QUICK HITS

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).