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Jan 10, 2008 6:30 pm US/Central
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Session Promises Conflicts Over Transportation
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
Expect out-of-the-gate action on finance packages for roads and transit, arts and outdoors programs and new and rehabbed public buildings.
But also get ready for replays of past clashes over the gas tax, property taxes and long-term borrowing -- and a showdown over the state transportation chief.
Those signals emerged Thursday from an Associated Press forum featuring GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Democratic and Republican and leaders of the Legislature.
The 2008 session kicks off Feb. 12 and must conclude by May 19. Technically, there are no must-do items, but all sides have decent-sized agendas of things they want to accomplish.
Common points on those to-do lists include further measures to counter climate change, a fix for a modest budget deficit, a borrowing package for state-backed construction projects and the outlines of a health care system that covers more people at lower cost.
"I don't see a sense of urgency where people need to force conflict before we go home," said DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. "People want to move forward the best they can and if there is a disagreement on a major component people are willing to go home after they've made their point."
Still, conflict appears unavoidable.
Since the Aug. 1 Interstate 35W bridge collapse, Democrats who control the Senate have talked about removing Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau from her second job as transportation commissioner. Pogemiller said Molnau appears to lack the votes for confirmation -- even though Senate Republicans vowed to back her up.
"We will stand with her," said GOP Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem. But with their diminished ranks -- only 22 of 67 seats -- they are unlikely to sway the outcome.
Pawlenty said he and Molnau discussed the possibility she would resign rather than be voted out, but they decided against that route.
"She is somebody who has obviously been under siege in terms of the questions and the criticisms that have been lobbed at MnDOT," Pawlenty said.
The governor defended Molnau, but didn't draw any lines in the sand or express significant worry that her rejection would sully the session.
"I hope they don't do that," he said of a Senate vote against her. "But if they do we just charge ahead and try to get work done in the other areas."
Other predictions:
--The debate over bonding projects will begin to take shape on Monday, when Pawlenty releases his proposals. The state can borrow up to $965 million under current debt guidelines -- but so far, there are $4 in requests for every $1 lawmakers can spend. Senjem suggested borrowing $100 million for local roads and bridges, while GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said that number should be about five times higher. Road borrowing, though, is backed up by the already-strained gas tax.
--Pogemiller predicted quick passage for a proposed constitutional amendment earmarking part of an increased state sales tax for the outdoors and the arts. A negotiating panel finished work on the bill last year but time ran out for final floor votes. If the bill clears the House and Senate, it would go directly to voters for their consideration on the November ballot.
--There is interest in including some relief for low-income drivers in legislation to raise the gas tax, DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said. She predicted revisions in last year's vetoed transportation bill before it comes back for a vote. But Seifert said Republicans would again hold together to prevent any veto override on transportation.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)