Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

January 8, 2013

Photos: Legislators sworn in on first day of 2013 session

  • E-mail
  • Print
  • Save
  • Digg
  • Share

For one day at least, lawmakers laid aside their differences so they could get organized and welcome new members, who make up more than a quarter of the Legislature.

Legislature opens

1

Senate Majority Leader Thomas Bakk, DFL-Cook, approaches the front of the Senate chamber as his name is called to represent his district on the first day of the legislative session Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 at the State Capitol in St. Paul. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Legislature opens

2

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — House Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, shares a high-five with Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, before the opening of the 2013 legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Sandra Pappas

3

Sen. Sandra Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, was elected Senate president on the first day of the legislative session Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 at the State Capitol in St. Paul. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Thissen sworn in

4

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Wilhelmina M. Wright swears in Rep. Paul Thissen as Speaker of the House during the opening day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Speaker of the House Paul Thissen

5

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Speaker of the House Paul Thissen addresses House members during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt

6

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt smiles during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

House members sworn in

7

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, and other members of the House are sworn in during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Script

8

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — An opening day script waits on a podium during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Kevin and Donna Woodard

9

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Rep. Kelby Woodard's son, Kevin, examines the House chamber as his mother Donna looks on during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Legislature opens

10

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Speaker of the House Paul Thissen, left, talks with former House Speaker Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Rep. Mary Sawatzky

11

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Rep. Mary Sawatzky, DFL-Willmar, listens during the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Welfare advocates

12

A group advocating for the rights of those who receive welfare rally outside the Senate chamber on the first day of the legislative session Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 at the State Capitol in St. Paul. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Doug Benson

13

St. Paul, MN, USA — Doug Benson of Robbinsdale, Minn., holds a sign outside the Minnesota House at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., as the 2013 Legislative session opened Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. The lawmakers are expected to take up legislation regarding same-sex marriage this session. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) link to this photo

View other Minnesota in Photos Slideshows:

Photos: Firefighters battle blaze near Park Rapids
The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center says the Green Valley Fire near Menahga in Wadena County has prompted evacuations and has damaged some structures in the area.

Same-sex marriage bill signed
Thousands cheered on the south lawn of the state Capitol.

Senate votes on marriage bill
The Minnesota Senate joined the House in approving a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

Marriage vote in House
As lawmakers debated and voted, thousands rallied in the Capitol's rotunda.

Cinco de Mayo in St. Paul
A dreary day didn't stop the annual Cinco de Mayo parade and festival in St. Paul.

North Shore kayaking
The Lester River is roaring with frothy, churning spring runoff.

Moorhead before-during flooding
The 2013 Red River flood was not as severe as forecasted, but it made for dramatic images.

Minnesota Scenes: Your April
Endless winter was on a lot of peoples' minds, despite what the calendar said.

Manhunt in Massachusetts
One suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing is dead. A second is in custody.

Fargo's flood fighters
Sandbag dikes were built ahead of the Red River's rise.

More slideshows »