Monday, February 25, 2008 - 1:00 pm
It appears an override attempt in the House is going to go through today. The biggest news may be that the governor appears to have let Republicans off the hook. Last week we reported that Gov. Pawlenty visited the House Republican caucus. According to a leading House Republican, the governor told House Republicans if 5-10 of them had to override than they were supposed to just do it on the first attempt. Some caucus members said if they knew the governor was going to say that they wouldn't have invited him. Some of the Republicans who voted for the bill are saying they're doing this for the governor because the bridge collapse and the fact "he's boxed himself in on transportation." We just saw Sertich and Anderson Kelliher and they were all smiles as they head into the floor session. The House Speaker also already has a press conference scheduled for 10 minutes after the floor session. You don't do that if you're not confident.
Update: I just heard from Brian McClung, Pawlenty's Communications Director. McClung says the governor is "not letting anyone off the hook." McClung verified that Pawlenty did say to the Republican caucus that "If you are going to override, there's no reason to do it 3, 4, 5 times." meaning — don't drag it out. Some caucus members seemed to have interpreted that as letting votes off the hook, McClung says that was not the governor's goal. Pawlenty has been working phones from D.C. this morning, calling House Republicans urging them to uphold his veto. But it seems there's some confusion over how his remarks were interpreted by caucus members.
It appears an override attempt in the House is going to go through today. The biggest news may be that the governor appears to have let Republicans off the hook. Last week we reported that
Gov. Pawlenty visited the House Republican caucus. According to a leading House Republican, the governor told House Republicans if 5-10 of them had to override than they were supposed to just do it on the first attempt.
It's James Metzen (DFL—District 39)!
What is After Hours? David explains — in under two minutes, just like these web-only segments.
In this second chapter of our new After Hours feature, David asks Mary, "Why do we always hear from the same set of 'party big dogs?'"
We ask about art ... and the curtain at the U of M's Northrop Auditorium. That must mean it's Index File time. Then we end the show with a musical treat, a clip from the tpt archives of folkie Bill Staines from 2000.
Will the veto of the transportation bill stand? That's one topic we deliver to the political panel this week. Democrats Wy Spano and Ember Reichgott Junge square off against Republicans Sarah Janecek and Phil Krinkie.
It's a family memoir written by Joe Amato published this month by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. In the book, Amato makes the case for rethinking how family histories are written.
That means that Almanac sports guy Larry Fitzgerald is back for his monthly visit.
Yeah, no one likes the name. But the Met Council deadline on the newest Twin Cities lightrail line is next week. Hear how the deal is starting to take final form. Our guests are Met Council head Peter Bell, U of M official Kathy O'Brien and Ramsey Co. Commissioner Tony Bennett.
Meet the youngest member of the legislative community, courtesy of Senator Katie Sieben.
