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| "Unless I hear otherwise from legislators, the consensus point now is only the Gopher stadium," Pawlenty told reporters after the meeting. "I think it's worth doing. I wish we could agree on more." (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire) |
St. Paul, Minn. — Before he's willing to call a special session, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants Legislative leaders to agree in advance on its agenda. He wants their promise for quick action and no controversy. Funding plans for a new ballpark for the Twins and an on-campus football stadium for the Gophers were considered the most likely items for inclusion.
But after a 90 minute meeting with the four leaders, Pawlenty concluded that only the university proposal has the necessary support
"If there are other issues that can be brought forward on a consensus basis we won't yet slam the door on those," he said, "but we're going to make this decision and move forward shortly. And from my standpoint, the Gopher stadium by itself has merit. There may be some opportunity to expand that to some other issues, but that's going to have to become clear in the next few days, otherwise we'll just focus on Gopher stadium."
Pawlenty said his decision on a special session will come next week. He wants to give Legislative leaders time to discuss the agenda issues with their caucus members. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, supports the proposed Twins ballpark, but he knows it would face significant opposition in a special session. He said a smaller agenda might be best.
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"Every time you put another issue on the table, a controversial issue, you put yourself in the discussion of being less successful."
- House Speaker Steve Sviggum
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"Every time you put another issue on the table, a controversial issue, you put yourself in the discussion of being less successful," he said. "Because you're giving more ammunition, more fodder to those who want to bring in chaos into the special session, those who don't want it to be orderly for whatever reason it may be."
Sviggum said the plan for a new hospital in Maple Grove could be another issue worthy of a special session. He didn't rule out the Twins ballpark, but that project appeared to be sliding down the list.
The president of the Twins was not pleased. Dave St. Peter said he couldn't be more disappointed if lawmakers decide to exclude the Twins.
"We obviously have a plan with Hennepin County that builds a ballpark in downtown Minneapolis with no state money and ensures the longterm viability of baseball in Minnesota," he said. "And coupled with the fact that we believe we have the votes to pass this bill, it certainly has been a disappointing day in that respect."
St. Peter said delaying the vote will add $30 million to the project cost and could jeopardize the sales-tax financing agreement with Hennepin County.
Senate Majority Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, is another supporter of the Twins ballpark. He insisted the proposal is still on the table, as well as the proposed Vikings stadium in Anoka County. Johnson said all of the stadium plans must eventually be addressed.
"If anyone thinks that the Gophers stadium, Vikings stadium, Twins stadium are somehow going to disappear from the face of Minnesota by waiting, it's not going to happen," he said. "It's going to be here. So we have to figure out, those of us with election certificates, how we're best going to deal with it. They simply are not going to go away. "
If lawmakers do return to the Capitol for another special session, Johnson and other leaders are suggesting they forego their daily expense payments. Johnson said it's one way to help rebuild trust with the public after last summer's special session and the partial government shutdown.
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