First-term members reflect on rollercoaster ride through first session

— Session Daily writers Sue Hegarty and Hank Long contributed to this story  

For many House members, the last five months was a shared experience of ups and downs, twists and turns — the typical rollercoaster ride that is the business of making law.

But for 26 representatives, the long hours in committee hearings, caucus meetings and floor sessions have not been business as usual. Such is the life of a freshman legislator, where, according to Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa), every moment is a new experience that both informs and overwhelms those new to the office.

Rep. Josh Heintzeman

“Some of the best advice I received about being a new member was that if you are going to have to drink from a fire hose, don’t grit your teeth,” said Heintzeman, a small business owner and father of five children. “You try to relax a little bit and just make sure you are able to absorb as much as you can, because at a certain point, you just can’t fight it. New, important information and experiences are always flying at you.”

Whether a member of the majority or the minority party, several members of this session’s freshmen class said they were both energized and confounded by the legislative process.

Rookies’ roles increase

It used to be, veteran legislators thought first-termers should do more listening, less talking. Many members of freshman class of 2015 didn’t get that memo and have emerged as vocal advocates for issues they care a lot about.

Rep. Jennifer Schultz

“I never bought into that,” said Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL-Duluth), an economics professor and director of health care management at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She came to the House of Representatives ready to roll up her sleeves and put her experience in the health care reform field to work.

Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville) was thrust into the limelight early in session when she spoke against Gov. Mark Dayton’s intent to give large pay raises to his appointed commissioners.

“I had a higher profile than I anticipated, but it was a great opportunity to hone my leadership skills,” said Peterson, who chaired her local school board before serving in St. Paul.

Peterson frequently was given the gavel by the chair of the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee, where she was tapped to be vice chair.

Rep. Roz Peterson

Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) also served as a vice chair, an honor usually afforded more seasoned lawmakers. His background in municipal utilities and experience as a small-business employer served him well on the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee. When the avian flu hit his constituents hard, the committee met in his home district.

“It was a terrific honor to have the whole committee go to Willmar,” he said.

Additionally, Baker was chosen by his freshman class to represent them with House leadership. He considers that a compliment because his classmates have expansive knowledge, above average communication skills and ask a lot of questions. “They’re a smart bunch of people,” he said.

Count Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) among them. A prosecutor for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, Pinto spent several years in Washington D.C. working in congressional politics and for the Clinton Administration. Although this is his first experience in elected office, Pinto has enjoyed the process of “fitting the puzzle pieces in how this place truly works.”

Rep. Dave Pinto

“There are challenges to figuring out how to move a bill through the process and procedures for House Floor debate, but I think that’s what I will remember the most about (his first session) – being able to just get to that moment where it all starts to click,” Pinto said.

Rep. Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury) said if anyone would have asked her four years ago whether she would be working as an elected member of the Legislature, she would have doubted that prospect. But after working on a state senate campaign and then being hired as a staff member for the Republican Senate Caucus in 2011, Fenton found herself learning — and appreciating — the legislative process.

“It’s still a whole new experience to be here as an elected member,” said Fenton.

Time Management

As a majority caucus member, Baker has a newfound appreciation for sitting down to eat lunch.

Rep. Dave Baker

A hospitality business owner, Baker considers himself good at managing his time between running a hotel, restaurant and cruise line. “But this was amazing. I didn’t realize I’d need to schedule in time to use the restroom,” he said. Now he’s able to multitask in a way that makes returning to Willmar during the heart of tourist season seem easy.

“I’ve never felt more challenged or more stimulated at a job” and being a legislator has been “the greatest job of my life,” he said.

As a DFLer, Schultz said time is on her side this biennium.

“It’s been useful to be in the minority because it’s been a little bit slower and I’m able to learn more, meet more people on both sides, understand how the process works and do a lot more constituent services. Since I’m a new legislator, that’s really important to me.”

Expectations v. reality

As they hone their skills on and off the House Floor, many beginners said being a legislator isn’t quite what they thought. Some admit they have regrets.

Rep. Kelly Fenton

“I voted for the 24-hour rule for amendments on the House floor,” said Schultz. “If I did that vote over, I would not vote for the 24-hour rule. I think it hinders debate. People come prepared to shoot something down right away rather than having the full discussion.”

Even though the legislative process can present frustrations and fatigue, there is an appreciation for the complexities in carrying a piece of legislation through the various stages, even before it receives its third reading on the House Floor, said Fenton.

“The process is much slower than people think,” she said, “but that’s a good thing, because as your bill moves through committees, you are making it better and better with each critique and each stop along the way.”

Visits from constituents are what re-energized Heintzeman throughout the session and what he values most about his first few months as a House member.

“To see that there is some hope in their faces … that does mean a lot to me that those kind folks believe that I can make a difference here for them.”