Mar 11, 2011
When you enter into DFL Senate office space you are greeted by an interesting sign. It shows the sentiments and feelings the members of the Senate minority have for their current accommodations. The signage speaks for itself, but if these legislators are only viewing...
Mar 11, 2011
Yesterday, as expected the Republican brought forward spending proposals focused solely on reductions in government spending without raising any new revenue. Since there is little common ground these proposals set the stage for protracted negotiations with...
Mar 9, 2011
Edward Burdick worked in the Minnesota House for 60 years serving as Chief Clerk for 38. He passed away this morning in his sleep. He will be an icon at the Capitol because of his long service, which immortalized him in a bust, which sits outside the House chamber....
Mar 9, 2011
Today’s appointment of Sen Ellen Anderson (DFL-66, St. Paul) as chair of the Public Utilities Commission has created a bit of buzz around the legislature specifically in the House. She has successfully extended her high five for state pension purposes with the...
Mar 2, 2011
Yesterday, the Senate Rules and Administration Committee voted to present to the body its proposed rules for the 2011-12 legislative session. Contained in the new rules are new provisions, which will finally resolve the questions between press credentials for media...
Mar 2, 2011
The focus on MN Republican Party Chairman’s Tony Sutton’s efforts to steer legislature while the new Republican Legislative Majority navigates through the myriad of bills seems overly much. While people are looking for someone to blame or a scapegoat of...
Mar 2, 2011
We spoke with House Ways and Means Chairwoman Rep Mary Liz Holberg (R-36B, Lakeville) yesterday and inquired about the date which House Budget targets will be known. She said, “It should be about a week and a half,” which we speculate, means around the “Ides of...
Mar 2, 2011
Upon Governor Mark Dayton’s (D) early evening return from attending the National Governor’s Association winter meeting in Washington, DC he presented his proposed budget revision for FY2012-13. The list of items accounted for the entire $1,160b realized with the...
Feb 28, 2011
The Republicans going first started with House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-32B, Maple Grove), Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-19, Buffalo), House Majority Leader Matt Dean (R-52B, Dellwood) and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Geoff Michel (R-41, Edina) who stood...
Feb 28, 2011
Governor Mark Dayton (D-MN) will not be able to meet with the press until 5:00 pm tonight when he returns from the National Governor’s Association meeting in Washington, D.C. Dayton said he would only ask from those with means to pay in an additional amount to meet...