Almanac: At the Capitol

The House rejected a bill that would have allowed the construction of new nuclear power plants and tried to get a vote on the governor's budget.

View the Capitol Update for April 30, 2009.

The House DFL tax bill is out and getting strong reactions while the House sped up the way police will react when an adult goes missing.

View the Capitol Update for April 20, 2009.

So what do Sonny & Cher have to do with Pogey & Pawlenty?  In reacting to the House DFL tax bill, Rep. Marty Seifert said "Sonny and Cher have a better chance of reuniting than Pawlenty and Pogemiller."  When reporters reminded the minority leader that Sonny is dead, he said he knew, that's why they don't have a good chance of getting back together.  Another sign that the session may not end well.

In recounting the alcohol and cigarette taxes Seifert added "a lower or middle income voter voting for Democrats is like a dog fetching a stick it was beat with, at some point they'll understand Democrats want to tax you out of existence."  Republican lead on the Tax Committee Rep. Laura Brod added "this bill hurts job creators, hurts small businesses; hurts individuals and families who can least afford tax increases." 

The House DFL tax chair proposes a major overhaul to the system, rogue Republicans offer a budget different from the governor's, the Senate passes a bonding bill and Democrats push ahead on health care.

View the Capitol Update for March 16, 2009.

It's the meat and potatoes of politics:  bonding and budgeting.  Today the Senate passed a $365 million bonding bill.  Chair Keith Langseth said it will result in thousands of jobs.  Sen. David Hann said in this economy this isn't the time to borrow more money and raise taxes.  Langseth said you get more bang for your buck in these economic times.  The bill funds construction and renovations on things like:  Bell Museum at U, Volleyball Center in Rochester, high speed rail to Chicago, rail to North Shore, Union Depot transportation hub, Como Zoo, Big Lake ice arena, Orchestra Hall, Shubert Theater, St. Cloud Civic Center, Asian Pacific Cultural Center.

On the budget, House Republicans who the press has dubbed the "Emmerites" (followers of Rep. Emmer) came up with their own budget plan.  They said they balance the budget with no shifts, no gimmicks, no stimulus money and no tax increases.  As Republicans have criticized Democrats, we often ask them where is there budget plan? 

House Democrats sent around a blank sheet of paper last week entitled the Republican budget plan.  Today they have an answer.   The question is if it's a caucus answer or just the often noted splinter group--the Emmerites (has a nice biblical sound to it, huh?).  Reps. Buesgens, Brod, Zellers said you don't have to have a leadership title to lead.  So, it's not a caucus position and it's at odds with the governor because they don't agree with his idea to add money to education.  Now I've heard from these members that they don't like being called Emmerites, sorry, it's just a joke, no offense intended.  That's just the name the press has come up with for the splinter group of vocal House Republicans.  When you don't have your leader's backing and are defying the governor, I guess you get a nickname.

House Tax Chair Ann Lenczewski also came up with what she called the biggest tax reform in a quarter of a century.  It is revenue neutral.  It lowers the bottom two income tax tiers.  Eliminates business subsidies and loopholes, but cuts other business taxes.  She talked about using the deficit as an opportunity to make big changes that makes the tax system more fair and simple.