New Budget Division Yields Concerns, Debate

Within minutes of the opening gavel for the 2016 Legislative Session, debate began along both party and geographical lines when a routine motion was followed by accusations of secrecy and non-transparency. The debate lasted nearly an hour, with senators weighing in on the perceived lopsidedness of the Senate Committee on Environment and Energy. The makeup of the committee consists of two rural members and seven metro members.

"The legislature is all about balance, our judgements, generally speaking, are hopefully all about balance, but when we see committee structures like this, going to a very very heavily-leaning metro persuasion, if you will, an environment committee that is almost daily dealing with issues effecting rural Minnesota, that is not going to set well," said Sen. David Senjem, R-Rochester.

"It really doesn't matter who's on what committees, because ultimately decisions get made on the floor of the Senate. And in the case of divisions, divisions can't send a bill to the floor of the Senate, they have to send their bill to the finance committee, and then the finance committee ultimately makes a decision that comes to the floor. But at the end of the day, it's the floor of the Senate that decides what ultimately passes the full Senate." argued Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk.