Governor, lawmakers agree session likely for dual disasters

08/22/2007

By Brian Bakst,
Associated Press
August 22, 2007

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he and top legislators reached a "general understanding" Wednesday on the need for a special session to provide flood relief for southern Minnesota and a funding package to respond to the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

"While there are still some details to be worked out, it is headed in the right direction," Pawlenty said after a two-hour meeting with leading Republicans and Democrats. "In light of all of what's happened, we would best serve the state and would be most helpful to the citizens who need our help to meet as quickly as possible."

Pawlenty said a short session could happen in mid-September.

Minnesota's dual August disasters — extreme flooding washed across several southeastern Minnesota cities just weeks after a collapsed Interstate 35W bridge killed 13 people — have ramped up the pressure on state leaders to bury their policy differences.

Pawlenty said he wants more details firmed up before summoning lawmakers back to St. Paul. Once a special session starts, the Legislature determines when it ends.

Majority House and Senate Democrats said there's no reason for Pawlenty to delay his session order.

"We think Minnesotans are waiting on us and we want to get to business here," said House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis.

"We're ready to go," added Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis.

But top Republicans said working out bill components in advance was important, and they urged their colleagues to separate what's critical from what's desirable.

"If you want a special session to be speedy, don't be greedy," said House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall.

Broadly, they are envisioning a flood relief package to defray the cost of rebuilding public roads, bridges, sewers and parks. They also would consider aid to homeowners, beyond federal loans many victims could receive.

The transportation bill is a bit trickier. Pawlenty said in the aftermath of the Aug. 1 bridge collapse that he would reverse his opposition to a gas tax increase to get more money into the system, but lately he has said he would prefer part of that bump to be temporary.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, said a temporary tax would be problematic and wouldn't meet ongoing road-and-bridge needs.

"It's snake oil, that's all it is," he said.

In addition, legislators are mulling whether to pass a tax bill that provides more aid to counties and cities, with the hope they'll blunt potential property tax increases.

Pawlenty said he expects to resume talks with lawmakers in coming days.