by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

An informal survey of local lawmakers showed about two-thirds having no interest in Gov. Tim Pawlenty calling them back into special session ó into special-special session, joked a senator.

Out of 21 lawmakers voicing an opinion, 13 did not want to return to the Capitol before the start of the regular legislative session in March.

One had no preference either way.

Six lawmakers either supported having a special session or saw value in having one.

ìOur caucus is deeply divided on the topic,î said Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka.

Three out of four local DFL lawmakers ó Foley, Bernardy, Goodwin ó preferred that a special session not be called.

ìYou look around and see the tragedy going on, it doesnít seem that important,î said Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan, of stadiums and other potential special session items.

ìIím not getting any clamoring (for a special session) from constituents or anybody else,î said Rep. Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo.

Indeed, Rep. Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, spoke of a sense of ìforebodingî over the idea of calling 201 lawmakers back to St. Paul after a difficult seven-week special session that capped the five month regular session.

ìIt could devolve into a chaotic free-for-all,î said DeLaForest of action in the House, arguing that House Speaker Steve Sviggumís and Republican leaderís control over the spirited, independent-minded body is anything but absolute.

ìI think itís about a certainty that someone would raise the DOMA issue,î said Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, of the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage coming up during a special session.

Still, Gerlach expressed a willingness to return to the Capitol to pass a Gopher stadium bill ó nothing else.

A number of local lawmakers want action on stadiums during a special session.

ìI think we should do all three,î said Rep. Andy Westerberg, R-Blaine, of the Gopher, Twins, and Vikings stadiums ó the latter proposed for the City of Blaine.

Acting now will save money in the long run, Westerberg argued.

Rep. Pete Nelson, R-Lindstrom, believes the Gopher and Twins stadiums should be addressed during a special session, but wants the public heard before votes are taken.

ìThere should be great time for public input,î said Nelson, saying House and Senate committees could begin hearings immediately.
Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, and Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, both mentioned the Minneapolis mayoral race ó a race pitting a Hennepin county commissioner against the incumbent ó as possibly swinging the vote on the county board away from a Twins ballpark deal.

ìIím for doing it sooner than later,î said Betzold of legislative action on a Twinsí ballpark.

Betzold also opined that the City of Blaine could not indefinitely hold land for a Vikings stadium.

ìI doní know how you get any better than that,î said Davids of the current Twins/Hennepin County proposal. ìI think the time is probably now,î he said of addressing the Twins stadium.

ìIf he (Pawlenty) calls one, Iíll be there; if he doesnít, I wonít,î said Davids.

Davids guessed a special session would happen.

Betzold was less optimistic.

ìI donít think itís going to happen,î he said.

Other issues the governor and lawmakers listed as possible special session topics includes the Maple Grove hospital, Minneapolis teachersí pension, the price of gasoline.

Sviggum is encouraging the governor to call a one-day special session for Nov. 1, he said.

Everything must be agreed to first, he stressed.

That some lawmakers donít want a special session isnít surprising, Sviggum explained.

Theyíve just gotten back to their families and jobs after months at the Capitol, he explained.

Thereís a time element in passing the Gopher and Twins ó both financial and political, Sviggum explained.

ìI donít think it will be handled in March,î he said of leaving Twins ballpark legislation for the regular session.

He envisions a quick, orderly session, said Sviggum.

Asked if he thought the impending election could make lawmakers skittish of passing stadium bills, he said, ìI think a little ó maybe so.î

As for losing control of the special session, thatís certainly a concern, said Sviggum.

There are no 100 percent guarantees, he opined.

House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, in a recent statement said the governor and legislative leaders should first work out a transportation funding package.

ìThen, and only then, should a special session be considered,î he said.

Pawlenty in recent days has deferred comment on a possible session until after the Labor Day weekend.

He has spoken of the need for preagreement, a short session, but has also placed the odds of having one as slightly against.

Local lawmakers opposing a special session includes: Anderson, Bernardy, Cybart, DeLaForest, Eastlund, Erickson, Foley, Goodwin, Hackbarth, Kleis, Knoblach, Nienow, Robling, and Vandeveer.

Lawmakers in favor of special session or at least seeing merit in one include: Abeler, Betzold, Davids, Gerlach, Nelson, and Westerberg.

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