Legislative Update, May 1, 2012

Good morning. The self-imposed adjournment date of April 30 has come and gone, and the Legislature is still meeting. The House goes into session today at 10:00 a.m. and the Senate is in session at 1:00 p.m. House Speaker Kurt Zellers said yesterday after brief negotiations with Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders, that they could conclude their business in a couple days, but said he’s going to stop guessing on adjournment dates.

While lawmakers now have three weeks to wrap things up (they need to adjourn by the constitutional adjournment date of May 21, 2012), today marks the 115^th legislative day. The Legislature is limited to meeting 120 legislative days during each biennium. A legislative day is when either body meets in session, so legislative leaders will need to be strategic as to when they meet.

As for bonding, it is tied up with the other two big issues currently being negotiated; a tax bill and a stadium bill. Legislative leaders have indicated a vote on the proposed Vikings stadium may have to wait until votes are taken on a tax bill and bonding bill, their top priorities.  We will continue to keep you posted.

Thank you.

Melissa Fahning
Legislative Communications
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
30 7^th St. E., Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 201-1757

(612) 483-3741 cell
melissa.fahning@so.mnscu.edu