Back to St. Paul; 2012 Legislative Session Starts at Noon

Minnesota's legislative leaders head back to work today at the State Capitol, with gavels expected to fall in both the House and Senate chambers at noon to start the 2012 legislative session.

Job creation, a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, the February fiscal forecast, and a number of capital projects to be included in the "bonding bill", are expected to be the main topics of debate this year.

In a preview of the session, Patch spoke to three legislators about their priorities, thoughts, and areas of concern for this year's session:

• State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville, . "I oppose public funding. I don’t believe that’s the proper role of government," he said.

• State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36A) of Farmington, , needs to pay back education. "... now that the money’s there, this gives us the opportunity to pay it back," he said.

• State Rep. Mary Liz Holberg(R-District 36A), of Lakeville, on Jan. 23, . She said "if the forecast should take a turn for the worse, then we’d have to do some (more) budget adjusting as well."

The Vikings stadium debate grew more heated on Jan. 24 when Gov. Mark Dayton, a stadium supporter, told the Vikings that the only viable site for a new stadium was where the Metrodome now sits. That site is not favored by the team.

The governor has also proposed a $775 million bonding bill, but that number is expected to dwindle as legislators get to work.

Committee work

Thompson's Senate committees include the Commerce and Consumer Protection, Education, Judiciary and Public Safety, and State Government Innovation and Veterans committees.

Garofalo's House committees include the Education Finance Committee where he is chair, as well as the Redistricting, Taxes, and Ways and Means committees.

Holberg's House committees include the Ways and Means Committee where she is chair, as well as the Civil Law Committee, and Data Practices Subcommittee.