News & Events

DEAN JOHNSON TO REPLACE HOTTINGER AS MAJORITY LEADER

The Senate DFL emerged from a day-long caucus on Tuesday with new leadership. Dean Johnson (DFL-Willmar) was elected Senate Majority Leader over John Hottinger (DFL-St. Peter) and Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins). Hottinger, who held the post for only one year, brought the issue of leadership to the table at the meeting, recognizing a need to address existing fractions within the caucus. At the conclusion of the 2003 session, Senators Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) and David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) threatened to leave the caucus after negotiations to resolve the state's $4 billion budget deficit left Iron Rangers feeling angry and ignored. Such a shift would have narrowed the already-slim DFL majority margin. In an article in the Mankato Free Press, Senator Hottinger stated the shift in leadership "[brought] some relief from the enormous pressure of trying to maintain unity in the caucus."

Senator Johnson, once a Republican and Senate Minority Leader, will bring moderate views to the position. He stated on Tuesday his intentions are to focus on economic issues and improved transportation funding; he will step down as Chair of the Senate Transportation Budget Division of the Finance Committee.

Other changes to committee chair assignments have not been announced; committee chairs are designated by the Majority Leader. Senator Ann Rest will retain her position as Assistant Majority Leader. The 2004 Legislative Session begins on February 2.


GOVERNOR PRESENTS COMPLETE BONDING PACKAGE

Governor Pawlenty released his complete bonding proposal on Thursday, a package totaling more than $750 million in capital improvements for the State. Nearly $690 million would come from government bonds. During a press conference Governor Pawlenty and soon-to-be Chief of Staff Dan McElroy presented five areas of focus for the proposal:

 Corrections, including expanded treatment facilities for sexual predators - $108 million;
Economic development, housing, and transportation, including development of FAST lanes and housing opportunities for the homeless - $194 million;
Education, including the University of Minnesota and MnSCU - $195 million;
Environment and natural resources, such as agricultural loans - $172 million; and
Effective government and public services, including infrastructure investments in Greater Minnesota communities - $89 million.

Chairman of the House Capital Investment Committee Phil Krinkie (R-Shoreview) spoke out against the proposal, stating the proposal needed to stay within the budgeted borrowing range of $530 million. Krinkie will lead the bonding bill through session. Senate DFLers have not yet announced their bonding proposals but are expected to substantially exceed the Governor's proposal.


STADIUM PROPOSALS SUBMITTED

Twenty-six proposals for new sports stadiums in Minnesota were filed before the 4:00 p.m. deadline on Thursday. Cities, organizations, and individuals were encouraged to submit ideas for building new facilities for the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and the University of Minnesota. Burnsville, Anoka County/Blaine, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Eden Prairie offered site locations for stadiums in their cities. Submissions from citizens came from a wide spectrum. House Representative Tom Hackbarth (R?Cedar) submitted House File 1716, a bill authorizing a state-licensed casino whose revenues would be used for three new stadiums. H.F. 1716, should it pass, would require a voter referendum in November. A proposal from someone only identified as "citizen" leaves much of the decision-making to the individual sports organizations, including location and local financing.

Not all ideas focus on building a new stadium. A proposal submitted by Senator Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) outlines a means by which Minnesota citizens would become the owners the Twins through cooperative effort from the Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission, the Governor, and a third party non-profit organization. William Jewell, Jr. submitted a proposal for an entire "Riverfront Tourism Mega Plex," which would include stadiums, the Guthrie Theatre, and a hotel.

A screening committee appointed by Governor Pawlenty will review the proposals on January 20 and 21 and will present to the Governor its recommendations prior to the start of the 2004 Legislative Session.