A protracted fight over the election for governor could delay action to shrink the projected $6 billion state budget deficit -- or speed it up if the new majority party in the Legislature sees an advantage to doing so.
GOP leaders in the House and Senate said Wednesday that they haven't decided on a strategy for passing a budget of spending cuts if a new governor has not been seated at the beginning of the new year.
"I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves," said Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, the House minority leader. He told reporters that lawmakers need to see economic forecasts this month and in February before deciding on a course of action. "Let's get an idea where we are then."
But the prospect of a long recount creates intriguing possibilities. If it continues past the scheduled Jan. 3 inauguration, Gov. Tim Pawlenty would continue as chief executive while the legislative session gets underway. Republican legislators could act quickly to send a budget-cutting bill to Pawlenty to sign rather than waiting for a likely veto should DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton prevail in the recount.
"It might well be that Governor Pawlenty will sign the bill," said Sen. David Senjem, R-Rochester, this year's Senate minority leader who's hoping his caucus will make him next year's majority leader. Referring to possible GOP control of the House, Senate and governor's office, he said, "If we get a budget early on ... we've got a trifecta."
Senjem later said the idea hasn't been considered, adding, "I'm not suggesting we're going to do that." However, he said if the recount continued well into the 2011 session, "It's not inconceivable."
"We have to do this with some level of style and dignity and involvement with the minority party," he said of passing a budget. "But it's our turn to lead."
Rep. Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, the current House majority leader, warned GOP legislators Wednesday against "trying to do any shenanigans or funny business" before a recount is finished.