Now, Pawlenty holds the cards

05/22/2007

Legislators passed major budget bills, not knowing whether the governor would veto them and possibly call a special session.


By Patricia Lopez,
Star Tribune
Last update: May 22, 2007


The 2007 legislative session lurched Monday night to one of the most unusual finishes in memory, leaving Gov. Tim Pawlenty to decide single-handedly whether it succeeded or faltered.

Lacking the overall agreement that typically provides the guardrails for last-minute bill passage, legislators voted on major budget bills Monday without knowing whether Pawlenty would veto those bills and possibly call the Legislature back into special session.

Adding to the drama, shortly before the midnight deadline, House DFLers suddenly made good on their threat to take up an override of the governor's transportation bill veto.

On a roll-the-dice strategy, it halted discussion of the tax bill and pushed through a vote on a transportation bill that would increase gasoline taxes and fees.

The vote failed 83-50, falling seven votes short of the needed two-thirds majority.

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