Dear Neighbors,
Today is the first day of the 2016 legislative session. With the restoration of the State Capitol still ongoing, the session is expected to be extremely short. According to the Minnesota State Constitution, we must adjourn for the year by May 23, which means the legislature will only have approximately ten weeks to complete our work at the Capitol. The shortest regular legislative session in modern Minnesota history was in 1986 with just 47 days in session, and it is possible we’ll see less in 2016. I thought you might be interested to view the progress of the Capitol restoration project here.
The allowed maximum occupant capacities for the Capitol Building this year is 278 people, which includes the 134 elected Representatives. That means there are only 144 spots for essential support staff, press, custodial, and public safety staff and most importantly, the public. I am extremely disappointed with the lack of public access to the Capitol and House elected officials during session.
The challenges we face during this session will be highlighted by the lack of functional space and the likelihood of less public engagement during the actual session days. Last year Minnesota received a D- grade for openness and transparency in state government from a report conducted by the Center for Public Integrity, a national non-profit watchdog organization. Certainly, this is an exceptional experience as the Capitol doesn't annually get fully restored. Even as the session being held in the House Chamber is a unique situation, I am hopeful we can improve our rating. We should be doing everything possible to establish a more transparent legislative process encouraging Minnesotans to participate and engage in our democracy.
For members of the public who wish to come to Saint Paul, an alternate viewing location of the House Floor Sessions will be set up in Room 10 of the State Office Building, where the public can send notes to their representatives while they are in session.
Please know I am always available for questions or comments throughout the legislative session in district or in Saint Paul at 651-296-4193 or via email at: rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn. My office is located in 291 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, and is not undergoing construction. For those who would like to receive my e-updates from the Capitol, please sign up on my legislative webpage, http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/27b.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative