Almanac: At the Capitol

Governor Pawlenty meets with Senate Republicans as they prepare for budget negotiations, and higher ed bills move forward in both the Senate and the House.

View the Capitol Update for April 14, 2009.

Gov. Pawlenty met with the Senate GOP today to share their message of stopping tax increases and getting done without a special session.   The governor does not plan to meet with DFL legislative leaders because he said there are no budget or tax bills yet to start negotiating.  When asked about Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem's statement that the new 4 year "out year" balanced budget requirement be "rescinded" even though Pawlenty signed it, the governor said again that his budget is balanced, Democrats just don't like it.  Pawlenty added that to "make draconian decisions 4 years out may not be the wisest course."

House DFL Majority Leader Tony Sertich provided a sharp response saying "the governor seems more interested in digging his heels in... and not meeting with Democrats who are the majority of the legislature, he should talk to leaders and not just to his base."  Pawlenty has only met with leaders once recently and it didn't end well.  He's met with House and Senate Republican caucuses (who fit in his office).  Sertich also tossed out some new tough lines about Pawlenty being the "Reactor in Chief" and "Criticizer in Chief."  And I had accused Sertich of being cautious with the quotes this session--no more!

Back to the governor, he also added an interesting new word to repeated questions about signing an election certificate in the Senate race.  He said the recent MN Supreme Court decision says a certificate "CAN" be issued once state court action has completed.  Pawlenty again said he'd make a decision "when we get there" and wouldn't reveal any more.

On the issue of state worker furloughs, Pawlenty said his budget doesn't require it, but upon further questioning he said he "would" ask non-union employees to do the same, perhaps like himself and his appointees.  Finally, on the Vermillion State Park that could be part of a Pawlenty legacy, he said "it's disappointing" negotiations are not going well to get the land.

The House passes a bonding bill, conservative nonprofits balance a budget big on cuts, and the Senate votes to end some state mandates.

View the Capitol Update for April 6, 2009.

The House DFL unveils its bonding bill, House Democrats want to change the unemployment rate, and a Senate committee considers free fishing for people 90 and over.

View the Capitol Update for March 30, 2009.