Almanac: At the Capitol

Leaders and the governor have been back behind closed doors trying to finalize a deal on education, healthcare and property taxes. Hmmm, those are three issues Democrats ran on, won the House with and declared "we'll be focused on these like a laser beam." It would be a big win for the House and Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher if they can deliver on that. If Pawlenty is able to cut a deal he can look like a winner too, proving he can close a deal. Everyone says Sen. Roger Moe was the ultimate deal-closer because everyone walked away feeling like they won. I ran into Moe today at the Capitol and asked him about negotiations and he said "they'll do it." We'll see if this group of people can do it. They haven't yet.

The House and Senate are done on the floor for the night. That's not a good sign for a global deal. They'll be back in at 10am Saturday.

The Speaker of the House says they're "nearly done" and very close to an end of session deal. She expects to finish up Saturday and have no Sunday session. Minority Leader Marty Seifert agreed they are "much closer" and could wrap it up tonight. More from all four legislative leaders live on Almanac tonight. And we uncovered a story about Gov. Pawlenty's vetoes and some new threats. That along with one-on-one with former Gov. Jesse Ventura. Should be a fun show!

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller need to become best friends. At least that's what former Gov. Al Quie says and his former foe-turned-friend former Sen. Majority Leader Roger Moe agrees. I sat down for a deep and insightful hour with Gov. Quie. The 84-year-old had a remarkable idea: the stalemate at the state capitol would cease if two key players gave up their baggage and distrust and forged a friendship. I know that sounds impossible. Quie says it can be done. He did it. The Republican governor also said it's essentially Gov. Pawlenty's responsibility to "forgive and forget" — he said regaining trust is like "reconciliation." The deeply religious man often uses such spiritual references. He has committed much of his life to prison ministries while staying very active in political issues like early childhood education and impartiality in judges. I was stunned how compelling he was at 84. Quie said he has 84 years worth of experiences and mistakes to draw on. When I asked him if he's told Gov. Pawlenty his thoughts, he said yes. It's a fascinating interview. See some of it tonight on Almanac.

It's true, former political foes Moe and Pawlenty unite, here's the release:

MOE NAMED TO MINNESOTA JOB SKILLS PARTNERSHIP BOARD

~Appointment Signals Return to Program He Helped Found~

St. Paul - Former Minnesota State Senator and Erskine resident Roger Moe has been appointed to the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced.

Moe's appointment by the Minnesota Senate began October 29. He will serve a four-year term.

The longest serving Senate Majority Leader in Minnesota state history, Moe was elected to the Legislature in 1970 and represented Northwestern Minnesota's 2nd Senate District. Under his guidance, the Senate developed the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program in 1983.

"As a founder of the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board, we welcome his unique historical perspective. As a former math teacher, Roger realizes the necessity of focusing on science, technology, engineering and math in our schools," said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. "His knowledge of workforce development and higher education in Minnesota will serve our business and education partners and the board immeasurably."

Moe serves on the board of directors of the Norwegian American Foundation; Debate Minnesota; Policy Consensus Initiative; Minnesota Twins Community Fund; Nobel Peace Prize Forum; and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation.

Moe replaces outgoing MJSP board member David Johnson of Best & Flanagan LLP. Johnson was also a State Senator from 1997 to 2002.

The MJSP offers technical, financial and job training assistance to businesses, communities, educational institutions and workers. Each year, the board awards 60 to 70 grants to educational institutions to design and deliver customized training to businesses with specific training needs. Businesses and the partnering educational institutions are required to contribute matching funds.

For more information about the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, see: www.positivelyminnesota.com/mjsp/