Unity Fleeting As Minnesota Legislature Opens
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's 2012 legislative session got underway Tuesday with tributes to bipartisanship and getting along, but the good feelings frayed quickly in the Senate after a committee controlled by Republicans voted to cut Senate Democrats' budget such that the Democratic leader said he'd have to lay off at least a dozen employees when the session ends.
Both the House and Senate convened at noon for short, mostly ceremonial sessions. Expected over the next few months are debates over how best to boost job creation and lower the state unemployment rate, potentially divisive debates over GOP plans to amend the state Constitution to achieve conservative policy goals, and the 800-pound gorilla that is the Minnesota Vikings' push for a state subsidy to build a new football stadium.
Last year's legislative session exploded with bad feeling when Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republicans who control the Legislature failed to agree on tax increases versus spending cuts, ultimately leading to a three-week government shutdown. On Tuesday, both Republicans and Democrats spoke to the importance of overcoming lingering resentments.
"Everyone has to come together, put their heads together," said new Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester. He said Republicans and Democrats alike have an interest in creating jobs and spreading prosperity around the state.
Though it's the second of a two-year legislative cycle, both the House and Senate welcomed new members after special elections. Rep. Susan Allen, DFL-Minneapolis, took her seat as the Legislature's first female American Indian member.
"I think the debate's going to be about transforming government," said Allen, who was welcomed with extended applause. "And each side has their own ideas about what that means."
Allen, who was elected earlier this month, said she found voters frustrated and angry about gridlock.
Joining the Senate were new members Jeff Hayden and Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis, and Chris Eaton of Brooklyn Center, all Democrats. The Senate also paid tribute to several members who've recently had health struggles: Sen. Gen Olson, R-Minnetrista, thanked colleagues for their support during a recent hospitalization.
"I had heart and spleen issues, and fortunately I was able to keep my heart and get rid of my spleen," Olson said. Her colleague Sen. Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, who is battling ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, briefly thanked colleagues in a speech through a computer voice translator.
"I'd like to thank all the members and staff who wrote or emailed to say I was in your prayers," Kubly said, prompting a standing ovation in which numerous senators visibly choked up.
Those moments prompted Senjem to remark that the Senate "is family." But that sentiment soured a short while later, when Republicans on the Senate Rules Committee voted over Democratic objections to cut the minority caucus budget by $444,000. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said that likely meant laying off 12 to 14 full-time employees after the session ends in April.
Democrats currently have 43 employees versus 75 Republican employees, Bakk said.
"It's a really awful way to start the session," said Bakk, whose suggestion that Republicans and Democrats split the cuts was rejected by Republicans.
Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, defended the action: "In the end, this is a 5 percent cut. Five percent. There are Minnesota families, businesses ... who think that's pretty easy."
Just as the House and Senate were getting underway Tuesday, several hundred Occupy Wall Street protesters burst into the Capitol rotunda, chanting, "Hey politicians, we're at your door! Stop the war! On the floor!"
Nathan Blumenshine, 25, of Minneapolis, is a carpenter waiting for his next job to start in February. He participated in other Occupy movements in the past, he said, but thought that it was important to make a point at the statehouse.
"I think the best way to help working people is by helping working people, it's not by helping the wealthiest among us," Blumenshine said.
Lawmakers must adjourn the session by April 30, but many expressed hope Tuesday they could wrap things up earlier.
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