Overshadowing the event like the brick ceiling was the uncompleted budget negotiations between legislative leaders and the governor. The session ends on Monday and while Pawlenty reported that some budget targets have been agreed to, others have not.
(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Gov. Tim Pawlenty brought a sampling of caramels - a sweetening to an
offer, he joked - to the Senate potluck luncheon that took place in the
Great Hall at the Capitol on Friday (May 18).
Overshadowing the event like the brick ceiling was the uncompleted
budget negotiations between legislative leaders and the governor.
The session ends on Monday and while Pawlenty reported that some budget targets have been agreed to, others have not.
Today will be a key day in the negotiations, the governor opined. "I
can't say how things are going to go yet," said Pawlenty, the first
governor to attend the Senate potluck.
Solid compromise in place
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, reports that "a very solid compromise is in place."
Pogemiller spoke of a smooth finish to the session, assuming there's no
backtracking in negotiations. "I think there'll be a nice, soft
landing," he said.
Both House and Senate were in session Friday morning - House members were informed of a Saturday morning session - and Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, was active on the House floor.
He twice attempted to force an override of vetoed legislation - the transportation finance bill and a tax bill.
Olson argued that by not taking the action lawmakers were contributing to gridlock. "We should respect the governor - give him a response," said Olson of the vetoed bills.
Time not right, says Sertich
But House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, said the time wasn't right. "We need to continue to negotiate," he said.
Both attempts at override were tabled.
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, said today was "probably the most critical day of the session." It takes time to process bills, he explained.
The budget target numbers are actually coming together quite nicely, he explained.
Yet details need to be worked out, he said.
Legislative leaders are scheduled to meet mid-afternoon today, said Seifert.
Negotiations went past midnight
Negotiations went on until after midnight last night with the appearance of the House and Senate tax committee chairs easing things along, he said.
Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids, opined from the Senate perspective Pogemiller had a firm control on events.
"I haven't seen that yet," he said of any grumblings with the Senate DFL Caucus over the negotiations.
Four of the six budget bills the Senate passed earlier in the week, by Pogemiller request, were given back to the Senate from the House..
They now sit on the Senate desk.
(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)
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