DFLers try to be gentle

Democratic leaders apparently want to look like they are playing nice with Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

But there were some subtle jabs as the legislative session opened.

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, told his colleagues in a brief opening-day session that Pawlenty would be "bringing his TelePrompter" Thursday for his annual State of the State address. Politicians using Teleprompters have come under fire in recent days.

Then on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, mentioned two things that he called "canary in the mineshaft" stories that he hinted showed Pawlenty may not be the most cooperative this session.

The first Pogemiller canary story was that Pawlenty promised to tell lawmakers how he proposes to plug a $1.2 billion budget deficit by mid-January. The suggestions still are not available, the senator said.

Pawlenty also promised a January fix for a program that provides health care to some poor Minnesotans, Pogemiller added, a fix he still has not heard.

Then there was a Pogemiller jab that was not so subtle, this one about Pawlenty's travel for his suspected desire to be president: "While you are multi-tasking, it would be good to do the job you have."

Posted by: Don Davis on 2/05/2010 at 4:48 PM | Permalink

Tags: legislature, pawlenty, pogemiller, sertich