ST. PAUL - Key legislators agreed on public works spending Wednesday, an important step before lawmakers can finish for the year next week.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations on other major issues, such as constructing stadiums, also were reported to be progressing well.
"We are still poised to finish early," Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, told Mary Lahammer on Twin Cities Public Television's "Almanac: At the Capitol."
Ironically, Johnson and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, were together on the show for one of the few times in recent days. Johnson, Sviggum and Gov. Tim Pawlenty usually would be huddled in an office trying to figure out ways to bridge differences with nine days remaining in the legislative session. But the big three have not met lately, although they may today.
Negotiators agreed Wednesday on how much to spend on public works projects, the legislative session's top priority.
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The Senate agreed to spend less on public works projects that its original $1 billion-plus plan. Under the Senate proposal, the total of all funds would push $1 billion, with $949 million to be repaid by general tax money.
"We're willing to compromise and meet the House at their number if that's what it takes to get the bill done on time," said Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon.
Langseth and Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea - chief public works negotiators - have traded barbs in recent days. On Wednesday, however, Dorman told reporters he liked Langseth's offer.
"We apparently have an agreement on the overall size of the bill," Dorman said. "We are 70, 80 percent there."
But Langseth and Dorman have not talked for days. Langseth released his offer in a morning news conference and Dorman replied in an afternoon meeting with reporters.
Langseth said even if the two sides agree on the total amount for public works projects, several individual projects remain in doubt.
For instance, while both chambers want to fund renovation of Minnesota State University Moorhead's MacLean Hall, in Langseth's district, Dorman does not want to fund planning for the renovation of MSUM's Lommen Hall. Langseth does not fund a project in Dorman's district.
Pawlenty says the near-deal is too rich.
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"From our perspective, we would like to see a bonding bill with a total price tag in the neighborhood of $960 million," Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said.
Sviggum often has said when the public works bill - popularly known as the bonding bill - passes, legislators can end the 2006 session.
The speaker said a bill to fund Twins and Vikings stadiums will be in a House-Senate conference committee tonight as lawmakers work out differences in the Senate and House bills. Similar conference committees on other issues probably will meet through the weekend so final votes may come next week.
In interviews Wednesday night, Johnson and Sviggum said University of Minnesota football and Twins baseball stadiums probably will pass, and Johnson said he thought a Vikings facility also would win approval.
ST. PAUL - Key legislators agreed on public works spending Wednesday, an important step before lawmakers can finish for the year next week.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations on other major issues, such as constructing stadiums, also were reported to be progressing well.
"We are still poised to finish early," Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, told Mary Lahammer on Twin Cities Public Television's "Almanac: At the Capitol."
Ironically, Johnson and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, were together on the show for one of the few times in recent days. Johnson, Sviggum and Gov. Tim Pawlenty usually would be huddled in an office trying to figure out ways to bridge differences with nine days remaining in the legislative session. But the big three have not met lately, although they may today.
ADVERTISEMENT
Negotiators agreed Wednesday on how much to spend on public works projects, the legislative session's top priority.
The Senate agreed to spend less on public works projects that its original $1 billion-plus plan. Under the Senate proposal, the total of all funds would push $1 billion, with $949 million to be repaid by general tax money.
"We're willing to compromise and meet the House at their number if that's what it takes to get the bill done on time," said Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon.
Langseth and Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea - chief public works negotiators - have traded barbs in recent days. On Wednesday, however, Dorman told reporters he liked Langseth's offer.
"We apparently have an agreement on the overall size of the bill," Dorman said. "We are 70, 80 percent there."
But Langseth and Dorman have not talked for days. Langseth released his offer in a morning news conference and Dorman replied in an afternoon meeting with reporters.
Langseth said even if the two sides agree on the total amount for public works projects, several individual projects remain in doubt.
For instance, while both chambers want to fund renovation of Minnesota State University Moorhead's MacLean Hall, in Langseth's district, Dorman does not want to fund planning for the renovation of MSUM's Lommen Hall. Langseth does not fund a project in Dorman's district.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pawlenty says the near-deal is too rich.
"From our perspective, we would like to see a bonding bill with a total price tag in the neighborhood of $960 million," Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said.
Sviggum often has said when the public works bill - popularly known as the bonding bill - passes, legislators can end the 2006 session.
The speaker said a bill to fund Twins and Vikings stadiums will be in a House-Senate conference committee tonight as lawmakers work out differences in the Senate and House bills. Similar conference committees on other issues probably will meet through the weekend so final votes may come next week.
In interviews Wednesday night, Johnson and Sviggum said University of Minnesota football and Twins baseball stadiums probably will pass, and Johnson said he thought a Vikings facility also would win approval.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Don Davis at (651) 290-0707Readers can reach Forum reporter Don Davis at (651) 290-0707
