Almanac: At the Capitol

 A House committee killed a bill that would have allowed schools to open before Labor Day, Pawlenty welcomes a new airline to the state, and tough tax talk continues.

View the Capitol Update for March 9, 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.

Two DFL initiatives and two GOP reaction press conferences in one day.  The "New Minnesota Miracle" to reform and fully fund our schools to the tune of $2 billion dollars which Dems admit won't happen this year in total because of the budget deficit.  Democrats also laid out HF1 and SF1, their top priorities for session, "readying" the state for federal assistance.  It struck many in the press perhaps odd that state leaders' top priority was relying on federal action.  It even left many wondering if we were missing something, if this bill won't turn into some vehicle for tax increases or something that will force Pawlenty's veto of federal money and economic stimulus. 

What is also odd, is what happens when we in the press ask the "other side" to react to a press conference.  As you can see, here at the "New Minnesota Miracle" press conference, the Minority Leader Marty Seifert stands behind the DFL's sign because that's where the microphones and cameras are already lined up.  Seifert made a joke that now he gets to be the "mean" guy, but that's the way this place works:  Somebody presents and idea, then somebody says it's horrible, often in the same space with the opposition and their signs just feet away.

The DFL Legislative leaders set out their priorities for the session, plans for a new "Minnesota Miracle," and a commission reports on ways to improve the state budget.

View the Capitol Update for January 12, 2009.