The good bipartisan vibes were so strong on the Legislature's first day that it was almost suspicious, like someone put something in the air ducts or the water. If not for the subzero temperatures, they might have marched up Cathedral Hill, joined hands and sang the Coke song.
From my story this a.m.:
Members of both the newly Republican House and the DFL-controlled Senate avoided talk of policy fights that will consume them later this year, instead encouraging comity and collaboration as they celebrated the pomp of being sworn in and other first-day traditions in front of their families and friends.
Interesting detail: New Speaker Kurt Daudt's gavel is from a white oak tree from his grandparents' farm, which will always remind him where he came from, he said. Like Roy Hobbs' bat "Wonderboy."
The only surprise of the day came when there was chatter from Senate GOP Minority Leader David Hann about not holding a session next year due to the construction at the Capitol.
This notion seemed a bit unlikely, with veteran Rep. Greg Davids telling my colleague Pat Condon that it's not realistic.
It was somewhat surprising coming from Hann -- from his perspective, one would think he would want the DFL-controlled Senate in session so House Republicans could force senators into tough votes that could be used against them in the 2016 election, but maybe not everyone is as cynical as I.
Nice photos of Day One from our own Strib shooters.
