Almanac: At the Capitol

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).