Pogemiller and Kelliher preview the session on MPR

The DFL’s legislative leaders, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (Minneapolis) and Sen. Larry Pogemiller (Minneapolis)  appeared on Gary Eichten’s Midday program on Minnesota Public Radio today.

The duo revealed some early plans for the legislative session and dealing with the massive budget problem, in the context of Judge Kathleen Gearin’s ruling on the governor’s unallotments. Bob Collins wonders at his News Cut blog why the governor isn’t in on the conversation. He also posts a good list of highlights from the discussion. A couple of other important points:

• Both leaders totally pooh-poohed the idea of a one-day special session to ratify the school payment delay. Pogemiller characterized the delay as a cut, expressing doubt that the money could be paid back within any reasonable time frame.

• We  can assume that Minnesota’s primary election will be moved to August, and Kelliher looked to other modernizations of the voting process in the wake of the recount.

• Plans for the bonding bill are still tracking with what we’ve heard: Does the Legislature plan to quickly pass a bonding bill? “You betcha,” the speaker said. A billion-dollar bill, she continued, would be expected to generate around 10,000 jobs. Roads and bridges would be a focus; Pogemiller expected a clash with the governor around the size of the bill. Line-item vetoes will be a possibility.