The November 2004 elections trimmed the lopsided 29-seat Republican majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives to only two seats. In the minds of many legislators and political observers, voters sent a clear message.
"It was very apparent that people want a Legislature that gets things accomplished," said newly-elected Rep. Sandra Peterson, DFL-New Hope.
"They want a Legislature that looks at issues, that doesn't take pledges, that gets something done," said Peterson, a former teachers union leader who ran with AFL-CIO endorsement and ousted a Republican incumbent.
The 2004 Legislature, which deadlocked and failed to pass a bonding bill to fund state construction projects, became known as a do-nothing session. "I'm hoping when you have just a one or two vote difference, it will allow much more discussion and much more working together to solve problems," Peterson said.
"I think that the partisan parity will actually make things better, not worse," said Rep. Steve Simon, DFL-St. Louis Park, another challenger who also ran with AFL-CIO endorsement and beat a Republican incumbent.
"I think thoughtful people on both sides will hopefully be able to get things done. All it will take is a few defectors on either side to get things passed," Simon said.
Legislative leaders addressing the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' "Session Line-up" Jan. 7 agreed that the new composition of the Legislature will make a difference this year.
"You've told us very, very directly, cooperate, get along, get the job done. We've heard that," said Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, House Speaker.
"Compromise is a lot easier when it has power behind it," observed Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, House Minority Leader.
Brad Lehto, legislative director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, said he believes the new makeup of the Legislature spells hope for labor issues like increasing the minimum wage, restoring funding for education, and addressing health care costs.
"I hope we stay focused on the business that's important to the state and don't get sidetracked by the other issues that don't create jobs or don't educate our kids," said Rep. Mike Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park. Nelson is a Carpenters union business agent who was reelected to a second term.
"Nowadays, I hear a lot of talk about family values, but I don't necessarily see a lot of action in the Legislature that values families," Entenza said. "Hold us accountable."
For more information
Track legislation and find contact information for lawmakers at the Legislature's website, www.leg.state.mn.us
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The November 2004 elections trimmed the lopsided 29-seat Republican majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives to only two seats. In the minds of many legislators and political observers, voters sent a clear message.
“It was very apparent that people want a Legislature that gets things accomplished,” said newly-elected Rep. Sandra Peterson, DFL-New Hope.
“They want a Legislature that looks at issues, that doesn’t take pledges, that gets something done,” said Peterson, a former teachers union leader who ran with AFL-CIO endorsement and ousted a Republican incumbent.
The 2004 Legislature, which deadlocked and failed to pass a bonding bill to fund state construction projects, became known as a do-nothing session. “I’m hoping when you have just a one or two vote difference, it will allow much more discussion and much more working together to solve problems,” Peterson said.
“I think that the partisan parity will actually make things better, not worse,” said Rep. Steve Simon, DFL-St. Louis Park, another challenger who also ran with AFL-CIO endorsement and beat a Republican incumbent.
“I think thoughtful people on both sides will hopefully be able to get things done. All it will take is a few defectors on either side to get things passed,” Simon said.
Legislative leaders addressing the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ “Session Line-up” Jan. 7 agreed that the new composition of the Legislature will make a difference this year.
“You’ve told us very, very directly, cooperate, get along, get the job done. We’ve heard that,” said Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, House Speaker.
“Compromise is a lot easier when it has power behind it,” observed Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, House Minority Leader.
Brad Lehto, legislative director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, said he believes the new makeup of the Legislature spells hope for labor issues like increasing the minimum wage, restoring funding for education, and addressing health care costs.
“I hope we stay focused on the business that’s important to the state and don’t get sidetracked by the other issues that don’t create jobs or don’t educate our kids,” said Rep. Mike Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park. Nelson is a Carpenters union business agent who was reelected to a second term.
“Nowadays, I hear a lot of talk about family values, but I don’t necessarily see a lot of action in the Legislature that values families,” Entenza said. “Hold us accountable.”
For more information
Track legislation and find contact information for lawmakers at the Legislature’s website, www.leg.state.mn.us