but those contributions must be used before the end of the year, or they disappear.