Almanac: At the Capitol

After talks broke down last night, Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders went back behind closed doors this morning. They all say the tone is focused. The big hang up, as always, is property tax caps. Once again they're doing "runs" on different numbers. They've been in and out of negotiations all day, but one leader said don't expect a deal today. House leaders are live on Almanac: At the Capitol tonight.
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Gov. Pawlenty is weighing in heavily in floor debates today. First Republican House Minority Leader Marty Seifert apparently heard from the governor along with the speaker and Pawlenty asked them to stop debating an education bill without a global deal and that it created a situation of "negotiating in bad faith."
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REAL ID is back. The Senate Finance Committee just added an opt-out for Minnesota into another bill. Sen. Mee Moua's bill had to do with executive branch whistleblower protection. Ironic that this new bill would send the executive branch a bit of a bomb. Conservatives were considering joining liberals on an override of the governor's veto of the transportation bill that contained a REAL ID opt-out. John McCain is the only major candidate (Democrat or Republican) to support REAL ID.
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It feels like déjà vu all over again. DFL-led chambers are ready to send the Republican governor bills with no prior agreement setting up another round of vetoes. It sure seems like we're set for unallotment as many of us suspected all session. Leaders sent the governor a letter last night saying they are "poised to pass conference committee reports" while the governor responded that a property tax cap "is key to an overall agreement." He writes to Dems "You have been unable or unwilling to agree to such a cap." He reminds them that "If DFL leadership is unable to reach an agreement" than "we cannot afford projects like Central Corridor" or healthcare expansion.
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Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher wants a budget deal for the state's 150th birthday present on Sunday. It's a great PR angle, but depending whom you believe a deal is close or completely out of reach. Democrats all say it's "doable" if the governor wants a deal, but Republican Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem said negotiations are "on life support with funeral arrangements pending." Sen. Geoff Michel said he fears they're living in a world where there aren't global deals anymore. Last year there was no global deal on all the end of session issues for the first time in memory.
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This is the group photo from the 20th Century Senators Statehood Reunion. It was a fabulous night full of icons, giants and lots and lots of laughs. There was a wonderful bi-partisan spirit and pride for making Minnesota one of the best places to live. Many members said they missed the people, not the process. The tone was loose which says a lot for the Senate which is known for its strict rules and upper chamber philosophy. But my father, former longtime AP Capitol reporter, was part of a segment on the lack of decorum like the night a senator said the f-word on the floor and it made national news. Geno (that's what everyone calls my dad including me) had to call the desk in New York who put that on the national wire.
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Legislative leaders went in to a meeting with the governor about 8:15am. They came back out at 9:00am. Not much progress to report. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said they're "trying to get on the same page" which means they have some distance to go. To continue his walzing analogies, he said they are in the "middle of the dance." They are still trying to find out what cuts they have in common and see if they can tackle property tax reform.
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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."
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Lawmakers and the governor will go back behind closed doors tonight, but the optimistic tone that echoed through the Capitol is growing softer. The past few days it seemed they were all making quite a bit a progress and could maybe wrap this up early. The governor essentially gave up on his use of the healthcare access fund. Democrats offered the governor his request for a cap on property taxes. It seemed they had about $300 million worth of budget cuts worked out, but now that may not be the case.
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Sen. Steve Murphy says the governor's staff told him he had to pick 2 out of 3 provisions in transportation bill, so Murphy says he has to drop booster seat language to preserve a primary seatbelt offense and graduated driver’s licenses for teens.
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