| For more information contact: | |
| October 26, 2001 | Karl Bremer (651-296-4169) |
First of all, let me say that I take my responsibility as a legislator very, very seriously and would like nothing more than to see a reasonable compromise and an end to the current special legislative session going on in St. Paul. Eventually, the special session will end. It's likely that all sides will claim a small amount of victory and at the same time voice frustration that they didn't get all of what they wanted. It's called compromise and it's a key element to Minnesota's legislative process. It takes time, but it's a good system, with plenty of checks and balances. Hang in there Minnesota. In the end the budget will be balanced and your rebate check will be in the mail.
Since the special session began I've gotten many inquiries about the nature of special sessions and just how "special" they really are, so I did a little research. My findings are interesting and give some perspective to the uniqueness of such gatherings since Minnesota became a state.
The current special legislative session taking place at our State Capitol is the 40th such session since Minnesota became a state in 1858. Roughly speaking, that's one special session every three-and-a-half years. Technically, this is just the 19th "special" session in Minnesota's history. You see, prior to 1979, extraordinary sessions were called "extra" sessions; beginning in 1979 they were called "special" sessions.
The first "extra" session was convened on September 9, 1862. The history books tell us the reason the session was called was to deal with "...an Indian outbreak." The session lasted 21 days, with the legislature meeting 18 of those 21 days in floor sessions. The session was called by Governor Alexander Ramsey.
There was just one additional special session called prior to the turn of the 20th century. Governor John S. Pillsbury called legislators back to St. Paul for a session that convened on October 11, 1881 and adjourned on November 19 of the same year. The issue that triggered the extra session? Railroad bonds. It seems the legislature was forced to reconsider some previous legislation that the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional.
In the 1900's, Minnesota saw 37 extra and special sessions. The subject matter paints a picture of our state's growth and reflects a bit of national and worldwide history as well. Here are a few issues dealt with in special sessions between 1900 and 2000: reapportionment, women suffrage, WWI benefits, liquor regulation, Federal Social Security Act, soldier's suffrage, election laws, Korean War bonuses, aid to the blind, worker's compensation, short-term borrowing, cash flow problems, emergency jobs program for Northeastern Minnesota, education, corporate acquisition laws, environment, sexual predator laws, flood relief and a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins.
The longest special session was held in 1971. It lasted 159 calendar days and dealt with the "Minnesota Miracle," an initiative of then-Governor Wendell R. Anderson. The session convened on May 25 and adjourned over five months later on October 30. Ironically, the property tax reform that was enacted in 1971 and has served Minnesota so well is proposed to be undone in this special session. And although the property tax changes being proposed at that time were equally sweeping as those being proposed today, there was no threat of a government shutdown.
The 1989 special session lasted just 3 days and dealt with a tax bill and a major environmental bill. The uniqueness of this session was the fact that the 134 member House of Representatives met in the 67-member Senate chamber due to the remodeling of the House chamber. Two members shared a desk and all roll call votes were cast verbally with no electronic tally board.
I'll let you draw your own conclusion as to the "special" nature of the 2001 Special Session. It's not the first and certainly won't be Minnesota's last. I welcome your thoughts and comments on special session #40 and any other issues you might have a concern with. I can be reached either at home or the Capitol these days: (218) 776-3420, Rt. 2, Box 80, Clearbrook, MN 56634; or (651) 296-4265, 321 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55115, rep.rod.skoe@house.leg.state.mn.us.