The citizen lobbying day and protest are routine pieces of the legislative process in state capitols in America.
But construction in and around the Minnesota state capitol may crimp our style, Forum Communications political staff writer Don Davis reports in Construction at State Capitol could overshadow session:
The big impact for the public will be, quite simply, lack of space.
In other years, groups rallying for or against some legislation, or just a general principle, often have gathered inside the Capitol and then dispersed to lobby lawmakers. There will be no space large enough for rallies next year, and probably not even enough room for large crowds to move around.
It is typical for the Capitol to host hundreds of people for committee meetings dealing with controversial topics such as gun control or abortion. It is not clear how those throngs will be handled next year.
In 2016, the theory is that the Senate chamber will be closed and action will move to a controversial office building now being built across the street. Senators are supposed to be housed in the new facility by then and a large committee room could replace the Senate chambers that year.
The only part of the Capitol open in 2016 likely will be the House chamber.
The normally ornate Capitol today features a good many plywood walls after construction workers isolated much of the building, including the rotunda where many events were held. The Great Hall, another favored location, also will be under construction and closed.
Will Minnesota's citizens apply our inventiveness to devising new tactics to impress legislators with expressions of popular support or opposition?
Stay tuned.
Photo: The Minnesota state capitol.
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