Almanac: At the Capitol

Not bad. Not bad at all.

That would be my rating for the Governor and the legislative session this year.

Of course, I do tend to be more forgiving than others might be about legislative performance and behavior, given I served in the legislature and have a personal fondness of the place that overlooks the occasional faux paux or partisan invective hurled in debate.

Moreover, I'm aware that we've been doing this legislative thing in Minnesota for nearly 150 years and have gotten pretty good at it. And, after all, one of the legendary heroes of the place, whose portrait graces a Senate committee room, stole a bill as his claim to fame, which kept the capital in St. Paul and would be a felony if done today (and probably was then). Having someone pulled over after a little too much partying after the session, as happened to the President of the Senate, pales in comparison, and at least reminds us these people are human, after all.

We knew going in that the DFL had a large and largely inexperienced majority in the House with an untested leader. We also knew going in that Tim Pawlenty had moderated his tone somewhat, but would still be the key player, as Governor, in the ultimate outcome. Pogemiller in the Senate would be the wild card.

All that, and they got through doing no real harm to anyone — and on time.

There was just enough "kumbaya" in the energy and smoking legislation to show that the DFL majorities and the Governor could work together. The flameout at the end of the session was largely the result of a lack of trust and the parties not being familiar enough with each other to know who meant what when. It helps to know and be able to read your opponent when playing poker. The Democrats saw a bluff where there was a flush.

It certainly was not a good thing to have the Governor's office copying and verifying all correspondence because they could trust the Democrats to tell the straight story about the negotiations. But ultimately, "lights on" bills did pass, and Tim Pawlenty has shown the Democrats beyond any doubt that he will, in fact, veto bills.

Reasonable caution prevailed in this potential political minefield. This frustrated many constituencies in the short term, who seem to be on the DFL majorities for their supposed lack of nerve and conviction. But we do our legislatures in two year doses in this State. And with the Governor and legislative majorities more used to each other, and the House facing an election, next year's short session will be a real firecracker fueled by DFLers that are obviously now starting to feel their oats.