Busy morning for Sen. Anderson

Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) may be hovering around the #40-range in our power rankings, but she's been on a roll this week. On Monday, her foreclosure bill, SF3396 that would allow a one-year deferment on foreclosures for people stuck with subprime loans, squeaked by in the Senate.

Today, her "Dangerous Dogs" bill, SF2876, had a conference hearing, and later, she'll have a conference committee on her "Green Solutions" bill. Between those three alone, that's 302 points. She's proving persistence pays off, even in these waning days of the session.

The Commish has been noticing a lot of different faces pop up in the Speaker's chair over in the House lately. Today, Rep. Frank Moe (DFL-Bemidji) was holding the gavel. It turns out that Speaker Kelliher is giving retiring lawmakers a few moments in the big seat, which is why Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount) had a chance earlier. Apparently Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover) had a chance too, according to staff, but the Commish must have missed that one.

Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-NorthSt. Paul) rose on a point of personal privilege to give him this sendoff.

"I want to express my disappointment in my fellow sophomore, I understand we've got a retirement coming. All these red plaid shirts we've had to see for years here, and all that walleye we've had to eat, and now to hear that he's leaving, I don't know if members could just join me in expressing our disappointment," to which Rep. Moe got a good-natured, hearty boo for his leaving.

Both floor sessions are coming later this afternoon. Check back, we may have a floor-a-palooza over in the Senate.