The 90th Minnesota Legislature officially convened Tuesday, January 3, as legislators were sworn-in and celebrated the opening of the newly-restored State Capitol. The renovations were so comprehensive – long time legislators were getting lost throughout the tunnel between buildings. Representative Kurt Daudt was elected to continue serving as Speaker and Senator Paul Gazelka began his tenure as Majority Leader.
On Tuesday, 1700 business leaders, legislators, lobbyists, and key influencers attended the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Session Priorities Dinner. The four legislative leaders, Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd), Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook), Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown), and Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) spoke on a panel about the upcoming session. There was agreement of the leaders that a fix to the healthcare crisis would be job one. Other discussion about bringing back last year’s tax bill and bonding bill were hot topics as well.
The following day, House Republicans moved to suspend the rules and immediately take up HF1 which offered health insurance premium support as well as some small reforms. The bill failed 75-55, due to 90 votes needed to suspend the rules.
On the Senate side, there was a robust debate about committee structure. The DFLers were unhappy with how their members were assigned committee spots. Their motion failed along party line votes.
Other highlights:
- Dozens of new legislative staff are beginning their jobs this week and next. There will be a steep learning curve for new members as well. A third of the Senators are new to the legislature.
- First round of bills introduced – 67 in the House alone.
- The House also passed Federal Tax Conformity.
- Expect quick action by Rep. Jim Newberger on authorizing a natural gas plant to replace the coal facility at Sherco in Becker.