Deal on the Capitol
Tweet from Mary Lahammer: Sen Bakk on @tptAlmanac at the Capitol @tpt confirms Senate agreed to give up some space in renovated @mncapitol in deal just reached.
This means Bakk surrendered after being dealt a bad hand, or more precisely, dealing himself a bad hand with the new Senate office building, which will cost taxpayers more than $70 million and has become a political albatross. It was the source of endless negative mail pieces in last year's House election and probably many more in the next, this time launched against DFL senators. (The link will lead you to some lovely Coleridge.)
At 10 a.m., Gov. Mark Dayton will chair the Capitol Preservation Commission (5th Floor Conference Room, Veterans Service Building.) With the deal in hand, presumably the commission can approve the fourth and final stage of construction and get contracts signed by the Jan. 31 deadline, thus preventing delays and cost overruns.
Dayton will also meet with Lt. Gov. Smith, commissioners and staff throughout the day, plus a cabinet meeting. He will also provide remarks at the Minnesota Business Partnership board meeting. Closed press. In the evening, Dayton will host a reception at the residence for members of the Minnesota Legislature. Closed press. (Fly on the wall….)
Dayton proposed $30 million for the U medical school, Abby Simons reports. The hope is that this would restore the school to national prominence by adding back lost tenured faculty.
Must be nice to be governor during an economic recovery.
Senate is taking up SF1 flood relief and HF6 federal tax conformity today after a break for caucus. That means both will be on the governor's desk shortly.
House also in session. Here's today's complete schedule.
