Almanac: At the Capitol

The House DFL budget holds education harmless but raises taxes, and House Republicans have concerns about medical records privacy.

View the Capitol Update for March 19, 2009.

The House stops an effort to limit state spending, lawmakers want to pass a law making human trafficing a specific crime, and home schoolers seek relief from state mandates.

View the Capitol Update for March 2, 2009.

Today we're going to delve more into a bill that would provisionally seat Al Franken in the Senate.  Rep. Kahn is the chief author.  Some key changes to law are below:

In case of a contest, an election certificate shall not be
1.11issued until a court of proper jurisdiction has finally determined the contest. a provisional
1.12certificate of election must be prepared and delivered as provided in subdivision 1 for
1.13the candidate declared elected by the county or state canvassing board. A provisional
1.14certificate of election is valid from the first day of the term of office for which the election
1.15was held until the date on which a court of proper jurisdiction has finally determined the
1.16contest. For purposes of Minnesota law, a candidate who has received a provisional
1.17certificate of election is considered duly elected and qualified to the office and must be
1.18granted all resulting rights and privileges provided by law until the date on which a court
1.19of proper jurisdiction has finally determined the contest.

3.12    Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
3.13Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final enactment, and apply to any
3.14election contests pending on or after that date.

DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich says calling this a bill that just seats Franken does it a "disservice" because it pertains to future elections as well.  Speaker Anderson Kelliher said she'd sure like to have two senators but, "the legislature is hesitant to insert themselves into this."  Republican Tom Emmer says "it's improper and inappropriate" and clearly applies to any contests pending like the Coleman/Franken race.

We talked with Norm Coleman today about this and he said "it's not serious legislation."  Coleman and Franken did a round of media today.  Coleman has been sitting in the courtroom the past two weeks for the election contest and he thinks it's going great because they are finding ballots that have not yet been counted.  More tonight on Almanac.

Many Minnesota political leaders travelled to Washington D.C.'s warmer climes (?!?) for President Obama's inauguration.

View the Capitol Update for January 20, 2009.

As millions gather in Washington for Pres. Obama's inauguration, many Minnesotans are in attendance.   Gov. Tim Pawlenty is there as are House DFL Leaders Kelliher and Sertich.  Kelliher said "He represents a new generation."  Sertich said "he transcended race and petty politics."  Former Vice President Walter Mondale is on the main riser.

Obama makes much history today, but I was surprised that he's not even close to being the youngest president in history.  Surprisingly, that honor goes to Teddy Roosevelt who assumed office at just 42 after McKinley's assassination.  The youngest elected president hold true to perception, JFK was 43.  I don't remember Bill Clinton being just 46, still younger than Obama at 47.  We often think of our governor as a young governor, but he is a year older than Obama.  He also brings left-handedness back to the White House, Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton were part of the left-handed streak in the Oval Office.

Some other bits of analysis that stands out of to me.  The first President Bush served in a segregated army.  Presidents Carter and Clinton grew up in segregation south. And they are standing there feet away from a Black man becoming president.  One PBS anaylst (Ch. 17 is broadcasting the event) just said that the transition from Bush (Jr.) to Obama is probably "the best transition ever."  That is a credit to both men and their staffs.  It is the remarkable day when we watch the peaceful transition of power that makes our democracy enviable.