Ewald at the Capitol - February 5, 2010

Session Begins

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Ewald Government
Relations Team

Feel free to contact any member of our team:

David Ewald
651-290-6276
davide@ewald.com

Valerie Dosland
651-265-7857
valeried@ewald.com

Becca Pryse
651-265-7858
beccap@ewald.com

Bill Amberg
651-203-7251
billa@ewald.com

Eric Ewald
651-290-6266
erice@ewald.com

Nick de Julio
651-290-6286
nickd@ewald.com

John Arlandson
651-203-7252
johna@ewald.com

Key Legislative Contact Info
House Information Office
651-296-2146

Senate Information Office
651-296-0504

State Legislature Website
www.leg.mn

On Thursday, the second half of the Minnesota Legislature’s 86th session convened as lawmakers came to St. Paul to start what could be another tough session. Legislators and Governor Tim Pawlenty are already facing another deficit that they will need to fix before they leave in May. While this year’s deficit of $1.2 billion is smaller than last session’s, legislators are reminded of the hard choices that were made as they look at ways to solve this year’s deficit.

One program cut by Gov. Pawlenty last year to solve the deficit was General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), which is scheduled to end on March 31 unless a fix can be agreed upon this session. Many hope an agreement will be reached soon. Hundreds of GAMC supporters held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda on Feb. 4, asking legislators and Gov. Pawlenty to save the program before it expires. Yet the entire fiscal picture will not be clear until the Governor’s supplemental budget and budget forecast are released later this month.

Until that time, much of the focus will placed on passing a bonding bill that legislators hope will create needed jobs across the state.

Bonding Bill Moving Quickly

With the session just 24 hours old, legislators are jumping in head-first to put together the 2010 bonding bill. Both the House and Senate have released bonding proposals that weigh in at nearly $1 billion, each nearly $300 million more than Gov. Pawlenty’s recommendation. The House and Senate bills are roughly 90 percent similar, which could help speed up the reconciliation process in conference committee. The Senate plans to take up its bill on the Senate floor early next week. The House plans to bring its bonding bill to the floor on Monday, February 15.

Full spreadsheets of the bills are available.

• House Spreadsheet
• Senate Spreadsheet

Senate to Unveil Jobs Plan

On Feb. 8, Senate lawmakers and business representatives will unveil the Senate’s proposal to stimulate Minnesota’s economy and grow jobs. The news conference will be held at 9:30 a.m. in Capitol room 125. Look for more about this in next week’s edition of “Ewald at the Capitol” as we carry a full report on the proposal.

Precinct Caucus Summary

On Tuesday, caucus participants across the state filled school halls and auditoriums to caucus for candidates in a crowded race for Governor. While numbers were down from the 2008 Presidential caucuses, a large turnout across the state was reported as Minnesotans hinted at their respective party’s front-runners through a non-binding straw poll. On the Republican side, two candidates rose above the rest — Rep. Marty Seifert with just over 50 percent, and Rep. Tom Emmer with 39 percent.

Among the DFL candidates, there were also two candidates who came out on top: Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Each had approximately 21 percent of the vote, while just under 15 percent of caucus goers were uncommitted.

While this is just the first step of the process, most campaigns found some indication of where they stand and what work needs to be done before state endorsing conventions begin in April. Candidates will now try to gather up delegate support, with Senate District and county conventions as the next stop in the process.

View full statewide results for Tuesday night’s caucuses.

The Independence Party is holding an online caucus. Results of that caucus will not be complete until after February 28, 2010.

Plan B

While most in the Legislature and in the Pawlenty Administration hope the State of Minnesota will not have to do any short term borrowing this spring to offset cash flow problems, the Department of Management and Budget is not taking any chances. Commissioner Tom Hanson said this week that his department will begin to move forward with a request for proposals to borrow money if the state cash flow account still falls short after delaying school payments.

Members of the Legislative Advisory Commission where Hanson appeared are hopeful that borrowing will not be the answer, but thanked Hanson for being prepared and ready in case borrowing is necessary.

Next Week

The first full week of the 2010 session will be a busy one, as House and Senate committees start their full meeting schedules and begin to act on bills. The House and Senate will have floor sessions on Monday. On Thursday, Gov. Pawlenty will deliver his State of the State address at a joint session.

As a reminder, House and Senate information such as schedules, bill introductions, and daily legislative news can be found on the Minnesota Legislature’s website. By clicking on either the House or Senate tab, you can find body-specific information.