Almanac: At the Capitol

About two dozen pro-tax people gathered on the Capitol steps to say "bail out the people" and "tax the rich."   Tasha Jackson from the Welfare Rights Committee said "the rich and their gambling ways got us into this" so they should get us out.  The chant that followed was "Hey, politicians here's the fix: Tax the rich!"  Before that the union-funded Alliance for a Better Minnesota wanted to remind people what taxes get.  Denise Cardinal said "taxes pay for schools, teachers, parks."  The group also questioned the grassroots nature of the anti-tax Tea Party today.    She said they're really organized by D.C. lobbyists, big oil and party insiders.  But reporters noted that the person who ran against Pawlenty for the GOP nomination, Sue Jeffers, is kicking off the rally.   More coverage of both rallies tonight on Almanac: At the Capitol.

DFL legislative leaders sit down with the governor, cities rally against local aid cuts, and the House prepares itself for federal transportation funds.

View the Capitol Update for March 26, 2009.

The House DFL tax chair proposes a major overhaul to the system, rogue Republicans offer a budget different from the governor's, the Senate passes a bonding bill and Democrats push ahead on health care.

View the Capitol Update for March 16, 2009.

It's the meat and potatoes of politics:  bonding and budgeting.  Today the Senate passed a $365 million bonding bill.  Chair Keith Langseth said it will result in thousands of jobs.  Sen. David Hann said in this economy this isn't the time to borrow more money and raise taxes.  Langseth said you get more bang for your buck in these economic times.  The bill funds construction and renovations on things like:  Bell Museum at U, Volleyball Center in Rochester, high speed rail to Chicago, rail to North Shore, Union Depot transportation hub, Como Zoo, Big Lake ice arena, Orchestra Hall, Shubert Theater, St. Cloud Civic Center, Asian Pacific Cultural Center.

On the budget, House Republicans who the press has dubbed the "Emmerites" (followers of Rep. Emmer) came up with their own budget plan.  They said they balance the budget with no shifts, no gimmicks, no stimulus money and no tax increases.  As Republicans have criticized Democrats, we often ask them where is there budget plan? 

House Democrats sent around a blank sheet of paper last week entitled the Republican budget plan.  Today they have an answer.   The question is if it's a caucus answer or just the often noted splinter group--the Emmerites (has a nice biblical sound to it, huh?).  Reps. Buesgens, Brod, Zellers said you don't have to have a leadership title to lead.  So, it's not a caucus position and it's at odds with the governor because they don't agree with his idea to add money to education.  Now I've heard from these members that they don't like being called Emmerites, sorry, it's just a joke, no offense intended.  That's just the name the press has come up with for the splinter group of vocal House Republicans.  When you don't have your leader's backing and are defying the governor, I guess you get a nickname.

House Tax Chair Ann Lenczewski also came up with what she called the biggest tax reform in a quarter of a century.  It is revenue neutral.  It lowers the bottom two income tax tiers.  Eliminates business subsidies and loopholes, but cuts other business taxes.  She talked about using the deficit as an opportunity to make big changes that makes the tax system more fair and simple.

Just like the national political scene, Republicans here at the Minnesota State Capitol are disagreeing about just what to do about that federal money.  The House is debating a bill that would ready the state the accept the national money.  A host of Republican amendments have been voted down and many of them probably wouldn't be signed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) got so frustrated he said he didn't see people walking around with "WWGPD" bracelets meaning "What Would Gov. Pawlenty Do?" he called citing the governor a "cop out." 

An amendment sponsored by Rep. Laura Brod (R-New Prague) requires budgets to be balanced into the "out years" or future fiscal years--something the governor's budget does not do.  She asked "Why do we keep punting?"  But Dems actually agreed and adopted a version of her proposal. 

Republicans are also nervous they will be cut off at any minute since today new House rules are in effect that limit debate to 45 minutes.  So far that rule hasn't been enforced and the minority has been allowed to debate past the limit.  But Republicans were mad at the end of session and came down to the press room to pass out their resolution saying expenditures cannot exceed revenues which they were not allowed to vote on as the House quickly adjourned.  We had to remind the guys, that's life in the minority.  The majority writes the rules.   

The DFL Legislative leaders set out their priorities for the session, plans for a new "Minnesota Miracle," and a commission reports on ways to improve the state budget.

View the Capitol Update for January 12, 2009.