Midday: Live at the Capitol

What are the major issues facing the Minnesota Legislature as its 2006 session opens Wednesday?

Guests

• Tim Pawlenty: Governor of Minnesota (R)
• Dean Johnson: Senate majority leader (DFL)
• Steve Sviggum: Speaker of the House (R)
• Dan Dorman: Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee (R)
• Keith Langseth: Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee (DFL)
• Pam Wheelock: Former state finance commissioner
• Tom Neuville: A Republican senator in favor of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
• Scott Dibble: A DFL senator opposed to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
• Dallas Sams: Chair of the Senate Finance Committee's Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division (DFL)
• Tom Hackbarth: Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee (R)
• Matt Entenza: House minority leader (DFL)
• Dick Day: Senate minority leader (R)
• Mary Liz Holberg: Chair of the House Transportation Finance Committee (R)
• Steve Murphy: Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee (DFL)
• John Marty: Chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee (DFL)
• Ann Lenczewski: DFL representative opposed to public financing for a new Twins stadium
• Kathy Tingelstad: A Republican representative who belongs to a group of legislators trying to facilitate more cooperation this session
• Sheila Kiscaden: A DFL senator who belongs to the group trying to encourage more cooperation this session
• Barb Sykora: Chair of the House Education Finance Committee (R)
• Steve Kelley: Chair of the Senate Education Committee (DFL)
• Linda Berglin: Chair of the Senate Finance Committee's Health and Human Services Budget Division (DFL)
• Jim Abeler: Chair of the House Health Policy and Finance Committee's Health Care Cost Containment Division (R)
• Roger Moe: Former DFL Senate majority leader, who co-chaired a task force on legislative reform organized by the conservative Center of the American Experiment.
• Chris Georgacas: Former chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, who co-chaired a task force on legislative reform with former DFL Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe.
• Ron Latz: A DFL representative who supports a statewide smoking ban
• Duke Powell: A Republican representative who is against a statewide smoking ban

More from MPR

• Budget forecast shows state surplus
  February 28, 2006
• Lawmakers pledge more cooperation in upcoming session
  February 27, 2006
• Task force advises Legislature on how to get along
  February 23, 2006
• GOP steps up efforts for constitutional amendment on marriage
  February 27, 2006
• Pawlenty says state can do better at treating mental illness
  February 24, 2006