It's been an unprecedented and busy week at the Capitol, especially considering it's only the third week of the legislative session. The frantic pace and upcoming bill deadlines lend themselves to an atmosphere more associated with May than February. Early progress gives us hope we may not have to spend our entire spring at the Capitol, but the week was full of rebellion by the legislature which hasn't pleased Governor Pawlenty. That defiance coupled with the difficult budget decisions ahead is likely to produce some roadblocks and slow the pace. Nevertheless, this week was a doozy: a veto override, ouster of Lt. Governor Carol Molnau as Transportation Commissioner, an increased budget deficit, we've just about seen it all already, but there is definitely more to come. Let's start the replay...

Despite a personal visit from Governor Pawlenty and threats by GOP caucus leaders to strip them of their caucus positions and even staff, six House Republicans voted to override. Their support was risky and since the vote all of them have suffered political repercussions, including being stripped of their leadership positions in their caucus. Read More...

It was expected but that doesn't mean it will be any less painful. The February budget forecast was released Thursday and predicted a $935 million budget deficit for the remainder of the fiscal biennium. That is more than twice the $373 deficit predicted back in November. Read More...

The Senate released and passed their $1 billion bonding bill out of the Capital Investment committee on Tuesday night, narrowing the field from $3.5 billion in requests. The bill includes significant funding for higher education institution and natural resources improvements, along with $70 million for the Central Corridor light rail project linking St. Paul and Minneapolis. Read More...

Senate Transportation Chair Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) has been threatening to oust Transportation Commissioner/Lt. Governor Carol Molnau from her Department post for a while now. He, and the majority of the Senate, made good on it Thursday when they voted to not confirm Molnau by a vote of 44-22. Read More...

As promised in his State of the State speech, Governor Pawlenty issued an executive order today establishing the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission. The group will be comprised of 15 members, all appointed by the Governor, and will include representatives from large and small businesses and those with specialized knowledge of taxes and the economy. Their charge, according to Pawlenty, is to "specifically focus on improving our job climate by reforming Minnesota's tax laws." Recommendations from the Commisison will be due to the Governor by December 1st of this year.

Our official legislator retirement count is up to five: Representatives Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover) Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), Neva Walker (DFL-Minneapolis), Brad Finstad (R-Comfrey) and Scott Kranz (DFL-Blaine) have all announced they will not be seeking re-election.

For the curious, we'll add another list to this week's newsletter: that of the Republicans who voted to override the Governor's veto on the Transportation bill. In the House: Representatives Jim Abeler (Anoka), Kathy Tingelstad (Andover), Rod Hamilton (Mountain Lake), Bud Heidgerken (Freeport), Neil Peterson (Bloomington) and Ron Erhardt (Edina). In the Senate: Senators Steve Dille (Dassel) and Dennis Frederickson (New Ulm).