Just a minute ago, State Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, tried to make an amendment that would've added the proposal for a Canterbury Park racino to the omnibus agriculture and veterans policy bill (House File 3683).

It was ruled not germaine to the bill and thus not included.

"Perhaps I went about that last amendment the wrong way," Buesgens said on the House floor. "You have to build a bridge to get across the water."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty line-item vetoed the state bonding bill today, but to the relief of local officials, kept $1 million in for the Scott County Public Safety Training Center.

The training center, which is already partially built with local and state funding and ready to begin operations, wasn't part of the governor's bonding proposal. It was only included in the senate's bonding legislation, but still made it into the final bill agreed to by the House and Senate. The center is located at the historic Mudbaden site in Sand Creek Township.

A press release sent from Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller's office last week:

Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, today set the stage for the upcoming legislative session, which is set to begin on Feb. 12, during a session preview forum at the Capitol. Pogemiller previewed some of the priorities for the Senate DFL Caucus and spoke about bills that will likely see early action in the Senate.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made an offer to Democratic Farmer-Labor Party leaders today for a one-day special legislative session. Read the letter attached below as a PDF document.