Suffice it to say, this will be an interesting week at the Capitol

Posted 5/16/01

Suffice it to say, this will be an interesting week at the Capitol

By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Itís Zero Hour at the Capitol and the steamy specter of a political trainwr ñ of a derailment seems real enough.
At issue is everything, in a sense. But more specifically itís the health and human services omnibus bill and the abortion language contained within.

Gov. Ventura has vowed heíll veto any abortion language ñ in this case the so-called right-to-know provision ñ the moment John Wodele or designee lays the bill on his desk.
So the matter seems straightforward. Itís not.

Many Republicans bitterly look at right-to-know as an example of Ventura doubledealing. Republicans believed that they had an agreement with the governor last session on the provision and some Republicans were teary-eyed after Ventura ultimately vetoed the bill.

So Republicans feel justified pushing for right-to-know. And since theyíre in closer lockstep with the governor on fiscal issues than the Democrats, Republican probably feel theyíre in position to make demands.

For Senate DFLers ñ besides philosophically disagreeing with right-to-know ñ the abortion provision is maybe a last card to play.

Senate DFLers are proposing permanent tax cuts for next biennium half of what Ventura proposed and only about 40 percent of that proposed by House Republicans.

In recent weeks, House Republicans and the governor have been pretty chummy. A congratulatory letter was issued from the Governorís Office after Republicans unveiled their tax reform package.

Venturaís tone on the Senate DFL tax package in one recent interview was dismissive.

Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL, Erskine, early in the session attempted to bridge the gap between the governor and Senate DFLers by presenting a significant transportation initiative ñ transportation being a Ventura cornerstone last session.

But the overture was brushed aside by Ventura. He had a plan last session, he explained, and people ignored it. Itís time to on to other things, he explained.

So when the Senate last Friday suddenly voted to adopt the House health and human services language into their Senate bill, some tactical advantages might have been gained.

For one thing ñ as Moe explained last week ñ Senate DFLers, with a Ventura veto message in hand are perhaps in a stronger position to negotiate in conference committee.
Politically, the focus in now on the Republican bill and a picture might be painted of Republicans being obstinate and mulish if conference committee negotiations are protracted over right-to-know.

And if the health and human services bill fails to be resolved, the session ends, and a special session becomes necessary, it perhaps still gives the Senate a stronger hand.
No one wants a partial shutdown of government. These things can be tricky as Newt Gingrich and company can attest.

Whatever happens it will be a exquisite political week.
How will it end?

The Teutonic tunester Richard Wagner, moved by the half-clad mythological figures on the Rotunda ceiling, might evoke gods tumbling from the heavens, flame and smoke.
Suffice to say it will be interesting.

But if Viking helmets suddenly become fashionable at the Capitol, it may have nothing to do with a stadium.