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Feature: Opening day

Published (1/9/2009)
By Sue Hegarty
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If State Capitol architect Cass Gilbert had attended opening day of the 86th biennial session, he may have wished he’d designed a cry room in the back of the House Chamber.

With very little wiggle room, returning members and 23 newly elected members assembled Jan. 6 to take their oath of office. Legislators’ family and friends, including Brennan Kath, the 6-week-old son of freshman Rep. Kory Kath (DFL-Owatonna), sat on members’ laps, squeezed in behind and beside their loved ones, or proudly observed from the rear alcoves and balconies. More than a few attendees gingerly negotiated the terraced floor as they excused themselves from the two-hour session to go to the bathroom or to get a drink of water.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie set the tone for the afternoon, saying, “These past few months have given me even more appreciation of the wisdom of the founders of this state, of this nation, who gave us these gifts of institutions of self-governance.”

Referring to a large portrait of a contemplative Abraham Lincoln behind the Speaker’s Rostrum, Ritchie added, “I imagine that Lincoln’s presence each day for all of you is a reminder that future generations will also be looking back, and they will be asking how did we do on taking care of these gifts of democracy, these gifts, of this beautiful State Capitol. Today is a chance to pause, to appreciate those gifts to ask how we’re doing in taking care of those gifts, and to think about how will future generations imagine and remember us.”

Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls) continued the bipartisan message after she was re-elected as House speaker. “A special thank you to Minority Leader (Marty) Seifert, who has been an honorable opponent and a leader of his caucus, and from here forward I know an ally as we face these great challenges together. Thank you Marty.” She too was warmly received, especially from the front row where several family members were seated, including a sister who traveled from Cheyenne, Wyo.

In her nomination of Kelliher, Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) praised her positive attributes, while Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) got a laugh from the crowd when he seconded the motion and listed what Kelliher “lacks,” such as a “propensity for hysteria.”

Though most opening day rhetoric was cordial and hummed of working across party lines, there was some debate when it came time to adopt temporary rules that govern the House.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) unsuccessfully introduced an amendment to reduce member per diems to 2005-06 levels, as a show of compassion and understanding for constituents. “We’re going to be making some very difficult decisions for everybody in the state of Minnesota. I think if we are going to be the leaders that we’ve been elected to be, then we should start today by showing those people who put us here that we are ready to lead by showing the way immediately with our own reimbursement.”

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) assured members that the issue would be given its due consideration in committee and told onlookers that they just had the privilege of seeing democracy in action.

In a highly ceremonial role, several members, including first-term Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Mpls), were instructed by formal resolution to notify the governor that the House was duly organized. Commenting on the day’s significance Hayden said, “I’m a little overwhelmed.”

Ten-term Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul), felt right at home in his seat. Mariani, whose district includes the Capitol, took some time in the morning to meditate on the challenges ahead. “It reminds me that this is ongoing work and takes constant vigilance,” he said. His advice to freshmen legislators: “Seek to build positive relationships.”

When the House adjourned, Democrats, Republicans and their guests celebrated in the Retiring Room, to the delight of the patient children, who were rewarded for good floor behavior with finger cakes and cookies. Only time will tell if the crying room will be needed again during the next five months as legislators tackle the issue of how to solve the projected $4.85 billion shortfall.

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