Almanac: At the Capitol

With 3 days left to pass bills, budget negotiations continue. Leaders and the governor have been meeting on and off all day saying they wanted bi-partisan healthcare reform. That is linked to an overall budget and won't be separated. I have been digging up another story that I will reveal tonight on Almanac dealing with Gov. Pawleny's vetoes.

Speaker Anderson Kelliher says they are "this close" on property tax relief. The House Tax Chair Ann Lenczewski says the big three: Pogey, Pawlenty and Kelliher need to cut this deal alone with no other people in the room. There have been a bevy of lawmakers and staff in and out of negotiations for days. I counted about a dozen different people being beckoned to the governor's office yesterday. That's all we have to do sitting outside on our stake outs for hours. Speaker Kelliher said when it was just the three of them behind closed doors things didn't necessarily go any better. She said it "ebbs and flows" in terms of productivity.

Meanwhile the House and Senate are in session today. The House is expected to take up a transportation bill. A moment of history was also noted at the open of the House session. Rep. Neva Walker became the first African American woman to preside over the chamber. She got her shot at the speaker's desk as others have to honor their retirement.

The 34th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade occured two weeks ago, and there could not have been a more stark difference in the way that day was commemorated than in the activities of the Minnesota and North Dakota legislature.

Here in Minnesota, while Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life picketed the Capitol, legislators like Sandy Pappas and Neva Walker were supporting plans to reduce abortions, such as promoting funding for family planning and extensive sex ed classes.

Across the border, North Dakota remembered the anniversary by hearing a handful of bills designed to end safe access to abortions, including making the procedure a felony at all times, even if the life of the mother is in danger.

Which approach is more likely to end abortions? One that goes to the root of the issue, providing support, education and contraception, or one that threatens with a life sentence in jail?

Prevention is always preferable to punishment.

This is just one of the many reasons I live in Minnesota and not in North Dakota. We address people before scoring political points.