ST. PAUL, Minn. – (January 8, 2015) The 89th session of the Minnesota state legislature kicked off this week in St Paul. As lawmakers returned to the state capitol, it was under partially new leadership.
Republicans won control of the Minnesota House in the Nov. election, meaning they now control one of the three arms of the state government. The democrats are still in control in the Senate and in the Governors office. The republican majority is lead by new Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt, who represents part of Anoka County.
Also, the republican leadership in both the House and the Senate will have a local flair. Blaine Representative Tim Sanders will serve as assistant majority leader in the House. In the Senate, Ham Lake republican Michelle Benson will serve as assistant minority leader. Economic development and education are expected to be top priorities in Saint Paul this year.
Lawmakers will also need to make a decision on what to do with the projected $1 billion budget surplus.
One interesting idea being floated by some legislators is getting work done for not only this year, but also next year. That would mean legislators would only need to return to the capitol in 2016 for emergency sessions, which could prove ideal with much of the building closed for renovations next year.
