2A, Discussion with Senator Barb Goodwin & State Rep Kate Knuth

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2011 Legislative Session: New Players, Same Game Page 1 of 3 2011 Legislative Session: New Players, Same Game The 2011 legislative session brings many new players to address some of the same challenges, including balancing the state budget. (Published Jan 5, 2011) The Minnesota Legislature convened on Jan. 4 for the state's 87th legislative session. While the session brings many new faces, some of the topics affecting cities will sound very familiar. New governor For the first time since Gov. Rudy Perpich was elected in 1986, a Democrat will occupy the southwest corner of the first floor of the Capitol. One of the first chores of Gov. Mark Dayton will be to complete the appointment of his new cabinet of department commissioners. As of Jan. 3, he has named eight commissioners; press reports indicate that several more will be named by Jan. 7. New majorities and new leaders The 2011 Legislature includes 141 returning members and 60 new members, including six who previously served in the Legislature and two who moved from the House to the Senate. Several new and re- elected legislators arrive at the Capitol with municipal backgrounds. Republicans now have majorities in both the House and the Senate. That means new leaders have been selected in both houses. Read related article about the new majority and minority leaders (Link to: http://www.lmc.org/page/ 1/Leadership jsp) Read related article about legislators with municipal backgrounds (Link to: http://www.lmc.org/page/1/20111egislatorsfsp) :AGUE of NNESOTA CITIES New committee structure The new Republican leadership announced a smaller committee structure that more closely aligns the House and the Senate committees. The House will have a total of 24 committees and divisions, down from a total of 36 committees and divisions during the 2009 and 2010 sessions. The Senate will have a total of 16 committees, down from 28 committees and divisions during the 2009 and 2010 sessions. See the list of House committees (Link to: http: /www. house. leg. state .mn.us /comm /commemlist.asp) See the list of Senate committees (Link to: http:/ /www. senate. leg. state.mn.us committees /index.php ?ls #header) Topics to watch There will be many issues at the Capitol this session that will impact cities. Here are just a few of the major issues to watch: State budget. The primary goal of the 2011 session will be to craft a state budget for the upcoming state 2012 -2013 biennium, which begins on July 1, 2011. The budget discussions will be dominated by the state's projected $6.2 billion deficit. Gov. Dayton is required by state law to submit a proposed budget to the Legislature no later than the third Tuesday in February, which this year will be Feb. 15. http://wvvw.lmc.org/page/l/newsession.jsp 1/5/2011