The 2014 Legislative session will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 25, leaders of the Minnesota Senate said Saturday.
That is a later-than-usual start for the even-numbered year of the two-year budget cycle. Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said the date has been agreed to by leaders of the Minnesota House.
Next year is an election year for the House, governor and other statewide constitutional officers -- but not for the state Senate. It is not a budget-setting year, and generally the main work is capital improvements and any constitutional amendments that are to be put on the ballot.
Bakk described the late start date as "perfect."
It is not the latest starting date for even-numbered year sessions in recent history. Here are recent starting dates, according to the Legislative Reference Library.
Jan. 24, 2012;
Feb. 4, 2010;
Feb. 12, 2008;
