(00:00:01) Good afternoon. This is Bob Potter speaking to you live from the gallery of the Minnesota House of Representatives at the state capitol in st. Paul and during the next hour you'll be hearing the opening session of the Minnesota house the very first session in history, which seems the political parties with an exactly even number of seats at the same our lieutenant governor. Move on board should be calling the Senate to order just across the building Secretary of State. John grow has just entered the room calling the session to order and let's go to the floor. (00:00:37) The hour of 12:00 having arrived at an obedience to and in accordance with the laws of the state of Minnesota. It becomes my duty as your secretary of state to call the members of the House of Representatives to order. I recognize the Sergeant at Arms. The sergeant-at-arms will escort the Chief Justice to the front of the chamber, please stand. (00:01:16) And chief justice Roberts Sharon is now entering the chamber he of course will be swearing in the 134 house members who are here save for one an important exception which we'll be talking about in just a few minutes. Most of today's opening ceremony will be rather routine until yesterday. We had expected to see an effort to elect a speaker of the house maybe but over the weekend dfl representative dick has store has suffered a heart attack and is now hospitalized in st. Paul. I oppose since he will not be in the chamber today. He can't vote and although the IR side would have the one vote Advantage needed to elect a speaker the IR leaders agreed yesterday not to seek a vote on the speaker either today or tomorrow. Secretary of State John grow who's presiding over the session as appointed gray Pharisee as the clerk Pro tem, and as also appointed Lawrence Bothwell and Walter stranded sergeant-at-arms pro-temp (00:02:14) your when I ran for the legislature in 1972. I would not now be convening this legislative session. She has since changed her primary interest from politics to theology. It's with great pleasure. I present the Reverend Gretchen Fogle for the purposes of giving the invocation, please stand Let us pray. Eternal spirit of God it is with a sense of anticipation that we gather for this legislative session. We are grateful for this new beginning and for the freedom to come together to fulfill the tasks to which we have been called help each person in the legislature to accept with gratitude this opportunity to serve and to respond with concern and compassion for all the people of this state. As we pray for the healing of Richard castoriadis and for his return to this house, so to we pray for the healing of relationships between individuals and groups help each to accept and appreciate one another and to recognize that Unity can exist within diversity. We ask that in the midst of issues that will arise and differences of opinion that will occur that there may be a spirit of reconciliation and a sense of hope let us approach one another in an attitude of openness and fairness of trust and integrity. Help each to listen and seek to understand to be aware of the needs of all people not only those of party or special interest May the issues that divide serve not as barriers that separate but as opportunities for creativity and cooperation and the realization of accomplishments that may often seem difficult. Oh God inspiring us a willingness to deal with heart issues strengthen us as we Face the realities of decisions that require courage. Guide us. We pray through the days and weeks that lie ahead. Amen. You may be seated. (00:04:38) And that was the chaplain for the day Gretchen Fogle each Minnesota house session opens with a prayer and once again Joan grow. (00:04:46) This is the first time in history that the Minnesota House of Representatives will not be organizing and electing a speaker on its opening day under Minnesota statutes. The secretary of state is the presiding officer of the house until such time as a speaker and other officers are elected. So I'll be working with you over the next few days. As a former member of this legislative body, I'm particularly concerned as I know all of you are that the public understands and appreciates the very difficult and delicate balance that exists as a result of this last election. I know that we are all dedicated to resolving the necessary issues in a timely and reasonable manner. I have communicated with both caucuses in an effort to develop procedures that are fair and Equitable to both sides to that end. I intend to handle my responsibilities as informally yet as fairly as possible. It's going to take more time than usual and it's going to take more patients than it normally would for this organization to take place. I would ask that the members of the House be patient with me. I would ask that you be patient with each other. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome back those members of the legislature with whom I have served and worked these past years and to extend a special congratulations to those of you who are about to be sworn in to the Minnesota Legislature for the first time. You have joined us for a historic session. a hundred and thirty-four certificates of election have been presented and I will now ask the clerk protium to proceed to call the role of the districts (00:06:46) and this will be steep all representative Ray Pharisee and efl ER (00:06:52) District 1 a Beltrami kitson Lake of the Woods Marshall Rosso Myron nice ether District 1 B Marshall Pennington poke Red Lake John Corbett District to a Norman Polk Tony Statham District to be clear water Mahnomen Norman poke Willis. Ah Rican District 3 a Beltrami Itasca koochiching Irvin in Anderson District 3 B Itasca Norman are prall. district for a Beltrami Hubbard John a ainley District 4B Cass Hubbard Itasca Morrison. Would Nina Glen a Sherwood District 5A st. Louis Dominic jai alai off District 5 b st. Louis Lonna min district 6 a Saint Louis Joseph our begich district 6 be cook Lake st. Louis David Battaglia. Seven a st. Louis Willard Munger district 7 be st. Louis Mike Jairus District 8 a st. Louis Arlene Leto District 8 B st. Louis Thomas Arbor Coleman District 9 a clay Dwayne Bowe Bergdahl District 9 B clay Otter Tail Wilkin Merlin Valen district 10 a Becker Ottertail Medina Jim Evans district 10 B Ottertail Wadena, Bob Anderson District 11 a grant Ottertail Traverse Paul asness District 11 be Douglas Grant Ottertail Dave Vaseline District 12 a Morrison Todd Bruce g Nelson District 12 be Mille Lacs Morrison Stephen G Wenzel District 13 a Crow Wing Paul CD District 13 be Akin crowing crowing Kennebec Marlin be Doc Nelson the district 14 a Carlton Chisago Pine St. Louis Douglas W Carlson district 14 B Carlton st. Louis Mary C Murphy District 15 a pope Stevens Swift Delbert F Anderson District 15 be Big Stone Chippewa l'aquila parle Stevens Swift yellow medicine Glen H Anderson. 16 a Stearns Joseph niehaus district 16 B Meeker Stearns BJ Brinkman District 17 a Benton Sherburne Stearns Al W patent District 17 be Stearns James C Taylor district 18 a Benton Isanti Mille Lacs Sherburn Richard J Welch district 18 be Sherburne, right Bob McCarron District 19 a Anoka Chisago as Santee John T Clawson District 19 be anoka-hennepin John L Weaver District 20 a Chippewa l'aquila parle lion yellow medicine Ray Welker District 20 be Lincoln lion Cal lunamon. District 21 a Kandiyohi Dean a Johnson district 21 be Kandiyohi Redwood Renville yellow medicine Galen de nada. District 22 a MacLeod Meeker Renville Adolf L qualms District 22 be Hennepin MacLeod Meeker, right Tony Onan District 23 a MacLeod Sibley Raymond J Albright District 23 B Blue Earth lesueur Nicollet Scott Carl M Johnson District 24 a Dakota lesueur rice Scott Robert even Asik District 24 be looser rice Marnie Luke, Nick District 25 a Dakota Goodhue Steve spig mmm District 25 be Goodhue Wabasha Lyle merkins District 26 A Marie Nobles Pipestone Bruce W Buzz Anderson District 26 be Nobles Rock Wendell. Oh Erickson District 27 a cottonwood Jackson Martin Nobles 121 George man District 27 be Martin wat Juan David Jennings. district 28 a brown Cottonwood Murray Redwood Gilbert Esau district 28 be brown Cottonwood Nicollet Terry Dempsey District 29 a blue Earth Nicollet Mark people District 29 B Blue Earth Richard E Wiggly District 30 a Faribault Freeborn Martin Henry J. Kahless District 30 be Freeborn Steele, Waseca Rod Cyril District 31 a Freeborn Mauer RM, excuse me, Mr. Bob (00:14:26) hocus (00:14:33) District 31 be Mauer Leo reading District 32 a Dodge steel John S beers Dorf District 32 be Dodge Homestead Don Donald L Friedrich District 33 a homestead John Our Deck Kaylee District 33 B Olmstead Kenneth P Zu Bay District 34 a homestead, Wabasha, Winona Warren Tom Stowell District 34 be Winona Tom stoa District 35 a film or Mauer Homestead Elton are ra dahlen. District 35b Fillmore, Houston, Winona Al. W we sir Junior District 36 a Carver Hennepin Kenneth J McDonald District 36 be Carver Scott Tom Reiss District 37 a Hennepin surely a Hawkinson District 37 be Hennepin James C Swanson District. 38 a Hennepin Kathleen Blatz District 38b Hennepin, William Petersen District 39 a Hennepin marry, em Forsyth District 39 be Hennepin Rayo Pleasant District 40 a Hennepin Douglas R Ewald District 4 TB Hennepin Gerald see Knickerbocker District 41 A Hennepin Sally Olsen District 41 B Hennepin Elliott Rothenberg District 42 a Hennepin right Tad Jude District 42b Hennepin Robert else urls District 33 43 a Hennepin OJ Lon - District 43 be Hennepin James Heap District 44 a Hennepin Linden are Carlson District 44b Hennepin Leo G Adams district 45 a Hennepin William Schreiber District 45b Hennepin, Robert Ellingson. District 46 a Anoka-Ramsey Paul macaron District 46b, Anoka Wayne Seminole District 47 a Anoka Joel Jacobs District 47 be Anoka Gordon. Oh Voss District 48 a Ramsey Steve gee, Novak District 48 be Ramsey John tea rose District 49 a Anoka-Ramsey Don valent. Oh District 49 be Ramsey Robert W Rife District 50 a Ramsey Washington Connie Levi this Drake 50b Ramsey Richard J. 2 starts. District 51 a Washington Gary ladak district 51 be Washington Michael. Sieben District 52 a Dakota James P metzen District 52 B Dakota, Washington, Harry sieben Junior District 53 a Dakota Ray kemppi District 53b Dakota Charles see Helberg District 54 a Hennepin Carl W. Crony District. 54 B Hennepin James. I rice District 55 a anoka-hennepin Stanley J food. Row District 55b. Anoka-hennepin John J. Serna history. 56a Hennepin. James are Casserly District 56b Hennepin D along this route. 57 a Hennepin Phyllis. Elkon District 57b Hennepin Lian Li Greenfield. District 58 a Hennepin Bill Dean District 58b Hennepin Todd, Otis District 59 a Hennepin Linda L. Bergland District 59 be Hennepin Ken Nelson District 60 a Hennepin Janet Clark District 60 B Hennepin Stanley a stand edible District 61a Hennepin William a Crandall District 61b Hennepin James Norman District 62 a Ramsey an wynia District 60 to be Ramsey MD Mike Fritz District 63 a Ramsey re W Pharisee here District 63 be Ramsey John Drewe District. 64 a Ramsey see Thomas. Ah stav District 64b Ramsey Peggy Burn District 65 a Ramsey Fred C Norton. District 65 B Ramsey Donald M mole District 66a Ramsey Eugene T Waldorf District 66b Ramsey, Randy Kelly District 67a Dakota Ramsey Robert L. Pavlik District, 67b Ramsey John Dee Tomlinson (00:21:25) And that completes the reading of the legislators by district and we're going to have a chief justice Sharon administer the oath of office. Everyone is standing and chief justice is on his way to the podium. (00:21:51) I will state the Earth in its entirety. Those who prefer to a firm may be understood to be affirming when you in the end say I do so with that. Would you raise your right hand? I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the constitution of the state of Minnesota? And that I will Faithfully discharge the duties of state representative of the state of Minnesota to the best of my judgment and ability. So help me God. (00:22:38) Congratulations, you may be seated. all the members go ahead. That's (00:22:46) appropriate. (00:22:58) All the members should also sign a copy of the oath of office which has been placed on your desk. And after you sign that the house employees will pick them up and checked very I recognize the gentleman from coaching County. Mr. Anderson Madam Secretary members of the (00:23:15) body all members of the House present today have been sworn. (00:23:20) I would like to notify the house that representative Richard could starts (00:23:25) District 50 B has taken the oath of office. (00:23:28) The appropriate document will arrive in the house shortly and I hereby request that upon that their arrival that they be received by the clerk Pro Temp and entered in the journal for today January the 3 1979. (00:23:43) I understand that mr. An Scented. Mr. Cyril have discussed this matter hearing no objection when the documents are received. They will be received in the entry will be made. The clerk Pro tem well in alphabetical order call the role of the (00:24:01) members. That's this first day in which atoms. This (00:24:05) procedure will be gone through after that. The members will be using the electronic voting board which simply eliminates the role call to a matter of about a 20 second procedure. The chamber is full not only with the representatives but also with many of the families visitors guests are here the number of freshmen legislators for whom this is their first swearing-in 32 independent Republicans a number of Democrats. And the very first swearing in is probably a matter of considerable interest to the family members. The procedures that will be followed today. We're actually worked out yesterday by the dfl and I our negotiators the remaining business basically involves the invitation to Governor cui to address a joint Convention of the House and Senate at noon tomorrow. A committee will be appointed to issue the invitation and escort the governor and that will be just about the extent of the business today. Normally the house would be electing a speaker that to is usually a formality each caucus nominate somebody in the side with the majority wins. But even though the GOP now has a majority with the absence of Representative distorts leader Rod Searle says aside won't take advantage of that situation at least today or tomorrow Greg Baron has been following some of the medical developments on representative castewart. So Greg what have what have you heard from the people at the hospital? Well Bob as you know, because Stewart's is under Care at st. John's Hospital in st. Paul. What's new is that about one hour ago? The hospital released word that he is now in satisfactory and stable condition. That's the good news. But the bad news for the dfl. Is that according to his attending physician? Dr. William Ogden? Mr. Chris. Torres will not be able to leave the hospital for a minimum of ten days to two weeks and that only barring any complications which of course is always a possibility as dfl leader Irv Anderson mentioned he was sworn in he was sworn in in his hospital bed in the Cardiac Care Unit at st. John's at noon this morning by District Judge Joe Summers. So that's the latest work Gregory say out of the hospital in ten days to two weeks brain complications. Does that mean back at the legislature or aren't they saying? Well, I queried Hospital spokesman on this point and apparently it's unclear. The doctor did not specify all we know is that he will be in that hospital for a minimum of ten days to two weeks and we don't know if he'll be able to actually return. Work at the end of that period I think the other thing which could have upset the balance of power in the house was the lawsuit brought by supporters of Representative Arnold kemppi. Now, the judge issued is his recommendations on that yesterday finding that have lack could not engaged in any on Fair campaign practices any indications yet. If those people are going to be appealing the Court's ruling. Well, that's a little bit unclear but I did talk to the attorney for mr. Campion his supporters today attorney Alan weinblatt. He indicated that they're just now taking stock of judge bruni's ruling yesterday weinblatt indicated that he's spoken to only 2 of his 7 clients as you recall, there were seven supporters of mr. Scampi who brought the suit in any case he says that it is best guess that they're going to let the house decide on the matter and not appeal to Supreme Court at the same time he indicates that that still is a possibility and he's going to make his final decision on that Friday indications. We had from representative Anderson yesterday was that probably would not be brought up on the floor of the house. Well, let's go back down to the floor now and listen to Kirk protium Ray Pharisee (00:28:03) and the Sergeant's at arm's Pro tem of the house shall be the Sergeant's at arm's of the joint (00:28:08) convention. Is there any discussion All in favor of the resolution say aye those opposed. No the resolution is (00:28:18) adopted. This was simply a resolution stating that the house members have been sworn in and that they'd like to invite the governor to speak tomorrow. And here's another resolution (00:28:30) proton will read the resolution. (00:28:34) Cyril and Anderson, I offer the following resolution and move its adoption resolved that an invitation be extended to the governor to address a joint Convention of the House and Senate to be held in the house chamber on Thursday, January 4th, 1979 said joint convention to convene at 11:45 a.m. And said message to be delivered at 12 noon and that the Secretary of State appoint a committee of eight members of the house to act with a similar Committee of the Senate to extend the invitation to the governor and to notify him that the Senate and House of Representatives are now duly sworn pursuant to law. (00:29:15) Is there any discussion All in favor of the resolution say I opposed the resolution is adopted. Announcement by the Secretary of State (00:29:31) Announcement by the secretary of state Secretary of State announces the appointment of the following members on the committee to invite the governor today to address the joint convention tomorrow and to notify him that the members of the House are duly sworn. He wolde chairman Dan Eldon Blatz Luke Nick Bergland men Jacobs and jute (00:29:54) the committee members who were just named will please meet immediately in the governor's office to act with a similar committee that's been appointed by the Senate to invite the governor to address the joint convention when you're through with that business. Please return to the house chamber upon your return. I will call on the committee chair for a report. (00:30:25) Those representatives are now heading out of the chamber to go and do what they have been instructed to do. Another resolution is at the desk and your secretary of state John grown (00:30:36) option. The clerk proton will read the resolution. (00:30:41) Anderson aye and Searle offer the following resolution and move its adoption resolved that the Secretary of State B. And she is hereby directed to appoint a committee of eight members on the part of the house to act with a similar committee on the part of the Senate to escort the governor to the Joint convention to be held in the house chamber on Thursday, January 4th 1979. (00:31:06) Is there any discussion All in favor indicate by saying aye opposed. No. The resolution is adopted. Announcement by the Secretary of State (00:31:24) Announcement by the Secretary of State the Secretary of State announces the appointment of the following members on the committee to a skort the governor to the house chamber, Thursday, January 4th 1979 for the joint convention Anibal Waldorf Anderson be Otis Albrecht. We sir Olson and Levi (00:31:47) the committee members who were just named will please assemble in the office of the governor at 11:50 a.m. Tomorrow on Thursday for the purpose of escorting the governor to the Joint convention. (00:32:02) And that just about wraps up the business that has to be conducted here on the house floor today as the indication is will be back here tomorrow at noon for the live address by Governor Qui know they'll not be electing the speaker. They will not be electing any of the other officers of the house the various the chief Clerk and his assistants the Sergeant at Arms and his assistants. The members will not be picking their seats as they ordinarily do on the opening day. All of that will wait until the election of the speaker. Just how long the GOP side is willing to wait on that particular subject is unclear caucus leader Rod Cyril said yesterday he wanted to get the latest medical reports and representative Coast or it's before making a decision, but he also indicated rather clearly that the house cannot remain unorganized for very long and it now looks like there might be a vote on the speaker is coming Friday or possibly by Monday or Tuesday of next week, at least the election of a speaker requires only a plurality. Polity of those voting so if there was a strict party-line vote Rod Serling could be elected 67 266 and at this point the speaker's job is still one of the most powerful than state government. The negotiators had agreed tentatively to restrict the speaker's power. But the rest of that agreement was not adopted and so as it stands right now the speaker still has a good deal of power the tend to go Shooters will be meeting again this afternoon at three o'clock. We understand of course will be sitting in on that meeting and perhaps will be some indication of what will happen when there will be a selection on the speaker at the conclusion of that meeting. We're going to finish our live coverage now from the gallery of the Minnesota House of Representatives joining me a Greg Baron and the technical director for the broadcaster's Linda Murray, this is Bob Potter speaking and now back to our St.Paul Studios and Danielson.