A group of conservative House Republicans stopped by the press room on their way to the governor's office where they're urging Gov. Pawlenty not to sign any budget bills until a revenue target is set. They call themselves "House conservatives" in their press release, we've jokingly called them "Emmerites" but no Emmer at my door. We've also dubbed the fun feisty group "Buesgonians" but Buesgens agrees that sounds way too much like something to dip in an espresso and he agreed he's not a latte kind of guy.
Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) said a lights-on bill that keeps government running "gives up." Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) said Democrats are "playing chicken." Buesgens (R-Jordan) added if Speaker Kelliher is running for governor and doesn't get a deal "it's a black mark on her leadership." On the House floor on the lights on debate Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth) said "it's not lights on, it's a dimmer switch." DFL Majority Leader Sertich said "it keeps employee's jobs and taxpayer services" if we can't come to a session-ending deal and governor doesn't call them back for special session right away. Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) added "we have a governor that won't compromise... we don't live in a kingdom, it's a democracy."