Capitol View: January 13, 2011 Archive

Shutdown scenario surfaces in session's second week

Posted at 2:18 PM on January 13, 2011 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature

The 2011 legislative session is less than two weeks old, but some state lawmakers are already talking about a potential budget impasse and government shutdown.

Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, raised eyebrows when he included a "government shutdown overview" on his agenda for today's meeting of the Health and Human Services Finance committee. He invited state budget officials to recap the steps taken during a partial shutdown in 2005 to keep essential services running. Abeler compared the discussion to reading a fire insurance policy. He said he simply wanted members to know what could happen if this year's $6.2 billion budget deficit isn't resolved.

"I want people to know what the stakes are so that we maybe don't want to go there," Abeler said. "And far from being a surrender to the indivertible, if you know how bad the outcome might be, you might not want to get it."

But some Democrats took issue with the discussion. Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, suggested Republicans aren't serious about solving the deficit.

"I understand wanting to understand the mechanics of a shutdown," Murphy said. "But I think doing it in a public hearing is sending a message to Minnesotans that at least is confusing from my perspective. And it's confusing to me about the new majority's intentions."

House District 5B special election set

Posted at 2:56 PM on January 13, 2011 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced today that a special election will be held on Feb. 15, in House District 5B.

Gov. Mark Dayton ordering the special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Tony Sertich. Dayton picked Sertich to head the IRRRB.

There are just two days for candidates to file, tomorrow and next Tuesday. If needed, a primary will be on Feb. 1.

Sertich leaves the Minnesota House

Posted at 4:35 PM on January 13, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature

DFL Rep. Tony Sertich of Chisholm has officially resigned from the Minnesota House. Governor Dayton appointed the former House Majority Leader him to run the Iron Range Resources Board.

Republicans in control of the Minnesota House allowed Sertich to gavel in the session - something many within the GOP thought he would be doing this year. But a GOP wave ushered in GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers and left Sertich as a back bencher in the House. Sertich mentioned the shift in power after thanking the GOP for allowing him to gavel in session.

"I know you spent millions of dollars to make sure it didn't happen," he joked.

During his retirement speech, Sertich thanked those who both worked with him and for him during his ten years in office. He also broke up several times thanking his parents and his staff. You can listen to his speech here: Listen

Sertich will still be seen around the Capitol. His role with the Iron Range Resources Board means he'll be forced to come before lawmakers to discuss budget matters and the board's priorities. He also needs to be confirmed by the Minnesota Senate.

One thing not on Sertich's plate is a run for Congress. He has been widely mentioned as a possible candidate to GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack. Sertich says there is zero chance he'll run for Congress.

Security meeting moved to next week

Posted at 4:41 PM on January 13, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

A planned meeting to discuss security at the Capitol has been moved to early next week. Governor Dayton said on Monday that he had hoped legislative leadership, the Legisaltiev Auditor, Capitol Security and the Attorney General could meet to discuss ways to improve security at the Capitol complex. He made the comments just two days after a shooting in Arizona killed six people and injured 19 others, including an Arizona Congresswoman.

Dayton spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci says scheduling problems forced the meeting to be pushed to early next week. Dayton said he hopes the meeting could merit ways to improve security at the State Capitol without discouraging public access. A report by the Legislative Auditor in 2009 said the State Capitol Complex is "vulnerable" to security breaches.

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