05/2007

Vetoes Past

tptadmin — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:57:54 -0500

The veto is not a tool that Governor Pawlenty has used often. But Jesse Ventura was a pro with vetoes. And back in 2002, legislator Tim Pawlenty was involved in a rare Minnesota veto override. Take a look.

McCainiacs' McHats

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:25:21 -0500

John McCain supporters are passing out red hats. But so far there were only about a dozen takers. There is a strong libertarian mood on the floor. Ron Paul had a big rally earlier and lots of delegates have told me they really enjoyed my Jesse Ventura interview. Ventura had some harsh words for Norm Coleman, but some of Ron Paul's supporters questioned some of Coleman's votes today. It's new to see some dissention in a GOP that has been so disciplined in the past, especially when it comes to uniting behind one candidate early. One delegate just said, "I didn't know we had a dictatorship." Another delegate added, "They want us to shut up and take it." Party Chair Ron Carey responded, "We cannot run the party if we have rogues."

Healthcare & Budget Done

Mary Lahammer — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:23:30 -0500

So healthcare and budget deals are done, but tax issues remain according to legislative leaders. Minority Leader Marty Seifert says lawmakers will definitely be meeting in session on Sunday, but they will break for church and come back later in the day. The House tried to take up a ballot question that would allow them to call themselves back into special session, taking the power away from the governor. That effort didn't progress as it was "continued on the calendar" which means it could still come up at any time. Lawmakers plan to pass the healthcare reform bill early Sunday morning which is technically part of Saturday's legislative day.

Frustration is apparent as lawmakers and the governor continue to fail to close the entire global deal. Rank-and-file lawmakers are anxious and even angry. Many don't want to go on the record about this yet. But there is increasing talk about a need for leaders who can negotiate a deal. The calls are particularly loud in the Senate where Democrats and Republicans are wondering if they need new leaders. There is dissatisfaction with Sens. Pogemiller and Senjem and more and more lawmakers are letting their feelings be known.

The floodgates should have opened on an entire budget deal. Senate Health Chair Linda Berglin announced around 5pm that they have wrapped up a healthcare reform package and have agreement with the governor. That has been one of the most difficult details to nail down in end of session negotiations. It includes insurance for 12,000 more Minnesotans. Berglin says "I'm happy we will be taking steps towards reducing healthcare costs and taking steps towards insuring more Minnesotans, but there's more work to do in the future."

Not long before that Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem said "then end is in sight" and this is first sign we've seen in nearly a day towards real progress.

Historian Annette Atkins

tptadmin — Fri, 9 May 2008 19:03:06 -0500

Annette has the honor of being the first of several historians we will have on this month talking about what it means to them to celebrate Minnesota's 150th birthday. Atkins is a professor of history at St. John's University/College of St. Benedict and is the author of the MHS publication "Creating Minnesota."

Early Adjournment?

Mary Lahammer — Wed, 7 May 2008 13:16:35 -0500

Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller continues to hint at an early adjournment, as he's done all session. He just said he's told conference committee chairs that their bills need to be passed off the floor by Friday, this Friday, more than a week before the session is scheduled to end. When we asked if that means an early adjournment Pogemiller said "I think Minnesotans will be pleased." He said negotiations are going well with the governor and they are close (they always say they are close) but he said if there isn't a deal to process they will still have a "timely and orderly" end to session. Then Assistant Majority Leader Clark pointed out that the House has a very "vocal minority" that can slow things down. So this could set up a possible scenario where the Senate passes all the final bills, goes home and forces the House (minority especially) to just accept the bills that couldn't be renegotiated or repassed without the Senate in session. Pogemiller told us he does not expect to be around this weekend and he wants members to go fishing and enjoy Mother's Day.

Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem says he can't imagine a timely or orderly way out of this, he sees "special session or unallotment." Senator Ellen Anderson said she's "speechless with disgust" to hear that the governor plans to veto the minimum wage conference committee report a day after she says Commissioner Sviggum said the governor wanted to sign the bill. Anderson said this could create confirmation problems for Sviggum in the future. This happens on the day senators gather for their annual potluck of food and fellowship. Much more from Senate leaders and one of the most newsworthy legislative retirements tonight on Almanac: At the Capitol (7pm on tpt17 & 10pm on tpt2).

2007 Session for the DFL: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ember Reichgott Junge — Tue, 29 May 2007 08:14:00 -0500

The Good

The session finished on time. Kudos to Speaker Kelliher who drove the session to a close, from first day to last, even though House Republicans did everything in final hours to make sure that didn't happen.

The session tone changed remarkably. There may have been raised voices behind closed doors, but public outbursts were minimal. Civility reigned. The final day everyone "agreed to disagree." That is a world away from nasty attacks of sessions past.

Leadership in both the House and Senate performed admirably. Senate leaders Pogemiller and Senjem set the tone for two parties working together, and set a reasonable work pace with few long nights at the end. Speaker Kelliher and Minority Leader Seifert had a more feisty relationship, but few fault Kelliher's fairness. All of this builds an important foundation for trust and future relationships — both of which were sorely lacking in past years.

Several groundbreaking initiatives were passed and signed into law. The smoking ban will have great impact on long-term health costs. The environment and energy initiatives — setting standards for use of renewable energy and for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions — put Minnesota in the lead right behind California. Job well done!

Democrats began turning the big ship of state around. The ship has been going in the wrong direction for over six years ... it can't turn around overnight! They plugged the holes to stop the leaking ... like with special education funding. They played "catch up" by refilling vessels of fuel emptied from cuts in 2003, such as early childhood funding.

The Bad

Democrats are victims of their own expectations. They raised them too high and now must explain to Minnesotans why they did not do more. Under more modest expectations, the above successes would look resounding.

Democrats took bad votes that didn't pass into law. That may come back to haunt them. The Senate decision to raise income taxes to the highest tax rate in the nation will be heard loud and clear in 2008 elections ... for the House.

Democrats never articulated a real vision to engage Minnesotans. Remember Gov. Perpich's "Brainpower State?" That was a vision we could all strive for — no matter what the issue. Now that DFLers changed the tone within the Capitol, let's work on changing the tone outside those walls and energizing the public with a real vision for Minnesota.

The Ugly

It ain't over until it's over. Governor Pawlenty's actions in the next week may turn some of this on its head.

Traffic congestion grows. We use more gas as its price skyrockets.

The Taxpayers League convinced middle income people to oppose tax increases that impacted them in only one way: property tax relief. Now that's ugly.

The Good

The Wrapup

tptadmin — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:56:24 -0500

Two Minnesota history questions and some show-ending music by the Wailin' Jennys.

First-Termers Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:51:57 -0500

Our rookie group of lawmakers return to deliver their assessment of the session just ended.

Session Review

tptadmin — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:50:48 -0500

Our Mary Lahammer fills us in on how the legislative session drew to a close.

More Grilling with Mary and Chef Karl

tptadmin — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:50:02 -0500

Round two of grilling on the street.