Capitol Hill

First on FBDC, check out CongressDaily's redesign to be unveiled tomorrow. The new cover includes a dashboard that National Journal hopes will help readers better navigate CongressDaily's coverage, schedules on the Hill and the website's content.

One of the stars of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, Capt. Keith Colburn, blows into town tomorrow to testify before the House Committe on Natural Resources. He opposes proposed off shore drilling in Bristol Bay (yes, a Palin family namesake).

Coincidentally, tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which Captain Keith will use as a cautionary tale of what could happen in the pristine waters of Bristol Bay, arrr.

Earlier this week, Politico sent an email to all Senate press offices requesting personal tax information from each Senator. The email says that Politico will use the information for a database they plan to construct and write about.

An FBDC source says "the e-mail has created a raging controversy among the Senate press offices over whether to respond or not. Many staffers believe it is meant to intimidate each office into complying."

The request states that Politico will report "whether people didn't respond" and links to a story that features Maria Cantwell and leads with the fact that she didn't respond to personal questions about her mortgage.

So what is Politico's point of linking to the Cantwell article?

FBDC's source says that even Senate press offices that don't want to give in to Politico's tactics will feel compelled to comply if all the other offices go along with the request.

Those opposed, say that Senators already comply with financial disclosure requirements under the law and think that Politico shouldn't expand those requirements. But mostly, they resent what they say is an "implicit threat."

FBDC asked Politico for response. In an email from Tim Grieve, Politico's congressional bureau chief, we were told "we don't comment on stories we may be pursuing."

See the email that caused all of the controversy after the jump.

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For those that missed Senator Amy Klobuchar's (D-Minn.) witty remarks from Wednesday evening, friend of Fishbowl Liz Glover has your back! Check out the video she sent exclusively to FBDC.

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From the release:

The Times Publishing Co. of St. Petersburg, Fla., announced today it is exploring the sale of Congressional Quarterly, Inc.

Based in Washington, D.C., Congressional Quarterly is the nation's leading publisher of news and information on politics, public policy and legislative activity at the federal, state and local levels. With nearly 170 reporters, editors and researchers covering governmental activity, CQ is recognized as a leader in the development of Web-based information products.

Paul Tash, chairman of Times Publishing, said the move represents the company's decision to direct investment resources toward properties in Florida, including its award-winning newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times.

"From its inception, CQ has enjoyed a sterling reputation for journalistic excellence, and in recent years its executives and its staff have created a prosperous and growing enterprise," Tash said. "CQ will attract many potential buyers who recognize its rich tradition and bright future."

CQ President Robert W. Merry, who joined CQ in 1987 after a dozen years covering Washington for the Wall Street Journal, said, "The Times Publishing Co. has been a wonderful steward of this business. But to maintain CQ's double-digit growth, we appreciate that it's time to bring our enterprise under the banner of an owner with national or international reach."

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