Rep. Philip Sterner crisscrossed the House floor recently with a paper cup in hand, pausing at the entrance of the retiring room and gazing out over the chamber like an old veteran. He isn't.

Sterner, 48, is a freshman lawmaker from Rosemount, the winner of a political scramble to fill an open seat in House District 37B that materialized when former State Representative Dennis Ozment decided to retire after long service.

Freshman lawmaker Rep. Phil Sterner, DFL-Rosemount, made the circuit on the House floor recently, refreshment in hand. Sterner ran for the open House seat in District 37B after long serving former representative Dennis Ozment decided not to seek reelection. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Rep. Philip Sterner crisscrossed the House floor recently with a paper cup in hand, pausing at the entrance of the retiring room and gazing out over the chamber like an old veteran.

He isn't.

Sterner, 48, is a freshman lawmaker from Rosemount, the winner of a political scramble to fill an open seat in House District 37B that materialized when former State Representative Dennis Ozment decided to retire after long service.

"You knew you were in a race on that,” Sterner said of the race that attracted seven candidates.

As for the ease on the House floor, Sterner laughingly explained that cup he brandished contained Lipton soup.

"That's one of the few times I get a chance to eat,” he said of sipping nourishment during floor sessions.

Sterner comes to the House from service on the Rosemount City Council.

Broadens political horizons

Coming to the Capitol has broadened his political horizons, he explained. Not only has the area he represents grown, but he is, after all, now a state representative.

Issues from across the state flow into his office.

"So I think that's one of the big things,” he said of the differences between the two offices.

Sterner has only briefly spoken on the House floor, though anticipates taking the stage for a bill he's carrying concerning shaken baby syndrome.

Sterner is pictured leaning over fellow Dakota County lawmaker Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan, and later seen milling beneath the vote board in discussion with Rep. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis, and another lawmaker.

He expressed a degree of nervousness, explaining while City of Rosemount Council sessions are televised, lawmakers can actually see themselves on television while rising on the House floor.

Being a public figure for Sterner isn't a natural fit.

"Sometimes I tell people I'm the most private, public official you'd ever want to meet,” a smiling Sterner said.

Sterner sometimes sorts through his mail on the House floor while listening to debate, making use of nearby House office space for other duties.

He multitasks, he said.

And there's the lobbyists.

"They know you're in there,” he said of the lobbyists milling outside of the House chamber doors, wanting to talk.

Sterner reports his relations with Republican lawmakers as cordial.

Indeed, the wife of one Anoka County House Republican was the birth coach for he and his wife for their first child, he explained.

Sterner discovered that another House Republican is the nephew of a former classmate. Other ties have surfaced.

Carrying handful of bills

Sterner is carrying a handful of bills this session — Minnesota Zoo bonding, no-fault insurance legislation — but explained that he resolved one issue dealing with highway pavement mixtures working bureaucratic back channels.

"You don't have to have legislation to accomplish things and do stuff up here,” he said.

What is Sterner hearing from his constituents?

It's a mix  — there's a "pretty strong” voice asking that taxes not be raised, a voice calling for efficiency in government, others expressing a willingness to absorb a tax increase. "I know I'm going to do everything I can to try not to raise any taxes,” said Sterner.

After the session, Sterner, far left, visits on the House floor beneath the Speaker's podium.

Sterner has pledged to raise taxes only as a last resort, he explained.

Although he doesn't know how the state's budget dilemma will ultimately be solved, Sterner views Gov. Tim Pawlenty as holding the whip hand on the tax issue.

"I can't see that veto (of a tax increase) being overridden at all,” he said.

He views the House Republican caucus as unified on this.

Grew up in south metro

Sterner grew up in the south metro, and has been in the insurance industry for decades.

One thing about being a metro lawmaker is that people expected them to show up at district events whether the Legislature is in session or not.

"If they know you're physically on the (House) floor, that's fine,” Sterner said, smiling.

Not that he objects to keeping a district schedule.

That's keeping in touch, Sterner explained.

Asked how he will ultimately judge himself as a lawmaker, Sterner indicated the final appraisal is left to the voters.

Voters have their say every two years

"Every two years they pull that lever,” he said of going to the polls.

But Sterner added that he will work hard, do his best, saying constituents expect him to be a good listener.

Sterner serves on several House committees, serving as vice chairman of a subcommittee of the State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee.

"I'm happy to be here — a good learning experience,” Sterner said of serving in the House.

To listen to excerpts from the Sterner interview, go to http://hometownsource.com/podcasts/capitol_comments/

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)