"I """-.,_,"'",, " \-~ I' ! ; "'" I House of Representatives • February 25, 994 • Volume 11, Number 1

HF1802 - HF2078 Week in Review . .. Feb. 7 - 24, 1994 Highlights

1994 open ing ceremony. .. House session focuses on Anderson, TV cameras Noone waved to the cameras but everyone was aware of them Feb. 22, as the 1994 Minnesota Legislature got under way. For the first time in history, the House televised its floor session. And if lawmakers suffered stage fright, they didn'tshow it. Rep. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby) was one ofthe first people onscreen, taking the microphone to sing "From a Distance" to kick off opening day. For their first order of business, House members elected Rep. Irv Anderson (DFL­ Int'l Falls) speaker by an 81-to-50 margin over Rep. (IR-Kenyon). Three legislators were excused from the opening session. Anderson has served as speaker-designate since Rep. (DFL-Mpls) resigned in September. He served as majority leader for about six months last year. Anderson's ascension to speaker is a story of patience and persistence. The 70-year-old DFLer was first elected to the House in 1964. He served as majority leader from 1974 to 1978 but lost a bid for On Feb. 22, Speaker of the House lrv Anderson acknowledged his wife, Phylli~, standing, and oth~r speaker in 1980 when a group of DFLers family members for their support throughout his political career. Seated are hiS son, Greg, and hiS joinedwithIndependent-Republicansto elect daughter, Cindy. another DFLer as speaker. He lost his House "Are you going to elect the new Irv or the seat in 1982 and lost bids for re-election in old Irv," the man asked Munger. 1984and 1986. He even lost anelection to sit I:IL-__A_G_R_IC_U_L_TU_R_E__ "The new, but we'll keep the old in reserve on the Koochiching County Board of Com­ in case we need him," Munger said, drawing missioners in 1988. Flood relief bogs down laughs from legislators. When he returned to the House in 1990, Before the close of the first House session, Talks on a compromise relief package for some said Anderson, who had a reputation as Sviggumconceded thespeakership to Ander­ victims of last spring's floods have broken ashrewd and tough negotiator, hadmellowed. son and promised IRs would work with the down between the Office of the Governor He had suffered electoral defeat, grown older, majority party to ensure an efficient session. and House and Senate DFLers. and undergone quadruple bypass surgery. "But the rights of the minority won't be Both sides want to subsidize federal disas­ The new speaker referred to his electoral trod on," he reminded DFLers. ter relief to farmers and business owners but losses in his rema~ks before the House open­ Both parties look forward to a short, in­ neither can agree how. So far Minnesota is ing day. "A candidate can overcome losing an tense session, duringwhich they hope to pass expected to receive $700 million to $800 election better than a family can. My family judgment on a variety ofissues, ranging from million in federal aid to help with its esti­ stood with me many, many times." He intro­ crime to the storage of nuclear fuel. mated $1.3 billion in damages. duced his wife, Phyllis, and children, Greg "We'll know the outcome in April," Svig­ IR legislative leaders, headed by Lt. Gov. and Cindy. gumsaid, referring to the projected endofthe ]oanell Dyrstad, have met with DFLersin Rep. Willard Munger (DFL-Duluth), who 1994 Session. three separate "flood summits." Both sides led the first session before Anderson's oath, left the last summit Feb. 24 planning to told members a man had asked him earlier submit separate flood relief bills. that day: "What's going on at the Capitol?" The major point ofdisagreement is whether "We're going to elect a new speaker," relief aid will come in the form of loans or Munger replied. grants.

February 25, 1994/ SESSION WEEKLY 3