The Legislature kept up a quick pace last week by passing health care insurance premium relief, now headed to conference committee. The House Commerce Committee voted 15-4 to repeal the ban on Sunday alcohol retailing, which is starting to look like it might have freight train momentum.
A source with the opposition predicted 85 yea votes for the repeal in the House, well more than the 68 needed. Another source, on the pro-repeal side, scoffed at that estimate — but it makes sense, and here's why: few lawmakers are opposed to the repeal on principle, so if it looks like it's about to pass, there could be a rush to vote yea.
But the Senate is the true test for repeal proponents, with opposition there a little more entrenched.
Looking to the endgame
Despite this flurry of early activity, a source said there still is a lot of uncertainty around a vital question: Who will cut the big deals at the end of session to get the two-year budget passed?
With a Republican-controlled Legislature and a DFL governor, there has to be compromise. But will Gov. Mark Dayton be deep in the weeds on the final deals? Or will it be Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook? He's just one vote shy of the Senate majority and has the policy knowledge and negotiating chops to clinch an agreement and deliver votes.
AG race shaping up
With Attorney General Lori Swanson thought to be gearing up to run for governor, a number of her fellow DFLers are said to be thinking about the race. Former Rep. Ryan Winkler is already in. Current state Reps. Debra Hilstrom of Brooklyn Center and John Lesch of St. Paul, along with state Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, are also being bandied about as prospects. The DFL has held the seat since 1970.
Republicans, who have won just one statewide election since 2006, would be wise to find a good candidate — one who could immediately be a high-profile player on the party's thin bench of statewide candidates.
Minnesota's Trump?
Now that we have a President Donald Trump, why shouldn't Minnesota get its own version?
Mike Lindell, the Minnesota MyPillow mogul, said a report about him running for governor was a misunderstanding, and that he's focused on his business and new foundation. But Lindell also said one never knows what God has in store. Political reporters may be saying a little prayer that the colorful businessman consider politics.
J. Patrick Coolican • 651-925-5042 patrick.coolican@startribune.com Twitter: @jpcoolican
